Steelers announce passing of assistant coach's wife

The Pittsburgh Steelers shared some heartbreaking news on Friday morning. 

Rayme Olsavsky, the wife of inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky, has passed away, the team shared. 

“The Pittsburgh Steelers have heavy hearts with the unfortunate passing of Rayme Olsavsky,” the statement reads. “Words cannot express our sadness for Jerry and the loss of his wife. We will continue to support Jerry through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jerry and their entire families, including his three children Joseph, Emma and Dominic.”

Burt Lauten, Pittsburgh’s director of communications, shared the news on Twitter Friday. Additional details of her passing were not provided.

Olsavsky had been absent from practice in recent days.

Olsavsky has been in Pittsburgh since 2010. He was a defensive assistant from 2010-2014 and was promoted to inside linebackers coach in 2015.

Olsavsky has spent most of his life around Pittsburgh

Olsavsky grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, just a little over an hour outside of Pittsburgh. He went on to play college football at Pittsburgh and was drafted by the Steelers in the 10th round of the 1989 NFL Draft.

An inside linebacker himself, Olsavsky remained with the Steelers from 1989-1997 and recorded 222 tackles, three forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks. He spent a little time on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad and one years with the Ravens before retiring in 1998.

Olsavsky returned to his hometown to coach the linebackers at Youngstown State before making the move back to Pittsburgh in 2010.