Sports Legends who have Passed

It's a tough call to go out like that, but that's his decision to make. I wish him and his family the best in his last inning.

 

I saw him play back in the 60's. Its a shame for him to go like this. Heck of a player and real nice guy!

 

Unfortunately Harmon didn't last long after he announced he had resigned himself to the outcome.


(MINNEAPOLIS) — Harmon Killebrew, the Minnesota Twins slugger known for his tape-measure home runs, has died at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was 74.

The team said Killebrew died peacefully Tuesday morning with his wife, Nita, and their family at his side.


Goto:

Hall of Famer Killebrew Dies At 74 - TIME

May he Rest in Peace and my sympathy goes out to his family and teammates.

 

Ah, quicker than I thought. At least he'll rest in peace now. ******* wicked disease.

 

A Hall of Fame tight end has passed away at the age of 69. When John Mackey was inducted into the HoF in 1992, he was the second of the "pure" tight ends inducted into the Hall. The first being Mike Ditka, who was inducted in 1988. The video clip gets some of the details wrong, but he was still an outstanding player, whose work post-career for other NFL retirees remains a lasting legacy.


Goto:


NFL.com news: Hall of Fame TE Mackey, who led Colts in 1960s, dies at 69

Rest in Peace Mr. Mackey, you were a wonder to watch.

 

Rest in Peace, Mr. Mackey. Your score in Super Bowl 5 against Dallas still thrills Baltimore Colts fans today (see Diner). Great speed John. You and Johnny U are together again.

Those were the days when football was the best. Colts - Giants, Browns - Giants, Packers - Chiefs. Bears or Packers - Anybody, Dolphins - Skins. This years Packers - Steelers wasn't bad.

RIP, Sir.

 

Here is a short PBS video on Mr. Mackey's brain trauma.

Goto:


John Mackey's Death Renews Focus on NFL Brain Trauma | PBS NewsHour | PBS Video

 

Sad to say, but another NFL great is gone.


LOS ANGELES -- Former NFL defensive star Bubba Smith, who found a successful second career as an actor, died Wednesday in Los Angeles at age 66. Los Angeles County coroner's spokesman Ed Winter said Smith was found dead at his Baldwin Hills home. Winter said he didn't know the circumstances or cause of death.

Police spokesman Richard French added the death does not appear to be suspicious.


Goto:


Bubba Smith Dead: Former Actor And NFL Star Found At Home

For those who don’t remember his intimidating presence on the defensive line, you may recall him as officer "Moses Hightower" in the Police Academy films.

 

I just heard about this. RIP "Hightower". One of my favorite actors as a kid.

 

R.I.P. Bubba....

 

Sad to hear that!

 

RIP, loved seeing him in Police Academy growing up.

 

Feeling old again Rest easy Bubba.

 

And he was one of the youngest yet, only 56.

TAMPA, Fla. -- Lee Roy Selmon, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Hall of Fame defensive end who teamed with his brothers to create a dominant defensive front and helped lead Oklahoma to consecutive national championships, died Sunday - two days after being hospitalized for a stroke.

Goto:

NFL.com news: Hall of Famer Selmon, 56, dies two days after suffering stroke

Rest in Peace Mr. Selmon, you were an impressive man to watch.

 

When I read about the fatal crash of the Russian hockey team, it was gutting. Some of them were NHL players, and this has left a hole in Russian Hockey. My condolences to their families and fans.

 

RIP, very tragic event.

Edit: Link,

Hockey community reeling after Russian plane crash - BostonHerald.com

 

One team member was a citizen of my town. He came as a three year old kid with his family from Kasachstan to Kaufbeuren and started his carreer soon at our hockey club.
Sad that we´ve lost him!

R.I.P. mate!

 

My condolences also to the families, fans, and friends of these players and others on the plane. I have been sort of following this story as it evolves online, and one of the comments seems to be that this latest crash is drawing attention to the airline industry in Russia and how it has gotten less and less safe over the past few years. Poor pilot training, cutting spending on maintaining the aircraft, and other budget cuts on safety.

Some things are too vital for a nation and its citizen's safety to "skimp" on, and this is a good example.

 

Both the cockpit voice, and flight data recorders have reportedly been recovered. Those will go a long way toward establishing a probable cause.