Dale Lolley longtime Pittsburgh Steelers sports writer passes away at 56 after cancer fight

Dale Lolley has died at the age of 56. He passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, after a long fight with cancer. His death was confirmed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in a statement. Lolley worked as a writer and editor for Steelers.com.

He covered games, wrote features, and reported from press conferences.

He was also a familiar voice on the radio and podcasts. Fans in Pittsburgh knew him as one of the most trusted reporters around the team. His career in sports writing stretched over three decades. His loss is being felt deeply in the Steelers community.

Dale Lolley’s career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and sports media

Dale Lolley was born in Fryburg, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. He began his reporting career in the early 1990s with the Observer-Reporter newspaper.

From there he moved into digital platforms and joined DK Pittsburgh Sports. In 2008, he started doing fill-in shows for the Steelers Radio Network. That gave him a chance to talk directly to fans about football. His knowledge and simple way of explaining the game quickly made him popular.

By 2014, Lolley had joined Steelers Nation Radio. He co-hosted “SNR Drive with Dale & Matt” with football analyst Matt Williamson.

The show became a must-listen for Steelers fans. Listeners liked the mix of smart football talk and friendly debate. His move to Steelers.com came in September 2022. There, he took on the role of contributing writer and editor. He wrote about every Steelers game and covered all team events. His last story for the site was published on August 29, 2025. Lolley also appeared on WPXI Channel 11’s The Final Word, adding his voice to Pittsburgh’s sports conversations.Also Read: Dana White left in disbelief as MMA robot built for China’s G1 fighting league ignores protocol at UFC Shanghai demo

Dale Lolley’s health struggles and the legacy he leaves behind

Dale Lolley graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. He was proud of his roots in Western Pennsylvania. In 2024, he was diagnosed with mouth cancer and went through surgery. Even while dealing with health problems, he stayed committed to his work. In August 2025, he shared publicly that he was struggling with pneumonia. Despite all this, he kept reporting and stayed connected to Steelers fans until just weeks before his passing.The Steelers honored him with a message saying, “We mourn the loss of Dale Lolley.” Friends and fellow journalists praised his dedication. Fans remembered his simple style of reporting that made football easy to understand. Dale Lolley leaves behind his wife and three children, who stood by him through his career and illness. His voice, his stories, and his presence at Steelers games will not be forgotten.