Here's a look back at the sports figures we lost – some beloved, some polarizing, all memorable in their own ways – in 2025.
Each year, the sports world gives us thrills and memories that we carry with us for the rest of our lives. Unfortunately, some of those memories aren’t always positive, as we have to say goodbye to sporting figures, young and old, who made those moments matter.
Here’s a look back at the sports figures we lost — some beloved, some polarizing, all memorable in their own ways — in 2025.
Jan. 2: Tiger Bech
Tiger Bech, a football player at Princeton from 2016-2018, was killed in the terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day. He was a second-team All-Ivy League return specialist in his final two seasons, and his contributions helped lead Princeton to a pair of Ivy League championships, including its first undefeated season since 1964 in 2018. Bech’s younger brother Jack, a rookie wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders who starred at TCU in college, caught a touchdown wearing Tiger’s number during the Senior Bowl just weeks later.
— Tarohn Finley
Jan. 16: Bob Uecker
A former major-league catcher who became one of the most recognizable voices in baseball history, long-time Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker delighted fans of every team with his wit, humor and baseball acumen. His stardom extended beyond the game, as Uecker made regular appearances on “The Tonight Show,” starred in the ‘80s sitcom “Mr. Belvedere,” and played broadcaster Harry Doyle in “Major League.” Uecker’s delivery of the line “just a bit outside” continues to be cited on MLB broadcasts today and is just one example of the joy and enthusiasm he brought to the game.
— Chris Cwik
Jan. 30: Dick Button
Dick Button was a man of firsts. During the 1948 Winter Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland, he became the first American figure skater to win Olympic gold as well as the first skater to land a double axel jump. Four years later, at the 1952 Oslo Olympics, he became the first skater to land a triple jump in competition. A pioneer in the sport, Button invented the flying camel spin, a move that transitions a skater from a jump into a single-leg spin that positions the free leg parallel to the ice. Eventually, Button embarked on a 50-year broadcasting career, during which he won an Emmy and was unapologetically honest in his commentary.
— Andy Backstrom
Feb. 2: Fay Vincent
Fay Vincent served a brief but eventful tenure as MLB commissioner from 1989 to 1992. Vincent was elected from deputy commissioner to the top post in September 1989 after commissioner Bart Giamatti died of a heart attack. Vincent’s first task of note was to navigate MLB through the 1989 earthquake that rocked the Bay Area during the A’s-Giants World Series. In the spring of 1990, Vincent helped negotiate the end of a lockout. That summer, he issued a “lifetime” ban to Yankees owner George Steinbrenner that was rescinded two years later. Vincent oversaw MLB’s expansion to include the Rockies and Marlins. And as deputy commissioner, Vincent played a role in banning Pete Rose from baseball. Displeased with his role in negotiations with the players union, owners voted to pressure Vincent out in 1992 and replaced him with Bud Selig.
— Jason Owens
Feb. 6: Virginia McCaskey
The eldest daughter of Chicago Bears founder George Halas, Virginia McCaskey took control of the Bears in 1983. Two years later, she watched as the team toppled the New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XX. McCaskey remained the team’s owner over the next 40-plus years, eventually becoming the longest-tenured owner of an NFL franchise and one of 10 women owners in the league. Fittingly, the last Bears game of McCaskey’s life was a 24-22 win over the rival Green Bay Packers, a rare occurrence in recent years, and the perfect final game for the franchise icon to experience.
— Chris Cwik
Feb. 9: John Cooney
Irish boxer John Cooney was making his first defense of the Celtic title when he was knocked down by Nathan Howells in the ninth round of a match in January. The fight was called, and Cooney was transported to the hospital, where it was determined he had an intracranial hemorrhage and would undergo emergency surgery. A week after the fight, Cooney died due to his injuries. He was 28.
