Athletes Who Died In 2023

The following article includes references to mental health issues, substance abuse, and domestic assault.

While they often seem larger than life and untouchable, athletes of all ages from around the world sometimes leave us unexpectedly. Though saddened, fans feel their positive impact on sports history for a long time. From Greg Foster's Olympic medal-winning feat in track and field to Charles White's prowess on the football field, these athletes and others are remembered for changing the way fans viewed — and enjoyed — the game.

In 2023, Foster, White, Chris Ford, Kyle Smaine (pictured above), and numerous others passed away. Whether they dominated on the court, took home medals in the Olympics, or participated in any of hundreds of professional athletic competitions, the players here will not be forgotten. 

These are the talented athletes the world has lost in 2023.

Updated August 24, 2023.

Rosi Mittermaier began her athletic career quite young, thanks to her father's business of ski instructing. Mittermaier trained with her father when she was three, skiing in the Bavarian village of Reit im Winkl. Mittermaier became an international competitive skier at the age of 17 by making her World Cup debut. She didn't win, but she made it to the podium the following year. A year after that, she won in the 1969 World Cup slalom event.

Mittermaier competed at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, taking home two gold medals for downhill and slalom, earning her the nickname she would keep throughout her life: Gold-Rosi. She also nabbed a silver medal that year for giant slalom. Mittermaier's skiing career took her all over the world, and she competed in three Olympics, five World Championships, and won 10 World Cups, making it to the podium a total of 41 times. After retiring from the sport, Mittermaier dabbled in clothing design, writing, and philanthropy — she even recorded albums with her sister, Evi. 

When the 72-year-old died, her loved ones issued a statement, saying, "We as a family announce the sad news that our beloved wife, mom, and grandma passed away peacefully on January 4th, 2023 after a serious illness surrounded by the family." Thomas Bach, International Olympic Committee president, said in a statement (via the AP): "Rosi Mittermaier was a very charming and credible ambassador of sport, who always approached people openly and in a humble way. She inspired all of us with her warmth and her smile."

Italian football star Gianluca Vialli began his career playing for Italy's Serie C1 club Cremonese in 1980. His skills on the field elevated him to Serie B, and he was promoted to the Serie A Sampdoria FC in 1984 and reportedly scored 10 goals as a winger in the '83-'84 season. Vialli was the league's top scorer before long, and he helped the team win numerous international championships. In 1992, Vialli joined Juventus FC, where he dominated for several seasons, amassing 38 goals with the team.

Vialli joined Chelsea in 1996, and the team won the FA Cup that season. He continued playing until retiring at the end of the '98-'99 season. After hanging up his cleats, Vialli worked as the player-manager for Chelsea, and he helped lead the team to victory at multiple international competitions. He was let go from the club and became the manager of the First Division club Watford. Following this, he became Italy's delegation chief but had to step away in late 2022 because of his pancreatic cancer, CNN reported.

Vialli said in a statement, "At the end of a long and difficult negotiation with my wonderful team of oncologists, I have decided to suspend, hopefully temporarily, my present and future professional commitments." Sadly, Vialli's treatment didn't ultimately save him, and he died on January 6, 2023, at the age of 58. Chelsea FC tweeted upon the news of his death, "You'll be missed by so many. A legend to us and to all of football. Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli."

Jorge Ballesteros came from a family of impressive practical shooters (IPSC), including his father. When he was 18, he began competing in shooting competitions, and before long, he was winning them. In 2013, Ballesteros became the European champion in Barcelos, Portugal. He won the world title in 2017, which he would keep for five years.

Ballesteros also earned three gold medals at the IPSC European Handgun Championship and was a frequent medalist at world events. Ballesteros was a four-time Eurasia Extreme Champion, an Olympic medal winner, and he was named a Shooting Master by the Spanish Olympic Shooting Federation. When he wasn't winning medals and earning high praise for his shooting skills, Ballesteros worked as a police officer.

On January 10, 2023, Ballesteros was found inside his car with a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken to a nearby hospital and died the following day at the age of 39. His death was announced by the Royal Spanish Olympic Shooting Federation, which tweeted, "Jorge Ballesteros, the best Spanish sportsman of IPSC in history, died at 39 years old." The president of the RFEDETO described Ballesteros as "a great athlete" and an "exceptional human being." The nature of his gunshot wound and the manner of the shooting have not been made public.

