Doug Flutie’s parents die on same day, just an hour apart

Retired quarterback Doug Flutie shared some incredibly heartbreaking news on Wednesday. Flutie wrote on Facebook that both of his parents died, just an hour apart.

Flutie wrote that his father had been ill recently and died of a heart attack at a hospital Wednesday morning. Less than an hour later, his mother suffered a sudden heart attack and died. Flutie said that he now believes that you can die of a broken heart, as his parents had been together for 56 years.

“I would like to honor my parents for all that they did throughout my and my brothers’ and sister’s lives,” Flutie wrote. “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 said that their most important achievement was raising their children and providing them with opportunities.

“They were incredible parents and Grandparents and my family and I will miss them both. On behalf of me and the entire Flutie family, I would like to thank you all for your well wishes and prayers during this difficult time,” Flutie continued.

Flutie won the Heisman trophy during his time at Boston College. This weekend, his alma mater plays Notre Dame this weekend at Fenway Park. BC will even be wearing Flutie-era throwbacks for the game, notes NBC Sports.

Flutie also played in the NFL and CFL, retiring from the NFL in 2006. He currently calls Notre Dame broadcasts for NBC.