Former Cleveland Browns general manager Tom Heckert has died at age 51, the Denver Broncos announced on Monday.
Tragic NFL news: Former Browns’ GM and Broncos’ senior personnel advisor Tom Heckert died, the Broncos announced. He was 51. Heckert passed away peacefully Sunday night in the company of his family
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 6, 2018
Heckert spent the last five years in the Broncos' personnel department. Before going to the Broncos, Heckert was at the Browns from 2010-2012.
Heckert stepped away from the Broncos in 2017 to focus on his health after he was diagnosed with amyloidosis—a disease that occurs when abnormal proteins called amyloids build up and form deposits, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
His father, Tom Heckert Sr., worked for more than 20 years as an NFL player personnel executive before retiring in 2007, the Associated Press reports.
Heckert drafted Joe Haden, Phil Taylor, Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden.
Saddened to hear about the passing of Tom Heckert. He brought me to Cleveland and gave me an opportunity when many wouldn’t. I’ll always be grateful for that. My condolences to the Heckert family.
— Chris Ogbonnaya (@ChrisOgbonnaya) August 6, 2018
The Cleveland Browns organization released the following statement on the Heckert's passing:
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tom Heckert and share our sincerest condolences with his family and friends, including the many lives he impacted with the Browns organization and throughout the entire NFL during his established career.
