Editing Fred Dean

{{Short description|American football player (1952–2020)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{for-multi|the American football offensive lineman|Fred Dean (offensive lineman)|other people|Fred Dean (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name        = Fred Dean
| image       = Fred Dean.jpg
| alt         =
| caption     = Dean with the San Francisco 49ers in 1984
| number      = 71, 74
| position    = [[Defensive end]]
| birth_date  = {{Birth date|1952|2|24}}
| birth_place = [[Arcadia, Louisiana]], U.S.
| death_date  = {{death date and age|2020|10|14|1952|2|24}}
| death_place = [[Jackson, Mississippi]], U.S.
| height_ft   = 6
| height_in   = 3
| weight_lb   = 230
| high_school = [[Ruston High School|Ruston]] {{nowrap|([[Ruston, Louisiana]])}}
| college     = [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football|Louisiana Tech]] (1971–1974)
| draftyear   = 1975
| draftround  = 2
| draftpick   = 33
| pastteams   = * [[San Diego Chargers]] ({{NFL Year|1975|1981}})
* [[San Francisco 49ers]] ({{NFL Year|1981|1985}})
| highlights  = * 2× [[List of Super Bowl champions|Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XVI|XVI]], [[Super Bowl XIX|XIX]])
* 2× First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1980 All-Pro Team|1980]], [[1981 All-Pro Team|1981]])
* 4× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]]–[[1982 Pro Bowl|1981]], [[1984 Pro Bowl|1983]])
* [[UPI NFC Player of the Year|NFC Defensive Player of the Year]] (1981)
* [[San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame]]
* [[Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame]]
* [[List of San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team|San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team]]
* [[List of San Diego Chargers 40th Anniversary Team|San Diego Chargers 40th Anniversary Team]]
* Second-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1974 College Football All-America Team|1974]])
* First-team [[Little All-America college football team|Little All-American]] ([[1974 Little All-America college football team|1974]])
* Second-team Little All-American ([[1973 Little All-America college football team|1973]])
* [[Louisiana Tech University Athletic Hall of Fame|Louisiana Tech Athletic Hall of Fame]]
| statlabel1  = [[Quarterback sack|Sacks]]
| statvalue1  = 92
| statlabel2  = [[Fumble]] recoveries
| statvalue2  = 13
| statlabel3  = [[Interception]]s
| statvalue3  = 1
| statlabel4  = Interception yards
| statvalue4  = 22
| statlabel5  = Defensive [[touchdown]]s
| statvalue5  = 2
| pfr         = DeanFr00
| HOF         = Fred-Dean
| CollegeHOF  = 2232 
}}

'''Frederick Rudolph Dean'''<ref name="NYT"/><ref name=pfhof/> (February 24, 1952 – October 14, 2020) was an American professional [[American football|football]] player who was a [[defensive end]] in the [[National Football League]] (NFL). A two-time first-team [[All-Pro]] and a four-time [[Pro Bowl]]er, he won two [[Super Bowl]]s with the [[San Francisco 49ers]]. He was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 2008.

Dean played [[college football]] for the [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football|Louisiana Tech Bulldogs]]. He was selected in the second round of the [[1975 NFL draft]] by the [[San Diego Chargers]]. He was traded to San Francisco in 1981 due to a contract dispute. He is a member of both the [[Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame|Chargers Hall of Fame]] and [[San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame|49ers Hall of Fame]].

==Early life==
Dean was born in [[Arcadia, Louisiana|Arcadia]],<ref name=pfhof/> the seat of [[Bienville Parish]] in north [[Louisiana]]. He grew up {{convert|20|mi}} east in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]], where he attended the all-Black, [[school segregation in the United States|segregated]] Lincoln High School. After [[school integration in the United States|integration]], he moved as a [[junior (education year)|junior]] to [[Ruston High School|Ruston High]], where he graduated.<ref name=pfhof>{{cite web|title=Fred Dean Enshrinement speech|date=August 2, 2008|website=ProFootballHOF.com|url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/fred-dean/enshrinement/|access-date=October 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The life and career of NFL Hall of Famer, Louisiana Tech alum Fred Dean ahead of 49ers' date in Super Bowl LIV|date=January 23, 2020|work=KLFY|agency=KYVE|url=https://www.klfy.com/sports/the-big-game/the-life-and-career-of-nfl-hall-of-famer-louisiana-tech-alum-fred-dean-ahead-of-49ers-date-in-super-bowl-liv/|access-date=January 29, 2023}}</ref>

