THE NFL world is in mourning after a former first-round pick died at the age of 73.

Dave Gallagher had a pro football career with the Chicago Bears and New York Giants .

He quit the game and decided to become a orthopedic surgeon in his post-retirement career.

His cause of death has not yet been announced.

Gallagher began his playing career with the Bears in 1974.

He joined the Giants between 1975 to 1976.

The defensive lineman then quit the sport to enter medical school.

He headed to the University of Michigan to embark on his new career.

Gallagher briefly returned to the NFL from 1978 to 1979 with the Detroit Lions .

However, he practiced medicine after that for years in Columbus, Indiana.

It is understood he passed away back on January 2.

An obituary announcing his

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