“Our Hearts Go Out”: After Long Fight With Cancer, Two-Time Super Bowl Winner & Ex-Broncos Star Dies Pain-Free

Harald Hasselbach, the gridiron warrior who rode the Denver Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl glory, has left the field at 56. The Denver legend tackled cancer with true grit, passing away at home. A Super Bowl XXXIII starter and a proud owner of bling from XXXII, Harald Hasselbach wasn’t just a Bronco; he was the gridiron’s maestro, orchestrating defensive brilliance.

Even in the huddle of life’s toughest plays, he coached young talents at Regis Jesuit High School, leaving an indelible mark on the future. Thursday morning, the team heard the echo of his final whistle—a tribute to the man who taught them to charge forward, leaving opponents in the dust.

The NFL and Broncos Nation mourn the passing of Harald Hasselbach

Harald Hasselbach, the iron man of the Broncos’ trenches, clocked in for all 121 games during his seven-season stint from ’94 to 2000. Never on the sidelines, Harald was the epitome of reliability and grit, a class act on and off the field. Reporters coined him the ‘MVP of Manners,’ always cool under pressure and facing adversity like a game-winning drive.

Starting in 29 regular-season clashes, he didn’t just play, he orchestrated a symphony of sacks and tackles, reaching a crescendo with three starts in the epic Super Bowl XXXIII victory. The gridiron was his stage, and he danced with grace and professionalism.

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Breaking the news to the NFL universe, the Broncos took to social media platform ‘X.’ Their caption read, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Harald Hasselbach (1994–00), a DE on our back-to-back Super Bowl teams who courageously fought a recent cancer diagnosis. Our hearts go out to Harold’s wife, Aundrea, his four children, & many loved ones.” painted a vivid picture of the warrior they lost, showcasing Hasselbach in action, a testament to his legacy etched in every tackle and every snap.

Fans pour love for Hasselbach, Broncos country unites

As fans huddled up to honor the fallen gridiron hero, one die-hard wrote, “Rip Sir. My love to your family and to all of Broncos Country. I am a long time Broncos fan, and those two seasons, and Super Bowls will live forever in my mind, as will you.”

It’s the kind of salute that echoes through the stands of Broncos Country, where legends are immortalized. In his prime, Hasselbach was the gridiron Iron Man, showing up for all 131 regular-season and postseason showdowns from ’94 to 2000. Talk about a statistics sheet that reads like a highlight reel. In ’98, he not only suited up for all three postseason clashes, but he threw on the armor for the Super Bowl dance, leading the charge in XXXIII.

Another fan wrote, “A great football player, but we will remember him as a great coach, mentor and motivator for my son and countless other Regis Jesuit football players. RIP Coach Hass. Prayers for you and your family.“

Before he bronco-busted his way into the hearts of the Denver faithful, Hasselbach made waves up north with Calgary in the CFL from ’90 to ’93, snagging a Grey Cup in ’92. A precursor to the Super Bowl bling that would grace his fingers.

A fan wrote, “Can’t bring Harald back, but you can bring back those sweet shoulder pads.”

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Survived by his wife Aundrea, four children (Ashlee, Terran, Aven, and Kian), and four little grandkids, Hasselbach’s legacy isn’t just etched in the turf but engraved in the hearts of every fan. EssentiallySports sends its heartfelt condolences to its friends, family, and fans.