— Chris Cwik
Feb. 12: Ben Christman
Christman was a highly-touted offensive line prospect from Akron, Ohio. He starred at Revere High School in Richfield before enrolling at Ohio State, where he spent the first two seasons of his college career. While he didn't see significant action for the Buckeyes, he made an impression in Columbus. "He was a very good football player, but a better person," Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. Christman then made stops at Kentucky at UNLV. He appeared in all 12 games during Kentucky's 2024 season, primarily in a special teams role, and earned a degree in communications. Shortly after transferring to UNLV, Christman died from heart disease and an irregular heartbeat. He was 21.
— Andy Backstrom
Feb. 24: Larry Dolan
In 2000, Larry Dolan purchased his hometown Cleveland Guardians for $323 million. Over the next 25 years, he and his family saw the team post 14 winning seasons and make nine playoff appearances, though a World Series title remained elusive. Under the Dolan family, Cleveland became well known for contending despite a limited budget. The team could rarely retain its home-grown talent, but still found ways to win thanks to shrewd acquisitions and smart draft picks. The Guardians honored Dolan with a pre-game tribute before the team’s 2025 home opener, a 1-0 walkoff win over the White Sox.
— Chris Cwik
March 11: Junior Bridgeman
Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman was a dominant force both on and off the basketball court. Bridgeman was the star of Louisville’s team in 1975, which reached the Final Four before losing to John Wooden’s UCLA, and is one of the program’s all-time greats. He was the No. 8 overall pick in the 1975 NBA Draft, and spent nearly all of his 12-year career with the Milwaukee Bucks, who eventually retired his No. 2 jersey. Bridgeman later became an incredibly successful businessman, which started with the purchase of three Wendy’s fast-food franchises. He had an estimated net worth of about $1.4 billion in February, about a month before he died at 71.
– Ryan Young
March 13: John Feinstein
John Feinstein was a legend in the sports writing community. He authored 44 books during his career, more than half of which were New York Times bestsellers, on virtually every sport. The former Washington Post columnist, who died in March at 69, was arguably best known for “A Season on the Brink,” which followed former Indiana men’s basketball coach Bob Knight and the 1985-86 Hoosiers. Feinstein was inducted into the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame and received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, among various other accolades throughout his career.
— Ryan Young
March 22: George Foreman
George Foreman lived a life in stages. He rose to the top of boxing with an Olympic gold medal and a complete mauling of Joe Frazier to become heavyweight champion. He fell by losing to Muhammad Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle, one of the most famous bouts in history. He retired and became an ordained minister. He returned and became the oldest heavyweight champion. He retired again and became a grill pitchman. He left behind a layered legacy, defined most of all by some of the greatest punching power boxing will ever see.
— Jack Baer
April 8: Octavio Dotel
A long-time major-league reliever, Octavio Dotel played for a then-record 13 MLB teams following his retirement after the 2013 season. The late-inning standout and occasional closer amassed 109 saves and a 3.78 ERA over his 15-year MLB career. Dotel spent five of those seasons with the Houston Astros, but mostly bounced from team to team, providing strong back-end numbers to clubs looking to shore up their bullpens. His most notable post-Astros stint came with the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals, whom he helped lead to a World Series title. Dotel had a sterling 2.61 ERA over 12 appearances during the team’s postseason run. Dotel died after a nightclub collapsed in the Dominican Republic in April. He was 51.
— Chris Cwik
April 14: Karenna Groff
Karenna Groff was a standout soccer player at MIT, where she ranked second in career goals and points. But it wasn’t until 2022 that she earned the NCAA’s Woman of the Year award for her work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Groff, who majored in biological engineering, co-founded openPPE, a project aimed at designing and manufacturing masks during the pandemic. Groff was killed in a plane crash in April. She was on the plane with her parents, her brother, her boyfriend and her brother’s partner, all of whom were killed in the crash.
— Ryan Young
April 19: Todric McGee
Todric McGee died in April after he was found with what authorities called a “possible accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound.” He was just 21. The Missouri State safety was a key player for the Bears and was in position to play a big role in their defense in 2025 as they moved up to the top level of the sport. He was the team’s first player in two years to have more than 100 tackles, which he accomplished during the 2023 campaign, and McGee was coming off a season-ending injury in 2024. He was set to be a fifth-year senior.
