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Don Hasselbeck died when he suffered cardiac arrest at his home on Monday, April 14. His son, three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, announced his father's death on social media.
The Cincinnati native who won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Raiders was 70 years old.
"There is a 6'7" hole in our hearts," Matt Hasselbeck posted. "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 was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the 1977 NFL Draft. He was a standout at the University of Colorado, grabbing 50 receptions for 612 yards and three touchdowns during his time in Boulder.
Colorado inducted Hasselbeck into its athletics hall of fame in 2024.
"[He] earned first-team All-American honors as a senior from The Sporting News, when he helped lead the Buffaloes to the Big Eight Conference title and a subsequent berth in the [1977] Orange Bowl," his biography on Colorado's website said.
During his six seasons in New England, Don Hasselbeck developed into a consistent pass catcher. He led the Pats in 1981 with 46 receptions for 808 yards and six touchdowns.
Hasselbeck was on the field during one of the most iconic moments in early Patriots history: the "Snowplow Game" of Sunday, Dec. 12, 1982. New England beat the Miami Dolphins 3-0 after a tractor cleared a spot on the snow-covered Schaefer Stadium turf for Patriots kicker John Smith's game-winning field goal.
In a December 2022 Instagram post, Don Hasselbeck shared a photo of himself standing near the infamous "snowplow," noting that Patriots QB Steve Grogan was behind it.
"Just to be clear...This was Grogan's idea😳," Don posted. "It worked."
The Patriots also mourned Don Hasselbeck's death.
"Don Hasselbeck's contributions to football, both on the field and through his family's continued involvement in the sport, leave an enduring legacy," Patriots.com writer Mike Dussault said.
Don Hasselbeck was traded to the LA Raiders in the middle of the 1983 season. In Super Bowl XVIII, he helped the Raiders beat Washington 38-9 by blocking a third-quarter extra point attempt.
After spending the 1984 season with the Minnesota Vikings, Don Hasselbeck finished his nine-year professional career with the Giants in 1985. He caught a touchdown pass against the defending champion San Francisco 49ers, propelling the G-Men to a 17-3 win in the NFC Wild Card Game.
Don Hasselbeck had 107 receptions, 1,542 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns in 123 NFL games.
Matt Hasselbeck, who led the Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl XL in the 2005 season, remembered his father as the leader of his family.
"He helped set our feet on solid ground," he wrote. "Married to and in love with our mom, Betsy, for 50 years, they built their house on the rock of Jesus Christ."
A fine arts major at Colorado, Don Hasselbeck was also an avid artist who shared many of his works on Instagram.
"Our dad's prayer journals, in his meticulous handwriting and in a rainbow of pen colors, hold each of our names and needs," Matt Hasselbeck wrote. "Many of you who have known our father have been thoughtfully prayed for in the pages of his journals."
Don was also the father of Tim Hasselbeck, an NFL backup QB for several years, including two seasons with the Giants. The former ESPN analyst is the husband of Elisabeth Hasselbeck, who was once a TV show host on "The View" and "Fox & Friends."
Tim and Matt Hasselbeck grew up in Massachusetts while their dad played for the Patriots. The brothers each became starting quarterbacks at Boston College in the 90s.
When Tim Hasselbeck left ESPN to become the head coach at The Ensworth School, a private high school in Nashville, Tennessee, Don joined his son's staff. His grandson and Matt's son, Henry Hasselbeck, began his college career as a QB at UCLA in 2024.
Don's third son, Nathanael Hasselbeck, played three seasons at BC and a fourth at the University of Massachusetts. The youngest Hasselbeck was a wide receiver, defensive back, and kick returner in his college career.
Nathanael wore No. 87 at UMass, the same jersey number his father had with the Raiders.
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