Former NFL standout, Super Bowl champion Jack Squirek dies at 64

The sports world was saddened over the weekend to learn of the death of Jack Squirek, a former linebacker with the NFL's Raiders organization, who was part of the team who won Super Bown XVIII in 1984, as the Daily Mail reports.

Squirek's passing at the age of 64 was announced by the team on X, but no cause of death has yet been revealed.

Football standout remembered

The vaunted football organization, in a post on X, broke the news of its former player's death, writing, “The Raiders Family is mourning the loss of Jack Squirek, who passed away on Friday.”

According to the Raiders, Squirek originally joined the team in 1982 as a second-round draft pick, going on to play in 53 games with the organization before going on to end his career with the Miami Dolphins.

“Squirek played for years for the Raiders and was a central figure in one of pro football's all-time great plays,” the statement added.

Describing the aforementioned play, the team wrote, “With the Raiders leading Washington near halftime of Super Bowl XVIII, Squirek intercepted a screen pass and returned it 12 years for a touchdown to give the Silver and Black an insurmountable 21-3 lead in the eventual victory.”

In addition, as Fox News noted, Squirek also had one tackle in the Super Bowl victory, and based on his performance in the game, he made the cover of Sports Illustrated and achieved an enviable level of fame.

Humble, honorable post-professional life

According to the Mail, following his glory days in the NFL, Squirek operated a cleaning and janitorial business in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

Squirek is survived by his wife of 36 years, a son, a daughter, and two grandchildren, including one set to be born later this year.

A funeral service is reportedly planned for next Saturday in Broadview Heights Ohio, where family and friends will be able to pay their respects.

The team with which the talented linebacker gained celebrated status declared in a statement that the “thoughts and deepest condolences of the Raider Nation are with the Squirek family at this time.”

It seems certain that those sentiments are also shared by the legions of fans who will never forget Squirek's legendary gridiron exploits.