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25 Famous Athletes Who Died Recently

Originally published  by Ian S on August 2023 and Updated by Ian S in May 2024

The sports world recently lost some of its biggest talents, shocking fans and fellow athletes alike. These players once ruled the fields, courts, and arenas with their incredible talent and unrelenting resolve, leaving a lasting impression on sports history. Their untimely departures have left a void that will be difficult to fill.

The sports world mourns the passing of these extraordinary people, a painful reminder of the frailty of life and the fleeting nature of fame. While their legacies will continue to live on through the records they broke and the memories they made, the present serves as a sobering reminder that even the most powerful and renowned among us are not immune from the unavoidable passage of time.

Let us honor their legendary status by remembering some of the famous athletes who died recently.

1. Ken Block 

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Kenneth Paul Block, an accomplished rally driver from the United States, was associated with the Hoonigan Racing Division, previously recognized as the Monster World Rally Team. Alongside this, Block played a pivotal role in establishing DC Shoes. His participation extended to diverse action sports such as skateboarding, snowboarding, and motocross.

Following the sale of his stake in DC Shoes, Block redirected his professional endeavors towards Hoonigan Industries, a clothing brand catering to automotive enthusiasts.

He held the position of co-owner and led the company as the “Head Hoonigan In Charge” (HHIC) until his unfortunate passing due to a snowmobile accident in January 2023.

2. Charles White

Charles Raymond White, an American pro football athlete, specialized as a running back in the National Football League (NFL) throughout nine seasons in the 1980s.

During his college years, White engaged in football at the University of Southern California, earning the distinction of a unanimous All-American and securing the prestigious Heisman Trophy.

He was chosen as the 27th overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft and subsequently had a professional career with the Cleveland Browns and the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL. Tragically, White passed away at the age of 64 due to liver cancer on January 11, 2023.

3. Art McNally 

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Arthur Ignatius McNally was an American football executive renowned for his role as the head of officiating for the National Football League (NFL) from 1968 to 1991.

Before assuming the director of officiating position, succeeding Mark Duncan’s tenure from 1964 to 1968, McNally held positions as a field judge and referee in the NFL for a period of nine years spanning from 1959 to 1967.

Over 22 years, he officiated more than 3,000 games across football, baseball, and basketball, even spending a year in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

In 2022, McNally achieved the distinction of becoming the first NFL game official to be honored with induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tragically, McNally passed away at the age of 97 on January 1, 2023, while under hospice care in Yardley, Pennsylvania.

4. Sal Bando 

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Salvatore Leonard Band, a prominent figure in Major League Baseball, held roles as both an American third baseman and a general manager.

His notable career spanned eleven seasons, primarily with the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics. He gained significant recognition as the leader of the “Swingin’ A’s” dynasty, which secured an impressive three consecutive World Series championships from 1972 to 1974.

Bando’s contributions were instrumental in propelling his team to secure the initial of five consecutive division titles, leading to his runner-up status for the 1971 American League (AL) Most Valuable Player Award, an honor ultimately claimed by his teammate Vida Blue.

 Unfortunately, Bando’s life was cut short by cancer, and he passed away on January 20, 2023, at the age of 78 in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

5. Jamin Pugh “Jay Briscoe” 

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Jamin Dale Pugh recognized more widely under his wrestling alias Jay Briscoe, was a proficient American wrestler. His notable tenure involved collaborating with his sibling, Mark Briscoe, as the Briscoe Brothers within Ring of Honor.

During this period, Jay Briscoe achieved significant acclaim, securing the title of ROH World Champion twice, in addition to being an ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion and a remarkable 13-time ROH World Tag Team Champion.

Jay Briscoe’s accomplishments extended beyond Ring of Honor, as he also clinched championships such as the Impact World Tag Team Championship and the IWGP Tag Team Championship.

His achievements were acknowledged with an induction into the ROH Hall of Fame in 2022. Tragically, Pugh’s life was cut short due to a car accident in Laurel, Delaware, on January 17, 2023, when he was just 38 years old.

