Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II released a statement Sunday, confirming that wide receivers coach Darryl Drake died unexpectedly Sunday Morning. He was 62 years old.
“We are at a loss for words following Darryl Drake’s passing this morning,” Rooney said in the statement. “Darryl had such an impact on the players he coached and everyone he worked with throughout his entire career. He was a passionate coach and had a tremendous spirit toward life, his family, his faith and the game of football.”
Statement from Coach Tomlin on the passing of Darryl Drake.
MORE: https://t.co/Td5iCTqSTl pic.twitter.com/pDIB4HBAFT
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 11, 2019
The Steelers cancelled a planned practice Sunday and will take the day off Monday due to the tragedy.
“Darryl was a close friend and had a tremendous impact on my coaching career,” head coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. “He was an amazing husband, father and grandfather, and it is difficult to put into words the grief our entire team is going through right now. Darryl loved the game of football and every player he ever coached. We will use our faith to guide us and help his family throughout the difficult time. My heart and our prayers are with his wife, Sheila, and Darryl’s entire family.”
We lost a great man, husband father, coach and a dear friend Darryl Drake. Our prayers go out to his family. RIP brother pic.twitter.com/V0U3fvLleP
— Bruce Arians (@BruceArians) August 11, 2019
This would have been Drake’s second year as the Steelers’ receivers coach. He coached receivers for the Chicago Bears from 2004-2012 and for the Arizona Cardinals from 2013-2019.
He played two seasons in the NFL, 1979 with the Washington Redskins and 1983 with the Cincinnati Bengals after going undrafted out of Western Kentucky. He made a stop in Canada, suiting up for the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1981.
Today we mourn the untimely passing of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Darryl Drake. Darryl was the former Bears wide receivers coach under Lovie Smith from 2004-12, including the 2006 Super Bowl appearance.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 11, 2019
Drake entered coaching in 1984 as a graduate assistant at Western Kentucky. He remained with the team as a coach from 1985-1991 before moving on to coach receivers at Georgia from 1992-1996.
I am at a loss for words during the sorrowful time. Darryl Drake was a great man who loved the game of football but more importantly he was a great father and husband. My heart hurts knowing he is no longer with us. I will always cherish the good times and the many laughs we had. pic.twitter.com/QFabqQ5JIH
— Charles Tillman (@peanuttillman) August 11, 2019
He is survived by his wife Sheila and three daughters. GetMoreSports joins the sports community in mourning his passing.
