Former NFL defensive tackle Tony Siragusa, known during his playing career as “The Goose,” has died at age 55.
Siragusa’s death was confirmed by Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who said in a tweet that he was “heart broken as is all of Colts Nation.”
Siragusa, who played 12 NFL seasons — the first seven with the Colts and last five with the Baltimore Ravens — retired from the NFL after the 2001 season.
Siragusa, who was 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds during his playing career, came to Baltimore as an unrestricted free agent in 1997 and, with Sam Adams, formed a 700-plus-pound defensive tackle tandem that proved to be nearly impenetrable.
Siragusa was an instant fan favorite in Baltimore and was often compared to late Baltimore Colt Art Donovan for his humor, voracious eating habits and constant radio and television appearances.
After his retirement, Siragusa was a sideline analyst for Fox Sports from 2003 until 2015.
He won a Super Bowl championship with the Ravens, who defeated the New York Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV. During that regular season, he had two sacks and 28 tackles.
For his career, Siragusa had 404 tackles, 22 sacks and five forced fumbles.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.