Robbie Knievel didn't take long to follow in his father's footsteps, and by the age of four, he was already making small jumps on his bicycle. He traded out his bike for something better, and when he was seven, he began riding motorcycles. When Knievel was eight, he performed at Madison Square Garden; he continued touring with his dad, performing in pre-shows to rouse the crowd. When he was old enough, he launched a solo career and emulated many of his father's most famous jumps.

Knievel's career played out much like his famous father's, though he primarily rode motocross bikes, whereas his dad preferred motorcycles. Throughout his career, Knievel accomplished several high-profile and record-breaking jumps, including a truly death-defying leap across the Grand Canyon in 1999; hopping from one floating barge to the next in 2006; and in 2008, jumping over 24 Coke Zero trucks at the amusement park Kings Island. Knievel's career included an impressive 20 world records and 350 jumps, per his website.

Knievel was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He underwent treatment but died from the disease on January 13, 2023, at the age of 60. While it's unclear how long he underwent treatment, a supposed family source told TMZ that Knievel was in hospice care for the last few days of his life, and that he died with his daughters, Krysten, Karmen, and Maria, at his side.

Jay Briscoe first entered the ring with his professional debut when he was 16. He primarily wrestled in tag team matches alongside his brother Mark Briscoe, and the two became known as the Briscoe Brothers. They continued wrestling for Combat Zone Wrestling for most of the early 2000s. They simultaneously wrestled for Jersey All-Pro Wrestling and found considerable fame with Ring of Honor, including the organization's first show, "The Era of Honor Begins," in 2002.

In 2004, Mark was in a motorcycle accident, so Jay decided to pause his career during his sibling's recovery. He and Mark returned in full force, and the Briscoe Brothers wrestled for more than 22 years together. They're regarded as one of the all-time best tag teams in professional wrestling history. They were inducted into the Ring of Honor Hall of Fame's inaugural class, making Jay and Mark the first inductees in the organization. Unfortunately, Jay wrote a violent homophobic tweet in 2013. He apologized for his behavior more than once, and the brothers discussed it in 2022 on "Battleground Podcast."

On January 17, 2023, Jay was killed in a car accident. ROH president Tony Khan broke the news on Twitter, posting, "Sadly, Jamin Pugh has passed away. Known to fans as Jay Briscoe, he was a star in ROH for over 20 years, from the first show until today. Jay and his brother Mark dominated ROH, reigning as champions to this day. We'll do whatever we can to support his family. Rest In Peace, Jamin." Thankfully, Mark wasn't in the car during the accident and continues to wrestle, now with All Elite Wrestling (as well as ROH).

Anton Walkes excelled at Tottenham Hotspur, where he became a full-time scholar in 2013, first signed a pro contract in 2015, and debuted on the team in September 2016, helping lead them to a 5-0 victory over Gillingham. He was loaned to Atlanta United and then to Portsmouth, playing three seasons for each team. He returned to play with Atlanta United after leaving Portsmouth and was signed by Charlotte FC in 2022. He played in 23 games for the team before his untimely death.

On January 18, 2023, Walkes was in South Florida for a 12-day training camp and was seriously injured as a passenger in a boat accident. WNCT 9, who obtained information from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, noted that "Walkes was riding a personal watercraft when it collided with a 46-foot boat in Miami..." on Biscayne Bay. He was given CPR and then taken to the hospital. Walkes died the following day from his injuries at age 25. 

David Tepper, the owner of Charlotte FC, wrote a statement that was tweeted by the team following Walkes' death: "He was a tremendous son, father, partner, and teammate whose joyous approach to life touched everyone he met. Anton made those around him better people in all areas of life and represented Charlotte FC to the highest standard both on and off the pitch."

Jessie Lemonier was a Liberty Flames football player who helped lead the college to their first-ever bowl game and was the MVP of the 2019 Cure Bowl. As a pro, Lemonier played outside linebacker and was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers as a free agent in April 2020. As The Detroit News explained, he went back and forth between the Chargers' active roster and their practice squad, playing six games during this period.

The Chargers released Lemonier, and he then played for the Detroit Lions in 2021 but was waived in 2022, so he worked with the Arizona Cardinals but was released. Finally, the linebacker was traded to the Birmingham Stallions after being signed to the Houston Gamblers. On January 26, 2023, Lemonier died of unspecified causes at the age of 25. The details of his death have not been released to the public. Regardless, Lemonier's passing was unexpected and occurred when he and his girlfriend were expecting a baby, his agent told ESPN.

The Detroit Lions said on Twitter, "We are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former Detroit Lion Jessie Lemonier. Jessie was a model teammate and wonderful young man who is gone far too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time." Lemonier died just days shy of his 26th birthday.

