NFL news: Greg Hawthorne, Steelers Super Bowl champion, dead at 69

Greg Hawthorne, a Super Bowl champion running back with the Pittsburgh Steelers has died, his family announced on social media. He was 69.

The Steelers selected Hawthorne with the No. 28 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 a kickoff during an NFL game at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. Hawthorne played for the Steelers from 1979-83. (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 read. “Please keep his mother and his children, his brother and sisters as well as the whole family in your prayers.”

A cause of death was not made known.

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Running back Greg Hawthorne No. 27 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the football as he is tackled by linebacker Gary Campbell No. 59 of the Chicago Bears at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Steelers defeated the Bears 38-3. (George Gojkovich/Reuters)

Hawthorne played five years with the Steelers, splitting time between running back and a wide receiver. He appeared in 59 games, had 522 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He also had 55 catches for 710 yards and three touchdown catches.

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 opening kickoff of the second half. New England won the game and advanced to Super Bowl XX.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Chuck Noll talks to 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, Pa. (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.