— Ryan Young
April 24: Steve McMichael
A key figure in the Bears’ Super Bowl season, Steve “Mongo” McMichael also has the distinction of being one of the toughest players Mike Ditka ever coached. After a Hall of Fame NFL career, McMichael found stardom as a World Championship Wrestling commentator and member of the pro-wrestling group known as the Four Horsemen. McMichael was known for his boisterous and outgoing personality, and remains the only person ejected from Wrigley Field while singing during the seventh-inning stretch. McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in 2021. He was remotely inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024, just months before his death.
— Chris Cwik
May 8: Chet Lemon
During his 16 seasons in the majors, Chet Lemon was not a player opposing base runners wanted to test. He twice led the league in defensive putouts, emerging as an excellent defensive player in center field. His offense was equally as strong, as Lemon finished his career with an OPS 21% higher than the league average. He made three All-Star teams and helped the Detroit Tigers win the 1984 World Series. He started the Chet Lemon Baseball School after his retirement and worked as an AAU coach, overseeing the development of future major leaguers like Zack Greinke and Prince Fielder.
— Chris Cwik
May 21: Jim Irsay
Jim Irsay inherited the Indianapolis Colts from his father in 1997 and experienced success almost immediately. After a down season, the team earned the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, and Irsay made the right choice, bringing in Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. That decision would pay off in a major way in 2006-07, as the Colts defeated the Bears to win Super Bowl XLI. Throughout his run as an owner, Irsay was known for his eccentric and outgoing personality. He was also upfront about his struggles with substance abuse and launched a charity in 2020 in support of those experiencing mental-health struggles. The Colts are wearing a jersey patch in honor of Irsay during the 2025 NFL season.
— Chris Cwik
May 31: John Brenkus
From 2007 to 2009, John Brenkus entertained and educated viewers on the program “Sports Science.” The show, which netted Brenkus six Emmy awards, aimed to teach viewers the technical aspects of the game using science. Benkus investigated serious questions, like what made Tyreek Hill the fastest player in the NFL, but Brenkus also took on more whimsical questions, like what enabled Joey Chestnut to eat so many hot dogs. Brenkus spoke openly about his struggles with depression. Following his death in June, those who enjoyed Brenkus and loved “Sports Science” paid tribute to the show’s curious and enthusiastic host.
— Chris Cwik
June 3: Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall was known for his role in the “wrong way run,” but he was the perfect example of an NFL ironman throughout his career. The longtime Minnesota Vikings captain started in 270 consecutive regular-season games for the team from 1961 to 1979. He helped the team reach the Super Bowl four times on their “Purple People Eaters” defensive line. But, famously, Marshall scooped up a fumble and ran it back 66 yards … into the wrong end zone. Instead of a scoop-and-score touchdown, it was a safety.
In 1964, Jim Marshall of the Vikings recovered a @49ers fumble, and literally ran 60 yards the wrong way. 🤦♂️#SFvsMINpic.twitter.com/gvOB3Y8KFa
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) September 7, 2018
"A lot of the people have come up to me talking seriously about this and said, 'You know, we really have a lot of respect for you continuing on after that and doing as well as you did and playing as long as you played,'" Marshall said.
— Ryan Young
June 28: Dave Parker
Known as The Cobra, Dave Parker held down the Pittsburgh Pirates’ outfield for 11 of his 19 seasons in the game. Parker could do it all, making seven All-Star teams, winning three Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, two batting titles and the 1978 MVP award. He also played a crucial role in the Pirates winning the 1979 World Series. Parker hit .341 over 10 playoff games that season. He later won another World Series, this time with the Oakland Athletics. Despite his excellence, Parker had to wait until 2025 to make the Baseball Hall of Fame. He knew he made the cut, but died just weeks before he was officially inducted into the Hall.
— Chris Cwik
July 30: Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, were killed in a July car crash in Spain. The 28-year-old arrived in England in 2017 with Wolves and joined Liverpool in 2020. He would make 123 appearances for the club, scoring 47 goals and helping them to the titles in the Premier League, FA Cup and EFL Cup. Internationally, he represented Portugal 49 times, scoring 14 goals, and was a part of squads that took part in Euro 2020 and Euro 2024. Following his death, Liverpool permanently retired his No. 20 jersey.
