The Vikings organization — from its ownership to coaches, legends, current players, staff members and fans — is grieving the loss of Chris Doleman, who passed away Tuesday after a courageous battle with brain cancer that lasted more than two years after its diagnosis.
Doleman faced his unfair fight with remarkable grace and grit. He was 58.
The team and its ownership released the following statement:
The Minnesota Vikings express our deepest sympathies to Chris Doleman's family and friends upon his passing. Chris was a great example for players past and present, as he embodied all the best characteristics of a Viking — resilience, toughness and a competitive spirit. Chris always carried himself with dignity and class. Vikings fans worldwide will greatly miss him.
— The Minnesota Vikings and the Wilf family
The No. 4 overall pick in the 1985 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh, Doleman transitioned from linebacker to defensive end in his second pro season.
A prolific career followed, with Doleman blending on-field intensity and a robust personality every step of the way. He inspired teammates to do their best and commanded respect from foes who tried to slow him down.
He was usually more successful in his endeavors than opponents were in theirs, as evidenced by his 150.5 career sacks that rank fifth in NFL history.
Doleman's total includes a whopping 21 in 1989 when he led the NFL and helped Minnesota set a franchise record with 71 team sacks.
The 21 sacks in one season are tied with fellow Hall of Famer Reggie White's output in 1987 for the fifth-most by a player in a single campaign and 1.5 shy of the record of 22.5 set by Michael Strahan in 2001.
Mark Gastineau (with the Jets in 1984), Jared Allen (2011 with the Vikings) and Justin Houston (2014 with the Chiefs) each recorded 22 sacks for personal career highs.
Doleman was instrumental for three Vikings defenses that ranked No. 1 in the NFL in yards allowed three times (1988, 1989 and 1993).
He led the Vikings in sacks in five separate seasons and tied for the team lead once. He recorded 10-plus sacks eight times over the course of his 15 NFL seasons.
Doleman also had a penchant for stripping the ball, forcing 45 fumbles and recovering 24. He caused four or more fumbles in six separate seasons, including 1987 when he led the NFL with six.
View photos of Vikings legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Chris Doleman.
An image from the October 14, 2018 home game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings won 27-17.
An image from the Oct. 7, 2017 Alumni Homecoming weekend.
An image from the Sept. 11, 2017 home game against the New Orleans Saints. The Vikings won 29-19.
An image from September 23, 2018 regular season home game against the Buffalo Bills. The Vikings lost 6-27.
An image from October 13, 2018 of Chris Doleman visiting his Hall of Fame bust in the Vikings Museum.
An image from the October 14, 2018 home game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings won 27-17.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings at Candlestick Park Sunday, October 3, 1993. 49ers beat Vikings 38-19. Minnesota Vikings defensive end Chris Doleman (56) and defensive tackle Henry Thomas (97) celebrate sacking Steve Young. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Minnesota Vikings Chris Doleman (56) during a game from his 1990 season. Chris Doleman played for 15 years with 3 different teams, was a 8-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.(David Durochik via AP)
Minnesota Vikings Chris Doleman (56) during a game from his 1988 season. Chris Doleman played for 15 years with 3 different teams, was a 8-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.(David Durochik via AP)
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Chris Doleman before the NFL Pro Bowl, a 17 - 3 NFC victory on Feb. 6, 1994, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
FILE - In this May 1, 1985, file photo, Minnesota Vikings head coach Bud Grant holds up the new jersey to their first-round draft pick Chris Doleman at a press conference to introduce the linebacker from Pittsburgh in Eden Prairie, Minn. Hall of Fame defensive end Doleman, who became one of the NFL's most feared pass rushers during 15 seasons in the league, has died. He was 58. The Vikings and Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker offered their condolences in separate statements late Tuesday night, Jan. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Larry Salzman, File)
FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2013, file photo, former Minnesota Viking Chris Doleman acknowledges the crowd during a ceremony honoring the All Mall of America Field team during halftime of an NFL football game between the Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles in Minneapolis. Hall of Fame defensive end Doleman, who became one of the NFL's most feared pass rushers during 15 seasons in the league, has died. He was 58. The Vikings and Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker offered their condolences in separate statements late Tuesday night, Jan. 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Andy King, File)
Minnesota Vikings Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman (56) pass rushes during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals on October 27, 1991. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 28-0. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Minnesota Vikings players John Randle, Randall McDaniel, Chris Doleman, and Cris Carter pose on photo day before the NFL Pro Bowl, a 17 - 3 NFC victory on Feb. 6, 1994, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Minnesota Vikings Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman (56) pressures Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon (9) during an NFL game in Chicago, Sept. 18, 1988. The Vikings defeated the Bears 31-7. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Former Minnesota Vikings players \Alan Page, left, and Chris Doleman on the sidelines in the first half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Minneapolis, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Vikings Chris Doleman (56) during a game from his 1987 season. Chris Doleman played for 15 years with 3 different teams, was a 8-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.(David Durochik via AP)
Minnesota Vikings Chris Doleman (56) during a game from his 1989 season. Chris Doleman played for 15 years with 3 different teams, was a 8-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.(David Durochik via AP)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chris Doleman (56) in a 23 to 20 Minnesota Vikings win over the Denver Broncos on Oct. 31, 1999 at Mile High Stadium in Denver. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Minnesota Vikings Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman (56) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Randy Wright (16) during an NFL game on December 13, 1987, in Milwaukee, Wis. The Packers defeated the Vikings 16-10. (AP Photo/Vernon Biever)
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Chris Doleman (56) and defensive tackle Keith Millard (75) during the Vikings 44 - 10 victory over the New Orleans Saints in the 1987 NFC Wild Card Playoff Game on Jan. 3, 1988 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Chris Doleman relaxes in the locker room before the NFla Pro Bowl, a 17 - 3 NFC victory on February 6, 1994, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Pat Swilling (55), Minnesota Vikings defensive end Chris Doleman (56), San Francisco 49ers tackle Harris Barton (79), and 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice (80) set for an NFC team photo before the NFL Pro Bowl, a 17-3 NFC victory on February 6, 1994, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Chris Doleman (56) in action during the Vikings 24 - 10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Nov. 12, 1989 at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chris Doleman (56) tackles a New York Giants ball carrier during a 17-10 loss in the 1993 NFC Wild Card Playoff Game on Jan. 9, 1994 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young (8) tires to escape the grasp of Minnesota Vikings defensive end Chris Doleman (56) and pass to San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig (33) during an NFL game against the on Sunday, Oct. 30, 1988, in San Francisco. The 49ers won the game, 24-21. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Chris Doleman (56) rushes Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar deep in the Browns end of the field during the second quarter of exhibition game in Cleveland, Aug. 19, 1990. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
Former Minnesota Vikings' Chris Doleman prepares to blow a Vikings horn before an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Detroit Lions quarterback Rodney Peets (9) is tackled for a loss by Minnesota Vikings Chris Doleman (56) in the third quarter,Sunday, Dec. 5, 1993, in Pontiac, Mich. Peets was sacked seven times in the game, while throwing for four interceptions, in the 13-0 loss to the Vikings. (AP Photo/John Discher)
San Francisco 49ers vs Minnesota Vikings at Candlestick Park Saturday, January 9, 1988. Vikings beat 49ers 36-24. Minnesota Vikings Linebacker Chris Doleman (56) sacks San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Joe Montana (16). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Team success accompanied Doleman's accomplishments. He helped squads make the playoffs 10 times, including the 1987 Vikings that advanced to the NFC Championship. He earned six selections to the Pro Bowl as a Viking and two more (one as a Falcon; one as a 49er) and was a First-Team or Second-Team All-Pro selection by the Associated Press five times.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame named Doleman to the Team of the Decades for the 1990s and enshrined him on Aug. 4, 2012.
Doleman was inducted to the Vikings Ring of Honor on Nov. 14, 2011. This past fall, he proudly attended the Vikings Ring of Honor induction of former teammate Steve Jordan.
