Greg Hawthorne obit

Former Steelers first-round pick, Super Bowl champion dead at 69

 He was not on the list.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick and NFL running back, Greg Hawthorne, has passed away at the age of 69.

News of Hawthorne’s passing came via a post from his family on Facebook.

“On behalf of the Hawthorne family, it is with deep sadness that our brother Gregory Dale Hawthorne passed away last night,” the post read. “Please keep his mother and his children, his brother and sisters as well as the whole family in your prayers.”

Hawthorne’s cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Hawthorne was a first-round pick of the Steelers in 1979 and spent five seasons with the team. He also appeared in games for the New England Patriots over three seasons and Indianapolis Colts in one season.

Hawthorne was a member of the Steelers’ Super Bowl XIV team that defeated the Los Angeles Rams.

Hawthorne played college football at Baylor before entering the NFL.

He tallied 1,182 rushing yards, 45 receptions for 579 receiving yards and 11 total touchdowns (10 rushing) over four years with the Bears.

Hawthorne was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 28 overall pick in 1979, which was a surprise to many after the running back played in just three games during his senior campaign at Baylor.

The Fort Worth, Texas native appeared in 59 games (11 starts) over five years with the Steelers and amassed 136 carries for 522 yards and seven touchdowns and 55 catches for 710 yards and another three scores.

His best season came in 1980, when he posted 226 rushing yards, 158 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Hawthorne went on to play for the Patriots from 1984 to 1986 and played three different positions, including running back, wide receiver and tight end.

As a member of the Patriots, he posted one carry for five yards and caught 34 balls for 361 yards and one touchdown. Hawthorne was also part of the New England team that lost in Super Bowl XX against the Chicago Bears.

Hawthorne’s final season in the NFL was spent with the Colts in 1987. He only saw the field for three games and recorded three catches for 41 yards.

In the 1985 AFC Championship game, as a member of the Patriots, Hawthorne recovered a fumble by Miami that was pivotal in the Patriots upset victory.

He would retire following the 1987 campaign.

 

Career history

Pittsburgh Steelers (1979–1983)

New England Patriots (1984–1986)

Indianapolis Colts (1987)

Awards and highlights

Super Bowl champion (XIV)

Career NFL statistics

Receiving yards          1,112

Receptions       92

Receiving touchdowns            4

Rushing yards 527

Rush attempts  137

Rushing touchdowns   7