sports
Former NFL running back drafted in first round dies at 69
A player selected in the first round of the 1979 draft has died at age 69. His family announced the death on social media Thursday. The cause has not been released.
Jul 10, 7:17 PM·1m read1 source
New York PostAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
A running back selected 28th overall in the 1979 draft has died at age 69, his family said Thursday. The family posted on Facebook that Gregory Dale Hawthorne passed away the previous night. The post asked for prayers for his mother, children, siblings and the rest of the family.
No cause of death was given. Hawthorne played five seasons with the team that drafted him. He appeared in 15 games as a rookie when the club won the Super Bowl. His most productive year came in 1980, when he started five games and ran for 263 yards and four touchdowns.
He later played three seasons with another club and one season with a third team. Across those years he recorded 34 receptions for 361 yards and one touchdown. He reached the Super Bowl once more in 1986.
Transparency
How sources framed this
Single source — no framing comparison available.
CorroborationLimited · 1 source
