A true NFL underdog who fought his way to a spot on a Pittsburgh Steelers roster that made a Super Bowl appearance died this week at 59, per multiple reports. He blazed a remarkable trail to the NFL after not playing football for a college program.
Per Lindsay Kramer of Syracuse.com, Ray Seals died.
A former Pittsburgh Steelers DE died
“Ray Seals, whose Cinderella story took him from Henninger High School to semipro football in Syracuse to a long career in the NFL, has passed away at age 59,” Kramer wrote.
“Many of Seals’ friends, who knew him from high school and during his tenure with the Syracuse Express, received word of his passing this morning and shared the news on a text chain. The cause of his death has not been released.”
A remarkable path to the NFL
Seals lettered in football during his days at Henninger High School. The six-foot-three, 293-pound defensive end joined the Syracuse Express semipro football team in 1986. He played for the Express for two seasons before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him in 1988.
Seals had stops with the Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Steelers, Carolina Panthers, and Cincinnati Bengals. He made it to Super Bowl XXX with Pittsburgh, which the Dallas Cowboys won 27-17. Seals earned a sack of Troy Aikman in the Super Bowl.
Seals appeared in 90 games and started in 62. He recorded 215 tackles, 32 sacks, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles. In 1992, he was inducted into the American Football Association’s Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame.
NFL fans remember Seals
“I used to work with a relative of his . He gave a lot back to Syracuse he really was a great guy and at 59 gone way too soon Sorry for his family and friends,” wrote a fan.
“Sorry to hear this. He was a terrific player in his brief time in Pittsburgh,” posted another.
“Incredible sack man as a DE in a 3-4. One of my favorites. Him and Brenton Buckner. RIP,” remembered another.
“Sad news. So many of these guys gone way too young,” posted a fan.
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