— Sean Leahy
July 5: Bobby Jenks
The story of the Chicago White Sox’s 2005 World Series title can’t be told without Bobby Jenks. With the team desperate for a shutdown closer, Jenks seemingly emerged out of nowhere, throwing 100-plus mph fastballs at a time when that was still a rare feat. After making his major-league debut in July, Jenks quickly claimed the team’s closer role. He rose to the occasion in the World Series, making future Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell look feeble in a big moment. Jenks closed out the team’s 1-0 Game 4 win, helping the White Sox win their first championship in 88 years. He revealed a stomach cancer diagnosis in February and died in July. He was 44.
— Chris Cwik
July 9: Frank Layden
Frank Layden was the architect of the Utah Jazz’s success in the 1980s. Layden was initially hired to be the Jazz’s GM in 1979 and became the head coach in 1981 following a slow start. Layden drafted and helped develop future Hall of Fame players such as Karl Malone and John Stockton. The Jazz made the playoffs every season from 1984 to 1988. Layden finished with a career record of 277-294 and was the Coach of the Year and the Executive of the Year in 1984. Layden last served as the head coach of the WNBA's Utah Starzz, now known as the Las Vegas Aces, in the 1998-1999 season.
— Tarohn Finley
July 10: Lee Elia
Former Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs manager Lee Elia had a fine career as a player and coach in baseball. But he etched his name in baseball lore in 1983, when he went on a profane, obscenity-laced tirade aimed at Cubs fans who “ought to get a f***in’ job.” Elia dropped 23 f-bombs during the three-minute rant, which was immortalized thanks to former Chicago radio producer Les Grobstein, who recorded Elia’s tirade. Years after his managerial career was over, Elia said he knew he would always be remembered for that moment.
— Chris Cwik
July 17: Bryan Braman
Bryan Braman finished his NFL career on top. He went from undrafted free agent to Super Bowl champion. The linebacker out of West Texas A&M caught on in the league with the Houston Texans. After three seasons with the Texans, he landed with the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won a ring during the 2017 season. In seven NFL seasons, Braman became a fierce special teamer and piled up 45 solo tackles, the last of which he recorded in a 41-33 Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots. Braman, also a father to two daughters, died from an aggressive form of cancer. He was 38.
— Andy Backstrom
July 24: Hulk Hogan
Terry Bollea, known as Hulk Hogan, was one of the most recognizable celebrities worldwide. He wasn’t just the face of the WWF (now WWE), but of professional wrestling itself. His WrestleMania matches against Andre the Giant, Macho Man Randy Savage and The Ultimate Warrior remain some of the most talked-about bouts in pro wrestling history. From wrestling to Hollywood and back again, Hogan became a household name and one of the most beloved stars of his generation. But in 2012, a tape from 2007 was leaked on which Hogan used a racial slur. WWE cut ties with Hogan, though they later brought him back a few years later. Hogan also became the face of PED use in wrestling in 1994 when he admitted to steroid use under oath during Vince McMahon’s steroid trial. Despite the scandals, Hogan’s name will forever be synonymous with pro-wrestling.
— Criss Partee
July 29: Ryne Sandberg
For 15 seasons, Ryne Sandberg defined the Cubs. The infielder made 10 All-Star teams, won nine Gold Glove awards, picked up seven Silver Sluggers and announced his presence to the baseball world in style, winning the 1984 MVP award during his breakout season. After a year-long retirement in 1995, Sandberg decided he wasn’t done with the game and returned to the Cubs for two more seasons. After his playing career, Sandberg managed the Phillies for three seasons. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2024, Sandberg revealed two separate cancer diagnoses. Following his death in July, Sandberg was honored by the Cubs, who all wore his number – 23 – during a game to pay tribute to the franchise legend.
