Don Hasselbeck, the former NFL tight end who helped the Oakland Raiders win a Super Bowl and was a father to two quarterbacks who later made their own marks in the NFL, has passed away at the age of 70.
His son, Matt Hasselbeck, shared the heartbreaking news that his father died after going into cardiac arrest at his home.
In a heartfelt tribute posted on social media, Matt praised his father’s remarkable life, writing, “He was a great husband, father, grandfather, friend, coach, player, coworker, artist, mentor, and storyteller.”
He went on to say, “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.”
From Colorado Star to NFL Champion
Standing at 6-foot-7, Don Hasselbeck was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 1977 NFL Draft after an impressive college career at Colorado.
Matt expressed the family’s sense of loss with an emotional message: “There is a 6’7′ hole in our hearts. 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.”
During his time with the Patriots, Hasselbeck became a standout player.
In the 1981 season, he led the team in catches with 46, totaling 808 yards and six touchdowns.
His time in New England was marked by grit and determination, helping to set the foundation for a successful NFL career.
A Life That Left a Lasting Impact
Ben Watson, a former Patriots tight end, expressed his condolences and shared his own memories of Don.
“I first met Don while playing with the Patriots,” Watson wrote on social media.
“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.”
Watson went on to highlight the lasting legacy of Don’s character, saying, “Don’s godly legacy is evident in the children who call him dad.
I have been blessed to know him and to witness how the world has been impacted for Christ through them.
Please lift up the Hasselbeck family during this time as we mourn with them.”
Super Bowl Glory and Beyond
Don’s most memorable achievement came when he was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders in 1983, where he played a key role in the team’s Super Bowl victory.
In that season, Hasselbeck recorded two touchdown catches and made a critical extra-point block during the Raiders’ dominant 38-9 win over Washington in Super Bowl XVIII.
His role on that championship team cemented his place in NFL history.
After his time with the Raiders, Hasselbeck spent one season with the New York Giants, where he contributed a touchdown in a playoff win over the San Francisco 49ers.
He wrapped up his career in 1985 with the Minnesota Vikings, finishing with 107 career receptions for 1,542 yards and 18 touchdowns across 123 regular season games.
A Proud Family Legacy
Don’s legacy lives on through his sons, Matt and Tim, who both followed in his footsteps to the NFL.
Matt enjoyed a stellar career, making three Pro Bowls and leading the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl appearance in 2005.
Tim, meanwhile, spent most of his career as a backup quarterback and is also known for being the husband of television personality Elisabeth Hasselbeck, whom he met while attending Boston College.
Don’s passing marks the end of an era for the Hasselbeck family, but his influence will continue to be felt by those who knew him and by the NFL community at large.
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