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Gabe Rivera, Texas Tech and Steelers player left paralyzed, dies at 57

Gabe Rivera, the College Football Hall of Famer who was paralyzed in a car accident while a rookie with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has died. He was 57.

Texas Tech, where Rivera was an All-America defensive lineman, confirmed Rivera's death on Tuesday. He had been living in San Antonio with his wife, Nancy, who told KENS-TV her husband had taken ill last week and died Monday night.

Rivera, nicknamed Senor Sack, had five sacks and 62 tackles as a senior in 1982 for Texas Tech.

He was selected 21st overall by Pittsburgh in the 1983 NFL draft.