Dan Doornink, a durable running back who helped shape the early years of the Seattle Seahawks while quietly pursuing a medical degree, died on October 31, 2026, in Spokane, Washington.

He was 70 and had long managed two rare autoimmune diseases.

Born in Yakima on February 1, 1956, Doornink starred at Wapato High School before becoming a standout at Washington State University.

He led the Cougars in rushing in 1976 and 1977, finishing his college career with 1,739 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground along with 105 receptions.

The New York Giants selected him in the seventh round of the 1978 NFL Draft, but after one season he was traded to Seattle in 1979 for a future draft pick.

With the Seahawks he played seven seasons, appearing in more than 100 games and rushing for 1,836 career yards and 15 touchdowns.

Fans nicknamed him “Mr. Third Down” for his reliability in short-yardage situations and “Dr. Dan” because he attended the University of Washington School of Medicine while still active in the NFL.

He was part of the 1983 team that reached the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, and the following December he delivered his most memorable performance: 123 rushing yards on 27 carries in a 13-7 wild-card victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Raiders at the Kingdome.

After injuries limited him in 1985 and the Seahawks released him the next year, Doornink completed his medical training.

He returned to the Yakima Valley to practice internal medicine for decades, following in the footsteps of his father, a physician.

He and his wife, Sharon, raised four children. In later years, he remained connected to the franchise, including raising the 12th Man flag before a 2007 preseason game.

A severe COVID-19 hospitalization in 2021, complicated by his autoimmune conditions, tested his resilience, yet he continued to be remembered as a beloved figure from the Seahawks’ formative era.

In a statement the team called him a cherished member of its early days both on and off the field, and offered condolences to his family.

Doornink’s path from a small-town Washington athlete to an NFL contributor and longtime community doctor left a quiet but lasting mark on the Pacific Northwest.