Don Hasselbeck, a former NFL tight end, Super Bowl champion, and father of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, has died at the age of 70. He passed away Monday after going into cardiac arrest at his home, according to a statement from his son.
“He was a great husband, father, grandfather, friend, coach, player, coworker, artist, mentor, and storyteller,” Matt Hasselbeck wrote on social media. “Despite being an All-American at Colorado and a Super Bowl Champion with the Raiders, what we are most proud of is the leader he was for our family.”
A Respected NFL Career
Drafted in the second round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, Don Hasselbeck enjoyed a standout nine-season career. He led the Patriots in receptions in 1981 with 46 catches for 808 yards and six touchdowns.
In 1983, he was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders, where he played a key role in the team’s Super Bowl XVIII victory. He contributed two regular-season touchdown catches and made a crucial play in the Super Bowl by blocking an extra point during the Raiders’ 38-9 win over Washington.
Hasselbeck later played for the New York Giants, scoring a touchdown in a playoff win over San Francisco, and finished his career with the Minnesota Vikings in 1985.
Family of Football Legacy
In addition to his successful NFL run, Don Hasselbeck was the proud father of two NFL quarterbacks:
- Matt Hasselbeck, a three-time Pro Bowler who led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl appearance after the 2005 season.
- Former NFL backup Tim Hasselbeck is currently an NFL commentator for ESPN.
- Don participated in 123 games during his career and caught 107 passes for 1,542 yards and 18 touchdowns.
- He shaped not just the sport but also the lives of everyone around him, and his impact went well beyond the pitch.
Source: ESPN
