The football community is mourning the loss of Greg Hawthorne, a versatile former NFL player who tasted Super Bowl glory with the Pittsburgh Steelers and made a memorable run with the New England Patriots. He was 69.
Hawthorne’s family announced his passing Thursday in a heartfelt Facebook post, requesting prayers for his mother, children, siblings, and extended family. No cause of death has been released. Service details will follow, the family said.
A first-round gamble that paid off
Selected by Pittsburgh with the 28th overall pick in the 1979 draft out of Baylor, Hawthorne wasted no time making an impact. As a rookie, he suited up for 15 regular-season games and all three playoff contests, including the Steelers’ 31–19 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV. That win gave Pittsburgh its fourth Lombardi Trophy of the Steel Curtain era.
But Hawthorne’s NFL journey was far from one-dimensional. The Steelers eventually shifted him from running back to wide receiver, where he found his groove. Over his final two seasons in Pittsburgh, he averaged more than 15 yards per catch, showcasing the versatility that would define his career.
Second act in New England
In 1984, Hawthorne joined the Patriots, where he became a jack-of-all-trades, lining up at running back, wide receiver, and even tight end. The following season, he played in all 15 regular-season games and every postseason contest as New England pulled off a stunning run to Super Bowl XX. One of his defining moments came in the AFC Championship Game against the Miami Dolphins, when he recovered a crucial fumble to help seal the upset.
Unfortunately for Hawthorne, the 1985 Chicago Bears were waiting in the Super Bowl, and they crushed the Patriots 46–10, denying him a second ring. He played one final season with the Indianapolis Colts in 1987 before retiring.
Over nine NFL seasons, Hawthorne amassed 1,639 yards from scrimmage and scored 11 touchdowns, a testament to his ability to contribute in multiple roles.
Remembering a champion
Hawthorne’s death comes just days after another former NFL standout, Rutgers captain Jamil Merrell, passed away at 36, underscoring a sobering period for the football world. The Pittsburgh Steelers organization has not yet issued an official statement, but tributes have poured in from former teammates and fans alike.
His journey from Baylor standout to Super Bowl champion to versatile Patriot will be remembered as a story of adaptability and grit. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.