==College career==
Dean was a standout at [[Louisiana Tech University]] in Ruston, having spurned an opportunity to play for legendary coach [[Eddie Robinson (Grambling football coach)|Eddie Robinson]] at nearby [[Grambling State University]], which at the time was sending [[African American]] players to the NFL on a yearly basis, as well as [[Southeastern Conference]] power [[LSU Tigers football|LSU]], where former Ruston High star [[Bert Jones]] was the starting quarterback (at the time of Dean's recruitment, LSU did not have an black player in its program).<ref>{{cite web|title=Dean Readies for the Hall|date=July 26, 2008|website=49ers.com|url=https://www.49ers.com/news/dean-readies-for-the-hall-492316|access-date=October 15, 2020}}</ref> Playing mostly as an [[defensive end|end]],<ref name=thomas_07302008/>  Dean excelled as a [[defensive lineman]] for the [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football|Bulldogs]] and was a four-time all-conference selection and two-time conference defensive player of the year in the [[Southland Conference]].<ref name=shreveport_07112017>{{cite news|title=La. Tech to retire Fred Dean's number|date=July 11, 2017|newspaper=Shreveport Times|url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/college/la-tech/2017/07/11/la-tech-retire-fred-deans-number/103608714/|access-date=October 16, 2020}}</ref><ref name=nff_05122009/> He was an [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] as a senior in 1974.<ref name=nff_05122009>{{cite web|title=2009 Divisional College Football Hall of Fame Class Announced|date=May 12, 2009|publisher=National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame|url=https://footballfoundation.org/news/2009/5/12/_51694.aspx|access-date=October 16, 2020}}</ref>

==Professional career==
===San Diego Chargers===
Dean was selected by the [[San Diego Chargers]] in the second round of the [[1975 NFL draft]] with the 33rd overall pick. Chargers coach [[Tommy Prothro]] initially projected him as a [[linebacker]] but eventually relented to Dean's wish to remain a lineman.<ref name=thomas_07302008/> As a rookie, he had seven [[quarterback sack|sacks]] and registered his career-high of 93 [[tackle (football move)|tackles]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Hall of Fame Class of 2007|date=February 3, 2007|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2752999|access-date=October 16, 2020}}</ref> He recorded {{frac|15|1|2}} sacks in [[1978 San Diego Chargers season|1978]].<ref name=thomas_07302008/> In [[1979 San Diego Chargers season|1979]], the Chargers won the [[AFC West]] division while leading the AFC in fewest points allowed (246).<ref>{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Center|title=Don Coryell, ex-Chargers, Aztecs coach, dies at 85|date=July 1, 2010|newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-don-coryell-2010jul01-htmlstory.html|access-date=October 16, 2020}}</ref> Dean had nine sacks in 13 games and was named to the All-AFC team.<ref name="InSeasonTrade"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Fred Dean's Career Highlights|website=ProFootballHOF.com|url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/fred-dean/highlights/|access-date=October 16, 2020}}</ref>

