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BORN
1965
DIED
2025
Ray Seals Obituary
Ray Seals, a former NFL defensive end who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and others, died in April 2025 at the age of 59.
Seals had an unusual route to the NFL, skipping college and instead going from high school to the semi-pro Syracuse Express in order to help his family pay the bills. His play got the attention of NFL scouts, leading to a contract with the Buccaneers. Seals played eight years in the NFL, highlighted by an appearance in Super Bowl XXX with the Steelers. He also played for the Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, and Cincinnati Bengals. Seals was inducted into the American Football Association's Semi-Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame in 2016.
Wrestler Ric Lieb paid tribute to Seals on Facebook, saying he was "one of the kindest human beings you could ever meet. Always thinking of others, Ray ran many charities raising money and more for the homeless, sick children, and more. Ray always showed me love, from one professional athlete to another. For that, I feel as though I lost not only a dear friend, but one of the boys (wrestling term). Thank you Ray for always being real, showing love and earning love right back. You were and will always be remembered not only as a Steelers great, but as a great humanitarian."
(Image: George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
25 Entries
Tee Mack
August 8, 2025
RIP Big Play, condolences to the family
Albert Louis Escuela
April 29, 2025
I know you're playing on the field of gold and Heaven my friend.Ray seals was a friend of my father's and I when I was a little boy when he was a player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers jersey number number 98 he had a gym on Martin Luther King Boulevard called Ray SEALs workout with the pros and on his opening day Channel 13 was there and made a big special about his grand opening as the newscaster was walking around with Ray seals inside of the establishment they came across me and Ray said hey Albert let's see those pushups. he made me feel 10 ft tall and Bulletproof.or when I have tickets to the game and I'd see him coming through the tunnel and I'd yell hey Ray,any turn and see me, and throw me a pair of gloves or sweatbands that they used to wear I miss those days God bless you my friend Godspeed.until we meet again on the other side
J Hoffman
April 23, 2025
May God give you strength and comfort during this difficult time. Sending condolences to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered. May he rest in peace with God by his side.
Eleanor Brown
April 19, 2025
Rest easy little brother. I loved playing basketball with you and Tony while visiting my sister in the summer. Rutha loved working with your father.
Condolences to you and your family from Eleanor and Sargeant DeJesus
How you can show support
Jahine Arnold
April 17, 2025
Rest easy brother!
Mona Wenger
April 13, 2025
My husband wanted to be a Steeler. I Love all the Steelers.
John lynch
April 12, 2025
Ray I was thrilled to be at Super Bowl 30 to watch you.
Thank for the joy you provided me at the only Super Bowl I ever attended.
Debra Dickey
April 11, 2025
My condolences to the family may God keep you in his everlasting hands
Shelia Harris
April 11, 2025
Never had the opportunity to meet you but your baby sister Tiffany is my heart. In so many ways that she may not be aware, she has saved me. I suppose her empathy fell directly from you.
Rest on sir, I will get that chance to meet you on day
Janine Nelson
April 11, 2025
R.I.P. Love, Steve, Janine and Jake Nelson
Princess Melinda Jones
April 11, 2025
Ray" Raymond" Seals was a great guy. He was very kind and gentle. When my sister married his uncle( Herman), we family. No matter where or when he saw me, he greeted me with a huge smile. He'd say " Hey there Ms. Jones, what's up with you?" And then wedding chat, sometimes for hours. He'd call me on the phone and check on me and my mom. He was very caring. When his uncle Herman passed, back in 2009, Ray stopped handling business to drive his dad, his uncle Chester,and cousin to Detroit for the homegoing service. That spoke volumes to me . We had spine by phone a few days earlier and he didn't think he could get there in time. Ill always cherish the memories of the times and talks we shared. Rest easy gentle giant. Praying for his mom
his children,and the entire Seals family!
Jacqueline Newman-Bates
April 10, 2025
Our condolence and prayers are with your family. He will always be the Black Knight that I remember from Henninger High School. RIH love Jacqueline Newman-Bates.
Royce Pinkard
April 9, 2025
Ray and his family on Coolidge Ave he was a very nice person and will be greatly missed by all who he touched. Rest In The Mastors Hand.
Willie Rogers
April 9, 2025
Big Ray, the gentle "Giant". Gone too soon, but you touched everyone you met. Glad I got a chance to witness what perseverance looked like. Rest in piece my friend
Gina Shider
April 9, 2025
Incredible man, better human being!! I´ll never forget when we went to Delton Hall´s house and got to hear the locker room stories!! first time you called me I freaked out, Ray Seals is calling me, it was for the awesome ticket hook up!! You use to put me on your lives, I felt so special!! You laughed at my description of my seats "a little to the left" your tailgates were above and beyond!! Thank you for the great memories!! I truly appreciated you!! You were one of a kind! RIP my friend!
Tami & David Seretti
April 9, 2025
We will never forget you, Big Play. One of my all time favorite life memories is of you, Dwight stone and Del Hall sitting together and telling locker room stories. Your friendship has meant the world to us. It always made me laugh at tailgates when you would yell "Tami Seretti" to me...I was like-RAY SEALS REMEMBERS MY NAME!!!! You were one of the kindest, deepest people I've ever met. Dave called you and our friendship lightning in a bottle. YOU, my friend were absolutely lightning in a bottle. Rest well, Friend.
RB
April 9, 2025
An incredible NFL player. He made it to the NFL and made a great contribution to the sport. A great player, on and off the field, a humanitarian, a generous person. Heartfelt condolences to the Seals family, may God be with you as you go through your time of loss.
Kelvin Bass
April 9, 2025
Rest easy Big Guy I will cherish the memories we had at the rice diet you were a gentle giant and always be in my heart .Bass
Denise Jackson
April 9, 2025
I will always remember going to the Pittsburgh Mix Sports bar fun times . How scared i was of the sky bridge and how he had me drive across it coaching me saying , baby focas on what is ahead .. the end of the bridge you got this Im right here . I did it and everytime I go over that bridge i think of that night .Meeting with people to make his story the Foil Burger . Fun time in Tarpon ,watching the Steelers play together,when he was recognized being the photographer so his fans could get a picture with him .. fun times
Rhonda Munn
April 8, 2025
To: The seal family we tha Munn family send
Our deepest condolence. We will keep you in our prayers
Janelle Almendis
April 8, 2025
May Revelación 21:3-5 Be your comfort.
Calvin Odom
April 8, 2025
We played football and basketball through Pop Warner high School you did what you love Ray rest in peace my brother
Mark Smith
April 7, 2025
God bless your family and thank you for being a good friend. rest in peace big ray. Mark Smith of Syracuse New York.
William Jones
April 7, 2025
I would like to express my deepest, deepest condolences to this family. I have known Raymond for a very long time. I grew up with him. He was funny and making me laugh. He was funny when he was young. He knew what it would take to make it to the NFL. Only the best can achieve this particular goal.Raymond was the best example of what one can achieve. He also gave so much back thank you Raymond may God welcome you into his kingdom.
Jeanine Gay Decoteau
April 7, 2025
I will miss you tremendously... Rest well Babe..
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