Kyle Smaine was a freestyle skier who took the gold at the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships in 2015. Smaine was the obvious winner in the competition. The FIS report observed his "near-perfect first run stocked front-to-back with technical tricks and all done at an amplitude and with a style that clearly no [one] else could match..." Smaine's skills on the slopes took him all over the world, and in early 2023, he left his native South Lake Tahoe, California mountains for the Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Nagano, Japan.

Smaine went to ski and promote winter tourism following the decline resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. He and other skiers were enjoying their last day of the trip, as described by Grant Gunderson, a photographer who accompanied Smaine. "It was supposed to be the last day of the trip so we [were] just out for a mellow tour to Freeski [sic]. As we had one of the best days ever skiing / shooting the day before," Gunderson wrote on Instagram. He skied to the lodge to rest, leaving Smaine, another friend, Adam Ü, and an Austrian skier named Christoph Schöfegger on the slopes. 

While they were skiing, tragedy struck, as survivor Ü described to the Mountain Gazette: "We heard the crack. We realized it [was] a big one. We started running, and then we got hit." The avalanche engulfed them. Smaine was reportedly unresponsive, and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. He died on January 29, 2023, at the age of 31.

Stanley Wilson Jr. was recruited out of high school to play football for Stanford University. Following a successful college career, Wilson was drafted in 2005 by the Detroit Lions, where he'd remain for the rest of his NHL career. The organization offered a new contract to Wilson for the 2008 season, and he agreed, but an Achilles tendon tear during a game against the New York Giants ended his football career.

Wilson's football career consisted of 32 games, nine of which he started. Post-football, Wilson wound up on the wrong side of the law numerous times. He was arrested in 2016 for breaking into a home in Portland, Oregon, in the buff. The following year, he was arrested for walking through a Portland neighborhood naked, and also in 2017, he was accused of another break-in. He was arrested in August 2022 for breaking into a home and bathing in an outside fountain.

On February 1, 2023, Wilson was transferred from jail to the Metropolitan State Hospital in Los Angeles, California, after he was deemed incompetent to stand trial. Wilson was hospitalized while dealing with an unspecified mental illness, and he suddenly collapsed and died at the age of 40, TMZ reported. His cause of death was not made public at the time of his passing. However, per the Los Angeles Times, his family alleged that his death was caused by "deliberate indifference" and "excessive force" and claimed they saw that he was wounded, and that he suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). As of March 2023, Wilson's parents were seeking $45 million in damages from L.A. County.

If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.

Tim McCarver joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959 at the age of 18 for $75,000, which amounts to more than $775,000 in 2023. The pro deal was more lucrative than college baseball, and McCarver spent most of his career with the team. When he wasn't playing for the Cardinals, McCarver caught for the Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos, and the Boston Red Sox. He was a two-time All-Star and joined the Cardinals three times at the World Series — they won with him twice, and he had an impressive career, to be sure.

In 1980, McCarver shifted to broadcasting, working as a color commentator. He started in Philadelphia and went on to become a national network broadcaster. His television trajectory was equally as impressive as his playing. He won three Emmy awards throughout his tenure and called 20 All-Star games and 23 World Series. Of course, McCarver didn't please everyone, and after criticizing Deion Sanders at the 1992 National League Championship Series, the player dumped ice water on McCarver's head.

McCarver's multiple talents extended to the recording booth, and in 2009, he released "Tim McCarver Sings Selections from the Great American Songbook." He penned a memoir in 1987 called "Oh, Baby, I Love It!" and lent his talents to a number of movies, playing himself in "Fever Pitch" and voicing an announcer in "Moneyball." On February 16, 2023, McCarver died at the age of 81 of heart failure. The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced his death, as McCarver had been honored with their Ford C. Frick Award in 2012.

Lanny Poffo began wrestling professionally in the mid-1970s, teaming up with his dad, Angelo, to take on other popular teams. He and his dad continued wrestling together, earning various accolades as they made their names in various circuits. Angelo moved away from wrestling in the ring when he founded the International Championship Wrestling organization in 1978. Lanny began wrestling with and against his brother, Randy Savage, better known as "Macho Man" Randy Savage, and they rose in the ranks.

Eventually, Poffo joined the World Wrestling Federation, debuting in 1985 as "Leaping Lanny." Randy also joined, though they weren't promoted as brothers. By 1989, Poffo became a heel and was reintroduced as "The Genius," the identity he's probably best remembered for. Poffo continued wrestling, off and on, throughout his life. He signed with the WCW and other organizations, but he kept out of the ring as time passed.

