Mark Pike 57, a Buffalo Bills defender, defensive lineman. As well as special teams player has died.
The NFL player died Wednesday. Following a fight with non-Hodgkins lymphoma, according to the Bills’ webpage. Revealed that he had just been confirmed with COVID-19 as well as pneumonia.
In the announcement, Mark Pike was recognized as being one of the “top standout players. Just on Bills defensive backs covers groups” of the 1990s. As well as the show’s all-time top particularly unique teams defender. With 255 career ground and pound from 1986 to 1998.
He participated in 173 matches for the Buffalo Bills. While also leading the club in special teams tackles seven of the last eight years.
One amongst Pike’s lengthiest colleagues. Steve Tasker, noted on the Bills’ website that perhaps the late sportsman was “a remarkable figure”. Considering his flexibility, he was able to operate and tackle defensive backs.”
“He was indeed a big guy who played special teams. Which would have been a matchup problem for our rivals”. Tasker recalled, noting that perhaps the 6’4″ athlete was indeed a “bulldozer” and a “complete commuter train.”
As per the Buffalo’ release, Marv Levy, who managed Mark Pike for 11 years. Stated, “it had become such a wonderful honor”. And that “Mark had been a very vital part in importance to the achievement our clubs. Achieved throughout our four visits to all those Super Bowl games and even beyond” in the 1990s.
Mark Pike Achievement
“Mark may have been an amazing defensive tackle, safety, and special teams star. But he was also the pinnacle of everything I had ever dreamed for our guys to be,” he added.
“Mark exemplified the outstanding values. That we often highly respected and became the trademark of our teams,” Buffalo Bills operations manager Bill Polian stated.
“He committed his all on each and every game. And he applied the very same dedication to humanitarian and community initiatives off the game. There has never been a stronger model citizen as a competitor or as a man than Mark.”
According to the website, Mark Pike remembers attending the Bills’ Week 4 home match versus Houston. This autumn while unwell in order to satisfy as that of the team’s Crucial Catch recipient. Part of the NFL’s campaign to battle cancer via early identification and risk management.
Pike is survived by his wife Sharon, 2 kids Ezekiel and Malachi, as well as daughter Kramer. Ezekiel, or Zeke, was a defensive lineman for the Louisville Cardinals.