Carlton Haselrig, a former Pittsburgh Steeler who had a brief mixed martial arts tenure and a wildly successful NCAA wrestling career, died Wednesday at the age of 54.
The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat confirmed with the Cambria County coroner that Haselrig died of natural causes. An autopsy will be conducted, but friends of Haselrig revealed that he had been suffering from liver disease.
Haselrig won an unprecedented six national championships — three in Division II and three in Division I — for the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. The NCAA has since changed the rules that allow Division II and Division III champions the opportunity to compete for the Division I title, meaning that Haselrig’s feat will not be repeated.