Poffo spent a lot of his time writing poetry, having previously thrown out frisbees of his poems to fans. He published two books, became a motivational speaker, and hosted a podcast called "The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo." On February 2, 2023, Lanny Poffo died at the age of 68 — his cause of death hasn't been made public. His passing was revealed by Hacksaw Jim Duggan on Twitter: "With a very, very heavy heart, I've been asked to let everyone know about the passing of our friend and colleague Lanny Poffo, The Genius. RIP Lanny."

Bob Perryman began his career in the NCAA, playing for the University of Michigan Wolverines. He managed 1,247 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns throughout his time with the team, and was on his way to playing with the NFL. After graduating, Perryman was picked up by the New England Patriots in the 1987 NFL Draft. Perryman played for the Pats for four years, but ran into some trouble in 1990 when he and two teammates were fined for an alleged sexual harassment incident (via the Los Angeles Times).

The complaint came from Lisa Olson, a reporter from the Boston Herald, who described inappropriate behavior that was degrading to her. Perryman was fined $5,000 for the incident, and the Pats were ordered to pay $25,000 for instructional materials on how to deal with the media. Whether it was due to the incident or something else, Perryman was released from the Pats shortly after he was fined. He was picked up by the Dallas Cowboys but didn't play with the team.

Perryman spent his final two years in the NFL playing for the Denver Broncos. He retired from the sport at the end of the 1992 season and went on to become an assistant coach for the local high school and college teams. He also worked as a probation officer and worked with the United Way. On February 23, 2023, Perryman died following a "rapid decline with dementia" at the age of 58.

Joe Pepitone began his professional career with the New York Yankees in 1958. He was sent to the minor leagues for four seasons before being brought up to the Yankees in '62. He played first base in the 1963 season, which was the first year he went to the World Series opposite the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pepitone's costly error in game four clinched the win for the Dodgers. He fared better in the '64 World Series, hitting a grand slam in game 6, though the Yankees didn't beat the St. Louis Cardinals.

Pepitone won three Gold Glove awards with the Yankees but was traded to the Houston Astros in 1969. He didn't like that too much and came close to retiring before he was sent to the Chicago Cubs but was soon sent to the Atlanta Braves in 1973. Instead of retiring, Pepitone shipped himself off to Japan to play with the Yakult Atoms for a single season. He returned to the States in 1974 and retired from baseball. Pepitone published a memoir, and he joined the American Professional Slo-Pitch League to play professional softball.

Eventually, Pepitone got into coaching and was hired as a minor-league hitting coach for the Yankees. He had some run-ins with the law, mostly over drug and alcohol abuse throughout the 1980s and early '90s, spending some time in prison. On March 13, 2023, the Yankees announced that Pepitone died — he was 82, though no cause of death was given.

Willis Reed played for Grambling State University in Louisiana, where he led the team to an NAIA title and three championships. After graduating in 1964, Reed was drafted by the New York Knicks, where he would remain for ten seasons. While playing with the Knicks, Reed earned numerous accolades, including becoming a seven-time NBA All-Star, an NBA MVP, and he was a two-time NBA champion. He was sidelined by injuries and retired at the end of the 1973-'74 season, having played 650 games with the NBA.

When he finished his playing career, Reed began his second career: coaching. He began coaching with the Knicks but only spent a single season with the team. Reed went on to coach several teams, including working as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings. He finished his coaching career with the New Jersey Nets in 1989. After coaching, Reed went into management, becoming the general manager for the New Jersey Nets.

Reed later became the team's vice president of basketball operations before ultimately becoming the senior vice president of basketball operations. While working in this capacity, Reed helped bring his team to the NBA finals for two seasons. On March 21, 2023, the NBA Alumni Twitter account announced, "The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends, and fans of Willis Reed." Later, sports columnist Peter Vecsey revealed on Twitter that Reed died of "congestive heart problems."

Noel Hanna achieved many impressive feats throughout the course of his life, having summited Mount Everest a whopping 10 times! He also became the first person from Ireland to summit and descend K2 in 2018. Hanna was long celebrated in his native Northern Ireland for his incredible skills in mountain climbing, and he spent much of his life clinging to rocks and ice at death-defying heights. Sadly, his life came to an end on April 18, 2023, while spending time on Annapurna in Nepal, the 10th-highest peak in the world.

While the 56-year-old Hanna's cause of death wasn't clear, he died at Camp IV while making his descent from Annapurna. He had already scaled the 26,545-foot (8,091-meter) peak before dying sometime overnight on the 18th. Hanna's body was recovered and flown to Kathmandu, Nepal. According to hiking officials, at least 365 people have summited Annapurna, though 72 have died on the mountain.

