SPORTS

Notable sports deaths in 2024

Chris Simon, left winger in the NHL from 1992 through 2008, who was suspended eight times for 65 total games in his career. March 18. He was 52.
Chris Simon, left winger in the NHL from 1992 through 2008, who was suspended eight times for 65 total games in his career. March 18. He was 52.
Bruce Bennett, Getty Images
Dave Gunther, star basketball player at Iowa, who played for the Pistons in 1960. March 16. He was 86.
Dave Gunther, star basketball player at Iowa, who played for the Pistons in 1960. March 16. He was 86.
Associated Press
Steve Tensi, quarterback in the NFL for six seasons, with the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. He played collegiately at Florida State. March 15. He was 81.
Steve Tensi, quarterback in the NFL for six seasons, with the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos. He played collegiately at Florida State. March 15. He was 81.
Associated Press
Ernie Clark, linebacker who starred at Michigan State, and played five seasons in the NFL for the Lions. March 10. He was 86.
Ernie Clark, linebacker who starred at Michigan State, and played five seasons in the NFL for the Lions. March 10. He was 86.
Associated Press
Chris "Mort" Mortensen, pioneering NFL reporter who took his talents from newspapers to ESPN, working the beat year-round and breaking news on a regular basis. March 3. He was 72.
Chris "Mort" Mortensen, pioneering NFL reporter who took his talents from newspapers to ESPN, working the beat year-round and breaking news on a regular basis. March 3. He was 72.
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
Tim Ecclestone, left wing who played 11 seasons in the NHL, including multiple seasons with the Red Wings. He scored 126 goals in 692 games. March 2. He was 76.
Tim Ecclestone, left wing who played 11 seasons in the NHL, including multiple seasons with the Red Wings. He scored 126 goals in 692 games. March 2. He was 76.
Associated Press
Andy Russell, linebacker who played 12 seasons in the NFL, all with the Steelers, winning two Super Bowls. He was a Detroit native. Feb. 29. He was 82.
Andy Russell, linebacker who played 12 seasons in the NFL, all with the Steelers, winning two Super Bowls. He was a Detroit native. Feb. 29. He was 82.
Associated Press
Michael Jones, better known as his wrestling persona, Virgil, serving as the bodyguard for Ted DiBiase, the "Million Dollar Man," for much of his run with the WWF. Feb. 28.
Michael Jones, better known as his wrestling persona, Virgil, serving as the bodyguard for Ted DiBiase, the "Million Dollar Man," for much of his run with the WWF. Feb. 28.
WWE
Craig Roh, Michigan football linebacker for four years, starting in 2009. He went on to play in the NFL and CFL. Feb. 26. He was 33.
Craig Roh, Michigan football linebacker for four years, starting in 2009. He went on to play in the NFL and CFL. Feb. 26. He was 33.
Matthew Stockman, Getty Images
Alan Rogowski, better known as Ole Anderson in wrestling circles. He was a high-profile wrestler from the 1960s into the 1990s. Feb. 26. He was 81.
Alan Rogowski, better known as Ole Anderson in wrestling circles. He was a high-profile wrestler from the 1960s into the 1990s. Feb. 26. He was 81.
WWE
Don Poile, NHL player who played 67 games for the Red Wings between 1954 and 1958. He was the brother of Hockey Hallof Famer Bud Poile. Feb. 23. He was 91.
Don Poile, NHL player who played 67 games for the Red Wings between 1954 and 1958. He was the brother of Hockey Hallof Famer Bud Poile. Feb. 23. He was 91.
Associated Press
Jean-Guy Talbot, NHL defenseman for 17 seasons, who played briefly for the Red Wings in 1967-68. He also was head coach of the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers. Feb. 22. He was 91.
Jean-Guy Talbot, NHL defenseman for 17 seasons, who played briefly for the Red Wings in 1967-68. He also was head coach of the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers. Feb. 22. He was 91.
Dave Sandford, Getty Images
Ron Cameron, Detroit sports personality for more than 50 years, in TV, print and radio. Feb.20. He was 79.
Ron Cameron, Detroit sports personality for more than 50 years, in TV, print and radio. Feb.20. He was 79.
YouTube
Robert Reid, NBA player for 13 seasons who finished his career with more than 10,000 points and 4,000 rebounds, and had 2,500 assists. Feb. 19. He was 68.
Robert Reid, NBA player for 13 seasons who finished his career with more than 10,000 points and 4,000 rebounds, and had 2,500 assists. Feb. 19. He was 68.
Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images
Lefty Driesell, college basketball coach, including at Davison, Maryland, James Madison and Georgia State. He had 21 seasons of 20 or more wins, and is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Feb. 17. He was 92.
Lefty Driesell, college basketball coach, including at Davison, Maryland, James Madison and Georgia State. He had 21 seasons of 20 or more wins, and is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Feb. 17. He was 92.
Associated Press
Don Gullett, major-league pitcher from 1970-78, winning two World Series with the Cincinnati Reds and two with the New York Yankees. Feb. 14. He was 73.
Don Gullett, major-league pitcher from 1970-78, winning two World Series with the Cincinnati Reds and two with the New York Yankees. Feb. 14. He was 73.
Focus On Sport
Jim Hanna, major-league pitcher for 10 seasons, including with the Tigers in 1971. He co-founded the MLB Players Association and was its first president. Feb. 9. He was 84.
