.jpg) Hasselbeck with theSeattle Seahawks in 2009 | |||||||||||||||
| No. 11, 8 | |||||||||||||||
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| Position | Quarterback | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1975-09-25)September 25, 1975 (age 50) Boulder, Colorado, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Xaverian Brothers(Westwood, Massachusetts) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Boston College (1994–1997) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1998: 6th round, 187th overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
Playing | |||||||||||||||
Coaching | |||||||||||||||
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| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
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Matthew Michael Hasselbeck (born September 25, 1975)[1] is an American former professionalfootballquarterback who played in theNational Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons, primarily with theSeattle Seahawks. He playedcollege football for theBoston College Eagles and was selected in the sixth round of the1998 NFL draft by theGreen Bay Packers. After a season on thepractice squad and two seasons backing upBrett Favre, he was traded to theSeattle Seahawks in2001, where he spent the majority of his career. Hasselbeck led Seattle to six playoff appearances, including the franchise's firstSuper Bowl appearance during the2005 season. He was selected to threePro Bowls in his career. Hasselbeck also played for theTennessee Titans andIndianapolis Colts. He is a former analyst for ESPN'sSunday NFL Countdown andMonday Night Countdown.
In 2024, Hasselbeck was hired byThe Ensworth School inNashville, Tennessee to serve as the offensive coordinator of the high school’s football team, led by his brother and head Ensworth football coachTim Hasselbeck.[2]
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Hasselbeck is the son of Mary Beth "Betsy" (Rueve) andDon Hasselbeck, a formerNew England Patriotstight end.[3]
Matt and his younger brothersTim and Nathanael grew up inNorfolk, Massachusetts, and attendedXaverian Brothers High School inWestwood.
He was selected as an honorable mention All-American byUSA Today as a high school senior.
Hasselbeck attended Boston College near his family's hometown. He played for theBoston College Eagles football team from 1994 to 1997, including two years with his younger brother Tim.[4] Hasselbeck finished his college career as the starting quarterback (a position his brother Tim would later hold with the Eagles). He graduated with a degree in marketing.[5]
| Boston College Eagles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | GP | Passing | ||||||
| Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Rtg | |||
| 1994 | Boston College | 5 | 4 | 6 | 66.7 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 121.3 |
| 1995 | Boston College | 11 | 27 | 60 | 45.0 | 280 | 2 | 7 | 71.9 |
| 1996 | Boston College | 11 | 171 | 330 | 51.8 | 1,990 | 9 | 9 | 106.0 |
| 1997 | Boston College | 11 | 188 | 305 | 61.6 | 2,239 | 11 | 10 | 128.6 |
| Totals[6] | 37 | 390 | 701 | 55.6 | 4,548 | 22 | 26 | 113.1 | |
Hasselbeck was selected by theGreen Bay Packers in the sixth round (187th overall) of the1998 NFL draft.[7] He joined the team's practice squad in1998 and was the backup for starting quarterbackBrett Favre for the1999 and2000 NFL seasons.
Hasselbeck joined former Packers head coachMike Holmgren and theSeattle Seahawks on March 2,2001. The Packers traded him, along with their first draft pick (17th overall), to the Seahawks for their first (10th overall) and third-round draft picks (72nd overall).[8]
In his early years in Seattle, he battled for playing time withTrent Dilfer. However, after a strong finish in2002, Hasselbeck entered2003 as the unquestioned starter. Hasselbeck started all 16 games, leading Seattle to a 10–6 record for the first time since1988 and a Wild Card berth. He also was selected to thePro Bowl.[9][10] The2003 NFC Wild Card Game against theGreen Bay Packers went into overtime where, at the overtime coin toss, Hasselbeck famously said "we want the ball and we're going to score".[11][12] During the second overtime possession for the Seahawks, Hasselbeck threw an interception to Packers defensive backAl Harris which was returned 52 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. It gave Green Bay a 33–27 overtime victory.[12]
In2004, Hasselbeck won the2004 NFL Quarterback Challenge. He also led Seattle to their firstNFC West title since conference realignment in 2002.