Hanna's sister, Irene Hunter, told BBC News that her brother's body would be flown to Finnis, Northern Ireland, near the Mourne Mountains, which is where his climbing career began decades earlier. She also said he "lived for the mountains" and "loved a view, and he just loved people," further calling him "a legend." Others described Hanna as a humble man who, despite being encouraged to write a book about his exploits, was modest in his achievements.

Mike Shannon excelled in football, basketball, and baseball throughout high school, but the latter sport dominated his life. Shannon attended the University of Missouri on a football scholarship to play quarterback. He played for the team during his freshman year and was offered a $50,000 bonus to join the St. Louis Cardinals, which he ultimately did in 1962. At the time, football players weren't making much money, and while Shannon considered himself to be a better football player, he settled on baseball, which would dominate his professional life for decades.

Shannon played with the Cardinals, first as the right fielder and later as the third baseman. He played in three World Series, winning two, and remained with the team until retiring in 1970. At that time, Shannon began his second career, which he's arguably best known for today. In 1972, Shannon became the Cardinals radio broadcaster and remained in the job until 2021. He holds the distinction of calling Cardinals games longer than anyone else, with 50 years under his belt.

Shannon announced his retirement in 2021 on his 50th anniversary, and later that year, the Cardinals honored him with a farewell ceremony. His retirement announcement came soon after he had "a rough bout with the coronavirus" the previous fall. Shannon developed long COVID, requiring physical therapy long after recovering from the infection. On April 29, 2023, Shannon died at the age of 83; his cause of death was not made public.

Tori Bowe began running track in high school, and she won the Mississippi state championships in both the 100-meter and long jump during her junior year. The following year, she won the same categories in the state championships and added the 200-meter race to her resume. Bowie dominated high school track and participated in various events, winning numerous accolades. After high school, Bowie accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Southern Mississippi, where she represented her school in NCAA Division I competitions.

College opened a lot of doors for Bowie, who went on to compete professionally in 2013. She began making waves at various national and international championships, gaining lots of attention. In 2016, she represented the U.S. at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she took home the silver in the 100-meter dash. She also won a gold and bronze medal, and the following year at the 2017 London World Championships, she took home two gold medals.

Bowie went on to earn a sponsorship from Adidas, and she appeared in various documentaries. She was also a burgeoning fashion icon, but on May 2, 2023, Bowie was found dead at the age of 32. According to People, she hadn't been heard from or seen for several days, so a wellness check was conducted by the Orange County Sherriff's Office, finding her body in her home. While no foul play was suspected, authorities did not reveal a cause of death when her passing was reported.

Devin Butts was a promising player in high school, earning a Two-time All-State selection, and was well respected on the court for his impressive skills. In high school, he averaged 28 points per game and went on to play for the North Carolina Central University Eagles, where he distinguished himself. In addition to his NCAA duties, Butts pursued a bachelor's degree in behavioral and social sciences — he was on track to graduate in mid-2023.

Just after midnight on May 1, 2023, Butts was playing basketball with some of his teammates in the North Carolina Center University McDougald-McLendon Arena when he experienced sudden cardiac arrest and collapsed. He was taken to the hospital, where doctors struggled to identify the cause. The school's Athletic Director, Louis Perkins, told News Observer, "We are aware of no history that could cause this." Butts never regained consciousness, and on May 5, 2023, just days after his collapse, Butts died at the age of 22 after having been declared brain dead, though his cause of death remains a mystery, as it hasn't been made public.

Unfortunately, the nature of his death, his history of perfect health, and his age brought out conspiracy theorists who have mired his passing in negativity online. Butts' death quickly became the canon fodder of vaccine deniers, many of whom attributed his death to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. While this is most certainly nonsense, it has nonetheless made Butts a new poster child for anti-vaccine conspiracists online.

Larry Mahan got into rodeo competitions when he was 14, and he was good from the start. Between 1966 and 1975, Mahan won the title of World All-Around Champion five times, and he added a sixth win in 1973. The man was easily the most famous and one of the most skilled professional radio performers of the 20th century. In 1973, Mahan, the "Elvis of Rodeo," was the subject of the documentary "The Great American Cowboy," which won the Academy Award for best documentary feature film the following year.

