Sports

Afa Anoa’i (1942–2024), one half of the WWF’s Wild Samoans

Afa Anoa’i was a professional wrestler, manager, and promoter who was one half of the famed WWF duo The Wild Samoans and the uncle of WWE champion Roman Reigns.

Bob Cole (1933–2024), Hall of Fame hockey broadcaster

Bob Cole was a Hall of Fame hockey commentator who was a mainstay on Canadian NHL broadcasts for 50 years.

Terry Funk (1944–2023), professional wrestling legend

Terry Funk was a professional wrestler who helped pioneer a more "hardcore” style of wrestling during a career that spanned more than 50 years.

Ashlea Albertson (1998–2023), 24-year-old racing driver

Ashlea Albertson was a talented young car racing driver from Indianapolis sponsored by the Tony Stewart Racing team.

J. Richard Steadman (1937–2023), orthopedic surgeon who revolutionized knee repair

J. Richard Steadman was an orthopedic surgeon who treated elite athletes and pioneered new techniques for knee surgery.

Fred Hickman (1956–2022), original “CNN Sports Tonight” co-host

Fred Hickman was a journalist best known for sports reporting on shows including “CNN Sports Tonight” and ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”

Gary Gaines (1949–2022), “Friday Night Lights” coach 

Gary Gaines was the legendary Texas high school football coach who was the subject of the book and movie “Friday Night Lights.”

Don Perkins (1938–2022), legendary Cowboys running back  

Don Perkins was a great running back for the Dallas Cowboys who was a six-time Pro Bowl selection.

Marion Barber III (1983–2022), Dallas Cowboys running back

Marion Barber III was a running back for the Dallas Cowboys and the Chicago Bears.

Joan Joyce (1940–2022), softball legend and LPGA record-holder

Joan Joyce was the longtime head softball coach at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), as well as a record-setting golfer and basketball player.

Bob Goalby (1929–2022), won Masters on a scorecard error

Bob Goalby was a PGA golfer who won the 1968 Masters after an infamous scorecard error involving Argentinian golfer Roberto De Vicenzo.

Lee Elder (1934–2021), first Black golfer to play in the Masters

Lee Elder was a pioneering golfer who was the first Black golfer to compete in the Masters when he played in the tournament in 1974.

Doug Jones (1957–2021), former All-Star relief pitcher

Doug Jones was a five-time All-Star relief pitcher who had over 300 saves in a 16 year career.

Pedro Feliciano (1976–2021), New York Mets pitcher

Pedro Feliciano was a pitcher for the New York Mets in the 2000s and 2010s.

Tom Matte (1939–2021), Baltimore Colts running back

Tom Matte was a running back with the Baltimore Colts in the 1960s and ‘70s known for his brief stint replacing quarterback .

Miguel Mena (1986–2021), Churchill Downs jockey

Miguel Mena was a jockey at Churchill Downs who rode in the Kentucky Derby and won 16 stakes races at the track.

Jerry Remy (1952–2021), Boston Red Sox All-Star and commentator

Jerry Remy was an All-Star second baseman for the Boston Red Sox as well as a color commentator after his retirement.

Ray Fosse (1947–2021), Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians catcher

Ray Fosse was a catcher for Major League Baseball teams including the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians, as well as a color commentator after his playing career.

Sam Cunningham (1950–2021), NFL star who inspired college football integration

Sam Cunningham was a football player who helped break down racial barriers at the University of Southern California before excelling with the New England Patriots.

Rod Gilbert (1941–2021), New York Rangers legend

Rod Gilbert was a Hall of Fame forward for the New York Rangers who was known as "Mr. Ranger."

Dick Schafrath (1937–2021), Cleveland Browns legend

Dick Schafrath was an offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns, who helped them win the NFL Championship in 1964.

Bob Jenkins (1947–2021), longtime Indianapolis 500 announcer

Bob Jenkins was a TV and radio sports announcer, best known for decades of Indianapolis 500 coverage.

Joan Ullyot (1940–2021), convinced Olympics to add women’s marathon

Joan Ullyot was a physician and runner whose research and advocacy helped persuade the International Olympics Committee (IOC) to add a women’s marathon to the Summer Olympics.

Angela Bailey (1962–2021), record-holding Olympic sprinter

Angela Bailey was a Canadian sprinter who won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics.

Shirley Fry Irvin (1927–2021), Tennis Hall of Famer

Shirley Fry Irvin was a tennis player who was ranked No. 1 in 1956 and won a career Grand Slam.