In2005, Hasselbeck had one of his most productive career performances, earning the highestpasser rating in theNFC,[13] and leading the Seahawks to the playoffs for the third consecutive year while clinching the NFC's top seed. He led the Seahawks toSuper Bowl XL, in which they lost to thePittsburgh Steelers, and was the starting quarterback for the NFC in the2006 Pro Bowl.[14]
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Hasselbeck led the Seahawks to a 4–1 record to start the2006 season before being seriously injured on Week 7.Minnesota VikingslinebackerE. J. Henderson rolled into Hasselbeck's right leg. The result was a second degreeMCLsprain, causing Hasselbeck to miss four games. Hasselbeck contended that Henderson could have avoided injuring him.[15] Upon returning he subsequently broke fingers on his non-throwing hand, but continued to lead his team to a 9–7 record and the divisional round of the post-season. The fourth-seeded Seahawks defeated theDallas Cowboys 21–20 in the wild card round in Seattle, then lost to the top-seededChicago Bears in overtime, 27–24.
In2007, Hasselbeck led his team to its fourth consecutive division title[16][17] and fifth consecutive playoff appearance. He had 3,966 passing yards, 28 touchdowns (both career highs), 62.6% completion percentage, and a 91.4 passer rating.[9][10] He threw for 229 yards in a 35–14 NFC wild card victory over theWashington Redskins. The third-seeded Seahawks lost in the divisional round to the NFC's No. 2 seedGreen Bay Packers, losing 42–20 in the snow atLambeau Field[18] despite an early 14–0 lead.
Hasselbeck set career highs in yards, attempts, and touchdown passes in the 2007 season and was elected to his thirdPro Bowl.[9][10]
In2008, Hasselbeck suffered from a back injury that affected a nerve in his lower back, creating a weakness in his leg that brought on a knee injury. Hasselbeck twisted his back awkwardly in the preseason opener on August 8 at Minnesota and missed the rest of the preseason. His bulging disk was diagnosed and treated with injections and he opened the regular season as the starter, but he hurt his knee after a hit early in the Seahawks' loss to theNew York Giants on October 5. He also received a helmet-to-helmet hit against theArizona Cardinals. These injuries caused Hasselbeck to miss most of the 2008 NFL season.
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In the2009 season opener, things did not start out well for Hasselbeck, who threw two interceptions in the first quarter. After that Hasselbeck dominated the rest of the way, completing 25 of 36 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns in their 28–0 win over theSt. Louis Rams. During Week 2 of the season, Hasselbeck fractured his rib against theSan Francisco 49ers and missed the next two games against theChicago Bears (Week 3) and theIndianapolis Colts (Week 4). During Week 5, playing theJacksonville Jaguars, Hasselbeck threw four touchdown passes in the Seahawks' second shutout of the season, beating Jacksonville 41–0. In Week 6, Hasselbeck played his career-worst, losing to theArizona Cardinals 27–3. In a Week 16 road game atLambeau Field, Hasselbeck struggled. The main reason is because he only had one touchdown and four interceptions (three of which set up their opponents touchdowns) as the Seahawks would suffer an embarrassing 48–10 loss to theGreen Bay Packers.
During the final week of the season, Hasselbeck won the Seahawks' "Steve Largent Award."[19]
In2010, the season started off strong for Hasselbeck, leading his team to a 4–2 record and victories over theChicago Bears andSan Diego Chargers. But the degree of Hasselbeck's health would prove to be inconsistent, with injuries leading him to sit out two games during the season, and leading the Seahawks to lose seven of their last ten. Nevertheless, Seattle would make the playoffs with their fifth NFC West division championship.
Seattle became the first team with a losing record to host a playoff game, taking on the defendingSuper Bowl XLIV championNew Orleans Saints during wild card weekend.[20] Despite being 11 point underdogs, Hasselbeck had one of the most memorable and clutch performances of his career. He threw for 272 yards, four touchdowns (a franchise postseason record), and an interception coming from a tipped ball with a 113.03 passer rating, leading the Seahawks to victory over the Saints.[21] However, Seattle would go on to lose 35–24 in the divisional playoffs against the Chicago Bears. Hasselbeck still played well, however, with over 250 yards passing and three touchdowns.
Hasselbeck's 11 postseason starts as a quarterback rank 16th all-time in NFL history, leading the Seahawks to five postseasons in a row underMike Holmgren at one point.[22]
In2003, his first playoff appearance, Hasselbeck pronounced, "we want the ball and we're going to score" at the coin flip of overtime with theGreen Bay Packers.[23] Hasselbeck was intercepted byAl Harris in overtime, who returned the pass for a game-winning touchdown.[24] After that season, Hasselbeck would go on to lead Seattle to six playoff appearances in eight years.
