Super Bowl champion Don Hasselbeck has tragically died after suffering a sudden fatal cardiac arrest.
Hasselbeck, who is also the father of two NFL quarterbacks, was 70 when he passed away unexpectedly.
His son, Matt Hasselbeck, said his father died after going into cardiac arrest at home.
In a post on social media, Matt Hasselbeck wrote:
“He was a great husband, father, grandfather, friend, coach, player, coworker, artist, mentor, and storyteller.
“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.”
The former NFL tight end won a Super Bowl during his nine-year career.
Standing 6 feet 7 inches, the elder Hasselbeck was drafted in the second round by New England in 1977.
He quickly advanced after a standout collegiate career at Colorado.
“There is a 6′ 7′ hole in our hearts,” Matt wrote on social media.
“He will be so missed by so many.
“We are beyond grateful that he was our dad and look forward to Heaven and being all together again.”
Hasselbeck spent six full seasons with the Patriots.
He led the team in catches in 1981 with 46, to go along with 808 yards receiving and six touchdowns.
In fact, another former Patriots tight end reacted to the news with his memories of Hasselbeck.
In a post on X, Ben Watson wrote:
“I first met Don while playing with the Patriots.
“He and his wife Betsy lived in the area and continued to pour into young men and women like myself and my wife, who were beginning our NFL journey.
“Don’s godly legacy is evident in the children who call him dad,” Watson continued.
“I have been blessed to know him and to witness how the world has been impacted for Christ through them.
“Please lift up the Hasslebeck family during this time as we mourn with them.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Hasselbeck was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders early in the 1983 season and helped the team win the Super Bowl.
He had two touchdown catches in the regular season for the Raiders.
The gritty tight end blocked an extra point in a 38-9 win in the Super Bowl against Washington.
He then spent the following season with the New York Giants and had a touchdown catch in a playoff win over San Francisco.
Hasselbeck finished his career with Minnesota in 1985.
In 123 career regular-season games, Hasselbeck had 107 catches for 1,542 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Two of Hasselbeck’s sons went on to play quarterback in the NFL.
Matt Hasselbeck made three Pro Bowls and started in a Super Bowl for Seattle following the 2005 season.
Tim Hasselbeck has mostly been playing as a backup.
Meanwhile, Tim is also known as the husband to television personality, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, whom he met while attending Boston College.
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