Harald Hasselbach death updates — Tributes pour in for Broncos legend who died of mucinous adenocarcinoma at 56
BRONCOS champion Harald Hasselbach has died at 56 after his fight with metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma, his family said.
The former Denver Broncos defensive lineman's family shared in a statement on Thanksgiving that Hasselbach "passed from cancer peacefully in the comfort of his home, free of pain."
Hasselbach won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and also won the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup.
Tributes have already started to pour in for the NFL legend as the Broncos shared on their official X account: "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."
Read our Harald Hasselbach blog for the latest updates...
'True gentleman off the field'
Fans are taking to social media to mourn Harald Hasselbach after his death at 56.
"Harald Hasselback was tough defensive end for the Broncos for seven seasons and a true gentleman off the field," one fan wrote.
"One of few players to win championships in NFL and CFL. Best American football player born in Netherlands. Sympathies to his wife, 4 children and 4grandchildren."
Fought cancer for six months
Harald Hasselbach died after a six-month battle with mucinous adenocarcinoma.
The Broncos reported that Hasselbach's family said that the champion passed away "free of pain" in his own home after his fight with cancer.
Harald Hasselbach pictured
Harald Hasselbach has died at age 56.
The two-time Super Bowl champion played seven seasons for the Denver Broncos.
Former team pays tribute
Canadian football team the Calgary Stampeders has paid tribute to former player Harald Hasselbach on social media.
"It is with great sadness the Calgary Stampeders learn of the death of Harald Hasselbach," the team shared on its official X account.
Stampeders president John Hufnagel said, “Harald was a great Canadian and a championship-calibre player for the Stampeders at a significant time in the franchise’s history."
Leaves behind four children
Harald Hasselbach is survived by his wife, Aundrea, and his four children, Ashlee, Terran, Aven, and Kian.
Hasselbach also leaves behind his four grandchildren.
Inside Harald Hasselbach's rise to Broncos glory
Harald Hasselbach was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1967.
He attended South Delta high school in British Columbia, Canada.
The defensive end went on to play college football for Washington.
He was selected in the fifth round of the CFL Draft in 1989 by the Calgary Stampeders.
The defensive end was part of their team that won the Grey Cup in 1992.
Two years later he earned a step up to the NFL and a move to the Denver Broncos.
Broncos remembers legend
The Denver Broncos shared a statement remembering Harald Hasselbach on the team's official X account.
"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," the team posted.
"Our hearts go out to Harold’s wife, Aundrea, his four children & many loved ones."
Family shares heartbreaking statement
Harald Hasselbach's family released a statement on his death on Thanksgiving.
"We'd like to make it known that he passed from cancer peacefully in the comfort of his home, free of pain," the statement read.
"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.
"We learned he had the illness less than 6 months ago and he fought as hard any human possibly could, with incredible strength."
Hasselbach won two Super Bowls
Harald Hasselbach won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos and also won the Canadian Football League's Grey Cup.
He spent seven seasons in the NFL from 1994 to 2000, all with the Broncos.
Harald Hasselbach dead at 56
Two-time Super Bowl champion Harald Hasselbach has sadly died aged 56, his family announced.
News of the former player's death was confirmed on Thanksgiving after a battle with metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma.