Lombardi Trophy being held. Don Hasselbeck has passed away.Lombardi Trophy (Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
Don Hasselbeck, a former NFL star tight end and father of quarterbacks Matt and Tim Hasselbeck, has sadly passed away.

Matt Hasselbeck announced on X/Twitter that his father passed away on Monday after suffering cardiac arrest at his home. Matt thanked his parents’ neighbors and the medical professionals who came to their father’s aid.

Don Hasselbeck celebrated his 70th birthday on April 1.

A standout tight end at Colorado, Hasselbeck was drafted in the second round (52nd overall) by the New England Patriots in 1997. The 6-foot-7, 245-pound Hasselbeck spent his first six full NFL seasons there before landing with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1983.

Hasselbeck helped the Raiders upset Washington 38-9 in Super Bowl 18 to deny the NFC club of a repeat. In that game, Don Hasselbeck blocked Mark Moseley’s only extra point attempt following a John Riggins rushing touchdown in the third quarter.

Don and his wife, Betsy, had three sons: Matt, Tim and Nathanael. Matt was a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, leading them to the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance in the 2005 season.

Tim Hasselbeck had a brief career as a backup QB, making five starts for Washington in the 2003 season. Both Matt and Tim went on to have successful tenures as NFL analysts at ESPN.

Our thoughts are with the Hasselbeck family and Don’s friends during this difficult time.

Don Hasselbeck Had His Best Season In 1981

Don Hasselbeck (Photo via Raiders.com)
Hasselbeck’s best statistical season came in 1981 as a member of the Patriots, when he hauled in a team-leading 46 receptions for 808 yards and six touchdowns (tied with Stanley Morgan for the team lead).

Over his nine NFL seasons (Hasselbeck also played for the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings), he compiled 107 receptions for 1,542 yards and 18 touchdowns.