The Chargers again won the AFC West in [[1980 San Diego Chargers season|1980]], with Dean teaming with fellow 1975 Charger draftees [[Gary "Big Hands" Johnson]] and [[Louie Kelcher]] as the Chargers led the NFL in sacks (60).<ref name=foxsports_08112010/><ref name=espn_03292009/> Dean had missed the first two games of the season after not reporting, but still finished the season with {{frac|10|1|2}} sacks.<ref>{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Rick|title=1981 San Diego Chargers Facts Book|year=1981|publisher=San Diego Chargers|page=28}}</ref> He and Johnson were named first-team [[All-Pro]], with Kelcher being named second-team All-Pro. The trio along with [[Leroy Jones (American football)|Leroy Jones]] formed a defensive front that was nicknamed the [[Bruise Brothers (San Diego Chargers)|Bruise Brothers]].<ref name=foxsports_08112010>{{cite news |title=Grambling State University Loses Two Football Legends |date=August 11, 2010 |work=FoxSports.com |publisher=Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Grambling-State-University-Loses-Two-Football-Legends-86642150 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819165517/http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Grambling-State-University-Loses-Two-Football-Legends-86642150 |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=espn_03292009>{{cite news |title=No. 16: Chargers' best draft class | date=March 28, 2009 |work=ESPN.com |url=https://insider.espn.com/nfl/insider/news/story?id=4017589 |access-date=May 27, 2011 |quote=The 2001 class was good, but the 1975 class ranks the best. San Diego had four of the first 33 picks in the draft, and the Chargers selected three defensive linemen that would form the nucleus of "The Bruise Brothers" and once formed three-fourths of the AFC Pro Bowl defensive line.}}{{subscription required}}</ref>

===San Francisco 49ers===
In [[1981 San Francisco 49ers season|1981]], Dean was traded to the [[San Francisco 49ers]] due to a contract dispute with Chargers' ownership.<ref name=cnnsi_01282001/> He complained that he was the lowest-paid sixth-year defensive lineman in 1980 and that his salary was below the average of all defensive linemen.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dean Goes to Chargers|date=October 3, 1981|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/10/03/sports/sports-people-dean-goes-to-chargers.html|access-date=October 19, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chargers six-year defensive end Fred Dean, complaining his salary...|date=September 30, 1981|publisher=United Press International|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/09/30/Chargers-six-year-defensive-end-Fred-Dean-complaining-his-salary/8038370670400/|access-date=October 19, 2020}}</ref> Dean contended that he was making the same amount of money as his brother-in-law who was a truck driver.<ref>{{cite news
   |last = Wilson
   |first = Bernie
   |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2008-07-31-2737875428_x.htm
   |title=Charger-turned-Niner Fred Dean answers Hall's call
   |work= USA Today
   |access-date=November 3, 2008
| date=July 31, 2008}}</ref> Originally set to make $75,000 that season,<ref name=zimmerman_11021981/> the 49ers renegotiated his contract to reportedly near $150,000 a year.<ref>{{cite news|first=Gary|last=Pomerantz|title=Quarterbacks Facing 49ers Make the Dean's List|date=November 10, 1981|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1981/11/10/quarterbacks-facing-49ers-make-the-deans-list/c60364c9-1998-4d9c-a0d5-00c377e7ac80/|access-date=October 19, 2020}}</ref> The Chargers' defense would not be the same afterwards, and [[Don Coryell|Don "Air" Coryell's]] Chargers teams are now most remembered for its high-scoring, pass-oriented offense that did not have enough defense to make it to a Super Bowl. In 2013, ''[[U-T San Diego]]'' called the Chargers trading Dean "perhaps the biggest blunder in franchise history".<ref>{{cite news|last=Krasovic|first=Tom|title=Chargers had a Fearsome Foursome, too|date=June 5, 2013|newspaper=U-T San Diego|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/chargers/sdut-chargers-deacon-jones-fred-dean-2013jun05-story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801005140/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/chargers/sdut-chargers-deacon-jones-fred-dean-2013jun05-story.html|archive-date=August 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> "I can't say how much it affected us, because we did make it to the AFC championship game," said Johnson of the Chargers without Dean. "But I could say if we had more pass rush from the corner, it might've been different".<ref name=thomas_07302008>{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Jim|title=Fred Dean: Situational pass-rusher made most of his opportunities|date=July 30, 2008|newspaper=The State Journal-Register|url=http://www.sj-r.com/article/20080730/NEWS/307309952?template=printart|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919215259/http://www.sj-r.com/article/20080730/NEWS/307309952?template=printart|archive-date=September 19, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

