In a week that's marred the American sporting world with loss, the NFL lost another outstanding son, as Chris Doleman passed away after a long battle with cancer. The NFL Hall of Fame defensive end was an important cog for the Minnesota Vikings defense during the mid-1980s until 1993.

The Vikings and Hall of Fame president David Baker offered separate messages of condolence. In his statement, Baker talked about how terrific Doleman was as a person as much as he was feared as a defender in the NFL.

Per NBC News:

“I had the honor of getting to know him not only as a great football player but an outstanding human being,” Baker said. “One of the honors of my life was witnessing Chris get baptized in the Jordan River during a Hall of Fame trip to Israel. The legacy of Chris Doleman will live forever in Canton, Ohio, for generations to learn from how he lived a life of courage and character.”

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The Vikings, who selected him in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft, also gave a sincere tribute to the defensive end who was an eight-time Pro Bowler and a two-time member of the First-Team All-Pro.

Doleman honed his skills at Pittsburgh before being drafted by the Vikings in 1985. He then spent nine years with Vikings, where he recorded 696 tackles, 88.5 sacks, 14 fumble recoveries for 14 yards, 29 forced fumbles, and five interceptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

He also played with the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers before playing one final year in the Twin Cities. He's a beloved Minnesota icon who will be missed by both NFL and Vikings fans.