He was 64.
“The Raiders Family is mourning the loss of Jack Squirek,” the team announced on Saturday. “Squirek played four years for the Raiders and was a central figure in one of pro football’s all-time great plays.”
“The thoughts and deepest condolences of the Raider Nation are with the Squirek family at this time.”
No cause of death was revealed, but he had been battling an illness for several months, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Squirek was drafted by the then-Los Angeles Raiders out of Illinois in the second round of the NFL draft in 1982.
He played in 53 regular season games — seven in the playoffs — over four seasons with the team, making eight starts and recording three sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and an interception.
Squirek is best known for his game-changing interception during the first half of Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins, in 1984.
The linebacker read Washington’s screenplay and picked off Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann before he ran it five yards for a touchdown.
The play gave the then-Los Angeles Raiders a comfortable 21-3 lead en route to the team’s Super Bowl victory.
The interception, which many recognize as one of the greatest moments in Super Bowl history, was also Squirek’s only touchdown.
“It’s something I’ll never forget. When you win a Super Bowl together, your team is almost like a family,” Squirek told Fox Sports 1340AM in 2021. We have reunions every year with the Raiders so we get to see everybody.”
“It’s always special not only winning a Super Bowl but knowing that you contributed like that. I feel blessed that I went to a team that had great players.”
He finished his professional career with the Miami Dolphins, playing in the first two games of the 1986 season, a loss against San Diego and a win over the Colts.
Squirek leaves behind his wife Penny, and children Jacob III and Cassandra.
The couple also shared a grandkid with a second one on the way.
Nicholas McEntyre:
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