Vanderbilt legend Bill Wade died on Wednesday night at the age of 85.

His daughter, Sharon Wade Kinser, informed Adam Sparks of The Tennesseean of the tragic news on Thursday.

Wade is one of only three Vanderbilt players in history to be named SEC Player of the Year, claiming the honor in 1951. Wade, the first overall pick in the 1952 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, went on to enjoy a 13-year NFL career as a quarterback and was a two-time All-Pro.

Wade played seven seasons with the Rams before joining the Chicago Bears in 1961. He led the team to a 14-10 win over the New York Giants in the 1963 NFL Championship Game.

In 2008, Vanderbilt launched its athletics hall of fame, and Wade was in the inaugural class along with 11 others. Wade still holds the Commodores’ school record for yards per rushing or passing play (6.1).

Kinser had heartfelt words after the death of Wade, who struggled physically and mentally in his later years. According to Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune, Wade lost his eyesight due to glaucoma complications. He also suffered from dementia and neuropathy.

“Our family is celebrating that his sight is restored, that he is able to walk and run on the field again,” Kinser told The Tennesseean. “He is free, and he is home. So much has been robbed of him in the last decade. To be able to know that he can see the beauty of heaven gives our family comfort.”