Former Bears safety Dave Duerson has died. He was 50.
Duerson was found dead in his Sunny Isles Beach, Fla. home near Miami on Thursday night, police said. A cause of death has not been determined. The case is under investigation by police.
The Bears made the Notre Dame All-American their third-round selection in the 1983 draft. He went on to become a key member of the team’s 1985 Super Bowl championship team before winning another Super Bowl ring with the New York Giants before retiring after an 11-year career.
“When we brought him in out of Notre Dame we knew what we were getting,” former Bears’ coach Mike Ditka said. When Todd [Bell] held out he stepped right in and took over the starter’s job. With Gary [Fencik] back there we had two of the best safeties in the league.”
Ditka also said Duerson attended the 25th anniversary celebration of the 1985 team late last year and had no apparent health problems.
Duerson ran a successful sausage company after his NFL career ended. He started his own company, Duerson Foods, in 2002 but it suffered financially and much of its assets were sold at auction in 2006.
He also served as a trustee at Notre Dame before losing that position after pleading guilty to misdemeanor domestic battery for pushing his wife, Alicia, in 2006. The two filed for divorce in 2007, the same year Duerson’s Highland Park home went into foreclosure.
Most recently he was hosting an Internet radio show and working as a consultant in Florida.
“Unfortunately, he has had some financial problems,” Ditka said. “I didn’t know he was having those kinds of problems. I’m sure that was probably the biggest thing. That can put a lot of pressure on you when things are going bad financially and you’re having family problems.”
The Bears issued the following statement: “We are stunned and saddened to hear the tragic news regarding Dave Duerson. He was a great contributor to our team and the Chicago community. Today is a difficult day for all of us who loved Dave. We’ll miss him. Our prayers are with his family.”
Duerson was a two-time All-American at Notre Dame.
“Our hearts go out to the Duerson family and to all those who knew Dave,” Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said in a statement. “In addition to being a great football player, Dave represented himself and the University in so many other ways as a team captain, as well as through his work with the Monogram Club and the Board of Trustees. You couldn’t help but be impressed by him when you met Dave Duerson, and I think that was the reaction from anyone who was ever around him.”
Duerson is survived by four children.
The family released this statement: “Our family asks that you please remember Dave as a good, kind and caring man. He loved and cherished his family and friends and was extremely proud of his beloved Notre Dame and Chicago Bears. Please keep Dave and our family in your prayers.”