6. Rosi Mittermaier

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Rosa Anna Katharina Mittermaier-Neureuther, a prominent alpine skier from Germany, achieved remarkable success in her career. She earned recognition as the overall champion of the World Cup in 1976 and stood as a double gold medalist at the 1976 Winter Olympics.

Mittermaier actively participated in alpine skiing from 1967 to 1976, culminating in her career after a highly fruitful season where she secured two Olympic gold medals and held the top position in the World Cup rankings. She continued to remain popular, engaging in sports endorsements and establishing herself as an author of non-fiction works.

Her nickname, “Gold-Rosi,” became well-known, and her contributions were acknowledged when she was inducted into Germany’s Sports Hall of Fame in April 2006. Regrettably, Mittermaier’s life was cut short by cancer, leading to her passing in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on January 4, 2023, at the age of 72.

7. Nate Colbert

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Nathan Colbert Jr. was a skilled American baseball athlete who competed in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a first baseman from 1966 to 1976.

His notable career was primarily associated with the San Diego Padres, a newly established team that became part of the league through expansion in 1969. Colbert’s contributions were honored when he was included among the initial inductees into the Padres Hall of Fame.

Unfortunately, a back injury curtailed his career after a mere 10 seasons. He passed away on January 5, 2023, at the age of 76, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Check Out: Top 50 Baseball Players of All Time

8. Jorge Ballesteros

Jorge Ballesteros Fern谩ndez, a Spanish marksman, achieved significant success in sport shooting. He secured the overall gold medal in the Open division at the 2017 IPSC Handgun World Shoot.

Notably, he earned the overall bronze medal in the Open division during the 2005 World Shoot and a bronze medal in the Junior category in 2002.

His accomplishments also encompassed two gold medals in the European Handgun Championship Open division (in 2013 and 2016) and an impressive total of 12 victories in the Spanish Handgun Championship.

Tragically, on January 11, 2023, news emerged that Ballesteros had been discovered in his car with a gunshot wound to his head. Despite being swiftly transported to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. He was 39 years old at the time of his passing.

9. Hunter Brown

Air Force Academy cadet Hunter Brown passed away due to a pulmonary blood clot, which originated from clots formed in his legs after an injury sustained during football practice.

Brown’s tragic demise occurred at 11:38 a.m. on January 9 as he was en route to his class at the academy. Serving as an offensive lineman for the Falcons, Brown encountered a Lisfranc injury in his left foot during November and underwent surgical treatment.

Unfortunately, complications arose as he developed blood clots in his leg thereafter.

10. Gino Odjick

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Wayne Gino Odjick, a left winger in Canadian professional ice hockey, had a 12-season stint in the National Hockey League (NHL) spanning from 1990 to 2002. He represented teams such as the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and Montreal Canadiens during his career.

Hailing from an Algonquin background, Odjick was recognized for his role as an enforcer on the ice, leading to the monikers “Algonquin Assassin” and “Maniwaki Mauler.”

Tragically, Odjick passed away at the age of 52 on January 15, 2023, following a heart attack.

11. Anton Walkes

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Anton Charles Walkes, an English professional footballer, was versatile in his roles as both a defender and midfielder.

He commenced his club career with Tottenham Hotspur, a Premier League club, and participated in a solitary appearance for the team in the League Cup. In 2017, Walkes embarked on a loan to Atlanta United, which continued until the conclusion of the 2017 season.

Subsequently, he was loaned to Portsmouth, a League One club, for the remainder of the 2017鈥�18 season, ultimately securing a permanent contract with them in July 2018. He continued to contribute to Portsmouth for two more seasons, securing a victory in the EFL Trophy in 2019.

In January 2020, Walkes returned to Atlanta United, and in 2022, he transitioned to Charlotte FC. Tragically, a year later, his life was cut short in a boat collision in Miami, Florida.

