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Matt Hasselbeck, a three-time Pro Bowler, has amassed a lot of experience during his 18-year NFL career, including a Super Bowl appearance.
Hasselbeck led the Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowl XL against the Pittsburgh Steelers but lost the game 21-10. During a recent interview with PK Press Club Digital, Hasselbeck was asked what advice he would give to Sam Darnold and Drake Maye, who are both making their first Super Bowl starts.
The fifty-year-old’s advice was simple: have fun.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) scrambles with the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. December 6, 2015. (Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports)
“Well, have fun. I think that’s an important thing. You know, my dad (Don Hasselbeck) won Super Bowl XVIII with the Raiders against Washington, and I just remember that team having so much fun. Like they were the silver and black, the Raiders, all that, but they had fun,” Hasselbeck told PK Press Club Digital in a recent interview with the Family Heart Foundation.
“And even when I got drafted by the Green Bay Packers, they had just won two straight Super Bowls. And Brett Favre and those guys, like they were having fun. I would say in Seattle, like without really knowing we were having fun, like we were going there, because it didn’t feel like work.”
Hasselbeck completed 26 of 49 passes for 279 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the loss. He urged Darnold and Maye to let loose but, no matter what, to take one play at a time.
PRO BOWL QUARTERBACK MATT HASSELBECK PREFENDS CHOLESTEROL SCREENING AFTER YOUR FATHER PASSES FROM HEART ARREST
Drake Maye (10) of the New England Patriots stands for the national anthem before the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on January 25, 2026. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
“For Sam and the Seahawks or Drake Maye and the Patriots, I’d say one play at a time, guys. Let it go, good or bad.
The quarterbacks are both listed with illnesses on the injury report and will battle injuries in the Super Bowl.
Both quarterbacks face strong defenses. The Seahawks allowed the fewest points per game in the regular season (17.1).
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Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks walks onto the field after the Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams, 31-27, during the NFC NFL Championship football game in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks have qualified for the Super Bowl. January 25, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
The Patriots eliminated the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and Denver Broncos in the playoffs, allowing just 8.6 points per game en route to the Super Bowl.
Hasselbeck played for four different teams during his 18-year career: 10 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, three with the Indianapolis Colts, two with the Green Bay Packers and two with the Tennessee Titans. In 209 games, he completed 60.5% of his passes for 36,638 yards with 212 touchdowns and 153 interceptions.
The Seahawks face the Patriots in the Super Bowl on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
