LATROBE, Pa. -- Darryl Drake spent the better part of 20 years coaching in the NFL. Before that, he spent more than two decades coaching at the collegiate level.
He touched a lot of lives.
That's why it's not surprising that the news of his death early Sunday morning drew a lot of reactions from around the league.
Drake, 62, had served as the Steelers receivers coach since 2018 after spending five seasons with the Cardinals and nine with the Bears. He was well known in the NFL community as a no-nonsense coach, something that showed up immediately on the practice fields when he joined the Steelers.
Current and former players and coaches from across the league reacted to the news Sunday morning that Drake had died.
My heart is heavy. Today Steeler Nation and the football world lost not only a good coach but a great man. RIP coach Drake. Thanks for always standing on the table for me. pic.twitter.com/kyux9O51Gh
— Darrius Heyward-Bey (@theDHB85) August 11, 2019
Ima share a lil video of how Coach Drake would start every meeting. I hope these 10sec shows everyone why the football community is hurting right now. RIP COACH WE LOVE YOU. REST EASY! pic.twitter.com/GsrSuskJfT
— Darrius Heyward-Bey (@theDHB85) August 11, 2019
Former Steelers receiver, Darrius Heyward-Bey, shared a tweet thanking Drake for being his supporter, and then another one showing how he started each meeting.
Coach Drake, I love you brother. RIP
— Larry Foote (@LarryFoote313) August 11, 2019
Foote, a former Steelers linebacker, was on the coaching staff with Drake in Arizona.
At a loss for words! One of my all time favorite coaches to be around. Rest easy Coach Drake
— Marcus Gilbert (@MarcusGilbert88) August 11, 2019
Gilbert, a longtime starter at right tackle for the Steelers, spent the 2018 season in Pittsburgh with Drake.
Rip Coach Drake. So many good times & memories with you in AZ. We will miss your energy forever!
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) August 11, 2019
A former Cardinals and current Chiefs safety safety, Mathieu expressed his regrets.
So Sad to hear about Coach Daryl Drake. I have so much history with him and his family. Praying for the entire family that God will confort their needs. 🙏🏾
— Derrick Johnson (@superdj56) August 11, 2019
Johnson, a longtime NFL star, played at the University of Texas, where Drake was a longtime assistant coach.
Shared a lot of genuine laughs with this man over my career. We lost a great one. You are missed Darryl Drake #ripdrake @peanuttillman @BUrlacher54 bobbywadeaz @b_twice @rashieddavis moosemuhammad5 @alexbrown96 https://t.co/7k1FwPIka9
— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs) August 11, 2019
Briggs was a longtime Bears star.
Today we mourn the untimely passing of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Darryl Drake. Darryl was the former Bears wide receivers coach under Lovie Smith from 2004-12, including the 2006 Super Bowl appearance.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 11, 2019
Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Darryl Drake. It is impossible to overstate his impact on the game in nearly four decades as a coach in college and the NFL.
Today, the entire football community mourns his loss.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 11, 2019
Darryl Drake was in our coaches bible study. He was a tremendous coach and an even better man. This is hard to believe and we’re all going to miss him. But it’s proof of what the Bible says—tomorrow is not promised to us. 🙏🏽🙏🏽for his family and his players. https://t.co/KAcu1t4ULr
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) August 11, 2019
We lost a great man, husband father, coach and a dear friend Darryl Drake. Our prayers go out to his family. RIP brother pic.twitter.com/V0U3fvLleP
— Bruce Arians (@BruceArians) August 11, 2019
Terribly sad news, can’t imagine it. Thoughts with the Drake family and everyone in the Steelers organization. https://t.co/hcQAe3nN2a
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) August 11, 2019
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