Former Tennessee offensive tackle Leslie Ratliffe, who lettered three seasons for the Vols in the early 1990s and later played professionally in the European and Canadian football leagues, died April 8 in a Little Rock hospital. He was 35.
The Newport, Ark., native died of kidney failure and was buried April 13.
Ratliffe played under UT head coaches Johnny Majors and Phillip Fulmer, starting at right tackle during Fulmer’s first two seasons (1993-94) at the helm. He wore the No. 75 jersey and started 27 games in 32 appearances for the Vols.
Ratliffe went on to become a seventh-round selection of the Denver Broncos in the 1996 NFL Draft, and later had his rights traded to the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. His playing days as a pro came first with the Scottish Claymores and Rhein Fire of the European league, and then with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL.
Born May 22, 1973, in Newport, Ark., Ratliffe was the son of Jerry Wayne Ratliffe and the late Velma J. Ratliffe. A member of the St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Ratliffe graduated from Newport High in 1991 as one of the most outstanding players in school history. He was named USA Today and SuperPrep All-America, and was Arkansas’ high school defensive player of the year after helping the Greyhounds to a career 36-6 record that included two state championship game appearances.
In addition to his father and other family members, Ratliffe is survived by his daughter, Raven Lee, of Knoxville; and his sister, Pamela (Brian) Warner of Fayetteville, Ark.
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Comments » 42
Carlitovol writes:
Sad day....
chrisw2967 writes:
thoughts and prayers are with him and his family
MattDillon writes:
Pray for the family Big Orange Nation
ColeTrickle writes:
wow he was young only 35
checkerboards writes:
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, especially his Daughter. 35 is way to soon to leave this earth.
DennisVols writes:
My prayers are that his family find strength and comfort in God's arms.
It is a sad day for the university and all who knew or watched this young man play.
RoadTrip writes:
Rest in the Lord's arms, Leslie. May his peace bring comfort to the hearts and souls of the family and friends - including all of the Vol Nation.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Buried April 13th??? Little late on the article, but nevertheless, thoughts and Prayers to his family, sad to hear, especially at that young of an age.
Mr_Brownstone writes:
sad - sad loss. R.I.P.
GREATVOLSAFIRE writes:
Sad day, my prayers to his family. God Bless
Ironcity writes:
Very sad.
jasoncounts writes:
the article stated kidney failure. my thoughts and prayers to the family.
jujuvolz writes:
My thoughts and Prayers are with his daughter and his dad during this grieving period. May God give them strength and peace during this time. I remember Leslie playing @UT, and he was a good player and always a gentleman. May God bless him and keep him.
VolPatrick writes:
Very sad. I'm 30, and this era team was when my Big Orange roots were beginning to grow deep. That offensive line and the couple that came after it are among the best UT ever had.
So young. Let us not take life for granted, as we never know how long we have.
shoalcreekvol writes:
Tough news. I'll join the others in saying a prayer for his family today.
tnbigg writes:
Prayers for this great Vol and his loved ones...way too soon...way too soon...
give_him_6 writes:
R I P Big fella. He was taken away so young. I guess the good Lord needed another good tackle up there. Pray his family.
Volunatic writes:
Way too young. RIP Leslie Ratliffe.
belayvol writes:
My thoughts and prayers to the family. You were all Vol Leslie.
BamaVol writes:
I remember watching him play. Sad, prayers are with the family.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Sad.
Rest in peace.
FLAVOLS writes:
May God comfort all the Ratliffe family. R.I.P. Leslie.
Go4Two writes:
Was a very good player...R.I.P.
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
A shock to hear of people this young dying of disease such as this. Prayers go out to the family.
tennezz writes:
It is sad when a child or a young man passes away. R.I.P. God bless you.
gohawks1 writes:
Wow. Sad to hear. Thoughts and prayers to the family...
I also remember Billy Ratliffe. Were they related?
HonoluluVol writes:
The aricle said he died of Kidney Failure. Second Paragraph or sentence.
MillisaAnn writes:
This is sad, his family has my prayers.
allvol9 writes:
So sorry to hear about this. My prayers go out to the family. God bless him and his family.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
I remember Leslie on campus when I lived and worked in Gibbs Hall. Nice guy.
Much too young to pass away, but I pray that the Lord will comfort his family and friends in his passing.
jmr68ut writes:
Said kidney failure!!!
Down_The_Field writes:
good game leslie..........good game.
richvol writes:
A young man taken in the prime of life is such a sad thing. My heart and prayers go out to his family.
ktemaque1 writes:
God be with his family. They are in my prayers. Sad day.
BigOrangeVol writes:
This is so tragic! They don't come any nicer than Big Rat.
He also lost his Mom two months ago. Mrs. Velma was only 55. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his daughter Raven Lee, his Dad Mr. Jerry and his sister Pam.
I don't remember Rat having Diabetes but this is a disease that is far more prevalent in our country than many people realize. Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. We lost Bird five years ago and he was only 46. I miss Jimmy, his smile and his laughter every day of my life. My wife has been battling Type 1 Diabetes for 43 years. If you can, donate a few dollars to the Jimmy Streater Scholarship Award in Sylva, NC.
TomPenn writes:
Terrible news. Deepest sympathies to friends and family. He had a chest full of heart. God Bless.
bbbocker#242767 writes:
Truly a great individual. Prayers to all the family. How did he play "under Jphnny Majors and Phillip Fulmer"? Majors was gone by then.
bbbocker#242767 writes:
Disregard previous comment. Had my dates wrong.
chad_t31 writes:
Buried April 13th...and we're just finding out? Could've been praying for his family sooner. I wasn't even aware that he was having kidney problems. Nevertheless, thoughts and prayers begin now.
volmattna writes:
Volnation is Praying for the family.
ETNTigerFan writes:
35 years old. What a shame. Sympathies to the family
Orange4life writes:
rip enjoy the checkerboard in the sky my friend
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