Greg Hawthorne, a running back who won a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers, died at the age of 69. His family announced his passing on social media. No cause of death was given.
According to Fox News, Hawthorne was selected by the Steelers with the 28th overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft out of Fort Worth Polytechnic. He arrived in Pittsburgh as a rookie and was part of the team that defeated 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," a Facebook post from the family read. "Please keep his mother and his children, his brother and sisters as well as the whole family in your prayers."
Hawthorne spent five seasons with the Steelers, playing both running back and wide receiver. In 59 games with Pittsburgh, he accumulated 522 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He also caught 55 passes for 710 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
He went on to play three seasons with the New England Patriots and one final season with the Indianapolis Colts. His most memorable post-Steelers moment came in the 1985 AFC Championship game, when he recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half. New England won that game and advanced to Super Bowl XX.
Hawthorne finished his NFL career having played in 105 games, with 11 total touchdowns and 1,639 yards from scrimmage.
