OWINGS MILLS, Md. —
Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris has died Sunday, the team announced.
D’Alessandris was hospitalized on Aug. 10 due to complications from a surgery earlier this summer.
D’Alessandris was the embodiment of an old-school football coach, combined with the empathy and caring of a modern teacher of football.
Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh spoke passionately on Monday about his friend and colleague. The pain on Harbaugh’s face was visible as he talked about “Coach Joe D” in the past tense.
“I just want to say, a little more, looking back on Joe D, I just want to express again our heartfelt condolences and very best wishes and prayers to Joe’s family, his sweet, amazing daughters who have been with him every step of the way, all of his great-grandkids,” Harbaugh said. “It means so much, we look back on Joe’s life and the impact he had on so many people. We’ve seen some of the tributes that you all did, it’s so appreciated. You guys really captured Joe, I thought, perfectly well with your tributes. Thank you for that. He’s a good man, great coach, just a great person. He was an inspiration for all of us here for sure, so we want to honor him this season, and we’ll honor Jacoby Jonesthis season.”
D’Alessandris joined the Ravens in 2017, and it became clear instantly how well he fit in. A great technician of offensive line play, Joe D got the best out of his players — and they loved him for it.
