Pro football hall of famer Fred Dean dies at 68

Fred Dean, Pro Football Hall of Famer and two-time Super Bowl winner, has died Wednesday at the age of 68.

Statement on Fred Dean’s passing

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Dean’s passing on Thursday morning.

“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. 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. The Hall of Fame flag will be flown at half-staff in Fred’s memory.”

No official cause of death has been announced, but his former 49ers teammate Dwight Hicks posted on Facebook last week that Dean had been admitted to the hospital and was on a ventilator due to the coronavirus.

“I just learned that my 49er teammate Fred Dean was taken to the hospital and is on a ventilator in intensive care,” Hicks wrote, “I’m sending healing light to Fred, his wife Pam, and his family. I trust you all are taken [sic] this virus seriously. Be well and stay safe.”

Football legend

A second-round pick in the 1975 NFL Draft, Dean blossomed into an All-Pro player during his time with the Chargers. In 1979, he helped the Chargers capture their first division title since the AFL-NFL merger. The following season, Dean helped San Diego come to within a game of the Super Bowl, reports CBS sports.

In 1981, a contract dispute led to Dean being traded from San Diego to San Francisco. He recorded one of San Francisco’s five sacks during the 49ers’ 26-21 victory over the Bengals in Super Bowl XVI.

In 1983, Dean earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection after recording 17.5 sacks. The following season, his presence helped San Francisco become the first team to win 15 regular-season games.

Dean played one last season before retiring before the start of the 1986 season.