Former Patriots TE Don Hasselbeck dies of cardiac arrest at 70
Former NFL tight end Don Hasselbeck died of a heart attack Monday, his son, Matt Hasselbeck, announced on social media. Don Hasselbeck was 70.
'It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our father, Don Hasselbeck,' Matt Hasselbeck wrote. '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. He helped set our feet on solid ground. Married to and in love with our mom, Betsy, for 50 years, they built their house on the rock of Jesus Christ. Our dad's prayer journals, in his meticulous handwriting and in a rainbow of pen colors, hold each of our names and needs. Many of you who have known our father, have been thoughtfully prayed for in the pages of his journals.
'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.'
The Patriots made Hasselbeck a second-round pick out of Colorado in 1977, and he spent seven seasons with the team. He played most of the 1983 season with the Raiders after a trade from the Patriots, and won a Super Bowl ring. Hasselbeck blocked an extra point attempt in the Raiders' Super Bowl XVIII win over Washington.
He finished his career with a season with the Vikings (1983) and a season with the Giants (1984).
Hasselbeck played 123 games with 30 starts and made 107 receptions for 1,542 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Hasselbeck's sons, Matt and Tim, played quarterback in the NFL.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Report: Cincinnati Bengals set to release linebacker Germaine Pratt
The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to release veteran linebacker Germaine Pratt, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Pratt, 29, played six seasons for the Bengals. A third-round draft pick in 2019, Pratt played a significant role in the Bengals' defense during Cincinnati's Super Bowl run in 2021 and return to the AFC Championship game the following season. Advertisement In 96 games, Pratt recorded 616 tackles, seven forced fumbles, seven interceptions and five fumble recoveries. The Bengals this year used their second- and fourth-round draft picks to select linebackers Demetrius Knight Jr. of South Carolina and Barrett Carter of Clemson. Cincinnati also signed former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Oren Burks in free agency. The Enquirer will update this story. Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) pressures Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson (3) as he throws in the fourth quarter of the NFL Week 13 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. The Steelers won 44-38. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Report: Bengals expected to release linebacker Germaine Pratt
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Travis Kelce Issues Stern Warning to NFL Ahead of 13th Season with Chiefs
Travis Kelce Issues Stern Warning to NFL Ahead of 13th Season with Chiefs originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce is 35 years old and widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever play his position. However, statistically, the 2024 season was one of the least productive of his storied career—despite the Chiefs making yet another Super Bowl appearance. Advertisement Kelce finished the season with 97 receptions for a career-low 823 yards and just three touchdowns (not counting his rookie year in 2013 when he didn't log any stats). Following Kansas City's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, Kelce seriously contemplated retirement. But he ultimately chose to return for a 13th season, saying he felt like "he let his teammates down in more ways than he helped them," along with simply not wanting to go out like that. On Wednesday, the Kelce brothers dropped a new episode of their "New Heights" podcast, featuring special guest and NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal. During the episode, Shaq didn't hold back when questioning Kelce about his limited usage in the Super Bowl this past year. 'How come they didn't use you a lot at the Super Bowl?' O'Neal asked. 'I know you were [explicit] pissed. Like, I don't wanna get you in trouble, but because I know you're on a team.' Advertisement Kelce responded professionally: 'You already know. We were trying to use all the pieces, man.' But Shaq wasn't satisfied with that answer, firing back, 'No. No. [Explicit] all the pieces. I need the pieces to help us win the first [explicit] Super Bowl. Don't be trying to do new [explicit]. Like, I don't know if you said anything to get in trouble, but I wasn't happy about that.' That sparked a fired-up message from Kelce, who ended the conversation with a clear warning to the rest of the NFL: "Wait till you see this year, baby. I'm coming back with a little bit of Shaq [explicit]—pissed off and ready to rock and roll, man.' Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Biggerstaff-Imagn Images The Chiefs have retained the bulk of their roster, and as long as Patrick Mahomes is under center, they aren't going anywhere in the AFC. Advertisement That said, if Travis Kelce can return to peak form—or even something close to it—Kansas City could very well find themselves back in the big game when it's all said and done. Related: Travis Kelce Breaks Silence on Taylor Swift's Major Personal Announcement This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Chiefs Announce Retirement of Veteran Coach Ahead of 2025 Season
Chiefs Announce Retirement of Veteran Coach Ahead of 2025 Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off their third straight Super Bowl appearance this past February. While they ultimately fell short of securing a third consecutive Lombardi Trophy, they remain a top contender heading into the 2025 season, with the majority of their roster and coaching staff returning under head coach Andy Reid. Advertisement However, on Wednesday, the Chiefs announced the retirement of Assistant Special Teams Coach Andy Hill, who had been a part of Reid's staff from 2020 through the 2024 season. During his tenure, Hill helped the franchise capture two Super Bowl titles and reach four championship games. Hill's ties to Reid date back to his distinguished coaching career at the University of Missouri, where he earned a place in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. He played a key role in leading one of the league's most consistent special teams units throughout his time in Kansas City. "Thank you for helping us make our special teams extra special, Coach Hill. Congratulations on a well-earned retirement!" Chiefs posted. Chiefs fans reacted to the news: Advertisement "Helped make Tommy Townsend one of the best in the business. Happy Retirement, Coach!" A fan said. Another fan posted, "Thank you for all you've done. Best wishes on your retirement!" Someone else added, "Hill wrapping up an impressive tenure." One more fan commented, "Mizzou legend." Missouri Tigers wide receivers coach Andy Hill against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 2010 Insight Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium.© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Hill began his coaching career in 1992, just one year after Andy Reid, then an assistant at Missouri, left to begin his NFL journey. Hill eventually joined the Missouri coaching staff in 1996 and went on to spend 23 seasons with the program, becoming one of the longest-tenured coaches in school history. Advertisement Over the years, he served in a variety of roles, ultimately rising to the position of associate head coach before departing to join the Chiefs' coaching staff. Related: Travis Kelce Issues Stern Warning to NFL Ahead of 13th Season with Chiefs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
