The legendary Dick Haley of the Pittsburgh Steelers has passed away at the age of 85, according to the team.
The former NFL defensive back worked for the team for almost three decades, both as a player and an executive.
Haley spent five years in the league, playing for the Commanders, Vikings, and Steelers.
After being selected by Washington in the ninth round of the 1959 Draft, he received votes for NFL Rookie of the Year.
He made 39 starts in total over the following four seasons after joining the Steelers in 1961 while also recording 13 interceptions.
Between 1971 and 1990, Haley worked as Pittsburgh’s director of player personnel after retiring from the professional game.
Along with Dan Rooney, Bill Nunn, and Chuck Noll, Haley is credited with discovering the talent that helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowl championships in the 1970s.
He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Pittsburgh.
On Friday, Steelers President Art Rooney II paid tribute to the native of Pennsylvania.
In a statement, he said: “With the passing of Dick Haley, we lost an amazing football mind and a better man.
“He was a valuable part of this franchise for 23 years, the first 4 of those as a player and the final 19 as a member of the Player Personnel Department.
“Dick played an instrumental role in our unprecedented success in the 1970s during the second part of his career.
“He developed a unique eye for talent, and he ultimately helped identify and draft many of the players that allowed us to win four Super Bowls during that decade.
“My condolences go out to the entire Haley family during this difficult time.”
Haley spent 16 years as the general manager of the New York Jets after leaving Pittsburgh in 1990.
Todd Haley, a former Kansas City Chiefs head coach, confirmed his father’s passing on Friday after a protracted illness.
Todd wrote on his Twitter page: “Very sorry to say, the world the NFL and my entire family lost one of the best people I’ve ever known and my idol.
“A man that gave me the best chance to succeed in this world, my father Dick Haley after a long fight with dementia and Parkinson’s.”
