Slick Watts (1951–2025), beloved Seattle SuperSonics player

Slick Watts was a fan-favorite basketball player of the 1970s best known for his tenure with the Seattle SuperSonics, his skills on the court, and his distinctive headbands.

Rich Dauer (1952–2025), Orioles second baseman

Rich Dauer was a longtime second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles, winning a World Series with the team in 1983 and securing a spot in the team’s Hall of Fame.0

Bill McCartney (1940–2025), founder of the Promise Keepers 

Bill McCartney was a longtime football coach for the Colorado Buffaloes, leading the team to three straight Big Eight Conference titles, while forming the Promise Keepers ministry at the same time. 

Al MacNeil (1935–2025), Stanley Cup-winning hockey coach

Al MacNeil was a hockey player and NHL veteran who won four Stanley Cups as a coach and manager: three with the Montreal Canadiens and a fourth as assistant general manager of the Calgary Flames.

Rickey Henderson (1958–2024), MLB’s all-time stolen base leader

Rickey Henderson was a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer who still holds the records for most runs and most stolen bases more than 20 years after his retirement.

Dick Van Arsdale (1943–2024), three-time NBA All-Star

Dick Van Arsdale was a three-time NBA All-Star with the Phoenix Suns who was drafted alongside his identical twin brother, Tom.

Jimmy Wilkerson (1981–2024), former Chiefs defensive end

Jimmy Wilkerson was a defensive lineman for such NFL teams as the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the New Orleans Saints.

Rocky Colavito (1933–2024), Cleveland’s great MLB slugger

Rocky Colavito was a popular Major League Baseball player with the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers in the 1950s and ‘60s, a six-time all-star who was one of the great sluggers of his era.

Lou Carnesecca (1925–2024), legendary St. John’s basketball coach

Lou Carnesecca was the longtime basketball coach for St. John’s University in New York City, reaching the postseason in all of his 24 seasons and racking up 526 career wins.

Tommy Hart (1944–2024), 49ers defensive end 

Tommy Hart was an NFL defensive end in the 1960s through ‘80s, most notably for the San Francisco 49ers.

Bela Karolyi (1942–2024), coach who transformed U.S. gymnastics

Bela Karolyi was a gymnastics coach whose sometimes-controversial methods helped transform U.S. gymnastics and bring home gold medals, techniques that also stirred up criticism for alleged abuse.

Gerry Faust (1935–2024), former Notre Dame football coach

Gerry Faust was head football coach at Notre Dame in the early 1980s, as well as a Hall of Fame high school coach.

John Robinson (1935–2024), coach who led L.A. Rams to championships

John Robinson was a football coach who had success at both the college and professional levels, leading USC to four Rose Bowl wins and coaching the Los Angeles Rams to two championship games.

Lonnie Warwick (1942–2024), longtime Vikings linebacker

Lonnie Warwick was an NFL linebacker best known for his eight years with the Minnesota Vikings’ Purple People Eaters, and for playing in Super Bowl IV.0

Greg Landry (1946–2024), Detroit Lions Pro Bowl QB

Greg Landry was a quarterback for the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Colts, and Chicago Bears in the 1960s through ‘80s.

Ozzie Virgil Sr. (1932–2024), first Dominican player in MLB

Ozzie Virgil Sr. became the first player in Major League Baseball from the Dominican Republic when he debuted with the New York Giants in 1956.

Mitchell Wiggins (1959–2024), Houston Rockets shooting guard

Mitchell Wiggins was a shooting guard for such NBA teams as the Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls, as well as the father of current Golden State Warriors star Andrew Wiggins.

Joe Schmidt (1932–2024), legendary Detroit Lions middle linebacker

Joe Schmidt was an NFL linebacker and coach for the Detroit Lions whose storied career led him to 10 consecutive Pro Bowls and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Allen Aldridge (1972–2024), Denver Broncos Super Bowl champion

Allen Aldridge was an NFL linebacker who won Super Bowl XXXII with the Denver Broncos and played for the Detroit Lions.

Alvin Attles (1936–2024), Golden State Warriors Hall of Famer 

Alvin Attles was a longtime NBA player, coach, executive and basketball Hall of Famer who spent more than 60 years with the Golden State Warriors.

Don Wert (1938–2024), World Series-winning Detroit Tiger

Don Wert was a third baseman for the Detroit Tigers throughout the 1960s, going to the All-Star Game and winning the World Series in 1968.

Joe D'Alessandris (1954–2024), Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach

Joe D'Alessandris was a longtime NFL offensive line coach who had been with the Baltimore Ravens since 2017.

Joe “Jellybean” Bryant (1954–2024), WNBA coach & father of Kobe Bryant

Joe “Jellybean” Bryant was a former NBA player with the Philadelphia 76ers, a WBNA coach, and the father of NBA superstar . 

Jacoby Jones (1984–2024), former Baltimore Ravens receiver 

Jacoby Jones was a former NFL wide receiver and Pro-Bowl player who scored a record-setting 108-yard kickoff return touchdown with the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII.