On January 18, 2023, during a twelve-day training camp held by Charlotte FC in Miami, Florida, Walkes was involved in a two-boat collision near Miami Marine Stadium around 3 p.m. Eastern Time. He sustained injuries and was transported to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the following morning at the age of 25.

Read More: 15 Football (Soccer) Players Who Died On The Field

12. Jessie Lemonier

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Jessie Nathaniel Lemonier was a skilled outside linebacker in American football. He showcased his talents while being a part of the Los Angeles Chargers and the Detroit Lions in the National Football League (NFL), as well as the Birmingham Stallions in the United States Football League (USFL).

Lemonier’s journey commenced when he signed with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2020 after his college football tenure with the Liberty Flames.

Regrettably, Lemonier’s life came to an untimely end on January 26, 2023, when he passed away at the age of 25.

13. Kyle Smaine

Kyle David Smaine, an accomplished freestyle skier from the United States, achieved recognition for his prowess in the sport. He secured a gold medal in the halfpipe category at the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships in 2015.

Tragically, Smaine’s life was cut short due to a devastating incident. Alongside an Austrian skier, he lost his life in an avalanche that occurred on Mount Norikura, situated in the northern region of the Hida Mountains near the Tsugaike Ski Resort in Otari, Nagano, Japan. This unfortunate event transpired on January 29, 2023, when Smaine was 31 years old.

14. Malik Gant

Malik Gant was a football professional hailing from Washington, DC. Born on May 29, 1997, he possessed a height of 6-foot-3 and a weight of 209 pounds, establishing his dominance on the defensive line.

Tragically, he met an untimely end at the age of 25. His family confirmed his passing, announcing that he was discovered deceased on May 25, 2023, in Miami.

15. Pat Casey

Pat Casey, a renowned BMX athlete who had earned X Games accolades, tragically passed away recently as he was attempting a jump on a motocross bike at a secluded track located in San Diego County. He was 29 years old.

The unfortunate incident occurred on June 6, 2023, at the Slayground Motorcross Park in Ramona, California. The San Diego County Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death, revealing that Casey lost control of his dirt bike during the ride and was subsequently thrown from it.

16. Patrick Gasienica

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Patrick Gasienica was an American athlete known for ski jumping. He took part in the 2022 Winter Olympics held in Beijing. Tragically, he lost his life in a motorcycle crash in Bull Valley, Illinois, on June 12, 2023, at the young age of 24.

17. Ryan Mallett

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Ryan Michael Mallett was an American NFL quarterback known for his career in the National Football League. He served as a backup for the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens from 2011 to 2017.

Mallett’s football journey began in college, where he played for both the Michigan Wolverines and the Arkansas Razorbacks. During his time with the Razorbacks, he garnered recognition as a two-time, second-team all-conference pick in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

In the 2011 NFL Draft, he was chosen by the New England Patriots in the third round. After his professional playing days, Mallett took on the role of head football coach at White Hall High School in White Hall, Arkansas.

Tragically, Mallett’s life came to an end through a drowning incident in Destin, Florida, on June 27, 2023, at the age of 35.

18. Mikala Jones

Mikala Jones, a renowned Hawaiian surfer celebrated for capturing breathtaking images and videos from within the hollow sections of waves, tragically passed away on July 9, 2023, following a surfing incident in Indonesia. He was 44 years old.

During a trip to the Mentawai Islands off the western coast of Sumatra, Jones ventured into the ocean on a Sunday morning. Unfortunately, he encountered a surfing mishap when his surfboard fin accidentally severed his femoral artery.

19. Danielle Ballard

Danielle Ballard passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2023, as a result of being hit by a vehicle. According to the Memphis police, the 29-year-old Ballard lost her life due to the injuries she sustained in the incident. She was transported to a hospital after the accident was reported to emergency dispatchers.

20. Ray Lewis III

Ray Lewis III, the son of former NFL legend Ray Lewis, was laid to rest following his discovery in an unconscious state at his residence in Florida on June 14. The cause of his tragic passing was determined to be a fatal combination of drugs.

