Former NFL star and Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie lost both of his parents within less than an hour on Wednesday.

Flutie's dad had been hospitalized and died of a heart attack, and his mom died following a sudden heart attack less than an hour later.

Flutie, 53, posted the following statement on his Facebook account:

"It is with a heavy heart that I am making this statement. This morning my family experienced the tragic loss of my father, Dick and mother, Joan.

"My dad had been ill and died of a heart attack in the hospital and my mom, less than an hour later had a sudden heart attack and passed away.

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

Flutie went on to honor his parents for the support they had always given him and his siblings.

"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," Flutie wrote.

"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. "