NFL Hall of Famer Fred Dean died from COVID-19 at the age of 68

Fred Dean, a two time Super Bowl winner and inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame died Wednesday at the age of 68. 

Dean was one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL during his time. We will never know how great he was because sacks were not considered a stat when he played until the end of his career. He played 11 years in the NFL between the Chargers and Niners.

Dean was born in Louisiana and played football for Louisiana Tech. He was drafted 33rd overall in the 1975 NFL Draft.

Dean spent the first six full seasons of his career in San Diego, earning his first Pro Bowl selection in 1979 and first All-Pro nod the next year. Three games into the 1981 season, the San Francisco 49ers traded for the 6-foot-3, 230-pound lineman, and Dean rewarded that decision by being an All-Pro for the second straight season. 

Dean would go on to win two Super Bowls. Think of this though in 1983, Dean recorded 17.5 sacks. That is on pace with what most players do right now. Pretty crazy to think he is gone. 68 years old is very young.

According to the San Jose Mercury News, former 49ers teammate Dwight Hicks posted on his private Facebook account that Dean had been battling COVID-19.

Please pray for the Dean family during this tough time. Rest in Peace Champ!