Doug Flutie’s father and mother died Wednesday morning less than an hour apart from each other, the former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback wrote on Facebook.

Richard “Dick” Flutie died of a heart attack while in the hospital. Shortly after, Joan Flutie died following a heart attack. The two had been married for 56 years.

“They say you can die of a broken heart and I believe it,” Flutie wrote on Facebook.

“I would like to honor my parents for all that they did throughout my and my brothers’ and sister’s lives. My parents were always there for their children, from the days my Dad coached us as kids and my Mom would work the concession stands, through to this morning. The most important part of their 56 years of marriage was providing opportunities to their children. They were incredible parents and Grandparents and my family and I will miss them both.”

Flutie rose to fame during his collegiate career at Boston College, and later went on to play in the NFL, Canadian Football League and United States Football League. He now serves as a broadcaster for Notre Dame football games on NBC and was scheduled to appear on Saturday’s broadcast for the Fighting Irish’s game against Boston College.