Hall of Famer Fred Dean dies at 68 after hospitalization for COVID-19
Hall of Fame pass rusher and two-time Super Bowl champion Fred Dean died Wednesday night. He was 68.
"The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Fred Dean," Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker said in a statement. "He exemplified many of the values learned from this great game - commitment, integrity, courage - over the course of his life.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Fred's wife, Pam, and their entire family. We will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration for future generations."
Last week, former 49ers safety Dwight Hicks posted on Facebook that Dean, his former teammate, was hospitalized with the coronavirus, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
The then-San Diego Chargers drafted Dean in the second round of the 1975 NFL Draft. After making the Pro Bowl in 1979 and 1980, the defensive end was traded to the 49ers.
The Hall of Famer's arrival had sparked San Francisco's Super Bowl title run in 1981, with Dean racking up 12 sacks en route to being named NFC Defensive Player of the Year.
The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Fred Dean. He exemplified many of the values learned from this great game – commitment, integrity, courage – over the course of his life.#HOFForever | @Chargers | @49ers pic.twitter.com/4rbBD3vy2i
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) October 15, 2020
Dean won a second ring in 1985 when the 49ers beat the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX.