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Legendary ex-Detroit Lions assistant John Teerlinck dies at 69

INDIANAPOLIS — Former Detroit Lions assistant John Teerlinck, the man who with the Indianapolis Colts molded Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis into one of the most devastating pass-rushing duos of all time, has died at the age of 69, according to Colts owner Jim Irsay.

Indianapolis was the last of Teerlinck’s six stops in the NFL, and in every place, he left great pass rushers.

“Rest In Peace, John Teerlinck,” Irsay tweeted. “One of our sport’s all-time greatest assistant coaches. And a Horseshoe guy, through-and-through.”