Former Dolphins President & COO BRYAN WIEDMEIER has passed away at the age of 56 "after fighting brain cancer for several years," according to Hal Habib of the PALM BEACH POST. Wiedmeier "worked under three owners in his 29 years with the Dolphins." He joined the Browns in '10 as Exec VP/Business Operations. Wiedmeier "was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer" in '12 and "told the average patient survives 15 months." He "exceeded that by about three years." As he continued his work, the Browns "rewarded him with a four-year extension" in '14 (PALM BEACH POST, 6/8). In Miami, Adam Beasley notes Wiedmeier joined the Dolphins in '81 "in an entry-level capacity." But it "didn’t take long" for former team Owner JOE ROBBIE to "see his talent, and Wiedmeier would soon have a hand in almost every department: ticketing, personnel, salary cap, labor and even hurricane preparedness." Wiedmeier also "earned a law degree" from the Univ. of Miami, "studying at night" (MIAMI HERALD, 6/8). In Cleveland, Mary Kay Cabot notes upon joining the Browns, Wiedmeier worked on "long-term strategic planning including a key role" in the $125M renovation of FirstEnergy Stadium, which was completed last year (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 6/8).
TWITTER REAX: Execs and media from across the NFL took to Twitter to remember Wiedmeier. Padres President & CEO Mike Dee (former Dolphins exec): "One of the true good guys in sports." Dolphins President & CEO Tom Garfinkel: "Bryan Wiedmeier was kind, generous, and deeply passionate about the Dolphins. He is forever a Dolphin and will be greatly missed." The Plain Dealer's Cabot: "He was an inspiration to all." THE MMQB's Andrew Brandt: "When entering the NFL as a young front office person, not all colleagues were welcoming, willing to help. Bryan Wiedmeier clearly was." ESPN DALLAS' Todd Archer: "You taught me so much about this game. Your fight was inspirational. Thank you." Fox Sports' Jay Glazer: "Lost a great one today in our friend Bryan Wiedmeier. I wish more could've been around him." NFL.com's Gil Brandt: "Bryan Wiedmeier will be sorely missed in the NFL community. I don't know too many men who were more respected around the league." Bleacher Report's Jason Cole: "One of the classiest men I have ever met in the NFL."
