Former NFL player Adrian Dingle, who spent five seasons with the San Diego Chargers, dies aged 45 – leaving his partner and young family heartbroken
The family of former NFL player Adrian Dingle have been left devastated after he died, aged 45, this week.
Dingle was a San Diego Chargers defensive tackle from 2000 to 2004, playing five seasons in the NFL after being picked up in the 1999 draft following a record-breaking College Football career with Clemson University.
Dingle’s partner, Amy Bell, posted on Instagram that she was heartbroken for the man she called ‘my dude’. The couple have two young children: son Adrian aged four and daughter Ava, two.
A cause of death has not been released by the family, although a brief obituary was released following Dingle’s death.
The post read: ‘It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Adrian K. Dingle of Winthrop, MA, formerly of Holly Hill.
‘Funeral arrangements are incomplete. The family will be receiving condolences via telephone.’
Dingle’s finest season came in 2003 when he made 37 tackles and collected six sacks after starting all 16 games for the Chargers.
Former NFL player Adrian Dingle is being mourned by his partner Amy Bell and their family after he died aged 45
Dingle had a young family and leaves behind partner Amy and children Adrian and Ava
Dingle’s partner has been left heartbroken
Dingle attended Clemson University from 1995 as a freshman from Roberts High School in Holly Hill, South Carolina.
He was the defensive MVP of the 1994 North-South High School All-Star game and helped the Tigers reach three bowl games. His 180 tackles are still 11th in the university’s history.
The star also has the sixth most sacks at the university with 23. He was picked by the Chargers in the fifth round of the 1999 draft.
‘RIP to my teammate @AdrianDingle,’ former Charger Marcellus Wiley tweeted.
‘We were just hanging, laughing, swapping war stories, and talking family. Rest easy big dog!’
Sprinter Tyree Washington also paid tribute to Dingle, saying: ‘Rest Easy my brother Adrian Dingle.
‘Your smile was infectious and your drive to be the best at your craft was amazing! Looks are deceiving!
He helped the Tigers reach three bowl games and his 180 tackles are still 11th in the university’s history, before moving on to a career in the NFL
‘RIP to my teammate @AdrianDingle,’ former Charger Marcellus Wiley tweeted
Sprinter Tyree Washington also paid tribute to Dingle
‘Never assume someone is alright because of their success, looks, material possessions etc.
‘Check up on your peeps! We all need somebody! #mentalhealth #NFLPA #NFL Athletes for Hope.
‘It was a pleasure to share the field with my bro while being teammates with Los Angeles Chargers. Prayers up for your family.’
He was previously referred to by head coach Marty Schottenheimer as ‘one of the most reserved players on the team’.
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