CNN – Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris has died at the age of 70.
Earlier this month, the team said D’Alessandris had been hospitalized for an acute illness and would require treatment for an extended period.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said at the time D’Alessandris had surgery earlier in the summer and some complications had arisen from it.
“”Coach ‘Joe D.’ was a man of integrity and a man of faith. He made us all better. 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. I admired him, loved him and am going to miss him, because ‘Joe D.’ was a joy. May God bless ‘Joe D.’ forever.” – Coach John Harbaugh
D’Alessandris, who has been with the Ravens since 2017, coached for 45 years including stops in the Canadian Football League, the World League, and college football before coming to the NFL.
He was an assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and the then San Diego Chargers ahead of coming to Baltimore.
“Today is a sad day for the Baltimore Ravens,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement.
“Joe D was a rock, a great coach and a better person. He cared about the team deeply, exhibiting a relentless passion to excel while displaying genuine love for his players … ”
Joe D’Alessandris played college football for Western Carolina. He was most recently the offensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens. Prior to his time in Baltimore, he served as the offensive line coach for the San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills, and as an assistant offensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. – Wikipedia
Western Carolina University Athletics – D’Alessandris – who has recently taken a leave from the Ravens staff – had been hospitalized over the past two weeks with what the organization described as “an acute illness” that required ongoing treatment for an extended period.
The release went on to state that head coach John Harbaugh said D’Alessandris had surgery earlier in the summer and the illness was a complication from that procedure.
D’Alessandris was a four-year letter winner and a three-year starter along the Catamount offensive line for legendary head coach Bob Waters.
Affectionately known as “Joe D,” D’Alessandris served as a team captain and earned the team’s Most Valuable Player honor as a senior in 1976. Joe D was a part of WCU’s NCAA Division II playoff team in 1974 that saw the squad win nine consecutive games to make a run into the postseason. WCU is set to recognize the 50th anniversary of that 1974 playoff team as part of its 50-year celebration of Catamount football at E.J. Whitmire Stadium.
Originally from Aliquippa, Pa., D’Alessandris was inducted into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018, accepting from afar while coaching for the Ravens.
True to form, his acceptance speech delivered by video expressed his thanks to Coach Waters, the staff, and the university for his selection for induction. Former coach Don Millwood and Fred Goldsmith both spoke on behalf of D’Alessandris at the mid-November 2018 ceremony.