Ray Lewis III, whose father is the esteemed Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, was found unresponsive in a residence located in central Florida on June 14, 2023. He was 28 years old at the time of his unfortunate demise.

21. Dejan Milojevic虂

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One of the most recent tragic losses in the world of sports is that of Dejan Milojevi膰, a Serbian basketball legend who passed away far too soon. This towering power forward, standing at an impressive 6’7″, etched his name in the annals of European basketball history with his dominance on the court. 

Milojevi膰 captured three consecutive Adriatic League MVP awards and led Serbia and Montenegro to EuroBasket gold in 2001. After hanging up his sneakers, he embarked on a promising coaching career, guiding Mega Basket to their first-ever Serbian Cup and mentoring future NBA star Nikola Joki膰.

Tragically, Milojevi膰’s life was cut short at just 46 years old due to a heart attack suffered during a team outing with the Golden State Warriors, where he served as an assistant coach. His untimely passing has left a void in the basketball community, and he will be remembered as a fierce competitor and a true ambassador of the game.

22. Bud Harrelson

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Only a few can lay claim to a legacy as enduring and multifaceted as that of Bud Harrelson. This American baseball icon left an indelible mark on the game, transcending the boundaries of player, coach, and manager.

From 1965 to 1980, Harrelson graced the diamond as a shortstop for the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers. But his true impact was felt in the Mets’ dugout, where he guided the team to a World Series triumph in 1986 as a coach, and later took the helm as their manager.

Harrelson’s bond with the Mets was unbreakable, making him the sole individual to partake in both their World Series victories and appear in their first three Fall Classics. His remarkable journey, spanning four playoff seasons, solidified his status as a true baseball immortal.

Sadly, Harrelson’s light dimmed in 2024 at the age of 79, following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, but his legacy will forever shine bright in the annals of America’s pastime.

23. Earl Cureton

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Embodying the essence of a true basketball warrior, Earl Cureton etched his name among the greats of the hardwood. Affectionately known as “the Twirl,” this American legend left an indelible mark on the NBA, winning championships with the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets.

Cureton’s journey began at Robert Morris and Detroit Mercy, where he honed his skills before being drafted by the 76ers in 1979. His tenacious play and unwavering spirit propelled him through stints with the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, and Toronto Raptors, as well as teams overseas.

 Cureton’s dedication to the game was unparalleled, inspiring generations of players with his grit and determination. Sadly, the basketball world mourned his passing on February 4, 2024, when this true legend breathed his last at the age of 66, leaving behind a legacy that will forever shine bright in the annals of the sport.

24. Craig Roh

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Too soon, the cruel hand of fate robbed the sporting world of another shining talent, Craig Robert Roh. This American football standout, who excelled both on the gridiron and in the classroom, left an indelible mark on the game.

Roh’s journey began as a high school phenom, earning the coveted titles of Gatorade Player of the Year in Arizona and the College Football Hall of Fame’s Scholar-Athlete Award. His prowess as a defensive end took him to the hallowed grounds of Michigan, where he started every game as a true freshman and earned All-Big Ten honours.

Roh’s talent and determination propelled him to the professional ranks, plying his trade in both the NFL and CFL. Tragically, at just 33 years old, Roh’s life was cut short by colon cancer, a devastating blow that left the football community mourning the loss of a true warrior on and off the field.

25. Chris Simon

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Legendary enforcer Christopher J. Simon left an indelible mark on the ice, his fierce presence etching his name into hockey lore. This Canadian left-winger’s tenacity knew no bounds, earning him a reputation as one of the NHL’s most aggressive players, accumulating 65 games worth of suspensions.

However, Simon’s relentless spirit masked a deeper struggle 鈥� one that ultimately claimed his life at just 52 years old. His tragic suicide in March 2024 shed light on the devastating effects of CTE, a battle Simon fought bravely until the very end.

Though his legacy is tinged with sorrow, his fearless approach to the game will forever inspire awe in hockey fans worldwide.

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