By Darin Hayes October 16, 1961 – Chris Doleman was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings out of the University of Pittsburgh with the fourth pick in the 1985 NFL Draft as a linebacker, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website bio.
At some point in his second season, Doleman was moved to play defensive end, and he showed significant improvement, putting up 11 sacks in 1987. In 1989, he led the NFL with 21 sacks.
After the 1992 season, he was voted the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Year for his 14.5 sacks. Chris played a total of 15 NFL seasons: 9 with the Vikings, a couple with Atlanta, and then his final ones as a San Francisco 49er, with another stint in Minnesota to end his fine career.
He finished with 150.5 career sacks as the fourth most in NFL history. Chris Doleman entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, as part of the 2012 enshrinement class.
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