R.I.P. SPORTS RELATED 2024(Non Wrestlers)

[jimsteel]

NEW THREAD

NFL/CFL
Dub Jones-99
Homer Rice-97
Leo Sanford-94
Pete Woolley-94
Ralph Werner Thomas-94
Edward Raymond-93
Joe Schmidt-92
Jerry Hilgenberg-92
Marie Mansfield Kelley-92
Joe Collier-91
Richard Kaser-91
Jim Furey-91
Jerry Wampfler-91
Gene Cronin-90
Gerry James-89
Michael Lee Falls-89
John Robinson-89
Mike Mercer-88
Don Bosseler-88
Larry Zimmer-88
Ken Ploen-88
Sidney William-88
Jim McCanless-88
Gary Greaves-88
Frank Ryan-87
Robert Edward Bercich-87
James Yeats-87
Alan Miller-87
John Richard Brunner-87
Dale Messer-86
Carmen Cavalli-86
Jimmy Johnson-86
Nathaniel Slaughter Dye, Sr.-86
Ernie Clark-86
Ron Spitler-86
Aaron Thomas,-86
Tom Neumann-86
Chuck Dickerson
Billy Shaw-85
Bob Gaiters-85
Doug Asad-85
Roger Wilfred Davis-85
Dave Ritchie-85
Claude King-85
Don Webb-85
Greg Larson-84
Norm Snead-84
William Leslie "Bucky" Wegener-84
Willie Bethea-84
Don Allen-84
Joe Zuger-84
Johnny Burrell-83
Whit Tucker-83
Roman Gabriel -83
Wendell Harris-83
Roman Gabriel-83
Charley Johnson-83
Lonnie Warwick-82
Charles Andrew Russell-82
Mike Haffner-82
Marty Amsler-81
Steve Tensi-81
Alvin Haymond-81
Larry Beighto-81
Jerry Simmons-81
Jim Kearney-81
Tom Myers-81
Marvin Lewis Woodson-81
Jim Norris-80
Jimy Williams-80
Major Hazelton-80
Tommy Hart-80
Tommy Nettles-79
Rod Sherman-79
Charlie Turner-79
Kent Devlin Kramer-79
Jerry Daanen-79
Steve Sloan-79
Kevin Hardy-78
Earl Edwards-78
Coy “Ernest” Ruple-78
Marty Kuehnert-78
Dave Szymanski-78
Marvin Upshaw-77
Teddy Bailey,-77
Eugene “Mercury” Morris-77
Larry Walton-77
Greg Landry-77
Duane Julius Thomas-77
David Hadley-77
Carl Weathers-76
John Isenbarger-76
Mike Kolen-76
OJ Simpson-76
James Edwin Otto-76
Charlie Evans-76
Lee Bouggess-76
Rich Caster-75
Mike Lewis-75
A.J. Smith-75
Dwight Harrison-75
John Harvey-74
Steve Okoniewski-74
Terry Beasley-73
John Golden Richards,-73
Jim Hopson-73
Brad Dusek-73
Chris Mortensen-72
Dan Dorazio-72
Tom Donchez-72
Abdul Salaam-71
Eric Upton-71
John Lee Sr-71
Woody Thompson-71
William Neil Clabo-71
David Shaw-71
James Waddell Smith-70
Fulton Kuykendall-70
“Bob” Avellini-70
Joe D'Alessandris-70
Jimmie L. Browner Jr-68
Jerry Daanen-68
Kevin Long-68
Jim Donovan-68
Michael Blanton-67
Wayne MacArthur Wilson-66
Don Smerek-66
Eric Scott Sievers-66
Dwight Gerard Walker-65
Lyle Bauer-65
Donnell Thompson-65
Charles LaCarda Riggins-65
Dwight Gerard Walker-65
Fernando Valenzuela-63
Doug Blevins-61
Alonzo Johnson-60
Jeff Todd Jaeger-59
Jack Squirek-59
Steve Kragthorpe-59
Bruce Covernton-57
Eric Dean Moten-56
Joe Sims-55
Darren Lewis-55
Bobby Wilson-55
Larry Allen-52
Jimmy Hurst-52
Michael Hicks-51
Ben Fairbrother-51
Tony Hutso-49
Victor Allan Riley-49
Kelly Malveaux-47
Burke Dales-46
Char-ron Dorsey-46
Taveras Washington-40
JACOBY JONES-40
Vontae Davis-35
Craig Roh-33
Ronald Powell-32
Allen Aldridge Jr.-52
Benjamin Gay-44
Korey Cunningham-28
Khyree Jackson-24

