 Wolfley in 2016 | |||||||||
| No. 73 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Guard Tackle | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | (1958-05-19)May 19, 1958 Buffalo, New York, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died: | March 10, 2025(2025-03-10) (aged 66) | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 265 lb (120 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Orchard Park(Orchard Park, New York) | ||||||||
| College: | Syracuse | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1980: 5th round, 138th pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Competition record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Strongman | ||
Representing United States | ||
| World's Strongest Man | ||
| 5th | 1981 World's Strongest Man | |
Craig Alan Wolfley (May 19, 1958 – March 10, 2025) was an American professionalfootball player andcolor analyst for thePittsburgh Steelers of theNational Football League (NFL).[1] He played in the NFL as anoffensive lineman, spending most of his career with the Steelers before finishing with theMinnesota Vikings. Along with fellow SteelerMax Starks, he hosted a show on970 ESPN.[2][failed verification]
Wolfley attendedSyracuse University from 1976 to 1979. He was a four-year letter winner as an offensive lineman.[3] In 1999, Wolfley was named to the Syracuse University Football All Century team.[4]
A fifth round NFL draft pick, he playedoffensive guard andoffensive tackle for thePittsburgh Steelers from 1980 to 1989. He ended his career with theMinnesota Vikings from 1990 to 1991. Wolfley started 104 games, the majority at left guard.[5]
Following his retirement, Wolfley began a broadcasting career with the Steelers. Wolfley served as a sideline reporter until 2021. In addition, he hosted a daily radio show, mostly with his Steelers teammate and longtime friendTunch Ilkin.
Following Ilkin's death in 2021, Wolfley replaced him as the team'scolor commentator on radio broadcasts.[6] Former SteelerMax Starks replaced Ilkin on Wolfley's daily show.
In addition to football, Wolfley competed in weight lifting, boxing, sumo wrestling and martial arts. In 1981, he placed fifth in the World's Strongest Man competition.[7] In 2002, Wolfley lost a four-round boxing match toButterbean.[8] He also held a black belt in jiu jitsu.[9]
Wolfley attended South Hills Bible Chapel under the pastoral leadership ofJohn Hay Munro with two other notable Steelers,Mike Webster andTunch Ilkin.
Wolfley had three daughters with his wife, Faith, Megan, Hannah, and Esther, and three sons, Kyle, 'CJ', and Max.[clarification needed] Two of those children[which?] are from a previous marriage. He and Faith were the former owners of the Wolfpack Boxing Club inCarnegie, Pennsylvania, where they taught boxing, martial arts and other athletics.
He was the brother ofRon Wolfley, formerrunning back of theArizona Cardinals and later their color analyst.[citation needed]
Wolfley died from cancer on March 10, 2025, at the age of 66.[10]
