Derrick Gaffney (1955–2025), New York Jets wide receiver

Derrick Gaffney was a wide receiver for the New York Jets in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Howard Twilley (1943–2025), Miami Dolphins wide receiver

Howard Twilley was a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins for 11 seasons, including the team’s 1972 perfect season.

Calvin Jones (1970–2025), star Cornhuskers running back

Calvin Jones was a star running back for the Nebraska Cornhuskers who later won a Super Bowl ring playing with the Green Bay Packers.

A Look at Notable & Celebrity Deaths from January 2025 Week 3

Here are the most recent deaths in the national news, as reviewed and fact-checked by the Legacy.com news team in the third week of January 2025.

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. 

Jack Hoffman (2005–2025), beloved young Nebraska football fan 

Jack Hoffman was a young cancer patient and lifelong Nebraska Cornhuskers fan who captured hearts when, at 7, he ran for a touchdown at a Huskers spring game. 

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.

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.

Don Bosseler (1936–2024), College Football Hall of Famer

Don Bosseler was a fullback for the Washington Redskins in the 1950s and ‘60s after an All-American college career at the University of Miami.

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

Pat Fischer (1940–2024), NFL cornerback

Pat Fischer was a cornerback for the St. Louis Cardinals and then-Washington Redskins, known as “Mouse” for his unusually small size.

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.

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.

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.

Jim Otto (1938–2024), Hall of Fame center with the Raiders

Jim Otto was an NFL Hall of Fame center who played for 15 years and 210 straight games with the Oakland Raiders. 

Roman Gabriel (1940–2024), Rams, Eagles quarterback 

Roman Gabriel was a quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles in the 1960s and ‘70s.

O.J. Simpson (1947–2024), NFL star, defendant in trial of the century

O.J. Simpson was an NFL star of the 1970s’ Buffalo Bills who went on to an acting career before becoming embroiled in one of the most notorious trials of the 20th century, accused of murdering his ex-wife.

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. 

Craig Roh (1991–2024), University of Michigan star and NFL player 

Craig Roh was a star defensive end at the University of Michigan who went on to play with the Carolina Panthers in the NFL and several teams in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Terry Beasley (1950–2024), record-setting Auburn receiver

Terry Beasley was a record-setting receiver for the Auburn Tigers, a College Football Hall of Fame inductee, and a former San Francisco 49er.

Ronald Powell (1991–2024), 2010 All-American Bowl MVP

Ronald Powell was the 2010 All-American Bowl MVP and a linebacker with the New Orleans Saints. 

Norm Snead (1939–2024), four-time Pro Bowl quarterback 

Norm Snead was a 16-year veteran of the NFL and four-time Pro Bowl selection who played for the Eagles, Commanders, Giants, Vikings, and 49ers.

Frank Wycheck (1971–2023), Music City Miracle tight end 

Frank Wycheck was an 11-year veteran of the National Football League (NFL) who threw the pass that led to the Music City Miracle, one of the most iconic moments in modern football history.

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.

Walt Garrison (1944–2023), Dallas Cowboys fullback 

Walt Garrison was a star fullback for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s and ‘70s who would go on to be inducted into both the Texas Cowboys Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Roy Kidd (1931–2023), Hall of Fame college football coach

Roy Kidd was a Hall of Fame college football coach who led the Eastern Kentucky Colonels to over 300 wins and two championship wins.

Mike Williams (1987–2023), former NFL wide receiver 

Mike Williams was an NFL wide receiver who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills before retiring in 2016 as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Adnan Al-Kaissie (1939–2023), professional wrestler General Adnan

Adnan Al-Kaissie was a professional wrestler and manager who debuted as Billy White Wolf and later adopted the stage name of General Adnan.

Tony Roberts (1928–2023), legendary Notre Dame broadcaster 

Tony Roberts was a longtime sports broadcaster who spent 26 years calling games for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football 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.

Maxie Baughan (1938–2023), Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Famer 

Maxie Baughan was an NFL linebacker who made the Pro Bowl nine times and was inducted into the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame.

Johnny Lujack (1925–2023), oldest living Heisman Trophy winner 

Johnny Lujack was a quarterback who was honored with the Heisman Trophy while playing for Notre Dame in 1947 and went on to play for the Chicago Bears. 

Miller Farr (1943–2023), NFL cornerback 

Miller Farr was an NFL cornerback with teams including the San Diego Chargers and Houston Oilers.

C.R. Roberts (1936–2023), football star who defied segregation

C.R. Roberts was a college football star with the USC Trojans who went on to play for Canada's Toronto Argonauts and the NFL's San Francisco 49ers, following a historic college career that included beatingan all-white team in the segregated South.

Johnie Cooks (1958–2023), Super Bowl champ with the Giants 

Johnie Cooks was a Mississippi State University football legend and won Super Bowl XXV as a linebacker with the New York Giants.

Ryan Mallett (1988–2023), former New England Patriots quarterback

Ryan Mallett’s career as a quarterback in professional football included stints with the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens.

Dahrran Diedrick (1979–2023), Big 12-leading Cornhuskers rusher 

Dahrran Diedrick , a Big 12-leading rusher for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, enjoyed a 10-year career in both the NFL and the Canadian Football League (CFL). 

Clark Haggans (1977–2023), former Steelers linebacker 

Clark Haggans was an NFL linebacker who helped lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to victory against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL.

Bob Brown (1941–2023), NFL Hall of Famer 

Bob Brown was an offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, and Oakland Raiders in the 1960s and ’70s.

Jim Turner (1941–2023), Super Bowl champ with New York Jets

Jim Turner was a placekicker in the NFL who went to two Super Bowls with the New York Jets and the Denver Broncos.

Joe Kapp (1938–2023), Minnesota Vikings quarterback 

Joe Kapp was a quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings and in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Bob Berry (1942–2023), quarterback for the Falcons and Vikings

Bob Berry was a quarterback who went to the Pro Bowl with the Atlanta Falcons and three Super Bowls with the Minnesota Vikings.

Chris Smith (1992–2023), Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end

Chris Smith was a defensive end who played for NFL teams including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals.

Jerry Richardson (1936–2023), Carolina Panthers founder

Jerry Richardson was the founder and longtime owner of the Carolina Panthers, the second former NFL player to own a team.

Jessie Lemonier (1997–2023), former Chargers and Lions linebacker

Jessie Lemonier was a linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions.

Charles White (1958–2023), 1979 Heisman Trophy winner

Charles White was a football player who won the 1979 Heisman Trophy while playing for the University of Southern California and went on to an NFL career.

Mike Leach (1961–2022), Mississippi State head football coach 

Mike Leach was a longtime college football coach who was the current head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Brad William Henke (1966–2022), “Orange Is the New Black” star

Brad William Henke was an actor and professional football player who starred in “Orange Is the New Black” and had recurring roles on shows including “Lost” and “Dexter.”