With San Francisco, Dean was used as a [[pass-rush]] specialist, playing only when the 49ers switched from a [[3–4 defense]] to a [[4–3 defense|4–3]] or a [[4–2 nickel]].<ref name=zimmerman_11021981/><ref name="NYT"/> He joined the team mid-season for Game 6 against the [[Dallas Cowboys]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Ann|last=Killion|title=Keep 49ers great Fred Dean in your thoughts as he battles coronavirus|date=October 11, 2020|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/annkillion/article/Keep-49ers-great-Fred-Dean-in-your-thoughts-15637838.php|access-date=October 19, 2020}}</ref> After only a couple of practices, he played and was still able to record two sacks and apply pressure and repeatedly hurry [[Danny White]] in a 45–14 win by the 49ers. His performance was noted by author Tom Danyluk as "the greatest set of downs I have ever seen unleashed by a pass rusher".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gc5XDDEgrRUC|title=The Super '70s|last1=Danyluk|first1=Tom|last2=Zimmerman|first2=Paul|date=January 1, 2005|publisher=Mad Uke Publishing|isbn=9780977038305|language=en}}</ref> In what had been a game of possum, [[Bill Walsh (American football coach)|Bill Walsh]], the 49er head coach, said to [[John Madden]], who covered the game, "Fred (Dean) just got here... If he plays, he won't play much".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5fkygqMiHpcC|title=One knee equals two feet: (and everything else you need to know about football)|last1=Madden|first1=John|last2=Anderson|first2=Dave|date=October 1, 1987|publisher=Jove Books|isbn=9780515091939|language=en}}</ref> But he played the whole game.<ref name="WholeGame">{{cite news|last1=Conetzkey|first1=Chris|title=Defensive end Fred Dean: In the words of ...|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/halloffame08/news/story?id=3502188|access-date=July 31, 2017|work=ESPN|date=August 1, 2008|quote=10 or 12 plays turned into a whole game against the Dallas Cowboys}}</ref>

Two weeks later at home against the [[Los Angeles Rams]], the 49ers won 20–17 for their first-ever win against the Rams at home in [[Candlestick Park]], as Dean sacked [[Pat Haden]] {{frac|4|1|2}} times.<ref name=zimmerman_11021981>{{cite magazine|first=Paul|last=Zimmerman|title=The 49ers Are Really Panning Out|date=November 2, 1981|magazine=Sports Illustrated|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1981/11/02/the-49ers-are-really-panning-out-led-by-newly-acquired-pass-rush-specialist-fred-dean-san-francisco-is-atop-the-nfc-west-and-looks-good-as-gold|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128023852/https://vault.si.com/vault/1981/11/02/the-49ers-are-really-panning-out-led-by-newly-acquired-pass-rush-specialist-fred-dean-san-francisco-is-atop-the-nfc-west-and-looks-good-as-gold|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 28, 2020|access-date=October 16, 2020}}</ref> Dean was named the [[UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year]] with 12 sacks while playing in 11 games for the 49ers.<ref>{{cite news|first=Nancy|last=Gay|title=49ers' Dean is headed to Hall of Fame|date=February 3, 2008|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|url=https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/49ers-Dean-is-headed-to-Hall-of-Fame-3295868.php|access-date=October 16, 2020}}</ref> The 49ers went on to win [[Super Bowl XVI]] that year, and [[Steve Sabol]] (NFL Films) is quoted in 2006 as saying that Dean's acquisition was the last meaningful in-season trade, in that it affected the destination of the Lombardi Trophy.<ref name="InSeasonTrade">{{cite news|last1=Thomas|first1=Jim|title=Fred Dean: Trade to 49ers proves beneficial for player and team|url=http://www.patriotledger.com/x469169627/Fred-Dean-Trade-to-49ers-proves-beneficial-for-player-and-team|access-date=July 31, 2017|work=The Patriot Ledger|date=July 30, 2008|quote=It’s been called the trade of all in-season football trades by NFL Films’ Steve Sabol.}}</ref> San Francisco, which was 3–2 when Dean arrived, won 13 of their final 14 games, including the playoffs.<ref>{{cite news|first=Eric|last=Branch|title=49ers' Hall of Fame pass rusher Fred Dean dies at 68 after coronavirus infection|date=October 15, 2020|newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle|url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/Reports-49ers-Hall-of-Fame-pass-rusher-Fred-15649242.php|access-date=October 16, 2020|url-access=subscription|quote=In 1981, the 49ers, coming off a 6-10 season, acquired Dean in a trade from San Diego when they were 3-2. They proceeded to win 13 of their last 14 games, including the Super Bowl.}}</ref>

