Sports Legends who have Passed

RIP Dan.

This was a pointless race. In the same way that Jim Clark was killed in a pointless race (just doing Colin a favor). Too many cars on a track not suited to IRL car designs. NASCRAP tanks can bash into each other all day, but with the full bodies, and other items they've installed on the cars to prevent them from going airborn, (not to mention they're 40-60 mph slower) they pretty much stay on the ground. 34 open wheel cars, drivers of varying talent and experience, running in a 220 mph pack. That was going to be a death sentence for somebody. IRL needs it's version of Jackie Stewart to step up and say ENOUGH. Dan Wheldon should not die in vain.

 

Here is a fine article on the same line as expressed by "Gromit801", and I agree with both it and the poster. Too fast, too many racers, too small a track distance, just too many negatives and the results were almost predictable.

Goto:

Can IndyCar Change After Dan Wheldon's Death? - Indianapolis 500 Winner Dan Wheldon - Popular Mechanics

 

In a new PopMech online article, another irony was brought to light concerning Wheldon's crash. He helped test the car that is going to replace the version he was killed in, it will debut in 2012.

Goto:

The Next, Safer IndyCar—Which Dan Wheldon Helped to Test - Popular Mechanics

 

I heard of "Smokin' Joe" Frazier having a liver cancer, and it appears it was much more advanced than I thought, he passed away.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Joe Frazier had to throw his greatest punch to knock down "The Greatest."

A vicious left hook from Frazier put Muhammad Ali on the canvas in the 15th round in March 1971 when he became the first man to beat him in the Fight of the Century at Madison Square Garden.

"That was the greatest thing that ever happened in my life," Frazier said.

It was his biggest night, one that would never come again.


Goto:


News from The Associated Press

 

He had a short reach, so had to move in to his opponents, then thrash them within an inch of their lives...a King on the canvas...first man to sit Cassius Clay on his backside..."And stay down!"

 

Yeah Lou, he was a class act in my eyes. I just found a sort of "memorial" to him on this site. Pretty good reading, and the sub-links as well.

Goto:

Remembering Joe Frazier - The Week

 

Former Laker, UCLA standout Hazzard dies at 69

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- -- Walt Hazzard, the former UCLA and NBA star who played on the Bruins' first NCAA championship basketball team in 1964 and later coached the team for four seasons in the 1980s, died Friday. He was 69.


Goto:


Former Laker, UCLA standout Hazzard dies at 69 | NBA.com

 

Wales boss Gary Speed dies aged 42 - ESPN Soccernet

I remember his playing for Newcastle United, and his time in the Wales shirt. I just can't see what could have driven him to this. Do any of you Wales fans know what could have happened? Was there trouble in his marriage? Anyway, I hope his soul finds peace.:mourn:

 

Oh my....

And I thought he was having the time of his life as the coach of Wales...

R.I.P. Gary...

 

Stunned by the news.
A great ex-player who seemed to be in a good place in his career as Welsh manager.

A tragic loss.

 

So sad and he was not even 60

 

That report says "near death".

 

New headline for the article:

Reports of Joe Paterno's death refuted by family

I am tempted to put a YouTube video clip from the Holy Grail in my post. I decided it would be in poor taste.

 

They've also added that the original source (apparently a campus newspaper) has retracted the original story. Not much you can do about that, Jeff. No worries.

 

It used to be that news agencies verified their sources. Now in the age of "all news, all the time", apparently a "tweet" is all they need to be the first to break the news, correct or not.