of the 1983 draft. He became a starter in 1985 and played in the first of
four consecutive Pro Bowls that year. In 1987, he was named the Walter
Payton NFL Man of the Year. He also was the one of the Bears’ NFLPA
representatives, and he was a leader through the 1987 strike.
“He was a hell of a football player,” former Bears coach Mike Ditka said
Friday. “He came in at the right time for us because that’s when Todd
Bell held out. He fit right in, became a starter. We liked everything
about him at Notre Dame. He rounded out that defense. He fit in
perfectly with Gary Fencik back there and was one of the leaders of our
team.”
The Bears released Duerson after the 1989 season. He signed with the
Giants and won a Super Bowl in his only season with the team. He
finished out his career playing three seasons for the Phoenix Cardinals.
After growing up in Muncie, Ind., he was a four-year
starter at Notre Dame and a two-time All American. In 1982,
he was a Fighting Irish captain. He was named first-team All-America pick as a senior by the Football
Writers Association of America, Football News and College & Pro
Football Newsweekly. As a junior in ’81 he earned third-team All-America
honors from Football News.
“Our hearts go out to the Duerson family and to all those who knew
Dave,” Notre Dame vice president and athletics director Jack Swarbrick
said in a statement. “In addition to being a great football player, Dave
represented himself and the University in so many other ways as a team
captain, as well as through his work with the Monogram Club and the
Board of Trustees. You couldn’t help but be impressed by him when you
met Dave Duerson, and I think that was thereaction from anyone who was
ever around him.”
After his football career ended, Duerson’s life took some harsh turns.
He became owner of Brooks Sausage Company, which later changed its name
to Fair Oaks Farms. The company supplied sausage to Burger King and
other fast food chains. Under Duerson’s leadership, Fair Oaks grew its
annual sales to $ 63.5 million from $ 24 million.
He sold his stake in the company in 2002, and started Duerson Foods.
That company was forced into receivership in 2006, and most of its
assets were auctioned off.
Duerson had his Highland Park home foreclosed in 2007. In retirement,
he also butted heads with Ditka about disability benefits for former NFL
players.
In 2007, Duerson filed for divorce from his wife of 24 years. The year
before, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery.
Duerson subsequently lost his position as a University of Notre Dame trustee.
His former wife Alicia Duerson told NBCChicago, “Our family asks that
you please remember Dave as a good, kind and caring man. He loved and
cherished his family and friends and was extremely proud of his beloved
Notre Dame and … Chicago Bears. Please keep Dave and our family in your
prayers.”
Duerson was a consultant in Florida, and was hosting an Internet radio
show called “Double Time with Double D,” on VoiceAmerica.com. He
broadcast his final show Thursday.
He is survived by four children.