— Chris Cwik
July 30: Laura Dahlmeier
Laura Dahlmeier was one of the most successful athletes of the 2018 Olympics, where she became the first woman to ever win gold in both the sprint and pursuit events of the biathlon. She also won a bronze medal in the 15km individual event. She retired just a year later at the age of 25 and pursued mountaineering as her second act, competing in mountain running and becoming a certified mountain and ski guide in 2023. Tragically, one sojourn into the mountains of Pakistan resulted in her being struck by a sudden rockfall, with weather conditions preventing any immediate help. Her body remains on the mountain.
— Jake Baer
Aug. 8: Billy Howton
Green Bay Packers legend Billy Howton was believed to have been the oldest living NFL player (95) at the time of his death. Howton was a leader on and off the field, as he went on to become the first NFL Players Association president. He was drafted by the Packers as a second-round pick in 1952. The Texas product played 12 seasons in the NFL with Green Bay, Cleveland, and Dallas. During Howton’s rookie year of 1952, he led the NFL in receiving yards (1,231) and receiving yards per game (102.6), a feat he repeated in 1956. The Packers inducted Howton into the franchise’s Hall of Fame in 1974.
— Criss Partee
Aug. 17: Deng Mayar
After spending two years at North Dakota, Deng Mayar transferred to the University of Nebraska Omaha to continue his college basketball career as a graduate student. In August, however, Mayar died in a drowning accident in Utah. Prior to transferring, Mayar averaged 6.3 points and four rebounds per game in his final season with North Dakota. In a statement, the University of Nebraska Omaha said Mayar “had a gentle nature and kind soul off the court” and that the forward “will be greatly missed by all of those that knew and loved him.” He was 22.
— Chris Cwik
Aug. 22: Ron Turcotte
In 1973, jockey Ron Turcotte etched his name in the history books by winning the Triple Crown atop Secretariat. It was a dominant performance, with Secretariat setting multiple records at the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Turcotte remained active for five more years as a jockey before a fall from a horse rendered him paraplegic. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1979 and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1980. He died in August at the age of 84 and was the last living member of Secretariat’s Triple Crown-winning team.
— Chris Cwik
Aug. 30: Lee Roy Jordan
Lee Roy Jordan played 14 NFL seasons, all with the Dallas Cowboys, from 1963 to 1976. He was part of the franchise's first championship team in 1971, beating the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI. Jordan was selected in two drafts in 1963. He was the No. 6 overall pick of the Cowboys in the NFL and a second-round pick for the Boston Patriots in the AFL. Jordan went on to become a five-time Pro Bowl selection for Dallas and was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 1989. His induction to the ring was the first under Jerry Jones’ ownership of the team. Jordan helped lead the Alabama Crimson Tide to a national championship in 1961 and was voted a unanimous All-American in 1962. Jordan was 84 years old.
— Criss Partee
Sept. 2: George Raveling
George Henry Raveling first made his name as a star basketball player at Villanova before going on to have one of the most prestigious careers within the game. After graduating, Raveling joined Villanova as an assistant coach. He would later move to Maryland in the same role, becoming the first Black coach in the ACC. Raveling eventually got a head coaching role in 1972 at Washington State. He also coached at Iowa and USC, building a Hall of Fame career. After his coaching career, Raveling served as a Nike executive and played a pivotal role in Michael Jordan signing with the brand. Raveling also attended Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington, where King delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech. Raveling was gifted the original typewritten pages of the speech, which he donated to Villanova in 2021.
— Chris Cwik
Sept. 6: Davey Johnson
A three-time World Series winner as a player and manager, Davey Johnson died in September at the age of 82. After a playing career that saw him suit up for 1,435 games with the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs, the four-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner turned to managing. He would lead the New York Mets to a championship in 1986 and later manage the Cincinnati Reds, Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Washington Nationals. He also guided Team USA to a gold medal in the 2007 Baseball World Cup, and bronze medals in the 2008 Summer Olympics and 2009 World Baseball Classic. His 1,372 wins rank No. 33 on MLB's all-time list, and he is one of seven skippers to win Manager of the Year in both the American and National Leagues.