MLB
Carl Erskine-97
Billy Gardner-96
Mel Held-95
Don Ferrarese-95
Bob Speake-94
Peter George Angelos-94
Pete Daley-94
Hank Foiles-94
John Baumgartner-93
Ray Semproch-93
Whitey Herzog-92
Bud Daley-92
Ozzie Virgil Sr.-92
John Pregenzer-91
John Hardin Oldham-91
Cuno Barragan-91
Barbara J. “Bobbie” Payne-91
Barbara Jeannette (Parks) Young-91
Donald O'Neal Lassetter-90
Bill Lachemann-89
Bob Blaylock-89
Minnie Mendoza-89
Bill Deegan-89
Joey Jay-89
Luis Tiant-88
Tom Qualters-88
Joe Shipley-88
James "Jim" Brady-88
Maxine Drinkwater Simmons-87
Orlando Cepeda-86
Wayne Allen Schurr-86
Don Wert-86
Rico Carty-85
Al McBean-85
Denny Lemaster-85
Larry Brown-84
Jim Hannan-84
Al Ferrara-84
Pete Rose-83
John Leslie Upham-83
Hank Allen-83
Fred “Fritz” Peterson-82
Jerry Grote-81
Rudy May-80
Bill Voss-80
Bill Murphy-80
Tom Tischinski-79
Ed Kranepool-79
Bud Harrelson-79
Louis Roberts “Buzz” Stephen-79
Johnny Jeter-79
Bob Chlupsa-79
Gaylen Pitts-78
Kenneth Holtzman-78
Larry Lucchino-78
Raymond Francis Newma-78
Mike Wegener-77
Bill Plummer-76
Chuck Seelbach-76
Mike Cubbage-74
Doug Bird-74
Don Gullett-73
Ed Ott-72
Steve Staggs-72
Tony Scott-72
Pat Zachry-71
Odell Jones-71
U.L. Washington-70
Lawrence Calvin Demery-70
Larry Louis Poncino-67
Harry Chappas-66
La Schelle Tarver-65
Jose DeLeon-63
Jim Umbarger,-63
Billy Bean-60
Kevin Wade Batiste-57
Hector Ortiz-54
David McCarty-54
Jimmy Hurst-52
Gary Richard Dotter
Sean Burroughs-43
Ronny Garcia-24

NBA
Duane Klueh-98
Bob Harrison-96
Tom Marshall-93
Len Haley-92
Tony Windis Sr-91
Frank Selvy-91
Al McCoy-91
Richard (Dick) A. Rosenthal-91
Hubert “Hub” Reed-89
Robert Byron “Bobby” Rascoe-88
Taylor "Tates" Locke-87
Alvin “Al” Attles-87
Jerry West-86
David C. Gunther-86
Herschell Turner-86
Chet “The Jet” Walker-84
George A. Lehmann-83
Walt Wesley-79
Larry Cannon-77
Harvey Marlatt-75
Bill Ligon-72
Bill Walton-71
Wesley Cox-69
Robert Reid-68
Earl Cureton-66
Mitchell Wiggins-64
Jim Rowinski-63
Joe Wolf-59
Dikembe Mutombo-58
Jerrod Mustaf-55
Dejan Milojević-46
Darius Morris-33
Drew Gordon-33

NHL
Al Shaver-96
Martin Nicholas “Marty” Pavelich-96
Paul Andrew Masnick-92
Pete Conacher-92
David Robert Gatherum Sr.-92
Jean-Guy Talbot-91
Don Poile-91
Bill Friday-91
Gene Achtymichuk-91
Frank Bonello-91
Patrick "Red" Shetler-91
Ed Chadwick-90
Bob Cole-90
Murray Costello-90
Connie Madigan-89
Gerry James-89
Wally Harris-88
William Gordon Carter-86
Billy Hay-55
Gilles Leger,-83
Ron Ellis-79
Moe L'Abbé-76
Timothy James Ecclestone-76
Dave Forbes-75
Steven Andrascik-75
Al Simmons-73
James Alexander “Alex” Forsyth-69
Mike Meeker,-66
Glen Cochrane-65
Maurice Lemay-62
Mitchell Dennis Molloy-58
Mike Hasenfratz-58
Blaine Lacher-53
Sergei Berezin-52
Dmitri Filimonov-52
Christopher J. Simon-52
Jason Cirone-46
Stephen Peat-44
Konstantin Koltsov-42
Johnny Gaudreau-31
Matthew Gaudreau-29
Janne Puhakka-27

