Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025

1. Jim Dent – Passed Away on May 2nd

Jim Dent is an accomplished American author and journalist, best known for his works on sports, particularly football. He has written several bestselling books, including The Junction Boys, which chronicles the grueling training camp led by legendary coach Bear Bryant at Texas A&M University. Dent’s storytelling often highlights perseverance, grit, and the human spirit within the world of sports. Despite his literary success, his personal life has been marked by legal troubles, including issues related to DUI offenses. Nonetheless, his contributions to sports literature have cemented his reputation as a compelling and insightful writer.

2. Dick Barnett – Passed away on April 27th

Dick Barnett is a former professional basketball player and a key figure in NBA history. Known for his distinctive jump shot and nickname “Fall Back Baby,” Barnett played as a guard and forward, most notably with the New York Knicks. He was an integral part of the Knicks’ championship-winning teams in 1970 and 1973. Beyond his on-court success, Barnett earned a doctorate in education and became an advocate for higher education and social justice. His contributions to basketball and his efforts to inspire others through education have made him a respected figure both in sports and beyond.

3. Walt Jocketty – Passed away on April 25th

Walt Jocketty is a prominent figure in Major League Baseball (MLB) known for his successful career as a baseball executive. He served as the general manager for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1994 to 2007, where he played a key role in building a championship-winning team, including their 2006 World Series victory. Jocketty later became the president of baseball operations for the Cincinnati Reds, contributing to their playoff appearances in the early 2010s. Renowned for his strategic trades and talent evaluation, Jocketty has left a lasting impact on the MLB through his leadership and team-building expertise.

4. Steve McMichael – Passed away on April 23rd

Steve McMichael, nicknamed “Mongo,” is a former NFL defensive tackle best known for his time with the Chicago Bears, where he was a key player in their Super Bowl XX victory. After his football career, he became a professional wrestler and later a sports commentator. McMichael is currently battling ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), and his fight has drawn widespread support and attention.

5. Mike Patrick – Passed away on April 20th

Mike Patrick, an American sportscaster best known for his long tenure with ESPN, where he covered college football, basketball, and the NFL. With a career spanning decades, his enthusiastic and distinctive commentary made him a beloved voice in sports broadcasting. Patrick retired in 2018, leaving behind a legacy of professionalism and passion for sports.

6. Don Hassleback – Passed away on April 14th

Don Hasselbeck was a former NFL tight end known for his nine-year career, including a Super Bowl XVIII victory with the Los Angeles Raiders.

Drafted in 1977 by the New England Patriots, he also played for the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants.

Hasselbeck was celebrated for his contributions on the field and as the father of NFL quarterbacks Matt and Tim Hasselbeck.

He passed away at age 70, leaving behind a legacy of athletic excellence and family leadership.

7. Karenna Groff – Passed away on April 13th

Karenna Groff was a former MIT soccer player and the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year, recognized for her athletic and academic achievements.

She co-founded openPPE during the pandemic, contributing to innovative mask designs.

Groff tragically passed away in a plane crash in Copake, New York, alongside her family.

8. Kyren Lacy – Passed away on April 13th

Kyren Lacy was an American college football wide receiver who played for Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and LSU Tigers.

Known for his athleticism, he earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2024.

Tragically, Lacy passed away at 24 in an apparent suicide following legal troubles related to a fatal car crash.

9. Ray Shero – Passed away on April 9th

Ray Shero was an influential American ice hockey executive in the NHL, serving as general manager for the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils.

Under his leadership, the Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2009.

Known for his strategic acumen, Shero also contributed to U.S. Olympic hockey teams and later advised the Minnesota Wild.

He passed away in 2025 after a brief illness.

10. Octavio Dotel – Passed away on April 8th

Octavio Dotel was a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball, representing a record 13 teams.

Known for his role as a relief pitcher, he recorded 109 saves and won the 2011 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Dotel also earned a gold medal in the 2013 World Baseball Classic with the Dominican Republic.

He tragically passed away in a nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo.

11. Shigeaki Hattori – Passed away on April 5th

Shigeaki Hattori was a Japanese race car driver and team owner.

He competed in CART, IndyCar, and NASCAR, with notable achievements including winning the 1994 Formula Toyota championship.

As the owner of Hattori Racing Enterprises, he led his team to the 2018 NASCAR Truck Series championship.

Hattori tragically passed away in a car accident in North Carolina.

12. Hank Steinbrecher – Passed away on March 25th

Hank Steinbrecher was a pivotal figure in American soccer, serving as Secretary General of the U.S. Soccer Federation from 1990 to 2000.

He played a key role in elevating the sport in the U.S., overseeing major events like the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

A National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, Steinbrecher’s legacy includes his contributions as a player, coach, and administrator.

13. George Foreman – Passed on March 21st

George Foreman was a legendary American boxer, two-time world heavyweight champion, and Olympic gold medalist.

Known for his powerful punches, he achieved fame with a stunning victory over Joe Frazier in 1973 and later became the oldest heavyweight champion at age 45.

