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Ex-Super Bowl champion Don Hasselbeck dies unexpectedly

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Apr 15, 2025 1:16 PM ET

Former NFL tight end Don Hasselbeck has died at the age of 70.

Hasselbeck, who played nine seasons in the NFL for four different teams, died on Monday. Hasselbeck won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1983. He is also the father of former NFL quarterbacks Matt and Tim Hasselbeck.

Matt Hasselbeck shared the news of his father’s death via social media on Monday night. He said Don was at home and suffered cardiac arrest.

“It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our father, Don Hasselbeck, who suffered cardiac arrest and passed away today,” Matt Hasselbeck wrote on X. “We want to thank our parents’ neighbors and all the medical professionals who came to his aid.

“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.”

It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our father, Don Hasselbeck, who suffered cardiac arrest and passed away today. We want to thank our parents’ neighbors and all the medical professionals who came to his aid.

He was a great husband, father, grandfather,… pic.twitter.com/16WKtXHZYj
— Matt Hasselbeck (@Hasselbeck) April 15, 2025

Don began his career with the New England Patriots, who drafted him in 1977. He spent six-plus seasons in New England before being traded to Los Angeles. The 6-foot-7 tight end blocked an extra point in the Raiders’ 38-9 win over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII.

Hasselbeck had brief stints with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants before retiring. He finished his NFL career with 107 catches for 1,542 yards and 18 touchdowns in 123 games.

Matt and Tim were both NFL quarterbacks, with Matt making the Pro Bowl three times in his career. Tim, who was mostly a backup, is well-known for his role as an analyst with ESPN.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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