Former Bears safety Dave Duerson, a member of perhaps the greatest post-merger NFL defense, has passed away at the age of 51.
NBCChicago.com confirmed through the Miami Dade county coroner that Duerson was found dead Thursday night. The cause of death is unknown.
“Our family asks that you please remember Dave as a good, kind, and caring man,” Alicia Duerson, Dave’s ex-wife said.
Duerson won two Super Bowl titles in his 11-year career; he also won a title with the ’93 Giants. The ’85 Bears’ dominant group has two current head coaches in the league (Leslie Frazier, Ron Rivera) and two recent ones (Mike Singletary, Jeff Fisher.)
Duerson’s passing is another sad moment for the group; William “Refrigerator” Perry’s health troubles have also been a concern. Duerson hosted an Internet radio show called “Double Time with Double D” and broadcast his final show Thursday.
We pass along our condolences to the Duerson family at this difficult time.
UPDATE: “Today is a difficult day for all of us who loved Dave,” the Bears said in a statement. “We’ll miss him.”
UPDATE II: “Dave Duerson was a leader,” NFLPA spokesman George Atallah said. “A player advocate. He was an NFLPA rep and exec comittee member. He served as a trustee for the NFLPA on retirement board.”
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r.i.p. A great player and a champion.
A heckuva safety and a leader among men. Double D was a great Bear.. God rest his soul..
Sadly, Dave Duerson replaced holdout Todd Bell who also passed away several years ago (heart attack while driving).
He won a second title with the ’90 Giants, not the 93 Giants. In 1993 he played with Phoenix in his final season if I remember correctly.
My prayers are with his family!
The ’93 Giants didn’t win the title. The Cowboys trumped them that year. Maybe he was on the ’90 team?
Condolences to his family, he died way too young.
R.I.P.
Nice player.. but cmon 93 Giants didnt win the bowl. RIP
As an aside, he was also the best DB on Tecmo Bowl. That’s actually how I knew who the heck he was, initially.
Dude used to always pick me in Techmo Bowl.
Hey, thanks for giving the Giants credit for a 4th Superbowl title! Good work there!
Duerson was on the championship ’90 Giants.
RIP #22.
I ran into Duerson in a grocery store a couple of weeks after they won the Super Bowl and he very cool.
You could see that he was still walking on air from the win and was a very happy man at that moment.
Drug related? Let the speculation begin.
RIP Double D. You were a great player and so approachable to Bears fans.
As 50 candles on my Bday cake approaches, it’s truly sad a man dies at 51, it’s far too young, and my condolences to his family and friends. But since this is an NFL site, i have to say, there is no “perhaps” in the greatest post merger NFL defense. And i’m no Bears fan, that defense was the greatest defense in NFL history, hands down,. Don’t care about the lame ass stats like Yards after catch, red zone defense, and whatever, this was the most intimidating defense that looked you in the eye, smacked you in the mouth, and truly owned their opponents….
Great football player, leader, and an integral part of one of the finest defenses to assemble.
Man of principle and integrity. Always spoken of in the highest regard.
RIP Dave Duerson, this Chicago Bear fan is grateful for bringing a Superbowl Championship to Chicago during my lifetime, a memory I will forever treasure.
Gods Speed !
Come on, it’s about time for the league to really take care of these former players. No one should suffer and end up dyeing young from playing a game they loved.
Dave Duerson helped those damned Bears kick my Patriots’ collective asses! He was a helluva safety!! Sad to see so many football players dying young!
“Hello Dave.”
“Hello Mr. Halas.”
“Please, here you just call me George. Welcome…”
Prayers for Dave and his family. Another reason the NFL needs to start taking better care of it’s older players. He should’ve been able to get help, and not take his life (not mentioned in this story) he also asked his brain be donated for research. May he rest in peace.