In2005, Hasselbeck led the Seahawks toSuper Bowl XL, where they lost to thePittsburgh Steelers in a game remembered for its poor officiating.[25] The NFL Network called it one of the 10 most controversial games in NFL history. Head referee Bill Leavy later apologized to Hasselbeck at a Seahawks offseason practice in 2010, publicly saying he would "go to his grave for kicking several calls in the fourth quarter that affected the outcome of the game."[26]
In2006, Hasselbeck rallied the Seahawks in the fourth quarter and threw the game-winning touchdown at Qwest Field to beat theDallas Cowboys 21–20, but that occurred beforeTony Romo's infamous dropped snap.[27]
In2010, Hasselbeck led the Seahawks to a surprising playoff upset when he beat theNew Orleans Saints, who were the defendingSuper Bowl XLIV champions and 11-point favorites. Although the game would be remembered for Marshawn Lynch'sBeast Quake run, Hasselbeck was an integral part in the win with 272 yards and four touchdowns.[28] The game was called "Hasselbeck's finest hour" by ESPN, and turned out to be his final game at Qwest Field in Seattle leading Seattle to a 41–36 upset of the New Orleans Saints.[29]
Hasselbeck's departure from the Seahawks was largely a surprise, given his status with the Seattle fan base. At the conclusion of the 2010 seasonPete Carroll announced re-signing Hasselbeck was the Seahawks "number one offseason priority",[30] with Hasselbeck emphasizing his desire to retire in Seattle. However, the two sides had trouble reaching an agreement as Hasselbeck reportedly turned down a one-year offer before the NFL lockout began, asking for two years.[31] When Hasselbeck was rumored to be "Plan A" for the Tennessee Titans and rumors surfaced the Seahawks were pursuing the lateTarvaris Jackson instead of Hasselbeck, Seattle fans began a web and social media campaign at the end of the NFL lockout in 2011 to "Bring Back Matt", with a website www.bringbackmatt.com.[32] Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider called Hasselbeck after the lockout to let them know they were "moving on." Hasselbeck described the call as "worse than breaking up with an old girlfriend." The Seahawks took out a full-page ad inThe Seattle Times the following day to salute Hasselbeck and his family for their work.[33]
On July 29, 2011, Hasselbeck signed a three-year, $21 million deal to play for theTennessee Titans.[34] He was recruited byMike Reinfeldt, the former vice president of football administration for the Seahawks and current executive vice president and the chief operating officer for the Titans, who was part of the team for four of Hasselbeck's five NFC West division championships and Super Bowl appearance. Hasselbeck was targeted by the Titans, who were looking for a veteran quarterback to help lead the team to wins while also mentoring first-round draft pickJake Locker. The Titans finished2011 with a 9–7 record, narrowly missing out on the final playoff berth due to losing to theCincinnati Bengals in Week 9.[35][36]
Hasselbeck's first action in the 2012 season came in Week 1 against theNew England Patriots after Locker left early in the game with a shoulder injury.[37] Hasselbeck started the next four weeks while Locker healed, finishing 2–2 in those starts; his victories were at home againstPittsburgh (the first Titans win over Pittsburgh since2008) and atBuffalo, winning on a last-minute touchdown toNate Washington.[38] The Titans went 6–10 on the season.[39]
On March 18, 2013, Hasselbeck was released by the Titans.[40]
On March 19, 2013, theIndianapolis Colts signed Hasselbeck to a two-year deal worth up to $7.25 million. He beatChandler Harnish to win the backup job for the 2013 season.[41] Backing upAndrew Luck, Hasselbeck saw little playing time during his first two years but mentored the budding star.[42] In 2013, Hasselbeck attempted only 12 passes, completing seven for 130 yards and one interception.[43] The following season, Hasselbeck appeared in only four games but led two touchdown drives, one during a blowout loss against theDallas Cowboys and another during garbage time in the season finale against division rival (and former team) theTennessee Titans.[44][45]
On February 26, 2015, Hasselbeck signed a one-year contract to remain with the Colts.[46]
Hasselbeck made his first start with the Colts on October 4, 2015, filling in for the injured Luck. He led the Colts to an overtime win, defeating theJacksonville Jaguars, 16–13.[47] After a short week that included Hasselbeck being ill from a bacterial infection and having virtually no practice time, he was once again called upon to play for Luck. He became only the second 40-year-old NFL quarterback to win back-to-back games, when he engineered a 27–20 win over theHouston Texans on October 8, 2015.[48] Over those two starts, he completed 48 of 76 passes for three touchdowns and no turnovers, compiling a 2–0 record as starter.