The film covered Mahan's competition with Phil Lyne for the World Championship All-Around Cowboy title, which Mahan won. Mahan spent 14 years actively competing in the professional rodeo circuit, and he was a champion. When Mahan retired in 1977, he continued selling his Larry Mahan Boot Collection, which included a clothing line. Mahan's business acumen continued to show promise, and in 1984, he teamed up with John Milano and the Milano Hat Company to sell the popular Larry Mahan's Hat Collection.

Mahan spent some time in various careers throughout his life, including a brief music and acting career. In addition to the documentary, he appeared in several feature films and TV movies, sharing the screen with the likes of Tommy Lee Jones, Slim Pickens, and James Coburn. On May 7, 2023, Mahan died of cancer in his Valley View, Texas home. According to his close friend, Bobby Steiner, Mahan's death resulted from bone cancer (via The New York Times).

Marlene Hagge started playing golf at the tender age of three. By ten, she was winning competitions, and at 13, she won a plethora of championships, significantly elevating her standing. In 1947, when she was still only 13, she made the cut for the U.S. Women's Open, ultimately finishing eighth. Hagge was named Associated Press' Athlete of the Year and Golfer of the Year two years later. She also won numerous Junior titles that year. Hagge's golfing skills were exceptional, and she went on to do something remarkable.

In 1950, Hagge and 12 women founded the LPGA, opening the door for women to compete professionally at the same level as men. Hagge's professional career was filled with victories, having won 26 professional events while on the LPGA Tour. She continued to win tournament after tournament, including winning the 1952 LPGA Championship, and in 2002, Hagge was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, six years after her final game with the LPGA.

Throughout her five-decade career playing golf with the LPGA, Hagge earned an impressive $481,032, which amounts to a great deal more when adjusted for inflation. On May 16, 2023, Hagge died from complications resulting from a fall. A specific cause of death wasn't provided to the public, but her death was attributed to a fall several months earlier. She was 89 and the last surviving founder of the LPGA, making her passing a significant hit to the sporting world she helped establish.

Jim Brown was long considered to be one of the greatest professional football players of all time. Brown played numerous sports in high school, but it was the gridiron that took him to Syracuse University, where he endured racism and segregation while simultaneously becoming the best player on the team. Brown was an All-American and probably should have won the Heisman had he lived in a less turbulent time. Regardless, he was a standout athlete in Football and several other sports, including lacrosse.

The Cleveland Browns picked up Brown in the 1957 NFL Draft, and he remained with the franchise until 1965. Brown set or broke nearly every rushing record throughout his professional career, and his list of accolades is exceptionally long. In addition to becoming an NFL champion, Brown won the MVP award three times, went to nine Pro Bowl games, and so much more. After ending his playing career, Brown got into acting. Most notably, he played Robert Jefferson in "The Dirty Dozen," which is one of his many impressive credits.

Later in life, Brown was best known for his activism, which built on the work he did throughout the 1950s and '60s for the civil rights movement. In 1966, he founded the Negro Industrial Economic Union (now the Black Economic Union) to help minority-owned businesses. On May 18, 2023, Brown died "peacefully" of natural causes in Los Angeles, California. He is remembered as a true champion of sports, civil rights, and much more.

Jim Hines played a lot of sports in his youth, but it was his sprinting that attracted the most attention. Hines was remarkably fast, and in 1968, he broke the ten-second barrier in the 100-meter race, becoming the first man to do so. This remarkable achievement — running 100 meters in 9.9 seconds — was dubbed the "Night of Speed." Hines was quoted saying, "There will never be another night like it. That was the greatest sprinting series in the history of track and field" (via World Athletics).

While Hines' record was eventually broken, it took 15 years for that to happen. In the intervening time, Hines became an Olympian, running for the United States at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Mexico. Hines took home two gold medals from that competition, one for the 100-meter race and another for the 4x100-meter relay. After the Olympics, Hines was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 1968 NFL Draft. While he was a fantastic sprinter, he wasn't a great football player, and he ended his brief career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1970.

Hines spent the rest of his days working with inner-city youth in Houston, Texas. He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Texas Track and Field Coaches Hall of Fame in 2016. On June 3, 2023, Hines died at the age of 76. No cause of death was provided to the public at the time of his passing.

Sherry Schmidt was an up-and-coming competitor in mixed martial arts, competing in the strawweight division. She competed in various MMA fights but hadn't made it to the UFC, as she was still making her way there as her career developed. She debuted in the cage in Art of War 19 in July 2021 and spent several years working to that point. In an interview about her debut, she said, "I never thought I'd be here." As it happens, MMA wasn't Schmidt's initial plan, as she was initially interested in racing motocross competitively.

