NFL Champion Greg Hawthorne Passes Away at 69
Greg Hawthorne, known for his tenure as a running back with the Pittsburgh Steelers and his achievement as a Super Bowl champion, has passed away at the age of 69. His family shared the news on social media.
The Steelers chose Hawthorne as the No. 28 overall pick from Fort Worth Polytechnic during the 1979 NFL Draft. That year, he was a rookie when the Steelers won against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV.
“On behalf of the Hawthorne family, it is with deep sadness that our brother Gregory Dale Hawthorne passed away last night. Please keep his mother and his children, his brother and sisters as well as the whole family in your prayers,” the family announced on Facebook.
The cause of his death was not disclosed.
During his time with the Steelers from 1979 to 1983, Hawthorne played in 59 games, switching roles between running back and wide receiver. He achieved 522 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, 55 catches for 710 receiving yards, and three touchdown catches.
Following his period with the Steelers, he joined the New England Patriots for three seasons and played one season with the Indianapolis Colts. A notable play was made during the 1985 AFC Championship game for the Patriots, where Hawthorne recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half, leading to a victory that advanced the team to Super Bowl XX.
In total, Hawthorne’s career consisted of 105 games, amassing 11 touchdowns and 1,639 yards from scrimmage.
Ryan Gaydos, a senior editor for Fox News Digital, contributed to the reporting on Hawthorneâs career and passing.