Monte Kiffin (1940–2024), innovative NFL defensive coordinator 

Monte Kiffin was an NFL coach for more than 50 years known as an innovative defensive coordinator and creator of the widely imitated “Tampa 2” defense.

Robert Hughes (1928–2024), winningest boys’ HS basketball coach

Robert Hughes was a boys’ high school basketball coach in Fort Worth, Texas whose successful leadership lead to over 1,300 victories for his teams over decades.

Frank Carroll (1938–2024), figure skating coach to Olympic medalists

Frank Carroll was a figure skating coach who guided world-renowned skaters like Michelle Kwan and Evan Lysacek.

Joe Collier (1932–2024), creator of Broncos’ Orange Crush defense

Joe Collier was a longtime NFL coach best known for creating the Denver Broncos’ famed Orange Crush defense, helping lead them to three Super Bowls.

Whitey Herzog (1931–2024), Hall of Fame MLB manager

Whitey Herzog was a baseball player and manager best known for his time leading the St. Louis Cardinals.

Larry Beightol (1942–2024), longtime NFL coach

Larry Beightol was a lifelong football coach and Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame inductee who had a two-decade career in the NFL, including stints with the Packers, Jets, Dolphins and other teams. 

Pat Zachry (1952–2024), MLB Rookie of the Year in 1976

Pat Zachry was the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1976, winning a World Series with the Cincinnati Reds that same year before being traded for future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver.

U.L. Washington (1953–2024), Kansas City Royals shortstop

U.L. Washington was a shortstop with the Kansas City Royals, Montreal Expos, and Pittsburgh Pirates, known for the ever-present toothpick in the corner of his mouth.

Ed Ott (1951–2024), hard-nosed Pirates catcher

Ed Ott was a tough, hard-nosed catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates and part of the squad that won the 1979 World Series.

Héctor Ortiz (1969–2024), coach with the Texas Rangers 

Héctor Ortiz was a former Major League Baseball (MLB) catcher and a coach with the Texas Rangers.

Jean-Guy Talbot (1932–2024), multiple Stanley Cup winner

Jean-Guy Talbot was an NHL defenseman with the Montreal Canadiens who won five straight Stanley Cups and seven in total, and he appeared in 10 championships over the course of his career.

Charles “Lefty” Driesell (1931–2024), college basketball coach 

Charles “Lefty” Driesell was a legendary college basketball coach known for his team-building skills, leading to over 100 wins with four different schools.

Don Gullett (1951–2024), 1970s Cincinnati Reds’ dynasty pitcher

Don Gullett was a pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds during their 1970s dynasty, winning two World Series before spending 16 years with the team as a coach.

Richard Caster (1948–2024), three-time Pro Bowl NY Jets receiver 

Richard Caster was a 13-year NFL veteran who went to three Pro Bowls as a New York Jet.

Earl “The Twirl” Cureton (1957–2024), NBA “big man” and college star 

Earl “The Twirl” Cureton was an NBA player and college standout who excelled at the University of Detroit Mercy and played pro ball with the Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons, and others.

Mike Martin (1944–2024), winningest coach in NCAA history

Mike Martin was the longtime coach of the Florida State Seminoles baseball team and the winningest coach in NCAA history, racking up over 2,000 victories during his career. 

Jimy Williams (1943–2024), longtime MLB manager

Jimy Williams was a Major League Baseball manager and coach who led the Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, and Toronto Blue Jays. He was Manager of the Year in 1999.

Dejan Milojević (1977–2024), Golden State Warriors assistant coach

Dejan Milojević was an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors and a former basketball star in Serbia, where he played for 15 years, winning three MVPs and three championships.

Bud Harrelson (1944–2024), New York Mets Hall of Famer 

Bud Harrelson was a shortstop, coach and manager for the New York Mets who won two World Series with the team, one as a player and one as a coach.

Franz Beckenbauer (1945–2024), German soccer legend 

Franz Beckenbauer was a German soccer legend who won World Cups both as a player and as a coach.

D.J. Hayden (1990–2023), Raiders, Jaguars cornerback 

D.J. Hayden was a cornerback for such NFL teams as the Oakland Raiders and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Bobby Knight (1940–2023), legendary Indiana Hoosiers coach

Bobby Knight was a longtime basketball coach for the Indiana Hoosiers who became a college sports legend both for his remarkable winning record and for his notorious temper.

Frank Howard (1936–2023), Washington Senators slugger 

Frank Howard was a power hitting slugger who hit 382 home runs over the course of his MLB career playing for the Washington Senators and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Tasha Butts (1982–2023), Georgetown women’s basketball head coach

Tasha Butts was a former WNBA player who had recently been named the head coach of Georgetown University’s women’s basketball team.

Rich Stubler (1949–2023), former Canadian Football League coach 

Rich Stubler was a longtime coach in the Canadian Football League (CFL), known for his defensive genius that resulted in five Grey Cup wins over the course of his career.