LUBBOCK, TX. (THECOUNT) — Iconic defensive lineman Gabriel “Gabe” Rivera, died in a San Antonio hospital after being admitted while suffering from a perforated bowel.
Rivera, 57, attended Texas Tech University from 1979 to 1982 and was destine for the NFL, being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but was involved in a car accident that paralyzed him and sidelined his career.
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He earned the nickname ‘Senor Sack’ while racking up 321 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks. Rivera earned All-American honors before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the first round, in 1983. But, his pro football career ended when he was paralyzed in a crash, later that year. source
Known as one of the greatest defensive players in Texas Tech history, Rivera was enshrined into the Texas Tech Football Ring of Honor in 2014.