R.I.P. CELEBRITY DEATHS 2019(NON WRESTLERS)

[on_the_edge]

A couple good one but at least they lived long live. Swampers and Muscle Shoals were name dropped in Sweet Home Alabama.

[jimsteel]

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air Actor John Wesley Dead at 72

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air star John Wesley has died at the age of 72. Wesley, who played Dr. Hoover on the show, died as of result of complications with multiple myeloma. Wesley's agent Gerry Pass confirmed the news in a statement distributed to members of the media.

"John Wesley was a gift to the world, for his kindness and grace are immortalized in his works of theatre, TV and film," Pass remarked. "I am heartbroken to have lost a dear friend today."

In addition to his work on Fresh Prince, some of Wesley's other credits include Benson, Big Fish, Frasier, and The Jeffersons. The actor held dual degrees from the University of Califonria, San Diego and the University of San Diego. Wesley was also a veteran of the United States Army, serving his country during the Vietnam War.

All in all, Wesley had well over 100 credits to his name, primarily appearing as in guest roles on a whole host of television shows. His latest credit came in the BET holiday film Holly Day, where he appeared alongside Robinne Lee, Richard Portnow, and Waymond Lee. Some of his other recent credits include NCIS, Hart of Dixie, and Cursed

Outside of film and television, Wesley also had a storied career in theaters, having appeared in the Old Globe Theatre's Toys in the Attic and An American Clock and Wild Oats.

[jimsteel]

Rod Coneybeare, former CBC host and Friendly Giant puppeteer, dead at 89

Coneybeare gave life to characters Jerome the Giraffe and Rusty the Rooster on beloved children's show

Rod Coneybeare, who enjoyed a three-decade run at the CBC hosting, producing and appearing on a variety of shows, including voicing the beloved characters Rusty and Jerome from The Friendly Giant, has died.

Coneybeare, according to an obituary from his family that appeared in the Toronto Star, died in Lindsay, Ont., at the age of 89.

The family said he "leaves behind beloved and everlasting memories of a man with a biting intellect, a dark and incisive humour, an appreciation of art, popular music and classic movies."

In the late 1950s, he was selected to voice characters on The Friendly Giant, the children's show created by and starring Bob Homme.

Homme, an American, had first produced the show on public airwaves in Wisconsin in the early '50s, where it eventually attracted the attention of CBC producers.

[jimsteel]

Neiron Ball Ex-Gators Star Dies at 27 After Battle with Rare Brain Condition


Ball was a stud at UF from 2011 to 2014 despite being diagnosed with Brain AVM (arteriovenous malformation) ... a condition characterized by tangled blood vessels in the brain. It reportedly affects less than 1% of the population.

Ball was hospitalized in 2011 after collapsing during football practice. Doctors determined he was suffering from a brain bleed and required surgery.

Despite the crippling condition, Ball recovered and GOT BACK ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD -- and he played so well, the Oakland Raiders selected the pass rusher in the 5th round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Ball racked up 9 tackles, a fumble recovery and a sack his rookie year.

But, he suffered an injury and was released the next season.

In 2018, Ball reportedly suffered a brain aneurysm and was placed in a medically induced coma. His sister said Ball's health suffered tremendously -- describing him as a quadriplegic who could only communicate using his eyes.

[jimsteel]

Cavs play-by-play announcer McLeod dies at 67

Fred McLeod, the Cleveland Cavaliers' announcer, died Monday night, the team announced. He was 67.

The Cleveland-area native had been the team's television play-by-play announcer since 2006.

The Cavs said McLeod died suddenly Monday night but did not elaborate. They called him a "great friend and teammate" and a "heart-felt ambassador."

McLeod grew up in the Cleveland area, the city's sports teams in his blood. After LeBron James and the Cavs stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors for the title three years ago, McLeod called the game's final seconds and then broke down in tears.

It was the first championship for a Cleveland team since 1964.

