Tennessee high school football coach and father of two former NFL QBs passes away

Don Hasselbeck, a former NFL player who became a Tennessee high school football coach, passed away at age 70 due to cardiac arrest. He is the father of Matt Hasselbeck, who played 18 seasons in the NFL, and Tim Hasselbeck, who spent four seasons as a backup QB.

Matt, a three-time NFL Pro Bowler, shared the unfortunate news on his X/Twitter account. The Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor member said, “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.

He was a great husband, father, grandfather,… pic.twitter.com/16WKtXHZYj

— Matt Hasselbeck (@Hasselbeck) April 15, 2025

Don and Matt Hasselbeck became high school football coaches after joining Tim, Ensworth High School’s head coach since December 2023. Their combined football wisdom helped the Tigers complete an 11-1 season with a 4-0 district record. Ensworth reached the Tennessee High School Football Division II Class AAA state semifinals but lost to the McCallie Blue Tornado.

Before becoming a high school football coach, Don Hasselbeck played nine years in the NFL. The New England Patriots selected him in the second round of the 1977 NFL Draft. After six seasons in New England, the Patriots traded him to the then-Los Angeles Raiders. It was perfect timing as Hasselbeck became a part of the Raiders roster that won Super Bowl XVIII. After the Raiders, Hasselbeck ended his career with the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Giants.

The Hasselbeck patriarch played high school football for La Salle High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, and became an all-city selection. After his time with the Lancers, he played for the Colorado Buffaloes while completing his Fine Arts degree.

Matt Hasselbeck added about his father, “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.”

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