Don Hasselbeck, former NFL tight end, father of QBs Matt and Tim, dies at 70
Don Hasselbeck, the father of former NFL quarterbacks Matt and Tim Hasselbeck, who played tight end for nine NFL seasons, died Monday. He was 70.
Matt Hasselbeck said his father suffered cardiac arrest, and thanked neighbors and medical professionals who came to his aid.
Advertisement
"He was a great husband, father, grandfather, friend, coach, player, coworker, artist, mentor and storyteller," Matt Hasselbeck tweeted. "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. … 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."
Don Hasselbeck (right) was the father of former NFL quarterbacks Matt (left) and Tim (second from left).
Don Hasselbeck, a Cincinnati native who starred in football and basketball at La Salle High School, had 107 catches for 1,542 yards and 18 touchdowns in 123 regular-season NFL games.
Hasselbeck, who starred in college at Colorado, was drafted in the second round of the 1977 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. He played six seasons in New England.
Advertisement
His best season as a pro was 1981, when he started all 14 games in which he played for the Patriots and led the team in receptions with 46 and receiving yards with 808 yards, scoring six touchdowns.
Traded to the Los Angeles Raiders in 1983, Hasselbeck blocked an extra-point attempt in the team's 38-9 win in Super Bowl 18 against Washington.
Hasselbeck played the 1984 season for the Minnesota Vikings and the 1985 season for the New York Giants before retiring.
Hasselbeck and long-time Xavier broadcaster Joe Sunderman were part of the 1972-73 La Salle basketball team that won the school's first Greater Cincinnati League (now Greater Catholic League) outright championship in any varsity sport.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Don Hasselbeck death: Ex-NFL tight end, father of QBs, dies at 70
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
28 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Falcons Linked to Potential Aggressive Move for 2-Time Pro Bowler
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entering the 2025 NFL season, the NFC South division is wide open. While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are considered by many to be the favorite, the Atlanta Falcons are going to be a team worth watching as well. Last season, the Falcons finished the year with an 8-9 record and narrowly missed the playoffs. They had been in contention all year long, but simply couldn't get into the postseason. A new era of football is set to begin this season in Atlanta. Michael Penix Jr., the team's second-year quarterback, will be the starter and will look to take the Falcons back to contention. Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks on from the field after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks on from the field after an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on December 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo byWhile the roster looks solid, some questions need to be answered. One potential need could come at the cornerback position. Read more: Broncos Urged to Pursue Blockbuster Trade To Support Bo Nix With that in mind, Atlanta has been connected as a possible suitor for a two-time Pro Bowl free agent. Arkesh Ray of Atlanta Falcons on SI has suggested that the team could consider signing former Green Bay Packers star cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was recently released by the Packers. "With major injury concerns and an inability to stay on the field as of late, Alexander would not be able to demand a huge contract. If the Falcons are able to bring him on a cheap deal, they should consider it, providing competition and depth at outside corner," Ray wrote. "With Alexander's injury history and matador tackling, Alexander could still fit a coverage role that should be even more valuable with an upgraded pass rush." Adding a piece like Alexander could be the fix that the Falcons' defense needs. If he can return to full health and stay healthy, he's still more than capable of being one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Last season with Green Bay, Alexander showed off what he's capable of in the seven games he did play. He recorded 16 total tackles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, a defensive touchdown, and seven defended passes. Read more: Browns Fans in Tears After Nick Chubb's Heartfelt Message He would immediately take over as the No. 1 cornerback in Atlanta. That's where he would stay as long as he's healthy enough to play. While the concerns about his health could scare teams off, the Falcons would be taking on little to no risk. On a one-year contract, Atlanta could simply move on if things didn't work out after the 2025 season. They may not have an interest in Alexander, but the Falcons are a team to keep an eye on. For more Atlanta Falcons and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
43 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Cowboys Star Dak Prescott has Clear Goal Heading Into 2025 NFL Season
