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Ex-NFL QB Doug Flutie Says Both Parents Die In Same Hour

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BOSTON (CBSMiami/AP) — Former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie says both of his parents died within an hour of each other.

Flutie says in a statement posted on his Facebook page that his father, Dick, died of a heart attack in a hospital in Florida, where the family moved years ago.

He said Wednesday that less than an hour later, his mother, Joan, also suffered a heart attack and died.

Flutie wrote: "They say you can die of a broken heart and I believe it."

Flutie did not elaborate on the circumstances of their deaths, but called them "incredible parents and grandparents" who had been married for 56 years and were always there for their children.

South Florida sports fans are familiar with Flutie dating back to his days at Boston College when he beat the Miami Hurricanes at the Orange Bowl in 1984 on the well-known Hail Flutie play.

It is widely regarded as one of the most memorable plays in college sports history.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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