The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are mourning the recent loss of a former defensive lineman who spent five seasons with the franchise.
Ray Seals, who suited up for the Bucs from 1989-93, passed away back on April 4 at the age of 59. Seals spent eight seasons in the NFL despite having never played a down of college football. The Syracuse, N.Y. native, who starred at nearby Henninger High School, eschewed college in order to help his family financially. However, he played semi-pro ball for the local Syracuse Express, where he drew the attention of Bucs coach Ray Perkins, who had previously recruited Seals to Alabama while he was in high school.
Perkins gave Seals his first NFL shot, and the 6-foot-3, 296-pound defensive tackle wound up playing in 47 games with 28 starts in five seasons for Tampa Bay, recording 111 tackles and 15.5 sacks.
He then spent the 1994 and 1995 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, appearing in Super Bowl XXX, before closing out his pro career with the Carolina Panthers in 1997.
“The Buccaneers mourn the loss of former Buccaneer Ray Seals, who played with the team from 1989-1993. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the Bucs said in a team statement on Monday.
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 05: A Tampa Bay Buccaneers throwback helmet is shown on the sidelines during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Seals, who logged 215 tackles and 32 sacks in 90 NFL games, was remembered fondly by longtime friend and former Syracuse Express teammate Garry Acchione.
“People loved him and they just gathered around him,” Acchione said. “Ray had a heart of gold. I mean, he is really just a soft-spoken guy. You wouldn’t know that it was Ray Seals. He’s a normal Joe Blow walking around. He doesn’t like the limelight, but he’s there if you need him.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with Seals’ family, friends and former teammates during this difficult time.
Rest in peace, Ray.
