Tony Siragusa, the wisecracking wall of flesh known as “Goose” who anchored the center of a record-putting Ravens protection in the course of the crew’s first Super Bowl run, died Wednesday, a team spokesman stated. He turned into 55.
The purpose of demise became no longer right now acknowledged.
The New Jersey local changed into an undrafted loose agent who began his 12-12 months NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts before he became a fan favored over 5 seasons with the Ravens from 1997 to 2001. He become a classic nostril address, occupying a couple of blockers and clearing space for Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis because the Ravens set a document by using permitting just one hundred sixty five factors over a sixteen-sport season in 2000.
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Tony Siragusa, the wisecracking wall of flesh known as “Goose” who anchored the middle of a report-putting Ravens defense at some stage in the group’s first Super Bowl run, died Wednesday, a group spokesman stated. He changed into 55. (Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun)
But the 330-pound behemoth changed into called a whole lot for his affable persona as his electricity on the field. He turned into a celebrity of the primary season of HBO’s documentary series “Hard Knocks,” wearing shirts that stated “Big Daddy” across the chest and cracking jokes approximately how he would torture inexperienced persons. That paved the manner for an performing profession and a 13-yr run as a pregame and sideline character on Fox’s NFL coverage.
Mr. Siragusa got here to the Ravens whilst the group turned into still struggling in its 2nd season after transferring from Cleveland. He changed into a full-time starter and leading voice as the Ravens protection steadily converted into one of the maximum fearsome in NFL history.
During the 2000 AFC championship recreation, he drove Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon to the floor shoulder-first, a pivotal play because the Ravens held a highflying offense to 3 factors. Though Mr. Siragusa usually maintained he had no intention of hurting Mr. Gannon, the hit went down as a high example of the Ravens’ punishing style as they rampaged to the Super Bowl.
Once on the largest level in sports activities, Mr. Siragusa luxuriated in the spotlight. A reporter asked what task he might hate to have. “I might hate to be a plumber if my sewer sponsored up,” he stated.