Schmidt spent a great deal of time racing motocross before coming to MMA and eventually found her way there via some of her friends who trained in the sport. While holding pads for her friends, she came to the decision to follow in their footsteps. Schmidt went out and found a gym, opening the door for her career. Ultimately, Schmidt lost her debut match against Janii Rosario but was undeterred and continued training for more.

On June 5, 2023, at the age of 29, Schmidt was killed in a car accident, though information about the tragic crash is scant. News of her death spread on social media among the MMA community, with friends like Ryan Kim Cafaro posting about the loss. Additionally, those close to Schmidt launched a GoFundMe page to raise $20,000 for funeral expenses. It didn't take long for the fundraiser to surpass the goal, and a week after her passing, Schmidt's GoFundMe passed $21,000.

Professional wrestling fans in the 1980s may not know the name Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri — but they know The Iron Sheik. Vaziri began wrestling with the WWF in the early 1970s as a villain, and it didn't take him long to get noticed. Vaziri wrestled throughout the '70s before gaining popularity as The Iron Sheik, a gimmick he adopted upon joining the WWF. Not long after, Vaziri won the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in 1983.

The Iron Sheik wrestled throughout the 1980s, forming a feud with the likes of Hulk Hogan, helping elevate the Hulkster as one of the premiere competitors in the sport. He formed a tag team with Nikolai Volkoff, a Croatian-American who played a Soviet heel at the height of the Cold War. As The Iron Sheik's popularity grew, Vaziri ran afoul of the police, damaging his reputation after being arrested for drug use and possession in 1987. Fortunately, he overcame this career hiccup and continued appearing in and outside the ring throughout the '90s and 2000s.

Vaziri became popular on Twitter in the late aughts, though he wasn't responsible for the content. Regardless, he remained popular in and out of wrestling. On June 7, 2023, Vaziri died at the age of 81. His death was announced on his Twitter page: "As we bid farewell to The Iron Sheik, let us remember him not only for his athletic prowess but also for the joy and inspiration he brought into our lives."

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Harvey Glance sprinted through college at Auburn University, where he twice equaled the 100-meter world record. The man was fast, and he proved this time and time again. In 1976, Glance won the NCAA 100-meter and 200-meter races; the following year, Glance won the 100-meter championships again. Throughout his NCAA career, Glance took home a lot of medals, and he competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada, representing the United States.

That year, Glance took home a gold medal along with his teammates from the 4x100-meter relay. Glance continued competing through the 1970s and well into the '80s, taking home many gold medals throughout his career. While he qualified to represent the U.S. at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, USSR, but didn't due to the U.S. boycott protesting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Fortunately, this didn't hamper Glance's career, and he continued representing the U.S. at various world championships held elsewhere.

In the 1990s, Glance transitioned into coaching at Auburn University, followed by a posting at the University of Alabama. He helped make the team one of the best in the country, and they won many championships. On June 2, Glance had a heart attack, which ultimately resulted in his death on June 12, 2023. Glance was 66 when he died, and while his knees kept him from running later in life, he knew how to coach others in the sport.

Former NFL pro Clark Haggans died on June 19, 2023. CBS News credited radio personality Chris Dunlap as the person who first broke the news. "Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Clark Haggans has died," tweeted Dunlap. "He was 46. Haggans played for the Steelers from 2000-07, was a 2000 5th round pick of the organization, and member of the Super Bowl XL championship team." Steelers President Art Rooney II honored Haggans with a statement. "We are saddened to hear about the tragic and unfortunate passing of Clark Haggans. He helped us capture our fifth Super Bowl championship following the 2005 season, and he was a very active member of the community during his time here in Pittsburgh."

According to CBS Sports, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Haggans in 2000, thus kicking off his 13 years in the NFL. Although Haggans achieved a great deal of success — including bringing home a Super Bowl ring in 2006 — he found ways to fill his time once he retired from the sport. According to his 2019 Steelers Now interview, Haggans poured into his children and spent more time on his real estate portfolio. However, Haggans also revealed, "It's hard when you don't hear your named called sometimes. That's why they say the transition can be hard. That and it was so regimented." So far, officials are still untangling Haggans' cause of death, but they've already eliminated the possibility of foul play. It is unknown if Haggans suffered from any physical illnesses.

German bodybuilder and fitness influencer Johannes Lindner, more known by his online persona "Joesthetics," died at the age of 30. His girlfriend, Nicha, took to Instagram to share the news of his passing. She said that he tragically died in her arms and that his death was caused by an aneurysm.

