In the wake of the terrible new of WR coach Darryl Drake’s death, the Pittsburgh Steelers have additionally cancelled Monday’s training camp practice. The team will return to Chuck Noll Field on Tuesday, originally slated to be an off day for the team.
The Steelers have cancelled practice on Monday as well because of the death of Darryl Drake. They are scheduled to be back on the field Tuesday, which originally was a day off.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) August 11, 2019
The Steelers, unless their schedule is altered again, are slated to practice on Wednesday and Thursday before breaking camp. (Update: the team has announced there will be no changes to the remainder of the camp schedule).
Throughout the day, players and coaches past and present have sent out their reaction to the news of Drake’s sudden death.
Darryl Drake was in our coaches bible study. He was a tremendous coach and an even better man. This is hard to believe and we’re all going to miss him. But it’s proof of what the Bible says—tomorrow is not promised to us. 🙏🏽🙏🏽for his family and his players. https://t.co/KAcu1t4ULr
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) August 11, 2019
We lost a great man, husband father, coach and a dear friend Darryl Drake. Our prayers go out to his family. RIP brother pic.twitter.com/V0U3fvLleP
— Bruce Arians (@BruceArians) August 11, 2019
Organizations too have offered their support to the Steelers and Drake family.
Today we mourn the untimely passing of Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Darryl Drake. Darryl was the former Bears wide receivers coach under Lovie Smith from 2004-12, including the 2006 Super Bowl appearance.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 11, 2019
Our condolences and heartfelt prayers go out to the Drake family and @steelers organization. pic.twitter.com/1nFr6iWvCK
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 11, 2019
Several current Steelers’ players have begun to publicly react to the news as well.
#Steelers WR Tevin Jones on IG on passing of Darryl Drake pic.twitter.com/ozoN69Hmqh
— Steelers Depot (@Steelersdepot) August 11, 2019
#Steelers WR Donte Moncrief on the sudden passing of WR Coach Darryl Drake https://t.co/Ueg4WfKEC9 pic.twitter.com/Zt1PMaT0pb
— Steelers Depot (@Steelersdepot) August 11, 2019
Drake has coached in the NFL since 2004, breaking into the league with the Chicago Bears. From there, he spent several seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, working with future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald, before being hired by the Steelers in 2018. He replaced Richard Mann.
Though far from the minds of the front office today, it is unclear who will replace Drake’s role as receivers coach and when that move will be announced.
