Steelers Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll passes at 82

Dec 22, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Pittsburgh won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

It’s truly a sad day in the football world as Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame head coach Chuck Noll has passed away at the age of 82. The 4-time Super Bowl champion coach passed away late Friday night at his home in Pennsylvania, according to NFL.com and sources close to the family. According to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner, Noll died of natural causes.

Noll coached the Steelers from 1969-1991 and had a remarkable record of 209-156-1 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, which was his first year of eligibility. Before Noll was coach, the Steelers were one of the worst teams in the league, but after Noll was hired in 1969, the Steelers started to build into one of the most dominating teams in the NFL’s history. Under Noll, the Steelers won 4 Super Bowls in 1975, 1976, 1979 and 1980. Now, the Steelers of the 70’s are recognized as one of the most dominating franchises of their time.

Players and Coaches around the league have already started to pay their respects to the late coach. Art Rooney Jr. told the Pittsburgh Tribune that “Chuck Noll was the greatest things that happened to the Rooney’s since they got on the boat from Ireland.”. Commissioner Roger Goodell also tweeted earlier today: “Chucks legacy for excellence will forever be an important part in NFL history.”.

Noll is survived by his wife, Marianne; a son, Chris; and two grandchildren, according to the New York Times.