NFL Great Tony Siragusa Passes Away At 55

A sad day for the NFL and the world as longtime NFL player and personalityTony Siragusa has died at 55.

The Super Bowl-winning defensive tackle affectionately known as 'Goose' leaves a very great legacy behind.

Siragusa played an impressive twelve years in the NFL with both the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, winning Super Bowl XXXV with Baltimore in 2001. He then spent over ten years with Fox NFL Sunday as their sideline analyst and being the comic relief to many of the NFL games he reported on throughout.

Siragusa who helped the Ravens defeat the Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV also tried his hand at acting, being best known as the character Frankie Cortese in the HBO hit series The Sopranos.

Though a cause of death hasn't been announced, there has been heart disease in his family in the past. He spoke candidly to Howard Stern in 2012 about his father's death from a heart attack at 48. His father actually died in his arms. As traumatic as one would think that would be, he was overall OK with how it might affect his own health down the line and if that also ended up being his fate he mentioned, “If I die tomorrow, I told my wife, just put a smile on my face. Put a little [Frank] Sinatra on and lets go!”

With the smiles that he provided, now is a time of mourning and those who knew him best are sharing their thoughts online about their friend.

Word spread fast through the NFL of the passing of Siragusa as former players and peers spoke out about the devastating loss including owner of the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Irsay who once employed Siragusa saying, "The Goose squeezed 200 fun loving years into 55!! He was one of the most physically strongest players I have ever seen in 50 years💪🏼🏈 In Greece,they would ask 1 question at the end of one’s life; Did He Have Passion? In Tony’s case..Yes He Did!!💪🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️"

It didn't end there as Owner Steve Bisciotti and his wife, Renee, issued a statement regarding Siragusa's passing.

"Renee and I are stunned and heartbroken to learn about the sudden passing of Tony Siragusa," the Bisciotti's statement said. "He was a special person and clearly one of the most popular players in Ravens history. Tony's larger-than-life personality made an enormous impact on our organization and throughout the Baltimore community. On the football field, Goose was a difference-maker who contributed immeasurably to the success of many great Ravens defenses, including the record-setting 2000 Super Bowl team. Our deepest prayers and sympathies go out to Kathy, their three children and the rest of the Siragusa family. This is a tremendously sad day for the Baltimore Ravens. We appreciate everyone who has expressed an outpouring of support for our players, coaches and staff."

Ray Lewis, Pro Football Hall of Famer and former teammate added, "This is a tough one. I love Goose like a brother. From the first day we met, I knew that life was different. I knew he was someone who would change my life forever. He was a one-of-a-kind person who made you feel important and special. You can never replace a man like that. On the field, he was the ultimate competitor who brought out the best in all of us. We should never put off tomorrow for what we can do today. Hug your loved ones for Goose. We were all so blessed that God gave us that time together to celebrate our 2000 team a few weeks ago. To the Siragusa family: We have lost a great man, but God has gained a great angel. May they be blessed, held and comforted by the peace he brought to everyone who encountered him."

Many more in the sports world have added their condolences over the unforeseen passing. Along with the passing, more needs to be learned on what actually happened officially for the cause of death but Siragusa who was larger than life on and off the field not only leaves his fans and friends grieving but also leaves his wife, Kathy and his three children: Samantha, Ava, and Anthony Jr as immediate surviving family members.

The Blast would like to share our condolences to all of his friends and family.