Dave Duerson, Former Chicago Bear, Dies At 50

Retired Pro Bowl safety Dave Duerson, who played on the Super Bowl XX Champion Chicago Bears, was found dead in his Miami home. He was 50 years old.

Miami-Dade police found the body of Duerson Thursday and computer records confirmed that the Duerson who lived at that address was the former player based on his birthday. The cause of death was not yet known and was pending the medical examiner's report.

Duerson, who played college football at Notre Dame and earned an economics degree, was drafted by Chicago in the third round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He was a starter for the Super Bowl Shuffle singing Bears team that went 15-1 that season on their way to winning the Super Bowl, and are considered one of the best NFL teams of all time.

Mike Ditka, the head coach of that Bears team appeared on The Waddle & Silvy Show on ESPN 1000, saying we really liked him a lot. That was the year that Todd Bell and [Al] Harris held out. [Duerson] stepped right in and became a starter at the strong safety position and was outstanding. Did a great, great job.

Duerson went to four straight Pro Bowls with the Bears before leaving as a free agent and joining the New York Giants where he won another Super Bowl in 1990.

We are stunned and saddened to hear the tragic news regarding Dave Duerson, the Bears said in a statement. He was a great contributor to our team and the Chicago community. Today is a difficult day for all of us who loved Dave. We'll miss him. Our prayers are with his family.