Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach Joe D’Alessandris dies at 70

• Coach had been on an extended absence from the team
• D'Alessandris spent 40 years in professional and college football

Joe D'Alessandris, whose nearly half-century of coaching offensive linemen eventually brought him to four different NFL teams, has died. He was 70.

The Ravens, who Alessandris coached for since 2017, announced that he died on Sunday. He was taken to hospital earlier this month with an unspecified, acute illness, and that caused him to step away from his duties as the team's offensive line coach. The Ravens hired George Warhop as their offensive line coach on 14 August, when they announced D'Alessandris' extended absence.

Head coach John Harbaugh said at the time that D'Alessandris had surgery earlier this summer and experienced complications.

Our hearts ache with grief and sadness upon learning of coach Joe D'Alessandris' passing early this morning," the team said in a statement. Joe D.' lived a life of boundless faith, love, devotion and inspiration. As a husband, father, grandfather, friend and coach, Joe made every individual he encountered truly feel like they were the most important person in the world."