“This morning my family experienced the tragic loss of my father, Dick and mother, Joan,” Flutie wrote in a statement posted on Facebook. “My Dad had been ill and died of a heart attack in the hospital and my Mom, less than an hour later had a sudden heart attack and passed away.
“They say you can die of a broken heart and I believe it.”
MORE: Notable sports deaths of 2015 | Images from Flutie’s football career
Flutie, 53, is best known for his 1984 Hail Mary pass to beat Miami (Fla.) during his time at Boston College. He won the Heisman Trophy that year and went on to careers in the CFL and NFL.
Flutie’s parents were married 56 years.
“They were incredible parents and Grandparents and my family and I will miss them both,” Flutie wrote.