Jim Hanna, major-league pitcher for 10 seasons, including with the Tigers in 1971. He co-founded the MLB Players Association and was its first president. Feb. 9. He was 84.
Associated Press
Ken Fritz, All-American guard for Ohio State who is best known for restraining coach Woody Hayes after he went after a Clemson player in 1978. Feb. 6. He was 66.
Ken Fritz, All-American guard for Ohio State who is best known for restraining coach Woody Hayes after he went after a Clemson player in 1978. Feb. 6. He was 66.
Getty Images
Earl Cureton, Detroit basketball legend who played collegiately at the University of Detroit before embarking on a 12-year NBA career that included a three-year stint with his hometown Pistons. He later became a tireless ambassador for Detroit Mercy and the Pistons. Feb. 4. He was 66.
Earl Cureton, Detroit basketball legend who played collegiately at the University of Detroit before embarking on a 12-year NBA career that included a three-year stint with his hometown Pistons. He later became a tireless ambassador for Detroit Mercy and the Pistons. Feb. 4. He was 66.
Tim DeFrisco
Jim Rowinski, standout basketball player at Purdue who went on to play in the NBA, including with the Detroit Pistons in 1989. Feb. 2. He was 63.
Jim Rowinski, standout basketball player at Purdue who went on to play in the NBA, including with the Detroit Pistons in 1989. Feb. 2. He was 63.
Associated Press
Carl Weathers, actor who was famous for playing Apollo Creed in the legendary "Rocky" franchise, and also appeared in "Happy Gilmore." Before his turn to acting, he played linebacker briefly in the NFL. Feb. 1. He was 76.
Carl Weathers, actor who was famous for playing Apollo Creed in the legendary "Rocky" franchise, and also appeared in "Happy Gilmore." Before his turn to acting, he played linebacker briefly in the NFL. Feb. 1. He was 76.
Associated Press
Terry Beasley, College Football Hall of Fame receiver for Auburn who went on to play in the NFL for the San Francisco 49wers. Jan. 31. He was 73.
Terry Beasley, College Football Hall of Fame receiver for Auburn who went on to play in the NFL for the San Francisco 49wers. Jan. 31. He was 73.
Associated Press
Jimy Williams, major-league manager with the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros. Jan. 26. He was 80.
Jimy Williams, major-league manager with the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros. Jan. 26. He was 80.
John Mottern
Harold Hogue, better known as "Ice Train" during his professional wrestling career, including multiple stints with World Championship Wrestling. Jan. 23. He was 56.
Harold Hogue, better known as "Ice Train" during his professional wrestling career, including multiple stints with World Championship Wrestling. Jan. 23. He was 56.
WCW
Jack Burke Jr., golfer who starred in the 1950s, winning the Masters and PGA Championship in 1956. He won 16 PGA Tour titles for his career, and is in the World Golf Hall of Fame. Jan. 19. He was 100.
Jack Burke Jr., golfer who starred in the 1950s, winning the Masters and PGA Championship in 1956. He won 16 PGA Tour titles for his career, and is in the World Golf Hall of Fame. Jan. 19. He was 100.
Edward Miller, Getty Images
Dejan Milojević, former professional basketball player who was an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors. Jan. 17. He was 46.
Dejan Milojević, former professional basketball player who was an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors. Jan. 17. He was 46.
Sport Photo
Norm Snead, quarterback in the NFL for five different teams, making the Pro Bowl four times. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft. Jan. 14. He was 84.
Norm Snead, quarterback in the NFL for five different teams, making the Pro Bowl four times. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1961 NFL Draft. Jan. 14. He was 84.
Associated Press
Carl Rose Jr., owner of Carl's Golfland and a high-profile figure in the national golf industry. Jan. 11. He was 65.
Carl Rose Jr., owner of Carl's Golfland and a high-profile figure in the national golf industry. Jan. 11. He was 65.
Courtesy Photo
Bud Harrelson, longtime shortstop in Major League Baseball, mostly with the New York Mets, whom he later managed in 1990 and 1991. He was on the coaching staff that won the 1986 World Series. Jan. 11. He was 79.
Bud Harrelson, longtime shortstop in Major League Baseball, mostly with the New York Mets, whom he later managed in 1990 and 1991. He was on the coaching staff that won the 1986 World Series. Jan. 11. He was 79.
Associated Press
Kirt Dozier, longtime photographer at the Detroit Free Press, specializing in sports. He also previously worked at The Detroit News. Jan. 5. He was 65.
Kirt Dozier, longtime photographer at the Detroit Free Press, specializing in sports. He also previously worked at The Detroit News. Jan. 5. He was 65.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
Paul Theriault, longtime hockey coach who served as head coach of the Flint Spirit of the International Hockey League in the 1980s. Jan. 3. He was 73.
Paul Theriault, longtime hockey coach who served as head coach of the Flint Spirit of the International Hockey League in the 1980s. Jan. 3. He was 73.
Associated Press
Billy Gardner, second baseman in MLB for 10 seasons, before going on to manage the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals. Jan. 3. He was 96.
Billy Gardner, second baseman in MLB for 10 seasons, before going on to manage the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals. Jan. 3. He was 96.
Tribune News Service
Frank Ryan, quarterback in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams and Washington, winning an NFL championship with Cleveland in 1964. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Jan. 1. He was 87.
Frank Ryan, quarterback in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams and Washington, winning an NFL championship with Cleveland in 1964. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. Jan. 1. He was 87.
Associated Press