After retiring, Foreman became a successful entrepreneur, famously endorsing the George Foreman Grill, and a Christian minister.

14. Kenneth Sims – Passed on March 21st

Kenneth Sims was a standout American football player, known for his role as a defensive end.

A Texas native, he excelled at the University of Texas, earning unanimous All-American honors and winning the prestigious Lombardi Award in 1981.

Sims was the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft, playing eight seasons with the New England Patriots.

15. John Feinstein – Passed on March 13th

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16. Oliver Miller – Passed on March 12th

Former NBA player Oliver Miller passed away on Wednesday as a result of cancer, according to the NBA Players Association. The center, who was 54 years old, played nine seasons in the league with the Suns, Pistons, Raptors, Mavericks, Kings and Timberwolves.

17. Junior Bridgeman – Passed on March 13th

Former University of Louisville basketball star and billionaire entrepreneur Junior Bridgeman died after suffering a medical emergency during a fundraiser at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville.

18. Lee Kunzman – Passed away on February 27th

Lee Kunzman was an American race car driver who competed in USAC and CART series, including multiple Indianapolis 500 appearances.

Known for his resilience, he overcame severe injuries from two major crashes during his career.

After retiring, he managed Hemelgarn Racing, contributing to their 1996 Indy 500 and 2000 championship victories.

He was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2006.

19. Larry Dolan (center) – Passed on February 23rd

Larry Dolan, who bought the Cleveland Indians in 2000, has died at age 94

20. Al Trautwig – Passed on February 23rd

Al Trautwig, one of the most recognizable sports broadcasters in New York and a fixture at numerous international sporting events for more than three decades, has died. He was 68.

21. Scott Sauerbeck – Passed on February 18th

Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Scott Sauerbeck has died at the age of 53. 

Sauerbeck pitched for the Pirates for five seasons and still holds the team record for the most games pitched in a season by a left hander.

22. Howard Twilley – Passed on February 5th

Howard Twilley, a key receiver for the Miami Dolphins during the team’s perfect 1972 season and a Heisman Trophy runner-up at the University of Tulsa, has died. He was 81.

23. Dick Jauron – Passed on February 8th

Longtime NFL player and coach Dick Jauron, who led the Chicago Bears to the playoffs and was voted AP coach of the year in 2001, died Saturday. He was 74.

24. Virginia McCaskey – Passed on February 6th

Virginia Halas McCaskey, the only daughter of Pro Football Hall of Famer George Halas and the Bears’ principal owner since 1983, passed away February 6 at the age of 102.

25. Fay Vincent – Passed on February 1st

Francis T. “Fay” Vincent, who served as the eighth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1989-92, has passed away. He was 86.

26. Richard Button – Passed on January 30th

Amidst the tragic loss of athletes, coaches and officials in an aerial collusion between American Airlines Flight 5342 and Army helicopter in Washington D.C. on 29 January,  two-time Olympic champion Richard “Dick” Button passed away.

27. Jeff Torborg – Passed on January 19th

Jeff Torborg, the former catcher who caught Sandy Koufax’s perfect game and was the 1990 American League Manager of the Year with the Chicago White Sox, died at age 83.

28. Bob Uecker – Passed on January 16th

Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker “Mr. Baseball” and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 90.

The team announced Uecker died Thursday morning, calling it “one of the most difficult days in Milwaukee Brewers history.” In a statement released by the club, Uecker’s family said he had battled small cell lung cancer since early 2023.

29. Gus Williams – Passed on January 15th

Gus Williams, the point guard “Wizard” who helped lead the SuperSonics to their only NBA championship in 1979, died Wednesday nearly five years after suffering a stroke. He was 71.

Nicknamed “the Wizard” for his combo of speed, athleticism and scoring, Williams spent six seasons of his NBA career with the SuperSonics.

30. Bill McCartney – Passed on January 10th

Bill McCartney, one of the most visible and successful head coaches in the University of Colorado’s 135-year athletic history, passed away peacefully after a long illness.  He was 84.

He orchestrated a turnaround with a program that had won just 14 games over the previous six seasons to one that claimed three Big Eight Conference titles and the 1990 consensus national championship.

31. Felix Mantilla – Passed on January 10th

Felix Mantilla, who played 11 years in the MLB and was a member of the original Mets team Dies at age 90.

32. Brian Matusz – Passed on January 6th

Former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz died of a drug overdose, according to a Phoenix police report obtained by the Baltimore Banner.

Matusz was found dead in his home by his mother, Elizabeth, on Jan. 6.

He was 37.

33. Agnes Keleti – Passed on January 2nd

The world’s oldest living Olympic gold medallist, the Hungarian gymnast Agnes Keleti, who escaped the Holocaust with false identity papers and the Soviet Union’s brutal clampdown on her home country by emigrating to Israel, has died aged 103.

34. Tiger Bech – Passed on January 1st

Former Princeton football player Tiger Bech, an All-Ivy League kick returner, was among those killed in the deadly pickup truck attack early in New Orleans on January 1st.