In [[1983 San Francisco 49ers season|1983]], Dean recorded a career-high {{frac|17|1|2}} sacks to lead the NFC and recorded a then-NFL record of six in one game, setting that mark during the 49ers’ 27–0 shutout of the [[New Orleans Saints]] on November 13, 1983.<ref name=pfhof_bio>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=261|title=Fred Dean {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site|website=www.profootballhof.com|access-date=April 12, 2016}}</ref>

Dean was also a key player on the [[1984 San Francisco 49ers season|1984 squad]] than won [[Super Bowl XIX]]. He was reunited with his former Charger teammates Johnson, Kelcher and [[Billy Shields]], who were acquired by the 49ers.<ref name=cnnsi_01282001>{{cite news |title=Say It Ain't So |date=January 28, 2001 |work=cnnsi.com |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/2001/02/28/sayitaintso_chargers/#49ers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403034405/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/2001/02/28/sayitaintso_chargers/ |archive-date=April 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Pro Football Hall of Fame (24937975708).jpg|thumb|Dean's uniform with the [[San Francisco 49ers]] at the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]]]
Dean ended his NFL career with 93 unofficial sacks, according to the [[Professional Football Researchers Association]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Jerry|last=Magee|title=Dean awaits call from Canton|date=February 2, 2008|newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune|page=D-3|quote=During a career made up of six seasons in San Diego and five in San Francisco, he had 93 sacks, by the count of John Turney of the Pro Football Researchers Association.}}</ref> Dean was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 2008,<ref name=pfhof_bio/> when his bust, sculpted by [[Scott Myers]], was unveiled.<ref name="HOFBust">{{cite web|last1=Price|first1=Taylor|title=Fred Dean: Life After the Hall of Fame|url=http://www.49ers.com/news/article-1/Fred-Dean-Life-After-the-Hall-of-Fame/ce3c6b88-9d0a-102c-ae14-8cc2288110cb|website=49ers.com|access-date=July 31, 2017|date=December 2, 2008}}</ref><ref name="ScottMyers">{{cite news|last1=Gosset|first1=Brian|title=Granbury sculptor says making Hall of Fame bust of Haley 'special'|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nfl/dallas-cowboys/article28919461.html|access-date=July 31, 2017|work=Star-Telegram|date=July 27, 2015}}</ref><ref name="FredPam">{{cite web|title=Fred Dean with his wife Pam, and his bust|url=http://www.49ers.com/photos/photos/Fred-Dean-with-his-wife-Pam-and-his-bust-/70fd491a-9ce6-102c-ae14-8cc2288110cb|website=49ers.com|access-date=July 31, 2017|format=Photo|date=August 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801032319/http://www.49ers.com/photos/photos/Fred-Dean-with-his-wife-Pam-and-his-bust-/70fd491a-9ce6-102c-ae14-8cc2288110cb|archive-date=August 1, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was also named to both the [[List of San Diego Chargers 40th Anniversary Team|Chargers' 40th]] and [[List of San Diego Chargers 50th Anniversary Team|50th anniversary team]]s and inducted into the [[Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame|Chargers Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Chargers 50th anniversary team |newspaper=The Press-Enterprise |url=http://www.pe.com/sports/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_S_web_chargers_all_time_team.2b15913.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091218210858/http://www.pe.com/sports/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_S_web_chargers_all_time_team.2b15913.html |archive-date=December 18, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Chargers Honor Lincoln |date=October 24, 2000 |newspaper=Lewiston Tribune |url=http://www.wsucougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/122000aaa.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209170610/http://www.wsucougars.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/122000aaa.html |archive-date=February 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 8, 2013 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=2010mg>{{cite book|title=2010 San Diego Chargers Media Guide |publisher=San Diego Chargers |year=2010 |page=231 |url=http://prod.static.chargers.clubs.nfl.com/assets/docs/pdf/2010/2010-Media-Guide.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922104711/http://prod.static.chargers.clubs.nfl.com/assets/docs/pdf/2010/2010-Media-Guide.pdf |archive-date=September 22, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Dean was inducted into the [[Louisiana Tech University Athletic Hall of Fame]] in 1990 and the [[Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame]] in 1995.<ref name=shreveport_07112017/><ref>{{cite web|title=Fred Dean|work=Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame|url=https://lasportshall.com/?inductees=fred-dean|access-date=October 16, 2020}}</ref> In 2009, Dean was elected to the [[College Football Hall of Fame]].<ref name=nff_05122009/>

