The Pittsburgh Steelers are mourning the loss of wide receivers coach Darryl Drake, who died Sunday morning.
Drake, who joined the Steelers in 2018, was 62. No information about the cause of his death was available.
Team owner Art Rooney issued a statement honoring Drake on Sunday morning.
“We are at a loss for words following Darryl Drake’s passing this morning,” it begins. “Darryl had such an impact on the players he coached and everyone he worked with throughout his entire career. He was a passionate coach and had a tremendous spirit toward life, his family, his faith and the game of football.”
“Our prayers and thoughts are with his wife, Sheila, his three daughters, his grandchildren and entire family during this difficult time.”
Drake played wide receiver at Western Kentucky before embarking on a short pro career that saw him spend time with the Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals, as well as the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League.
Drake returned to Western Kentucky as a graduate assistant, eventually moving up to become a position coach. He also coached at Georgia, Baylor and Texas before breaking into the NFL as a wide receivers coach with the Chicago Bears from 2004-12, He held the same position with the Arizona Cardinals from 2013-17.
The Steelers canceled their practice on Sunday.
