The Baltimore Ravens announced Sunday that offensive lineman Joe D’Alessandris has died at the age of 70.
D’Alessandris was hospitalized nearly two weeks ago with an acute illness that required ongoing treatment. Ravens coach John Harbaugh told reporters at the time that D’Alessandris had undergone surgery earlier in the summer and the illness developed as a result of complications from that procedure.
“He was our reader at team mass and was loved by everyone here. He was a great coach and a good man – the kind of person you are honored to have as a friend. He raised three amazing, beautiful daughters and was a very loving husband. His grandchildren adored him as well. I admired him, loved him and will miss him because “Joe D.” was a joy. Toni has him back now. God bless “Joe D.” forever.”
Expecting him to undergo treatment for a significant period of time, George Warhop was hired to take over D’Alessandris’ job on an interim basis.
Under D’Alessandris, the Ravens have consistently been among the NFL’s leaders in rushing, including leading the league last season with 2,661 total yards. In 2019, Baltimore set the franchise record for single-season rushing yards with 3,296. Five Ravens linemen – Marshal Yanda, Orlando Brown Jr., Ronnie Stanley, Kevin Zeitler and Tyler Linderbaum – were named to the Pro Bowl with D’Alessandris as coach.
Some tributes to Joe D’Alessandris on social media from Ravens players:
“A great man who made a football team better and made people better.”
“What a guy!”
“I lost an incredible coach and an even better human being today.”
“I will be forever grateful to you, coach.” pic.twitter.com/4Y8LFNKDvX
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) August 25, 2024
A revamped offensive line has been a focus for the Ravens this offseason and training camp after losing guards Zeitler and John Simpson in free agency and trading tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets.
D’Alessandris has coached in the NFL for the past 16 seasons, starting as an offensive line coach with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008. He also worked with the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers before joining Harbaugh’s staff in Baltimore in 2017. D’Alessandris’ coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Western Carolina in 1977.