Former Football Star Doug Flutie's Parents Die on Same Day, an Hour Apart

It's a sad day for former football star, Doug Flutie as he confirmed in his social media page that he had lost both his parents. CBC News reported earlier today that Flutie's mother passed away on Wednesday, just an hour after his father died in the hospital from a heart attack.

In his Facebook page, Flutie said, "It is with a heavy heart that I am making this statement. This morning my family experienced the tragic loss of my father, Dick and mother, Joan."

"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," he continued. "They say you can die of a broken heart and I believe it," The former NFL quarterback added that his parents were always there for them.

Dick and Joan Flutie were married for 56 years. Doug also said that his parents never failed to provide opportunities for him and his siblings.

The phenomenon in which lovers pass away within hours or days apart is not an uncommon thing and there may be a scientific reason behind it, according to a report from The Augusta Chronicle.

Assistant Professor Ilan Wittstein of The John Hopkins University School of Medicine in Maryland claimed that the sudden emotional stress endured by someone who lost a spouse causes stress hormones to be released, thereby inflicting muscle damage to the heart, the Augusta Chronicle stated.

The 53-year-old Flutie became a legend in the city of Boston after his famous Hail Mary throw that gave Boston College the win 47-45 against Miami. He also won the Heisman Trophy that same year, the first for the school, CBS Sports reported. Many considered that play as one of the greatest.

Flutie played professional football both in Canada and the United States.  According to CBC News, he spent eight years in the Canadian Football League or CFL and won the Grey Cup titles three times. Considered as CFL's best player ever, Flutie was also awarded six times with the league's Most Outstanding Player.

A native of Boston Massachusetts, Flutie played for three Canadian football teams that include the B.C. Lions, Calgary, Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts where he last spent his last years in CFL. He also spent 12 years playing in the NFL, the news portal added.

Doug's brother, Darren Flutie has also played professional football in CFL.

Today, Flutie spends his time being an analyst for Notre Dame Football's NBC coverage.