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Greg Hawthorne, Super Bowl champion running back with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has died, his family announced on social media. He was 69 years old.
The Steelers selected Hawthorne with the 28th overall pick out of Fort Worth Polytechnic in the 1979 NFL Draft. He was a rookie when the Steelers defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV.
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Greg Hawthorne No. 27 of the Pittsburgh Steelers returns the kickoff during an NFL game at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hawthorne played for the Steelers from 1979 to 1983. (Focus on sport/Getty Images)
“On behalf of the Hawthorne family, it is with deep sadness that our brother Gregory Dale Hawthorne passed away last night,” a Facebook post reads. “Please keep his mother and children, his brother and sisters, as well as the entire family in your prayers.”
The cause of death was not known.
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Running back Greg Hawthorne No. 27 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball while being tackled by linebacker Gary Campbell No. 59 of the Chicago Bears at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Bears 38-3. (George Gojkovich/Reuters)
Hawthorne played five years with the Steelers, splitting his time between running back and wide receiver. He appeared in 59 games, had 522 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He also had 55 receptions for 710 yards and three touchdown receptions.
He played three seasons with the New England Patriots and one more with the Indianapolis Colts. He made a game-changing play in the 1985 AFC Championship for the Patriots, recovering a fumble on the second-half kickoff. New England won the game and advanced to Super Bowl XX.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll talks with Terry Bradshaw, Cliff Stoudt and Greg Hawthorne on the sidelines against the San Diego Chargers during the 1982 AFC Divisional Playoff game at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Malcolm Emmons/USA Today Sports)
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He finished his career playing in 105 games with 11 total touchdowns and 1,639 yards from scrimmage.
