Vontae Davis played 9 full seasons in the NFL for the Dolphins and Colts, making two Pro Bowls. In his 10th season, Davis played 1.5 games before famously retiring at halftime. He tragically died on April 1, 2024 at home. He was only 35 years old.
Greg Gumbel was a legendary sportscaster, most famously becoming the first Black play-by-play announcer of a major sporting event, Super Bowl XXXV. He is best known for his stellar coverage of Men's College Basketball. Unfortunately, Gumbel lost his battle with cancer on on December 27, 2024 at 78 years old.
The "Man of Steal," Rickey Henderson is considered the greatest speedster in baseball history. Henderson leads MLB in stolen bases, runs, and leadoff home runs. He spent an incredible quarter century in the big leagues, playing for the A's, Yankees, Blue Jays, Padres, Angels, Mets, Mariners, Red Sox, and Dodgers. Henderson retired in 2003 at 44 years old. Henderson died at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center after suffering from pneumonia. He was five days shy of his 66th birthday.
Fernando Valenzuela spent 17 years in the big leagues, 11 of them with the Dodgers. "El Toro" won rookie of the year in 1981 and made six straight All Star games through 1986. He died at a Los Angeles hospital on October 22, 2024 at the age of 63.
MLB's all time hits leader, Pete Rose is most infamously known for being banned from baseball due to betting on games while he was managing the Reds. Undoubtedly a would-be Hall of Famer if not for his ban, Rose fought until the very end to be reinstated. Sadly, he never lived to see it happen, dying at his home in Las Vegas due to hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. He was 83 years old.
One of the best shot blockers in NBA history, Dikembe Mutombo stood at an impressive 7"2'. He spent 18 years in the NBA, playing for the Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks, and Rockets. Mutombo's patented finger wag following a rejected shot is well known throughout the basketball world. The four-time defensive player of the year sadly succumbed to brain cancer at the age of 58.
Jacoby Jones spent 9 years in the NFL, split between the Texans and Ravens. Mostly a special teamer, Jones is best known for being the recipient of Joe Flacco's 70-yard TD pass that sent the 2012 Divisional Round game against the Broncos into overtime. He also returned the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown in the Super Bowl against the 49ers. One of the youngest athletes we lost in 2024, Jones tragically died at the age of 40 due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease from long-term high blood pressure.
Monte Kiffin is best known for serving as the Bucs' defensive coordinator from 1996-2008. The architect of the now famous Tampa 2 defense, Kiffin's 2002 Bucs led the NFL in fewest points allowed and fewest yards allowed. He was instrumental in their Super Bowl run. Kiffin died due to undisclosed reasons at the age of 84.
The "Baby Bull" spent 17 years in MLB, playing for the Giants, Cardinals, Braves, A's, Red Sox, and Royals. He won rookie of the year in 1958 and MVP in 1967. Orlando Cepeda was one of the best power hitters of his time, and eventually earned a spot in the Hall of Fame in 1999. Cepeda died at the age of 86.
One of the greatest baseball players of all time, Willie Mays garnered a number of accolades during his time in MLB. Mays won rookie of the year in 1951, MVP in 1954 and 1965, and made 19 consecutive all star teams from 1954-1972. At the time he retired, Mays' 660 home runs ranked third all time. He died of heart failure at the impressive age of 93.
One of the greatest NBA players of all time, Jerry West spent 14 years in the league. He made the all star team every year of his career. West is perhaps most famous for his silhouette being the basis for the NBA's logo. He died at the age of 86.
One of the greatest defensive players in Cowboys history, Larry Allen spent 12 years with America's team. He was a member of the Cowboys' last Super Bowl victory in 1996. Throughout his carer, Allen made 11 Pro Bowls and earned six first-team all pro selections. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. Allen tragically died while vacationing in Mexico with his family at just 52 years old.
One of the NBA's premier big men in the 1970s and 1980s, Bill Walton actually only played 10 years in the NBA. He won MVP in the 1977-1978 season as a member of the Trailblazers. Walton was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. He died from colorectal cancer at his home in San Diego. He was 71 years old.
One of the most controversial figures in sports history, O.J. Simpson is most known for what he did after his 11-year NFL career. One of the greatest running backs of all time, Simpson's success was marred by the accusations that he murdered his wife, Nicole, and her friend, Ron Goldman in 1984. While ultimately acquitted in one of the most famous trials in history, Simpson wound up in prison following a 2007 arrest for armed robbery. He was released on parole in 2017. Simpson died of prostate cancer at 76 years old.
Known simply as "Mort," Chris Mortensen was one of the biggest names in sports journalism. Best known for his time at ESPN, Mortensen was a frequent contributor to NFL GameDay, Sunday NFL Countdown, and Monday Night Countdown. He died at 72 years old after a long bout with throat cancer.
