Former CFL and NFL quarterback Doug Flutie said in a Facebook post that both of his parents died within an hour of each other.
Flutie said his father, Dick, died of a heart attack in a hospital in Florida, where the family moved years ago. Less than an hour later, his mother, Joan, also suffered a heart attack and died.
“They say you can die of a broken heart and I believe it,” Flutie wrote.
Flutie called them “incredible parents and grandparents” who had been married for 56 years and were always there for their children.
Flutie’s brother Darren was also a standout wide receiver for many seasons with the BC Lions, Edmonton Eskimos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He is fourth all-time in CFL catches and career receiving yardage.
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Flutie praised his parents for their upbringing.
“My parents were always there for their children, from the days my Dad coached us as kids and my Mom would work the concession stands, through to this morning,” he wrote. “The most important part of their 56 years of marriage was providing opportunities to their children.”
The Boston College product had trouble finding success after spending time in the NFL and USFL before signing with the B.C. Lions in 1990.
He struggled in his first year with the Lions but once he adapted to the Canadian game, Flutie became one of the greatest players in league history. That season, he would go on to set a pro football record passing for 6,619 yards.
After that spectacular season, the Stampeders pried him loose and he would lead Calgary to a Grey Cup title in 1992 while earning MVP honours.
He spent three more seasons in Calgary, leading the Stampeders to a pair of West Division crowns before making the move to the Toronto Argonauts in 1996.
The diminutive quarterback spent just two seasons in Toronto, but led the team to Grey Cup titles in both seasons.
After the success in Toronto, the American decided to return south of the border, joining the Buffalo Bills. He would also spend time with the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots before retiring in 2005.
In his eight seasons in the CFL, he was an all-star six times, while passing for 41,355 yards and 270 touchdowns.
With files from the Associated Press
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