Ray Seals obit

Former Steelers Defender Dies

The former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle has passed away at the age of 59.

 He was not on the list.

PITTSBURGH -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Ray Seals has passed away at the age of 59 years old. His friend Nini Marie confirmed the news on social media.

His cause of death is unknown at the time of the report.

A Syracuse, New York native, Seal did not attend college but instead played for the San Antonio Express in the Empire League, a semi-pro league. He started his NFL journey with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1988. After missing his first season with a back injury, he spent five years in Tampa Bay, starting 28 games and recording 15.5 sacks.

Seals signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1994, signing a three-year deal at the time. He spent two seasons with the Steelers as part of the Pittsburgh defense in the 90's. He recorded seven sacks his first season and 8.5 his second, which tied his career-high.

He missed the following season with a torn rotator cuff.

One of Seals' most notable plays came in Super Bowl XXX during the Steelers' loss to the Dallas Cowboys when Seals recorded a sack on quarterback Troy Aikman.

The Steelers On SI family sends their condolences to Seals family and friends during this difficult time.

He was famous for not having attended college, a rarity in the NFL. Seals lettered in football at Anthony A. Henninger High School in Syracuse, New York. Seals started in Super Bowl XXX as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Seals went from playing for the minor-league Syracuse Express of the Empire Football League[citation needed] to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1989. He went to the Steelers in 1994 as a free agent and played two seasons as their starting right defensive end. He was injured in 1996, his third season with the Steelers, and finished with Carolina in 1997.

Seals was famous for batting away a pass by then rookie quarterback Brett Favre, only to have it be caught by Favre himself, for the first completion in his long and storied career.

Seals was inducted into the American Football Association's Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992. Seals's cousin, Jonny Gammage, was killed after a traffic stop by Pittsburgh Police officers in 1995.