Ex-Bears safety Duerson, 50, found dead

Former Chicago Bears safety Dave Duerson was found dead Thursday night at his home in Miami, the Miami Dade County coroner's office said.

No cause of death was released, according to a report by Chicago Tribune.

"We are stunned and saddened to hear the tragic news regarding Dave Duerson," the Bears said in a release Friday. "He was a great contributor to our team and the Chicago community. Today is a difficult day for all of us who loved Dave. We'll miss him. Our prayers are with his family."

Duerson, 50, starred at Notre Dame and played for the legendary Bears defense that powered the team to a victory in Super Bowl XX. He was elected to four straight Pro Bowls from 1986-89 and also won a second Super Bowl with the 1990 Giants.

The news of Duerson's untimely death was met with shock from his former Bears teammates.

"When we spoke recently, he sounded great," former Bears defensive back Shaun Gayle said. "It's a real shock to all of the guys."

Duerson set a record -- later broken by Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson in 2005 -- for most sacks in a single season by a defensive back, with seven.

"He was a hell of a football player," former Bears coach Mike Ditka said Friday. "He came in at the right time for us because that's when Todd Bell held out. He fit right in, became a starter. We liked everything about him at Notre Dame. He rounded out that defense. He fit in perfectly with Gary Fencik back there and was one of the leaders of our team."

Following his playing career, Duerson worked for Chicago sports radio station 670 AM The Score and also owned and operated a sausage company that is now known as Fair Oaks Farm. He sold his stake in the company in 2002, with annual sales at $65.3 million.

His former wife Alicia Duerson told NBCChicago, "Our family asks that you please remember Dave as a good, kind and caring man. He loved and cherished his family and friends and was extremely proud of his beloved Notre Dame and ... Chicago Bears. Please keep Dave and our family in your prayers."

Duerson is survived by four children.