MatÄ«ss Kivlenieks (1996–2021), NHL goaltender

Mat Ä«ss Kivlenieks was a goaltender with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets.

René Robert (1948–2021), NHL star with the Buffalo Sabres

Ren é Robert was a Canadian hockey player who was a member of the Buffalo Sabres’ forward line of the 1970s known as “The French Connection.”

Leroy Jones (1950–2021), Chargers defensive end

Leroy Jones was a defensive end with the San Diego Chargers in the 1970s and ‘80s.

Mark Eaton (1957–2021), Utah Jazz shot-blocking legend

Mark Eaton was a former 7-foot-4 shot-blocking defensive star with the Utah Jazz.

Del Crandall (1930–2021), All-Star with the Boston/Milwaukee Braves

Del Crandall was al All-Star catcher for the Boston/Milwaukee Braves, and the last living player from the Boston Braves.

Courtney Hall (1968–2021), captain of Chargers’ Super Bowl team

Courtney Hall was an NFL player for the San Diego Chargers, who played center and was team captain for their Super Bowl appearance in the 1994 season.

Bibian Mentel (1972–2021), Paralympic snowboarding champion

Bibian Mentel was a snowboarder who won three gold medals at the Paralympic Winter Games after losing part of her leg to cancer.

Howard Schnellenberger (1934–2021), longtime college football and NFL coach

Howard Schnellenberger was a well-known football coach for teams including the University of Miami Hurricanes and the Miami Dolphins.

Elgin Baylor (1934–2021), Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer

Elgin Baylor was an NBA player and executive who was a superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Dick Hoyt (1940–2021), iconic marathoner who ran pushing his son

Dick Hoyt was a runner who became well known for competing in the Boston Marathon and other races while pushing his son, Rick, in a wheelchair.

Marvelous Marvin Hagler (1954–2021), former middleweight boxing champion

Marvelous Marvin Hagler was a boxer who held the middleweight championship from 1980 to 1987.

Mark Pavelich (1958–2021), “Miracle on Ice” star

Mark Pavelich was an NHL player who was a star of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, who beat the Soviet Union in an upset known as the “Miracle on Ice.”

Irv Cross (1939–2021), pioneering sportscaster

Irv Cross was a football player and sportscaster who became the first Black sports analyst on national television and co-hosted “The NFL Today.”

Bill Wright (1936–2021), first Black golfer to win a USGA title

Bill Wright was the first Black golfer to win a United States Golf Association (USGA) event, 1959’s Amateur Public Links Championship in Denver.

Vincent Jackson (1983–2021), former NFL wide receiver

Vincent Jackson was a former NFL wide receiver who played for the San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Marty Schottenheimer (1943–2021), longtime NFL head coach

Marty Schottenheimer was a longtime NFL head coach who was one of only eight coaches in history with 200 wins.

Leon Spinks (1953–2021), former heavyweight boxing champ

Leon Spinks was a boxer who became the heavyweight champion in 1978 after beating in a shocking upset.

Dianne Durham (1968–2021), first Black national gymnastics champion

Dianne Durham was the first Black gymnast to win a U.S. national championship, in 1983.

Grant Jackson (1942–2021), pitcher for the 1979 World Series-winning Pirates

Grant Jackson was an MLB pitcher who helped the Pittsburgh Pirates win the 1979 World Series.

John Chaney (1932–2021), legendary Temple basketball coach

John Chaney was the former head basketball coach at Temple University who led them to 17 NCAA tournament appearances.

Hank Aaron (1934–2021), baseball legend with the Braves

Hank Aaron was a Hall of Fame slugger for the Braves who held the Major League Baseball career home run record for 33 years.

Don Sutton (1945–2021), Hall of Fame pitcher

Don Sutton was a Hall of Fame pitcher, known mostly for his time with the Dodgers, who won more than 300 games.

Michael Cusack (1956–2020), original Special Olympics medalist

Michael Cusack was an athlete with Down syndrome who won a gold medal in freestyle swimming at the first Special Olympics in 1968.

R.I.P. 2020: Remembering the Newsmakers Who Died

Of all the places the story of 2020 has been told, one of the most poignant has been the obituary pages. Journalists around the country have observed that obituary writing has been more personal, more emotional, and more meaningful this year as communities everywhere had to grieve under difficult pandemic circumstances. That's been true for everyday Americans, and it's also been true for the national newsmakers whose deaths made headlines. Join us now in this look back at some of the most honored celebrities who died in 2020.