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Coming off an injury-ridden season last year, Dallas Cowboys star Dak Prescott is looking to return to form in 2025. Now a decade into his NFL career, he opened up on the one goal that sits atop his checklist. In 2023, Prescott put together an MVP-level season by throwing for 4,516 yards and 36 touchdowns. However, things went off the rails for him midway through last year. During a Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, he sustained a hamstring injury that would require season-ending surgery. After missing extended time, typically a player is focused on just returning to form. This isn't the case for Prescott, as he is ready to shoot for the stars. As minicamp came to a close, the Cowboys QB opened up on his goals for the future. He isn't worried about legacy or the outside noise, as he is zeroed in on delivering the franchise a Super Bowl. ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 05: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the field during warmups prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium on January 5,... ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 05: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the field during warmups prior to an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium on January 5, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. More"I wanna win a championship," Prescott said. "The legacy and the things, and whatever comes after I finish playing, will take care of itself. I wanna win a championship. Be damned if it's just for my legacy, for this team, for my personal being, for my sanity — the legacy will take care of itself. I have to stay where my feet are." Prescott has led the Cowboys to the postseason on five different occasions in his career, but they haven't come close to the game's biggest stage. Their last playoff berth was in 2023, when they were eliminated by the Green Bay Packers in round one. Looking at the Cowboys' roster, he feels confident this group could help him get closer to achieving this goal. During minicamp, he raved about the elevated talent around him heading into this season. "The changes we've made and not just on offense, but on defense as well — bringing in people," Prescott said. "Obviously, George really opens up things for all those other receivers [alongside CeeDee Lamb]. I think it just gives them a safety net to go earn, and to play free, and to go make a huge jump. Guys like [Jonathan] Mingo and [Jalen] Tolbert, and the way the [running] backs have approached this thing, I'm super excited." Prescott might be poised to get the Cowboys in the title hunt, but getting to the mountaintop won't be easy. While they were seeking out upgrades in the offseason, so were the teams around them. Surviving their division is going to be a tall task itself, as the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders are also primed to contend. Only time will tell if Prescott is able to return to his old self and put Dallas in a position to achieve the ultimate goal.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
FIFA Club World Cup: Are immigration authorities working security at Orlando matches?
Federal immigration authorities may be part of the security forces at Orlando venues as the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off on Tuesday. But so far, officials at all levels haven't given a straight answer. The quadrennial event is expected to draw thousands of soccer fans to matches at Camping World Stadium and Inter&Co Stadium between some of the biggest clubs in the world, including European powerhouses Liverpool and Juventus. The tournament is being held in 11 cities across the U.S. until July 13. In a now-deleted social media post, United States Customs and Border Protection exclaimed its agents would be 'suited and booted ready to provide security for the first round of games', specifically mentioning the tournament's kickoff Saturday in Miami. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also told a Miami television station that its agents would be at the contest at Hard Rock Stadium and that all non-American citizens should carry proof of legal status. Both agencies are entities within the Department of Homeland Security and are primarily responsible for carrying out President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda. While the administration has said it was going after the 'worst of the worst' undocumented immigrants – presumably those with violent felony records – in recent weeks, administration officials have pushed the agencies to vastly increase their arrest numbers, seeking to reach 3,000 per day. The games in Orlando are expected to include clubs from South Korea, Brazil, Portugal, New Zealand, England, Italy, South Africa and Mexico. The first scheduled match is June 17 at Inter&Co Stadium between Ulsan HD of South Korea vs. Mamelodi Sundowns FC of South Africa. A spokesperson for the City of Orlando said neither City Hall nor the police department knew if federal authorities would be on hand. A spokesperson for Florida Citrus Sports directed questions to the city. A FIFA spokesperson didn't respond to questions, nor did a spokesperson for ICE. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was asked this week about the potential presence of immigration officials at a media event in Miami, to which he said he wasn't worried. 'No, I don't have any concerns about anything in the sense that we are very attentive on any security question, of course the most important for us is to guarantee security for all the fans who come to the games, this is our priority,' he said, according to NBC 6. A spokesman for Customs didn't directly answer a question from the Orlando Sentinel about whether the agency would be in Orlando, but said it isn't uncommon for the agency to work security as part of massive sporting events. 'U.S. Customs and Border Protection is committed to working with our local and federal partners to ensure the FIFA Club World Cup 26 is safe for everyone involved, as we do with every major sporting event, including the Super Bowl,' the agency said in an unsigned statement. 'Our mission remains unchanged.' A follow-up question about whether that included immigration enforcement did not receive a response. rygillespie@