==Personal life and death==
After his football career, Dean was a minister in his hometown, Ruston.<ref>{{cite news|first=Tom|last=Krasovic|title=Fred Dean led 49ers' Super Bowl run after Chargers' Klein wouldn't pay star wages|date=October 15, 2020|newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/chargers-rams/story/2020-10-15/fred-dean-chargers-bill-walsh-super-bowl-hall-of-famer|access-date=October 16, 2020}}</ref>

Dean died from [[COVID-19]] while being airlifted from a hospital in [[West Monroe, Louisiana]], to [[Jackson, Mississippi]], on October 14, 2020, during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi|COVID-19 pandemic]]. He was 68.<ref name="NYT">{{Cite news |last=Traub |first=Alex |date=October 17, 2020 |title=Fred Dean, Sack Specialist Who Ignited 49ers Dynasty, Dies at 68 |work=New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/17/obituaries/fred-dean-dead-covid.html |access-date=October 17, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Crabtree |first=Curtis |title=Reports: Hall of Fame defensive end Fred Dean dies of COVID-19 at 68 |work=NBC Sports |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/10/15/reports-hall-of-fame-defensive-end-fred-dean-dies-of-covid-19-at-68/ |access-date=October 15, 2020}}</ref>

Dean is one of at least 345 [[List of NFL players with chronic traumatic encephalopathy|NFL players to be diagnosed after death with chronic traumatic encephalopathy]] (CTE), which is caused by repeated hits to the head.<ref>{{cite news |title=The driving force behind Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) |website=Concussion Legacy Foundation |url=https://concussionfoundation.org/cte-resources/subconcussive-impacts |access-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702123543/https://concussionfoundation.org/cte-resources/subconcussive-impacts |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Ken Belson and Benjamin Mueller |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/20/sports/football/cte-study-concussions-brain-tackle.html |title=Collective Force of Head Hits, Not Just the Number of Them, Increases Odds of C.T.E. The largest study of chronic traumatic encephalopathy to date found that the cumulative force of head hits absorbed by players in their careers is the best predictor of future brain disease. |work= [[The New York Times]] |date=June 20, 2023 |access-date=July 2, 2023 }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
* [[List of NFL players with chronic traumatic encephalopathy]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{1973 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football navbox}}
{{San Diego Chargers 1975 draft navbox}}
{{Super Bowl XVI}}
{{Super Bowl XIX}}
{{50Chargers}}
{{Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame}} 
{{San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame}}
{{2008 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dean, Fred}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:2020 deaths]]
[[Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:American football defensive ends]]
[[Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi]]
[[Category:Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football players]]
[[Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:People from Arcadia, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Ruston High School alumni]]
[[Category:San Diego Chargers players]]
[[Category:San Francisco 49ers players]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Ruston, Louisiana]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]