Ex-teammate McDaniel says Chris Doleman's brain surgery 'went well'

January 26, 2018 at 1:00PM
Former NFL player Chris Doleman poses with a bust of himself during an induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, in Canton, Ohio .
Former NFL player Chris Doleman poses with a bust of himself during an induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, in Canton, Ohio . (Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Well-wishers flocked to Twitter with an outpouring of support for Vikings Hall of Fame defensive end Chris Doleman as he had surgery in Atlanta on Thursday to remove a brain tumor.

"The surgery went well and Chris is doing well in recovery," former teammate Randall McDaniel said. "I'm going to wait a couple days and give him a call. We all wish him well."

Keith Millard, one of Doleman's closest teammates on and off the field as a Viking, tweeted this: "Please say a prayer for Chris Doleman. … A great teammate and friend for the 7 yrs we played together. An awesome person. Thinking about you buddy. God Bless."

Millard received several retweets and responses from fans, former teammates and former adversaries.

"Prayers up," tweeted former Giants linebacker Carl Banks.

Someone tweeting from Doleman's Twitter account wrote on Wednesday: "Thank you for your #prayers. Please continue to keep Chris in your thoughts & prayers during this time. Chris is a fighter! #VikingsNation."

Doleman was the fourth overall pick in 1985. He played for the Vikings from 1985 to '93 before spending two years with the Falcons, three with the 49ers and one final season with the Vikings in 1999.

Doleman had 150 ½ career sacks, 22 of which came during the 1989 season. That same season, Millard, playing tackle right next to Doleman, had 18 sacks and won Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Mark Craig

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