"Jo is the best place everyone," Nicha wrote. "Yesterday his past away by aneurysm .. I was there with him in the room.. he put on the necklace in my neck that he made for me." She also added that Lindner had been complaining about experiencing pain a few days before his death. "He was in my arms.. than this is just happening too fast," she continued. "3 days ago he kept said that he pain his neck .. we not really realize it... until it too late."

Lindner built a massive following online through his bodybuilding videos. At the time of his death, he had 9.4 million followers on Instagram and 979,000 YouTube subscribers. A day before his death was announced, he shared on Instagram that he was dealing with health issues after going off testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). "When I lost my gains because I went off everything for 1 year but then could not recover my own [testosterone] levels so went back on trt," he penned. "Trust me I tried to stop but be aware it might have long-term effects for your life." He also had a guest appearance on the "Raw Talk" podcast in June 2023 and said that he had what is called a "rippling muscle disease," which he characterized as "bad cramps." He shared, "That makes me scared. That's why I'm staying away from bodybuilding competitions too much."

Wrestling legend Terry Funk died on August 23 at the age of 79, WWE confirmed. Terry's longtime friend and ring partner/rival Mick Foley also confirmed the tragic news in a post shared on Twitter. "Terry Funk is gone. I just talked to Terry's daughter, Brandee, who gave me the awful news," Foley wrote. "He was my mentor, my idol, one of the closest friends. He was the greatest wrestler I ever saw." Though a cause of death was not announced at the time, Wrestling News reported that the former WWE star suffered from dementia in his final years.

Born in June 1944, Terry drew his earliest influences from his father Dory Funk who was also a professional wrestler. However, it was not until 1975 when he defeated Jack Brisco to win the NWA World Heavyweight title that Terry started sparking public interest. He then went on to enjoy a decades-long wrestling career during which he became well known for his rugged and hardcore style of fighting. A testament to his skills as a wrestler, Terry racked up a number of championships during his career, including 1975's National Wrestling Alliance Heavyweight Championship, per ESPN. According to the outlet, in 2009, Terry was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Unsurprisingly given his remarkable impact, Terry's death has been mourned by all. Former pro wrestler Ric Flair commended Terry's diligence to his craft, while describing Terry as "a Great Wrestler, Entertainer, Unbelievably Fearless, And A Great Friend!," per Twitter.

Storied Chicago Bears player Dick Butkus died on October 5 at his home in California, as announced by his family in a statement released by the team. During his career, the former middle linebacker was first team All-Pro five times, and was selected for the Pro Bowl eight times before being elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. "Dick Butkus was a fierce and passionate competitor who helped define the linebacker position as one of the NFL's all-time greats," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement, per the Associated Press. Although his playing days came to an end in 1973 following a knee injury, Butkus had a second career in the media as a sportscaster, actor, and spokesperson, which made him one of the most recognizable players of his generation.

His death was announced just hours before the Bears were set to take on the Washington Commanders. The team was 0-4 going into the game, but were seemingly energized by the news as they exploded to defeat the Commanders 40-20. "First win in a long time. Bears legend. He'll never be forgotten. We played for him tonight. This one's for him," the team's quarterback Justin Fields said after the game, per NBC Sports Chicago.

Not only did members of the NFL family mourn Butkus's death on social media, but even Barack Obama shared words about the former Bear. "In Chicago, Dick Butkus was football," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on October 6.

On November 5, former Indianapolis Colts player Matthew James Ulrich, otherwise known as Matt Ulrich, died at the age of 41. "I am heartbroken to hear of the passing of Matt Ulrich. Matt was with us only two seasons but left his mark on many," Colts team owner Jim Irsay tweeted. "Great guy, I hear he was a great dad—and he was a Super Bowl champ. My prayers to his family."

According to E! News, before joining the NFL in 2005, Ulrich played college football at Northwestern University. Following his draft, the athlete went on to win the 2006 Super Bowl with the Colts. "Seeing the confetti come down Colts colors and being able to hold the Lombardi Trophy, everyone being on the field, I had to remind myself to take one moment for myself," Ulrich recounted to Montana Sports of the team's memorable win. Shortly after the Super Bowl victory, Ulrich retired, choosing instead to work in the health and wellness industry. In 2011, the former Colts offensive guard co-founded a chain of body fat and metabolic testing centers called DexaFit LLC, according to CBS. 

Ulrich leaves behind his wife, Alison, with whom he shared four kids. "Matt, we love you so so much. You are profoundly missed. We all want you back for just one more day. One more hug. One more kiss. One more laugh. One more joke," Alison wrote in a heartbreaking tribute (via IndyStar). No cause of death was revealed.