Former Stampeders, Broncos DL Harald Hasselbach passes away at 56

Former Calgary Stampeders’ defensive lineman turned Super Bowl champion, Harald Hasselbach, has passed away from cancer at the age of 56.

Born in Amsterdam but raised in Tsawassen, B.C., Hasselbach played collegiately at the University of Washington before being selected in the fifth round of the 1989 CFL Draft by Calgary. He would go on to play four seasons with the Stampeders, recording 72 defensive tackles, seven special teams tackles, 14 sacks, seven fumble recoveries and an interception in 50 career games. He won a Grey Cup with the team in 1992, before being named a CFL all-star the following season.

In 1994, the six-foot-six, 285-pound pass rusher was signed by the Denver Broncos and went on to become an impact starter for the franchise’s back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 1997 and 1998. Hasselbach suited up in 112 games over seven NFL seasons, notching 178.5 tackles, 17.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries.

“We’d like to make it known that he passed from cancer peacefully in the comfort of his home, free of pain,” Hasselbach’s family said in an official statement. “He’s had an overwhelming amount of support over the last week, including past teammates, coaches and family that’ve flown in from around the world.”

Hasselbach was inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. At the time of his death, he was living in Aurora, Col. where he coached the defensive line at Regis Jesuit High School.