Todd Christensen, who played for the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders of the National Football League (NFL), died on Wednesday. Christensen was undergoing a liver transplant surgery at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah, when he passed away. He was 57.

Christensen had battled liver disease for two years, along with several other illnesses. According to his son Toby, the former NFL player started having liver problems after a gall bladder operation 25 years ago.

Coach LaVell Edwards, who has trained and coached some of the greatest football players, was deeply saddened by the news. "We have lost a great man," said Edwards. "Todd was very talented and skilled football player," added Edwards. "He had a unique personality, a unique guy as I have ever around," he said.

Reggie McKenzie, Raiders' general manager, also expressed his sadness over Christensen's passing. "He was an exemplary teammate and a special player," said McKenzie. "Our thoughts and prayers for his family in this time of mourning," added McKenzie.

Former Raiders coach Tom Flores was also heartbroken to learn of Christensen's death. "He was a hybrid tight-end, I remember Todd was always using big quotes and words from different authors and poets, he was sort of humorous sometimes because no one really had any idea what he was talking about," said Flores.

Christensen started his career in NFL as a second-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys during the 1978 NFL Draft. All throughout his football career, he had accomplished 461 passes for 5,872 yards. He has delivered 41 touchdowns in the regular season. He was an inductee in the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

When he left NFL, Christensen worked as a commentator for both collegiate and professional games. He has worked for NBC Sports, CBS Sports Network and ESPN.

We extend our deepest condolences to Todd Christensen and his family.