Former NFL tight end Don Hasselbeck, father of prominent quarterbacks Matt and Tim Hasselbeck, passed away at the age of 70. The news of his passing due to cardiac arrest at his home was shared by his son, Matt Hasselbeck, a former Seattle Seahawks player and franchise legend. Don Hasselbeck was originally drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 1977 NFL draft and spent the majority of his career with the team before being traded to the Los Angeles Raiders in 1983, contributing to their Super Bowl XVIII victory.
During his career, he was part of the Raiders team that defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the 1983 AFC Championship game. The 1983 Seahawks, led by head coach Chuck Knox, marked the franchise's first playoff appearance and advanced to the brink of the Super Bowl. Interestingly, the Seahawks are the only NFL team to have competed in both the AFC and NFC championship games. Notably, his son Matt Hasselbeck would later achieve national recognition while playing for the Seahawks.
Following his Super Bowl triumph, Don Hasselbeck had brief stints with the Minnesota Vikings in 1984 and the New York Giants in 1985, culminating his NFL career. His final touchdown, a pivotal catch during a Wild Card game against the San Francisco 49ers, helped the Giants secure a notable victory. Our sympathies are with the Hasselbeck family during this challenging time.