Looking Back:
Sports Deaths in 2022
In January I like looking back at the Sports figures that passed away in the previous year. My wife reminds me this is not her favorite topic. I have to admit I like knowing who we have lost and their age. It is also interesting to know their cause of death. Of course, I am especially interested in the folks that die young. (Note, there is not enough room for a lot of ‘cause of death’ information.) Also, I have to admit the majority of the sports figures listed below I did not follow. But, there are some biggies that made many of us pause when we heard of their passing. For example: Len Dawson, Franco Harris, Bill Russell, Pelé, Maury Wills, and the young Dwayne Haskins (age 24). I hope some of these folks bring back a few memories. Some notable celebrities follow the Sports listing.
Len Dawson 87, NFL, Chiefs, HOF ** Franco Harris, 72, NFL ** Pelé, 82, (full name- Edson Arantes do Nascimento, many think Soccer GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) ** Dwayne Haskins 24, NFL, Hit by Truck/Drugs ** Tom Weiskopf 79, PGA ** Vin Scully. 94, Broadcaster for Dodgers ** Bill Russell, 88, NBA, Celtics ** Mike Leach 61, ‘Unique’ FB Coach ** Tom Browning 62, MLB, Perfect Game ** Billie Moore 79, BB Coach ** Gaylord Perry 84, MLB, Spitball ** Grant Wahl 49, Journalist ** Davide Rebellin 51, Cyclist, Hit by truck while training ** Bruce Sutter 69, MLB, HOF ** Ray Guy 72, Punter ** Sara Lee 30, WWE Wrestler ** Tiffany Jackson 37, WNBA, Breast Cancer ** Gavin Escobar 31 NFL, Chiefs, Fell while rock climbing ** Jaylon Ferguson 26, NFL, Fentanyl and Cocaine ** Bob Lanier 73, 14 seasons in NBA ** John Landy 91, Track, 2nd Sub 4 minute mile ** Dan Reeves 77, NFL Coach ** Lusia Harris 66, WNBA, Drafted by NBA ** Jeremy Giambi 47, MLB, Hit in jaw by a baseball, 6 months later committed suicide ** Kent Waldrep Jr. 67, FB ** Maury Wills 89, MLB, Speedster ** Kathy Whitworth 84, LGPA ** Adam Zimmer 38, NFL Coach ** Hilaree Nelson 49, Mt. Climber, 1st women up Everest ** Don Maynard 86, NFL ** Daryle Lamonica 80, NFL, ‘Mad Bomber’ ** Shirley Spork 94, Founder LPGA ** Mike Bossy 65, NHL, Islanders ** Bobby Davis 83, MLB ** John Clayton 67, Broadcaster, ESPN ** Guy Lafleur 70, 17 seasons in NHL ** Joan Joyce 81, Softball ** Johnny Grier 74, 1st Black NFL Ref ** Larry Biitner 75, MLB, Cancer ** Ralph Neely 78, NFL, Dallas ** Gene Clines 75, MLB, Part of 1st all minority lineup ** Gerald Williams 55, MLB ** Charley Taylor 80, NFL, HOF ** Shane Olivea 40, NFL, Obesity/Heart ** Odalis Perez 44, MLB, Royals, Fell from ladder ** Curt Simmons 93, MLB, ‘Whiz Kids’ ** Nick Bollettier 91, Tennis Coach ** Greg Lee 70, NBA & Pro Volleyball ** Bobby East 37, Racing, Stabbed to Death ** Scott Hall 63, WWE ** Jean Potvin 72, NHL ** Tommy Davis 83, MLB ** Rayfield Wright 76, NFL, HOF ** Ray Scott 88, Bass Fishing ** Gino Cappelleti 89, NFL, MVP ** David West 57, MLB ** Marion Barber 38, NFL, Heat Stroke/Found in home, Don Perkins 84, NFL, Cowboys ** Tony Siragusa 55, NFL.
If you have read this far you may remember I always list a few notables outside of sports. So here are a few, and most of these made me pause and ponder: Queen Elizabeth II 96 (Full name- Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor ** Angela Lansbury 96 (‘Murder See Wrote’, (This show is big in my house) ** Leo ‘Gallagher 76, Watermelon smashing comedian ** Bob Saget 65, Full House, Blunt force head trauma ** Barbara Walters 93, Ground-breaking journalist, Dementia ** Kristi Alley 71, Cheers, Colon Cancer ** Loretta Lynn 90, Country Music Female GOAT ** Olivia Newton-John 73, Grease, Long term cancer ** Tony Dow 76, Wally on ‘Leave it to Beaver’, Cancer ** Nichelle Nichols 89 (Lt. Uhura on original Star Trek), Ground-breaking interracial kiss with Captain Kirk. Until next time.
