Allen Aldridge, a former NFL star who won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos, has died at age 52.
The cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Aldridge spent eight seasons in the NFL, four with the Broncos, where he played middle linebacker during Denver's Super Bowl-winning season in 1997, and four with the Detroit Lions.
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Detroit Lions' Allen Aldridge applauds as he enters the field for the Miami Dolphins game at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. (Tom Pidgeon/Allsport)
He has served as head coach at Fort Bend Bush High School in Richmond, Texas, since 2008.
Before making his NFL debut, Aldridge played in college for his hometown Houston Cougars. The team released a statement about Aldridge via social media.
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“The Houston football team mourns the loss of decorated Cougar and former NFL standout Allen Aldridge,” read the statement posted to X. “Our thoughts are with his family, his former teammates and the Fort Bend Bush High School community.”
The Broncos also issued a statement on the matter, saying: “We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Broncos linebacker and Super Bowl XXXII champion Allen Aldridge Jr.”
One of Aldridge's former Cougars teammates, Ted Pardee, told the Houston Chronicle that he was “not just a freshman” when he arrived on campus. The team knew he was destined for greatness at the highest level.
“The day he came to UH, everyone knew he was different,” Pardee said. “… The key was how to get him on the field as quickly as possible because he was a very talented player.”
Chicago Bears running back Edgar Bennett carries the ball against Detroit Lions linebacker Allen Aldridge at Soldier Field. (Peter Brouillet-USA Today Network)
Aldridge got a chance to show the NFL world just how good he was when the Broncos selected him in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft. While he didn't play much in his rookie season, Aldridge did have a breakout year in 1995, when he had 89 combined tackles, 1.5 sacks and one fumble recovery in 16 games (12 starts).
That season led to the Broncos keeping Aldridge in the middle of the defense at linebacker as the true starter the following season, and he would eventually play a vital role in the team's run to the Super Bowl the following year.
In the AFC Championship game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1997 campaign, Aldridge intercepted Kordell Stewart in the end zone to help the team earn the victory. The Broncos would eventually defeat the Green Bay Packers to win Super Bowl XXXII.
Aldridge moved on to the Lions for the 1998 season, where he had 70 tackles, three sacks, one fumble recovery for a touchdown and nine tackles for loss in his debut campaign with them. He lasted three more seasons before his senior year in 2001.
For his career, Aldridge totaled 10.5 sacks, 482 combined tackles, one interception, five forced fumbles and 18 tackles for loss in 128 games.
Denver Broncos linebacker Allen Aldridge on the sideline against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium. (Peter Brouillet-USA Today Network)
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As a high school coach, the Houston Chronicle notes that his team made the playoffs eight times, including a run in 2012 with a 10-2 record that remains the best mark in program history.
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