— Sean Leahy
Sept. 6: Ken Dryden
Ken Dryden's NHL career was short, just eight seasons, but it was impactful. From 1971 to 1979, he helped the Montreal Canadiens win six Stanley Cups. Over that same period, he won the Vezina Trophy five times after allowing the fewest goals during the regular season. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983 and made the “100 Greatest NHL Players” list in 2017. After his playing days, Dryden remained influential, writing several books, including the beloved "The Game" about the 1978-79 Canadiens, working in Canadian politics, and serving as president of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1997-2004. He also worked as a hockey commentator for three Olympics and was most famously alongside Al Michaels during the call of the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980.
— Sean Leahy
Sept. 12: Tiana Mangakahia
After a standout career at Syracuse, Tiana Mangakahia played basketball professionally overseas. She was diagnosed with cancer a number of times during her playing career, the first of which occurred when she was still at Syracuse. After a double mastectomy, Mangakahia returned to the school for the 2020-21 season. She decided to play internationally after her graduation. Her cancer returned in 2023, causing Mangakahia to retire from the sport. But she returned in 2025, playing in 14 games with the Southern Districts Spartans. She was set to play in New Zealand for the Tokomanawa Queens, but her health deteriorated in the weeks before the season. She died in September at the age of 30.
— Chris Cwik
Sept. 14: Ricky Hatton
British-born boxing champion Ricky Hatton was known as “The Hitman” in the ring and came to prominence in the early 2000s. Hatton won the British light-welterweight title and defended it successfully from 2000 to 2004, and eventually won the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Federation championships unifying the light welterweight titles. In 2005, Hatton was named fighter of the year by Ring Magazine, ESPN and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Hatton is one of a few fighters to have faced both Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao in their primes, although in losing efforts. He was able to win his first 43 professional fights before losing (vs. Mayweather) and finished his career 45-3. Hatton was 46 years old.
— Criss Partee
Sept. 21: Bernie Parent
Longtime NHL goaltender Bernie Parent died in September at the age of 80. The Montreal-born Parent made his name while with the Philadelphia Flyers, backstopping the franchise to Stanley Cup titles back-to-back seasons in 1973-74 and 1974-75, which also saw him named playoff MVP in both years. Those two years also saw him win the Vezina Trophy as the goaltender who allowed the fewest goals during the regular season. Parent finished his career with 271 wins and 54 shutouts, earning his place into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984 and the “100 Greatest NHL Players” list in 2017.
— Sean Leahy
Sept. 23: Rudi Johnson
After two seasons on the bench, an injury pushed Rudi Johnson into the starting running-back role with the Cincinnati Bengals. After impressing in limited duty in 2003, Johnson etched his name in the Bengals’ record books, rushing for a franchise-record 1,454 yards in 2004. He was even better the following year, breaking his own record with 1,458 yards. Johnson went on to post another season with over 1,300 rushing yards in 2005 before injuries sapped his effectiveness. His time in the NFL spotlight wasn’t long, but it was impactful.
— Chris Cwik
Oct. 3: Arthur Jones
Arthur Jones was part of a family full of athletes, as the brother of former UFC Heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones and two-time NFL All-Pro Chandler Jones. The biggest spotlight of Jones’ NFL career came with the Baltimore Ravens capping off the 2012 season in Super Bowl XLVII, when he recorded a sack and fumble recovery en route to Baltimore’s 34-31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Arthur Jones played seven NFL seasons, four of those with Baltimore, before moving on to Indianapolis and Washington. Jones was 39.
— Criss Partee
Oct. 10: Sister Jean
Jean Dolores Bertha Schmidt — best known in basketball circles as Sister Jean — is arguably the biggest star of the NCAA tournament to have never played or coached in a game. The chaplain for Loyola Chicago, Sister Jean’s star rose with each subsequent round of the 2018 tournament as the Cinderella Ramblers crashed the Final Four as a No. 11 seed. From there, she was a public fixture of the program and enjoyed two more NCAA tournament runs in 2021 and 2022. She became an icon of the Chicago sports scene, throwing out pitches at Cubs games and having her own bobblehead. Throughout, she took pride in sharing joy and life with young athletes. Sister Jean was 106 when she died in October.