On November 22, 2015, Hasselbeck started his third game for the Colts, as Luck suffered a kidney injury that would ultimately take him out for the remainder of the season. He passed for 213 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in a come-from-behind win over theAtlanta Falcons.[49] The win kept Indianapolis in the lead of theAFC South division and improved them to a 5–5 record. The following week, the Colts took on theTampa Bay Buccaneers, who were on a four-game winning streak. Hasselbeck led the team to a 25–12 win, passing for 315 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, which led to a passer rating of 100.8.[50][51] Hasselbeck led the Colts to a 6–5 record with a 4–0 record as starter at the age of 40, and was the first quarterback in NFL history to do so. However, injuries began to take their toll on the aging quarterback, and Hasselbeck's play would begin to deteriorate as the Colts lost three straight games. Hasselbeck won the final start of his career, an 18–12 win over theMiami Dolphins, thanks in large part toFrank Gore's two rushing touchdowns.[52] He and backupCharlie Whitehurst were unable to play the season finale due to injury; to take their place the Colts signedJosh Freeman andRyan Lindley, who subsequently split time in a 30–24 win over the Titans.[53] Overall, Hasselbeck was responsible for five of the Colts' eight wins over the season, despite only starting eight games.
On February 28, 2016, it was reported that Hasselbeck would not return to the Colts.[54] On March 9, 2016, Hasselbeck announced his retirement from professional football, and that he would join his brotherTim and become an analyst forESPN, replacingMike Ditka onSunday NFL Countdown.[55][56] Hasselbeck signed aone-day contract with the Seattle Seahawks to officially retire as part of their organization.[57]
Hasselbeck was laid off with other ESPN analysts on July 30, 2023.[58]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacks | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 1998 | GB | 0 | 0 | Did not play | ||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | GB | 16 | 0 | — | 3 | 10 | 30.0 | 41 | 4.1 | 1 | 0 | 77.5 | 6 | 15 | 2.5 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | GB | 16 | 0 | — | 10 | 19 | 52.6 | 104 | 5.5 | 1 | 0 | 86.3 | 4 | -5 | -1.3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001 | SEA | 13 | 12 | 5–7 | 176 | 321 | 54.8 | 2,023 | 6.3 | 7 | 8 | 70.9 | 40 | 141 | 3.5 | 0 | 38 | 251 | 6 | 2 |
| 2002 | SEA | 16 | 10 | 5–5 | 267 | 419 | 63.7 | 3,075 | 7.3 | 15 | 10 | 87.8 | 40 | 202 | 5.1 | 1 | 26 | 143 | 5 | 4 |
| 2003 | SEA | 16 | 16 | 10–6 | 313 | 513 | 61.0 | 3,841 | 7.5 | 26 | 15 | 88.8 | 36 | 125 | 3.5 | 2 | 42 | 246 | 4 | 1 |
| 2004 | SEA | 14 | 14 | 7–7 | 279 | 474 | 58.9 | 3,382 | 7.1 | 22 | 15 | 83.1 | 27 | 90 | 3.3 | 1 | 30 | 155 | 5 | 1 |
| 2005 | SEA | 16 | 16 | 13–3 | 294 | 449 | 65.5 | 3,459 | 7.7 | 24 | 9 | 98.2 | 36 | 124 | 3.4 | 1 | 24 | 154 | 4 | 2 |
| 2006 | SEA | 12 | 12 | 7–5 | 210 | 371 | 56.6 | 2,442 | 6.6 | 18 | 15 | 76.0 | 18 | 110 | 6.1 | 0 | 34 | 229 | 3 | 2 |
| 2007 | SEA | 16 | 16 | 10–6 | 352 | 562 | 62.6 | 3,966 | 7.1 | 28 | 12 | 91.4 | 39 | 89 | 2.3 | 0 | 33 | 204 | 9 | 5 |
