Don Hasselbeck, a former Raider, Giant, and Super Bowl champion, passed away after suffering cardiac arrest, the family announced on Monday.
“It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our father, Don Hasselbeck, who suffered cardiac arrest and passed away today,” Hasselbeck’s son, Matt,, an NFL veteran in his own right, wrote in a post 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.
“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.”
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.
— Matt Hasselbeck (@Hasselbeck) April 15, 2025
He was a great husband, father, grandfather,… pic.twitter.com/16WKtXHZYj
Hasselbeck was a second-round pick of the New England Patriots in 1977. The former Colorado Buffalo would spend seven seasons with New England before being traded to the Raiders.
The New England Patriots are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Don Hasselbeck.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 15, 2025
We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Hasselbeck family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/BwdLJdccTQ
In 1983, Hasselbeck put his name in Super Bowl history by blocking an extra point that helped the Raiders win the Super Bowl against the Washington Redskins. During his nine-year career, Hasselbeck also spent time with the Giants and Vikings.
“Hasselbeck was also the father of two NFL quarterbacks, Matt and Tim,” CBS Sports reports. “Matt Hasselbeck was a three-time Pro Bowler throughout his career. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1998 but shined as the signal-caller of the Seattle Seahawks from 2001-2010, where he helped the team reach Super Bowl XL during the 2005 season. Meanwhile, Tim Hasselbeck spent nearly a decade in the league, entering as an undrafted free agent out of Boston College in 2001 and played until 2007, last suiting up for the Arizona Cardinals.”