— Jason Owens
Oct. 20: Doug Martin
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin didn’t take long to make his presence felt in the NFL. The first-round pick rushed for 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie, making the Pro Bowl in his first NFL season. After two injury-riddled years, Martin returned to prominence in 2015, rushing for 1,402 yards, getting back to the Pro Bowl and being named to the NFL’s All-Pro team. After three more seasons cut short due to injuries, Martin retired after 2018. Martin dealt with “mental health challenges” following his playing career. He died while in police custody in October. He was 36.
— Chris Cwik
Oct. 26: Nick Mangold
For a little over a decade, Nick Mangold epitomized the toughness and grit of the New York Jets. A first-round pick by the team in 2006, Mangold lived up to all the expectations, making seven Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams over his 11-year career. Known for his durability, Mangold missed just four games in his first 10 seasons in New York. He retired from the game after 2016 and was inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor in 2022. Mangold announced in October that he was seeking a new kidney after he was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2006. He died 12 days later at age 41.
— Chris Cwik
Nov. 3: Victor Conte
Victor Conte became the face of PEDs in sports in the 2000s after his Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative (BALCO) was raided by the IRS and a San Mateo County task force. The list of athletes alleged to have been involved with Conte and BALCO ranges from the NFL, MLB, boxing and Olympic track and field stars, including MLB legend Barry Bonds, four-time Super Bowl champion Bill Romanowski, track star Marion Jones and boxer Shane Mosley. Conte would eventually plead guilty to steroid distribution and money laundering and was then sentenced to four months in prison in October 2005. Later, Conte would create the Scientific Nutrition for Advanced Competition (SNAC) supplement brand, which is still in operation. Conte was 75.
— Criss Partee
Nov. 6: Marshawn Kneeland
A second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Marshawn Kneeland died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after the Dallas Cowboys’ Week 9 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He was 24. Kneeland’s career was just getting off the ground after a modest rookie season, in which he started just one game. During the team’s loss to Arizona, Kneeland made the best play of his NFL career. In the second quarter, Kneeland recovered a blocked punt in the end zone, scoring his first NFL touchdown. The Cowboys will honor Kneeland for the rest of the 2025 NFL season by wearing a decal featuring his number (94) on their helmets.
— Chris Cwik
Nov. 6: Mia Hamant
After a courageous battle with a rare form of kidney cancer, Washington goalkeeper Mia Hamant died in November at the age of 21. Hamant was diagnosed last spring while preparing for her senior year, and sat out the 2025 season while undergoing treatment. Washington rallied around Hamant throughout the season, finishing with a Big Ten-leading 15-3-7 record and honoring the senior by wearing orange for kidney cancer. Following Hamant’s death, the Huskies surged on a stunning postseason run, winning the Big Ten tournament and advancing deep into the NCAA tournament before falling in the Elite Eight.
— Kari Anderson
Nov. 9 Paul Tagliabue
Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue led the league from 1989 to 2006, overseeing a period of growth. During Tagliabue’s tenure, he implemented record-breaking television deals and negotiated the pioneering 1993 collective bargaining agreement, while adding four expansion teams to the league. He also laid the groundwork for the NFL’s expansion into international markets, and is known for guiding the league through the aftermath of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. Tagliabue was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020, joining other league commissioners in receiving the honor.
— Kari Anderson
Nov. 9: Lenny Wilkens
The longtime NBA coach is one of only four Hall of Famers to be inducted both as an NBA player and coach. He made nine All-Star appearances for the St. Louis Hawks, Seattle SuperSonics and Cleveland Cavaliers during a 15-year playing career. He then had a decades-long coaching career that saw him guide the SuperSonics to a championship in 1979. He would retire as the NBA’s winningest head coach ever with 1,332 victories over a 32-year tenure for six different franchises.