| 2008 | SEA | 7 | 7 | 1–6 | 109 | 209 | 52.2 | 1,216 | 5.8 | 5 | 10 | 57.8 | 11 | 69 | 6.3 | 0 | 19 | 119 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | SEA | 14 | 14 | 5–9 | 293 | 488 | 60.0 | 3,029 | 6.2 | 17 | 17 | 75.1 | 26 | 119 | 4.6 | 0 | 32 | 209 | 11 | 3 |
| 2010 | SEA | 14 | 14 | 6–8 | 266 | 444 | 59.9 | 3,001 | 6.8 | 12 | 17 | 73.2 | 23 | 60 | 2.6 | 3 | 29 | 175 | 7 | 5 |
| 2011 | TEN | 16 | 16 | 9–7 | 319 | 518 | 61.6 | 3,571 | 6.9 | 18 | 14 | 82.4 | 20 | 52 | 2.6 | 0 | 19 | 153 | 4 | 1 |
| 2012 | TEN | 8 | 5 | 2–3 | 138 | 221 | 62.4 | 1,367 | 6.2 | 7 | 5 | 81.0 | 13 | 38 | 2.9 | 0 | 14 | 103 | 3 | 1 |
| 2013 | IND | 3 | 0 | — | 7 | 12 | 58.3 | 130 | 10.8 | 0 | 1 | 61.1 | 2 | -2 | -1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | IND | 4 | 0 | — | 30 | 44 | 68.2 | 301 | 6.8 | 2 | 0 | 102.6 | 8 | -11 | -1.4 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 2015 | IND | 8 | 8 | 5–3 | 156 | 256 | 60.9 | 1,690 | 6.6 | 9 | 5 | 84.0 | 16 | 15 | 0.9 | 0 | 16 | 101 | 3 | 2 |
| Career | 209 | 160 | 85–75 | 3,222 | 5,330 | 60.5 | 36,638 | 6.9 | 212 | 153 | 82.4 | 365 | 1,231 | 3.4 | 8 | 360 | 2,260 | 67 | 30 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacks | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2003 | SEA | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 25 | 45 | 55.6 | 305 | 6.8 | 0 | 1 | 67.4 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 | SEA | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 27 | 43 | 62.8 | 341 | 7.9 | 2 | 1 | 93.3 | 2 | 26 | 13.0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | SEA | 3 | 3 | 2–1 | 62 | 103 | 60.2 | 707 | 6.9 | 4 | 1 | 89.7 | 15 | 83 | 5.5 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | SEA | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 36 | 69 | 52.2 | 435 | 6.3 | 3 | 3 | 68.2 | 3 | 11 | 3.7 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| 2007 | SEA | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 39 | 65 | 60.0 | 423 | 6.5 | 2 | 2 | 76.6 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 3 | 24 | 2 | 0 |
| 2010 | SEA | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 47 | 81 | 59.3 | 530 | 6.5 | 7 | 1 | 102.4 | 2 | -1 | -0.5 | 0 | 3 | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | IND | 0 | 0 | Did not play | ||||||||||||||||
| 2014 | IND | 3 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 14 | 11 | 5–6 | 236 | 406 | 58.4 | 2,741 | 6.8 | 18 | 9 | 84.4 | 25 | 51 | 2.0 | 1 | 19 | 115 | 4 | 0 | |
Hasselbeck is married to Sarah Egnaczyk.[61] They met at age 17. Sarah was an athlete at Boston College, playing with thefield hockey team. Together they live inWeston, Massachusetts, and have two daughters, Annabelle (born 2001) and Mallory (born 2003), and one son, Henry (born 2005).[62][63] Annabelle and Mallory both playwomen's lacrosse atBoston College, while Henry is a quarterback who currently plays forAppalachian State.[64][65][66]
Matt and his wife have both been struck by lightning. Matt was struck in 1996.[67][68]
He is a born again Christian and participates in online Bible studies with former teammates and current players.[69]
He is the brother-in-law of television personalityElisabeth Hasselbeck, who is married to his younger brotherTim. Tim also played quarterback at Boston College and in the NFL. He now works forESPN.
Hasselbeck was inducted into theSeattle Seahawks Ring of Honor on October 25, 2021.[70]