SOCCER/RUGBY
Bobby Banks-94
Clyde Laidlaw:-89
Ralph Caulton-87
Barry Vining-85
Barry Davis-80
John Dempsey-78
Franz Beckenbauer-78
Tommy Baldwin-78
Chris Nicholl-77
ken Gill=-76
Stan Bowles-75
Larry Lloyd-75
Keith McCann-75
Sven-Goran Eriksson-75
Phil Lowe-74
JPR Williams-74
Trevor Whymark-74
Johan Neeskens-73
Ian Hamilton-73
Leighton James-71
Kevin Bowring-70
Gary Shaw-63
Peter Davidson-60
Salvatore Schillaci-59
Kevin Campbell-54
Malcolm Alker-45
Andrea Capone-43
Sol Bamba-39
Gift Atulewa-38
Abdelaziz Barrada-35
Nick Koster-34
Helge Rasche-33
George Baldock-31
Ahmed Refaat-31
Jose Castillejo-28
Juan Izquierdo-27
Mattia Giani -26
Matija Sarkic-26
Holden Trent-25
Teagan Miller-25
Luke Fleur-24
Marco Angulo-22

GOLF
Juan 'Chi Chi' Rodriguez-88
Mark Carnevale-64
Grayson Murray-30

BOXING
Vyacheslav Uzelkov-45

COLLEGE
Robert Hughes-96
Tom Marshall-93
Lefty Driesell-92
Wayne Graham-88
Taylor "Tates" Locke-87
Tom Redmond-86
Greg Harden-75
Steve Klauke-69
Marcus Outzen-46
Amir Abdur-Rahim-43
Rakim Lubin-28
Diondre Overton-26
AJ Simon-25
Star Tylee Craft-23
Keith Miller III-23
Shelby Daniele-23
Andre Seldon Jr-22
MJ Daniels-21
Kevon Walker-72
BOXING/MMA
Taylor Wily-56
Willie Limond-45
Guilherme Vasconcelos-38
Geane Herrera-33
Mylik Birdsong-31
Sherif Lawal-29
Andrew Tham-28
Ryan Quinney-20

OLYMPICS
Otis Davis-92
Lance Larson-83
Bela Karolyi-82
Geoff Capes-75
David Wilkie-70
Mark Wells-67
Richard Thornton-65
Jacques Freitag-42
Rebecca Cheptegei-33
Shawn Barber-29
Kelvin Kip
Kipyegon Bett-26
Luke Fleur-24
Terrance Howard-19

RACING
Parnelli Jones-90
Sir Stirling Moss-90
Bobby Allison-86
Graham McNeice-76
Deane 'Feathers' Boston-76
Michael Hubner-65
Scott Bloomquist-60
Georgie Campbell-37
Johnathan Parkes-35
Jayo Archer-27
Riff Rocket

BODYBUILDER
Xisco Serra-50
Kerwin Rae
Chad McCrary-49
Illia 'Golem' Yefimchyk-36
Cíntia Goldani-35
Andre Cavalcanti-34
Giuliano Pirone-33
Marco Cesar Aguiar Luis-20
Matheus Pavlak-19

SKIING/SKATING
Frank Carroll-85
Jean Daniel Pession-28

OTHER
Clive Everton-87
Phyllis O'Donnell-87
Derek Underwood-78
Maria Feliciana dos Santos-77
Howie Schwab-63
Dene O'Kane-61
Graham Thorp-55
Nick Mustafa-26
Josh Baker-20
Swagger Jr-5

[jimsteel]

Frank Ryan, who was a quarterback in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams (1958–1961), Cleveland Browns (1962–1968) and Washington Redskins (1969–1970) passed away at the age of 87.

He led the Browns to their most recent National Football League title in 1964. Ryan was also a mathematician, serving as a faculty member at Case Western Reserve University from 1967 to 1974.

Ryan played football while attending R. L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He was recruited by college coaches from across the country, including Bear Bryant, and he was admitted to Yale University. Ryan declared a major in physics at Rice University, becoming the first in his family not to go to Yale. He was unable to establish himself during the course of his collegiate career, splitting time behind center with King Hill, who was receiving most of the snaps.