— Sean Leahy
Nov. 11: Micheal Ray Richardson
The No. 4 overall pick in the 1978 NBA Draft, Micheal Ray Richardson went on to make four All-Star teams and win the 1985 NBA Comeback Player of the Year award. Richardson's time in the NBA was cut short in February 1986 when, after his third violation of the NBA's drug policy, commissioner David Stern made him the first active player to be banned for life by the league. After being reinstated in 1988, Richardson decided against returning to the NBA and continued playing in Europe. Following his playing days, Richardson coached in the Continental Basketball Association, the Premiere Basketball League and the National Basketball League of Canada.
— Sean Leahy
Nov. 14: John Beam
John Beam was an accomplished junior college coach and legend in the Bay Area, providing guidance in both football and life to hundreds of players during his time at Laney College and Skyline High School before that. Netflix’s “Last Chance U” documented him as an empathetic coach relentlessly dedicated to his players, several of whom reached the NFL. Even NBA star Damian Lillard remembered him as giving him his first job at Laney football games. He was tragically shot and killed on campus at 66 years old, allegedly by a man with whom he had little connection.
— Jack Baer
Nov. 15: Kenny Easley
Kenny Easley brought an intensity to the strong safety position in Seattle that foreshadowed the days of the "Legion of Boom." Easley wasn't in the NFL for a long time, but he was there for a good time. He picked up five All-Pro honors in his seven-season career, which was cut short by a kidney ailment that forced him to retire before he reached his 30s. Nicknamed "The Enforcer," Easley was known for his hard hits. He also had a knack for playmaking. He logged 32 interceptions, including a league-leading 10 in 1984 when he won NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Easley, who died at 66 after battling health issues for years, is a member of the Seahawks' Ring of Honor and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
— Andy Backstrom
Nov. 22: Rodney Rogers
Before Randolph Childress, Tim Duncan and Chris Paul, there was Rodney Rogers. During the early 1990s era when Duke and North Carolina were winning national championships, Rogers stood out at Wake Forest as a face of the ACC. A bruising, athletic forward, Rogers made an indelible mark on the conference as a three-time All-ACC selection. He was named ACC Player of the Year and an All-American during his final season and led the Demon Deacons to three consecutive NCAA tournaments. Rogers played 12 NBA seasons and won Sixth Man of the Year in 2000 with the Suns. An ATV accident in 2008 tragically left Rogers paralyzed from the shoulders down. He died in November.
— Jason Owens
Nov. 27: Fuzzy Zoeller
Frank “Fuzzy” Zoeller did something very few other people had ever done back in 1979. He won the Masters in his very first appearance at Augusta National in a dramatic three-way playoff with Ed Sneed and Tom Watson. Zoeller, who died in December at 74, also won the U.S. Open. However, his career was overshadowed by racist comments he made about Tiger Woods on CNN in 1997. Zoeller eventually apologized and said that making those comments was “the worst thing I’ve gone through in my entire life.”
— Ryan Young
Dec. 14: Mike White
Mike White led the Raiders for two seasons when they moved back to Oakland in the mid-1990s, marking a homecoming of sorts for the Bay Area native. While he spent decades working in the NFL, and he won a Super Bowl ring with the St. Louis Rams before retirement, it was what he did at the college level that defined his coaching career. White spent six seasons at Cal, where he was a four-sport athlete himself, and led the Bears to a share of the Pac-8 title while earning Coach of the Year honors in 1975. He later spent eight seasons at Illinois and led the Illini to both a Big Ten title and their first Rose Bowl appearance in two decades.
— Ryan Young
Dec. 18: Greg Biffle
Greg Biffle was voted one of NASCAR's 75 greatest drivers for the sanctioning body's 75th anniversary in 2023. One of only two men to win both the NASCAR Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series titles, Biffle scored 19 wins in NASCAR's Cup Series across a career that spanned two decades. Biffle finished second in the points standings to Tony Stewart in 2005 and was third in 2008. A likely NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee in the near future, Biffle helped countless lives in 2024 with his relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Biffle used his helicopter to fly supplies and even rescue people from western North Carolina. Biffle, 55, died in a plane crash along with his wife, Cristina, daughter Emma, and son Ryder.
— Nick Bromberg
Category: General Sports
