Former Seahawks, Cougars RB Dan Doornink dead at age 70
Doornink, Yakima native, spent seven of his eight NFL seasons in Seattle after his time at WSU.
Seattle Seahawks helmets are seen during a practice on Feb. 5, 2026, in San Jose, California. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
(Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Dan Doornink, a former Seattle Seahawks and WSU Cougars running back, died on Saturday at the age of 70, the Seahawks announced Sunday.
A Yakima native, Doornink was selected by the New York Giants during the seventh round of the 1978 NFL Draft before being traded to Seattle prior to the 1979 season.
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Doornink spent the remaining seven seasons his career in Seattle, amassing 1,530 rushing yards and 14 TDs rushing during 92 regular-season games with the Seahawks. He helped the Seahawks to their first-ever playoff appearance and a berth in the AFC title game during the 1983 season. In the 1984 season, he rushed for 126 yards in the Seahawks’ 13-7 win over the then-Oakland Raiders during the Wild Card Round of the AFC playoffs.
The Seahawks released the statement below on Doornink’s death Sunday afternoon.
“The Seahawks mourn the passing of running back Dan Doornink. A Washington native, Doornink was a beloved member of the Seahawks early days, both on and off the field. The thoughts of the entire Seahawks organization are with the Doornink family during this challenging time.”
Prior to his time in the NFL, Doornink rushed for 1,739 and 12 TDs in 44 games over four seasons at WSU, adding another 968 yards and four TDs on 105 receptions.
Per Seahawks.com, Doornink practiced internal medicine in his hometown of Yakima following his NFL career.
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