Steelers Super Bowl champion passes away

PITTSBURGH, PA - CIRCA 1983: Greg Hawthorne #27 of the Pittsburgh Steelers returns a kickoff during an NFL football game circa 1983 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hawthorne played for the Steelers from 1979-83. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Greg Hawthorne has passed away at the age of 69, his sister, Michelle Payton, announced in a social media post.

On behalf of the Hawthorne family, it is with deep sadness that our brother Gregory Dale Hawthorne passed away last night,"Payton writes. Please keep his mother and his children, his brother and sisters as well as the whole family in your prayers."

Hawthorne was drafted in the first round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Steelers. In five seasons with Pittsburgh, he totaled 522 yards and seven touchdowns on 136 carries, and was part of the team that won Super Bowl XIV against the Los Angeles Rams - the Steelers' final Super Bowl win until Super Bowl XL in the 2005-06 season.

After leaving the Steelers, Hawthorne spent four seasons with the New England Patriots, largely as a special teams contributor. His final season came with the Indianapolis Colts in 1987. He retired with 11 total touchdowns.

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