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Dexter Manley: Washington Redskins great hospitalised with coronavirus

The 61-year-old was hospitalised on Friday after suffering breathing difficulties and struggling with his balance

Dexter Manley pictured playing for Washington Redskins in 1987
Image: Dexter Manley won two Super Bowls with the Redskins

Former Washington Redskins star Dexter Manley has been hospitalised with coronavirus.

The 61-year-old tested positive on May 2 and was hospitalised on Friday after suffering breathing difficulties and struggling with his balance.

His daughter Dalis noticed he had trouble speaking during a phone call last week and says he is feeling "very weak" after two weeks with a persistent fever.

"He hasn't gotten worse, but they're worried about his breathing," Manley's son Dexter Manley II told the Washington Post.

Manley is a franchise legend and the Redskins' all-time leader with 91 sacks, one ahead of current Washington player Ryan Kerrigan. He was a fifth-round draft pick in 1981 and was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams with the Redskins.

During a four-season run from 1983-86, Manley recorded 58 sacks, including a career-high and franchise-record 18.5 in 1986, when he earned first-team All-Pro honors.

Manley played nine seasons with the Redskins before finishing his career with the then-Phoenix Cardinals (1990) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1991). He had 97.5 career sacks and two interceptions in 143 games (120 starts).

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Manley dealt with alcohol and drug issues during and after his standout career and underwent a 10-hour operation in 2006 to remove a cyst that was putting pressure on his brain.

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