Former Ottawa Rough Riders DL Dexter Manley hospitalized with COVID-19

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Former Ottawa Rough Riders defensive lineman, 62-year-old Dexter Manley has been hospitalized by the novel coronavirus.

According to the Washington Post, Manley’s daughter, Dalis Manley, described her father as feeling “very weak,” worn down and discouraged after two weeks with a persistent fever and shortness of breath. “I just think he is scared,” she said.

“He hasn’t gotten worse, but they’re worried about his breathing,” Manley’s son Dexter Manley II said.

“He hasn’t been stopped yet, so I don’t think [the coronavirus] will do it now.”

Coming out of Oklahoma State University, Manley was a fifth round pick, 119th overall in the 1981 NFL draft by Washington. The man who became known as “The Secretary of Defence” anchored the Redskins d-line for nine seasons and won two Super Bowls in the United States Capitol.

Manley set Washington franchise records for sacks in a season with 18.5 in 1986 when he was named a first-team All-Pro and sits atop the all-time franchise list at 91. In 2002, the Houston native was selected as one of the Greatest Redskins of All Time and is a member of the Washington Redskins Ring of Fame.

Following 11 seasons in the NFL, Manley traveled north of the border, playing two years in the nation’s capital (1992 and 1993) and one for the Shreveport Pirates (1994) – three total in the CFL.