Reports have surfaced that legendary NFL Hall of Famer and former 49ers defensive end Fred Dean has died from the coronavirus after being hospitalized last week.

Dean was drafted by the San Diego Chargers and played with them for seven years becoming a perennial pro bowler.

Fred capped off his career with a trade to the San Francisco 49ers in 1981 getting the prestigious defensive player of the year award for the NFC that same year. Dean helped the team win two Superbowl’s with the greatest quarterback ever in Joe Montana and under the coaching genius of Bill Walsh, retiring in 1985 from the game.

Our prayers go out to his family and anyone affected by his loss, Dean was 68, he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2008. The tragic news comes as the coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 217,000 Americans.