"It was really a life-changing experience," Matt said. ``It changed my perspective on everything. Whereas before I might have been the `Why me?' thing. I just decided at that point, I was going to make the most of what I had and what I was given: God-given ability, health, all that stuff."
Don Hasselbeck didn't even want his sons to play football. The physical pounding prompted him to encourage other sports. Finally, he promised to let them sign up on the day he retired, figuring they would be over it by then.
Wrong.
"They were there the same day that I told [Bill] Parcells I was done with the Giants," Don said. "They were standing there with their footballs under their arm. `Can we go sign up?' I said, `No, it's too late.' `Please?'"
Matt recalled that his father "expected us to be upset" because he was retiring.
"My first reaction was, `Great,'" Matt said.
Don took them to practice and ended up coaching them for nine years, passing along NFL tips to Pop Warner kids. He had his sons play quarterback so they wouldn't get hurt.
But they were good.
Tim, who went through various training camps and a stint in NFL Europe, became Matt's biggest sounding board. Matt would call Tim from the Seahawks' team bus after a game and get the full critique from his brother. Now Matt can return the favor.
"That's the most exciting part of it," Don said. "I know these guys; they enjoy it. They're passionate about it. A lot of people said to Tim, `Have you ever thought about coaching?' Tim was like, `I want to play. I can always coach. I want to play.' He understands the game. I think that's what makes it fun for him."
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