It’s a classic tale of achieving your dreams, even when the odds are against you. Former NFL legend Ray Seals didn’t know that his favorite team in the electronic vibrating football game, the Steelers, would give him a chance. Neither did he know that his moment of glory would come against the rival in the game, the Dallas Cowboys. All these things have now become a memory, as the legend is no more. His family confirmed the sad news on the 4th of April. He was 59.
It was the big game of Super Bowl XXX in 1996 at the Sun Devil Stadium in Arizona. Ray Seals wanted to win the trophy at any cost and even sacked Troy Aikman. But even that was not enough to stop the Cowboys from winning the Super Bowl, their last trophy till now. The same year, in 1996, Seals injured himself and left the league after spending 1997 at the Panthers.
He was studying in high school when a teacher who played for Alabama told him to visit the school once. Ray Seals and his grandmother got the tickets and met the coach, Ray Perkins. During that meeting, Perkins pointed at him and said, “That kid, he can play in the NFL!” It was enough to give him wings. He was about to need them.
His high school football coach got angry with him for going without informing him. So, instead of college, the player decided to play for the Syracuse Express from his native Syracuse. But he wanted to play in the NFL. That was hard. He had never attended college. But the teacher from Alabama told him to contact Ray Perkins, who had become the Buccaneers‘ head coach at the time.
It was 1988. Perkins gave him an offer to show his skills. He saw Ray Seals during the workout and left midway. The DE thought he disappointed the coach. But the coach came back and told him to pack his bags for next season. It was a jubilant moment. It was historic. He made the #97 popular with his skills.
When the news spread about his demise, the city of Pittsburgh had a dreaded silence. Their hero had left them.
Fans pay tribute to Ray Seals
The loss was hard to handle. One fan tweeted out regarding the NFL legend, “Rest in peace Ray Seals Prayers to his family and love ones.” His family members requested for privacy amid the moments of grief. Some other Steelers fan pages tried to dive into the past and bring out some of his dominant plays.
Rest in peace Ray Seals Prayers to his family and love ones. #steelersnation #SyracuseNYNative pic.twitter.com/0ULly93Ecr
— Nini Marie (@RudysWifey74) April 4, 2025
One such page posted a video from the Steelers’ week 10 game in 1994 against the Houston Oilers when DE Ray Seals sacked the rival signal caller. They aptly captioned it, “ RIP Ray Seals.” Noted Pittsburgh sportswriter James Wexell also paid tribute to the NFL legend and mentioned, “Big Play Ray Seals, one of the all-time underrated Steelers. RIP .”
Popular wrestler Ric Lieb also shared a detailed message about his friend. He revealed how the DE ran many charities for the homeless and the poor. His 5-word message in the tribute, “God just recruited another angel,” rang the alarming bells in such sadness. A sports page shared the message with the caption, “R.I.P. Ray Seals ”
He wasn’t popular for his game skills only, but also for his big heart. NFL also gave him the E for Effort charity award long ago. It’s a tough pill to swallow. RIP the legend!
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