Dave Gallagher, a former NFL defensive end who quit football to become a surgeon, has passed away at the age of 73.

According to a recently published obituary, Gallagher died on January 20 this year. His cause of death is unknown.

Gallagher began his professional career with the Chicago Bears in 1974 but played for the New York Giants from 1975-76.

After his stint in New York, he walked away from football, returning to the University of Michigan to study medicine and set himself on a course to become a surgeon.

He did return to the NFL, playing a brief stint with the Detroit Lions . But, according to the obituary , he practiced medicine in Columbus, Indiana, “for many years.”

Despite his passing several months ago, the obit wasn’t published until August 4, with a graveside

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