Before joining the Cavs, McLeod was the Detroit Pistons' announcer for 22 seasons. He also called games for the Detroit Lions and Tigers.

"It is with true sadness that we mourn the passing of Fred McLeod, who we were fortunate to have return as the television voice of Lions preseason football earlier this year," the Lions said via statement. "Fred brought an energy to our broadcasts this summer and demonstrated the same passion for our team that he had for Detroit throughout his broadcasting career.

"The entire Detroit Lions organization extends its heartfelt sympathies and condolences to his wife, Beth, his family and members of the TV broadcast community he helped mentor for more than four decades."

McLeod spent a few years working in San Francisco and was covering the California-Stanford game when the Golden Bears returned a kickoff on the game's final play, with one of their players weaving through Stanford band members over the final few yards into the end zone.

In 2014, McLeod told Cavaliers.com that he instructed his cameraman to film the final seconds in case something strange happened. And it did -- perhaps one of the most famous plays in college football history.

"Usually, the photographers would break down (equipment) and head down to the locker room," McLeod said. "But I said to the camera guy: 'Let's just shoot it, we have time.' I always had to fight game traffic to get back to the studio, but I always like to live on the edge a little bit anyway, so I said: 'Just continue to shoot because you never know what could happen.'"

[TTX]

rough day in sports.

[jimsteel]

Sam Davis, valuable member of Steelers '70s dynasty, dies at age 75

Sam Davis, a valuable member of the Pittsburgh Steelers 1970s dynasty, was found dead Tuesday night after he was reported missing from the New Life Care Personal Home in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He was 75 years old.

Police said that Davis, who walked out of the personal home around 7 a.m., was considered endangered because he suffered from dementia and was legally blind.

A former offensive guard, Davis spent his entire 13-year career with the Steelers. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Davis attended Allen College before joining the Steelers in 1967, two years before Pittsburgh's fortunes changed forever when the Steelers hired Chuck Noll as head coach.

Davis was one of five Steelers from Noll's first team that was a part of Pittsburgh's first championship team in 1974. He also started on Pittsburgh's 1975 championship team while helping Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris rush for 10 scores while averaging 4.8 yards per carry that season.

Two years later, Davis was part of an offensive line that helped Harris and Rocky Bleier become the second pair of teammates in NFL history to each rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season.

Bleier paid his respects to Davis via Instagram on Tuesday night. Bleier shared several photos of him and Davis that included their shared spot on the cover of Sports Illustrated in December 1976.

[on_the_edge]

I remember listening to McLeod as a kid. It's cool that he saw the amazing California-Stanford game.

[jimsteel]

Eddie Money Dead at 70 After Cancer Complications


Eddie Money -- the '70s and '80s hitmaker known for "Take Me Home Tonight" and "Baby Hold On" -- has died ... TMZ has confirmed.

The singer died Friday following complications from stage 4 esophageal cancer. His family said, "The Money Family regrets to announce that Eddie passed away peacefully early this morning. It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our loving husband and father. We cannot imagine our world without him. We are grateful that he will live on forever through his music."

Eddie made the stunning revelation about his diagnosis during season 2 of his reality show, "Real Money." As we reported ... Eddie got the heartbreaking news late last year during a routine checkup with doctors.


It didn't look good at that point ... the cancer started in Eddie's esophagus but spread to other parts of his body. He'd been battling health scares for some time now. You'll recall he was forced to take a break from the road for other health issues -- a minor heart valve procedure in May and he also caught pneumonia in July, but neither issue was related to the cancer.

Eddie -- born Edward Joseph Mahoney -- was born in Brooklyn. He came from a long line of family members who served with the NYPD. He himself was on the force for 2 years ... before ditching NYC in 1968 for California to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a rock star.

Money worked the local clubs in Berkeley before he was signed to Columbia Records in 1976. His self-titled debut album earned double-platinum success. The album also included some of his classic hits ... including "Two Tickets to Paradise." His career spanned more than 4 decades and he sold over 28 million records.

[TTX]

RIP Eddie.