Ravens Offensive Line Coach Joe D'Alessandris Dies At 70

Source: Scott Taetsch / Getty

Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens announced the passing of offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris. He was 70.

According to the Ravens, he had surgery earlier this summer and had experienced complications.

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Earlier this month, D’Alessandris was hospitalized due to an acute illness that was going to require ongoing treatment for an extended period of time. D’Alessandris was hired by the Ravens back in 2017.

In a statement released on X, the organization described the revered longtime coach’s life as one of “boundless faith, love, devotion, and inspiration.”

Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh said in a statement: “Coach ‘Joe D.’ was a man of integrity and a man of faith. He made us all better. He was our reader at team mass, and he was loved by all here. He was a great coach and a good man – the kind of person who you are honored to have as a friend. He raised three incredible, beautiful daughters, and he was a most loving husband. His grandkids also adored him. I admired him, loved him, and am going to miss him, because ‘Joe D.’ was a joy. Toni has him back now. May God bless ‘Joe D.’ forever.”

The Baltimore Ravens released the following statement:

“Our hearts ache with grief and sadness upon learning of Coach Joe D’Alessandris’ passing early this morning. Joe D.’ lived a life of boundless faith, love, devotion and inspiration. As a husband, father, grandfather, friend and coach, Joe made every individual he encountered truly feel like they were the most important person in the world. Anyone fortunate enough to have spent time with Joe was forever touched by his genuine and uplifting nature. He had the amazingly rare ability to connect with people in a way that deepened respect, empathy and kindness – further spreading those important virtues into the everyday life of the world.”

“‘Force multiplier’ is a football term sometimes used to describe an individual who makes everyone around him better. As a coach, he was certainly that. But far more importantly, it’s also a proper characterization of Joe D’Alessandris as a person – someone who undoubtedly created a legacy of love and impact that will live on forever. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Joe’s family – particularly his three incredible daughters – during this somber time. Now reunited with his late and precious wife, Toni, we know they are smiling down from above and blessing everyone they dearly love.”

We are sending love, light, and prayers to his family and all those suffering from this tremendous loss.

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