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Rhine dies of heart attack at 35

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Photo by ISIphotos.com

Bobby Rhine, former FC Dallas player, front-office figure and broadcaster, passed away Monday evening of a heart attack at age 35.

Known as a hardworking, genuine and caring individual to those who worked with him or played against him, Rhine's passing at such a young age has stunned the U.S. Soccer community, especially in the Dallas area where he was synonymous with the FC Dallas franchise.

"It is an extremely sad day in the history of FC Dallas," FC Dallas president and CEO Doug Quinn said on FCDallas.com. "Bobby was the voice and face of our club and always a very popular figure with our fans. Everyone connected with FC Dallas has been affected by this tragic news and we wish to send our heartfelt condolences to Bobby’s family. We want to take this opportunity to thank Bobby for his tireless work for our club and acknowledge everything he has done to help grow the game of soccer in our community. He will be greatly missed."

Rhine is survived by his wife, Bevan, and their two children. Donations in his memory can be made to the FC Dallas Foundation.

What are some of your Rhine memories?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I loved watching the way he played for years with Dallas. I’ve been a Dallas fan since his rookie year and watched him his whole career. A team player to the core.

    I met him last year at Pizza Hut Park during the first round playoff game against Real Salt Lake. We were standing in the beer garden area right next to Bobby and Steve Jolley. I thought how cool is it that they were right there hanging out with the fans enjoying the game and drinking some cold ones. Steve Jolley was even heckling Nick Rimando with the rest of us… all in good fun of course. I talked with both of them during the game. Bobby was extremely cool and just a genuinely nice guy. The local FC Dallas broadcast won’t be the same without him. He will be truly missed by all FC Dallas fans.

    RIP Bobby. See you on the other side.

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  4. RIP Bobby. Met him a couple times and was a great guy. Went out of his way to talk to my dad and me at FC Dallas games when he didn’t have to. Great player, better man. You will be dearly missed, Bobby.

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  5. All my best to his family. I thought he was a great player, (and from an RSL fan) I thought he was a fair commentator for those Dallas games on Direct Kick. This news puts a weight on my heart. He will be missed! RIP

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  6. Very sad and also shocking.

    Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

    If you’re an MLS fan take a moment to remember Bobby Rhine and veterans like him who weren’t superstars but played solidly year after year and helped keep their teams and the league running.

    Does Rhine have the record for most games or minutes played in a Dallas jersey?

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  7. Very sad and tragic! Shocking news! I am stunned! I remember him as a player and also from the broadcasting of FC Dallas games. I only met Bobby Rhine once. It was only about a month and a half ago. It was back in July (2011), in front of the Red Bull Area, after the game the Red Bulls played the Dallas team. He was there talking with a variety of people o stopped by. His broadcasting partner, Steve Jolley, was there with him, both having an on-going conversation with a variety of fans. Bobby Rhine played for the Dallas team for ten seasons, I believe! He is a symbol of the Club.

    I hope all of the MLS teams, including the latest expansion teams, will acknowledge this loss by observing a minute of silence before each of their games. I am saying this because sometime ago, one of the former MetroStars player passed away and I don’t remember anything being said or done. Maybe they did something before I entered the stadium. Maybe I did not get to my seat early enough. I don’t know if that was the case but I do not rember anything being done in his memory. I am talking about Damian Silvera.

    My condolences, in this difficult moment, go out to all of his family and to the Dallas Burn and FC Dallas family.

    For Bobby, please rest in peace!

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  9. Personally, this is a big blow.

    Bobby was my all-time favorite player for Dallas. The heart he put into the game and loyalty to the club is second to none. Only Oscar Pareja and Dario Sala can compare. I’ll always remember the game in Chicago back in 2006 at Toyota Park when he scored that goal. He ran over to the travelling fans, banged on the drum I was holding, and celebrated with us. After he retired, he spoke at an event and reflected back on his career. He went on to talk about his favorite moment as a player for Dallas, and told the story of that game and that celebration. The amazing thing was that he was looking directly at me when he told the story. That was really special. Bobby will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’m going to miss him.

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  11. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy strikes again. rest in peace. like everyone else said, he seemed like a good honest hard working player who everyone respected. very sad day for his family.

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  12. Bobby Rhine was an absolute stalwart in my fantasy soccer back line. He was that striker that became a defender, always cheap for some reason, yet always a great fantasy value. The poor man’s Chris Albright, only infinitely more likable.

    It’s a simple, maybe even stupid memory but it’s a positive one. And it’s also a reason why I’ll never forget him. Hope his family is okay.

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  15. I went to a Dallas Burn game with 10 friends for part of my bachelor party and he scored two goals against San Jose, I think.

    Everything I heard about him was always that he was a great guy.

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  24. I don’t have a specific favourite moment about Bobby Rhine, but I do always remember not wanting to heckle him as an opposing player just because it seemed like whenever he played, he did it for the love of soccer, and would never let his frustration show on the pitch. always a clean player is what i’m gonna remember.

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