Allen Aldridge, Super Bowl champion and linebacker for the Broncos, dies at the age of 52

Allen Aldridge, a former NFL star who won a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos, has died at the age of 52.

The cause of death has not yet been announced.

Aldridge played eight seasons in the NFL, four with the Broncos, where he played middle linebacker during Denver's 1997 Super Bowl-winning season, and four with the Detroit Lions.

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Since 2008 he has been the head coach of Fort Bend Bush High School in Richmond, Texas.

Before entering the NFL, Aldridge played in college for his hometown Houston Cougars. The team released a statement about Aldridge on social media.

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“Houston Football mourns the loss of decorated Cougar and former NFL star Allen Aldridge,” the statement on X said. “Our thoughts are with his family, former teammates and the Fort Bend Bush High School community.”

The Broncos also released a statement on the matter, saying: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of former Broncos linebacker and Super Bowl XXXII champion Allen Aldridge Jr.”

One of Aldridge's former Cougars teammates, Ted Pardee, told the Houston Chronicle that he was “not just another freshman” when he arrived on campus. The team knew he was destined for greatness at the highest level.

“The day he got to UH, everyone knew he was different,” Pardee said. “…The key was to get him on the field as quickly as possible because he was such a gifted talent.”

Chicago Bears running back Edgar Bennett carries the ball against Detroit Lions linebacker Allen Aldridge at Soldier Field. (Peter Brouillet-USA Today Network)

Aldridge got a chance to show the NFL world how good he was when the Broncos drafted him in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft. Although he didn't play much in his rookie season, Aldridge had his breakout year in 1995, when he totaled 89 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery in 16 games (12 starts).

That season led the Broncos to retain Aldridge as a true starter in the middle of the defense at linebacker the following season, and he would eventually play a crucial role in the team's Super Bowl run the following year.

In the 1997 AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Aldridge intercepted a Kordell Stewart pass in the end zone to help the team win the game. The Broncos eventually defeated the Green Bay Packers to win Super Bowl XXXII.

Aldridge joined the Lions for the 1998 season, where he recorded 70 tackles, three sacks, one fumble recovery for a touchdown and nine tackles for loss in his first season. He stayed for three more seasons before spending his final year with the Lions in 2001.

Over the course of his career, Aldridge recorded 10.5 sacks, 482 combined tackles, one interception, five forced fumbles and 18 tackles for loss in 128 games.

Denver Broncos linebacker Allen Aldridge on the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium. (Peter Brouillet-USA Today Network)

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According to the Houston Chronicle, as a high school coach, his team reached the playoffs eight times, including in 2012 with a record of 10-2, which remains the best in team history.

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