Drake, Steelers WR coach, suddenly dies at age 62


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Darryl Drake, coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers receivers, died suddenly at the age of 62 on Sunday, the team said.

The team did not reveal any cause of death. The Steelers canceled their training at training camp on Sunday and it is uncertain they will train on Monday.

"We are short of words after Darryl Drake's death this morning, and Darryl has had such an impact on the players he has coached and on everyone he has worked with throughout his career. a passionate coach and a great spirit for life, his family, his faith and football, "said Steelers president Art Rooney II in a statement.

"Our prayers and thoughts accompany his wife Sheila, her three daughters, her grandchildren and the whole family during this difficult time."

Darryl Drake was entering his second season as a receiver coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Photo of Shelley Lipton / Icon Sportswire

Drake's coaching career lasted nearly four decades, beginning as a graduate assistant in western Kentucky in 1983 before making his way into the ranks of the NFL. Drake was entering his second season as a Steelers receiver coach after being hired by the Steelers in January 2018. He has been an assistant coach for 16 years with the NFL. Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals.

Lance Briggs, former linebacker of the Bears, added on Instagram: "He shared a lot of laughs with this man throughout my career, we lost an excellent one, and you miss Darryl Drake."

Drake was appreciated throughout the Steelers for his brilliant personality, his keen football sense and his caring nature. During training, each of his receivers at quarterback Ben Roethlisberger discussed him constantly on the sidelines or between two exercises. Drake was known for his colorful one-liners during training, often telling his players to "do not drag their toes, click on them" during the shot work on goal.

Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster have recorded 100 seasons in the first and only full season of Drake in Pittsburgh.

"Darryl was a close friend and had a tremendous impact on my coaching career," said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin in a statement. "He was an extraordinary husband, father and grandfather, and it's hard to put into words the grief that our entire team is going through right now.

"Darryl loved football and all the players he's coached in. We will use our faith to guide and help his family through this difficult time."

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