Given his desire to obtain a Ph.D., Ryan originally decided not to play professional football after the Los Angeles Rams chose him in the fifth round of the 1958 NFL Draft. He changed his mind after he was able to enroll at both UCLA and the University of California, Berkeley in pursuit of an advanced degree. Ryan then transferred back to Rice, where he studied during the off-season.

Ryan spent the first four years of his career primarily in a reserve capacity, making $12,000 per year. He did start a handful of games in competition with Billy Wade and Zeke Bratkowski. In 1961, he and future Hall of Famer Ollie Matson connected on a 96-yard touchdown reception, establishing a new team record. However, after sitting on the bench for the last four games of the 1961 season, Ryan stormed into the dressing room and threatened General Manager Elroy Hirsch that he was going to quit football if he were not traded. He became part of a multi-player deal with the Cleveland Browns on July 12, 1962, his 26th birthday, as the arrival of highly touted newcomer Roman Gabriel made Ryan expendable.

Acquired by the Cleveland Browns to back up starting quarterback Jim Ninowski, Ryan moved into the starting slot on October 28 when Ninowski broke his collarbone while being tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive lineman Eugene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb. With no other candidates to compete with, Ryan established his leadership and held on to the starting role for much of the next six seasons. In his first full season as a starter, 1963,


Ryan threw for 2,026 yards and 25 touchdowns with only 13 interceptions, helping the Browns to a 10–4 record. Thirteen of those touchdowns went to Gary Collins, who tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns that year. In 1964, Ryan established himself as one of the league's best passers. He threw for 2,404 yards and repeated his 1963 performances by completing 25 touchdown passes, which was enough to lead the league. Ryan had excellent company on the Browns offense: fullback Jim Brown; wide receivers Gary Collins and Paul Warfield; and an outstanding offensive line that included Dick Schafrath, John Morrow, John Wooten, Monte Clark, and future Hall of Famer Gene Hickerson. But Ryan was also a clutch performer during the Browns' memorable 10–3–1 season. Needing a win in the December 12 regular-season finale against the New York Giants to clinch a berth in the NFL title game, Ryan completed 12 of 13 passes for five touchdowns and ran for a sixth touchdown in the 52–20 win. Two weeks later, in the championship game against the Baltimore Colts, Ryan hit Collins for three touchdowns to win the title, 27–0.

Ryan was rewarded for his performance with the first of three straight Pro Bowl appearances. Unfortunately, on the first play of the second half, he suffered a severe shoulder injury in the game after the combined 800-pound trio of Packers Willie Davis, Lion Roger Brown and Colt Gino Marchetti converged on the signal caller. Speculation persists to this day that Marchetti went out of his way to injure Ryan due to the perception that the quarterback ran up the score in the championship, with Marchetti's statement that he wanted "one more shot" at Ryan also fueling the rumors. However, a study of the film by Cleveland coaches in the weeks after the game exonerated Marchetti. After winning the championship, Art Modell raised his salary $25,000, up from about $18,000 per season.

Ryan's numbers dropped in 1965, throwing for only 1,751 yards and 18 touchdowns. While his shoulder had completely healed, a sore elbow in training camp and an injured arch early in the regular season played a role in him completing fewer than half of his passes during the campaign. Those struggles resulted in a continuingly cool relationship with Browns fans, who booed him often during home contests. Part of Ryan's decline can also be traced to the absence of second-year wide receiver Paul Warfield, who missed much of the season after suffering a double fracture of the collarbone in the team's first exhibition game.

In 1966, he bounced back with a superb season, leading the league with 29 touchdown passes and finishing second with 2,976 yards despite playing with intense pain. Ryan's output helped alleviate the absence of the legendary Jim Brown, who had retired prior to the start of training camp. His 29 touchdown passes in 14 games rank second in Browns franchise history to Brian Sipe, who got 30 in a 16-game 1980 season.

On January 25, 1967, Ryan underwent an operation to repair the remaining effects of his injury. The surgery eliminated the pain, but also affected his throwing motion. In the 1967 season opener, Ryan's injury woes continued as he sprained both ankles in a 21–14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Battling through that malady, along with shoulder and knee troubles, Ryan led the team to a 9–5 record to reach the playoffs. The season would see Ryan suffer a concussion from a head-to-head collision with Dick Butkus. He was knocked out in the second-quarter, but came back to throw three touchdown passes in the third quarter to will his team to a 24–0 victory. Ryan credits this collision for the cervical disc replacement he underwent after retiring.

Ryan's tenure as the Browns' starting quarterback came to an abrupt end following a 1–2 start to the 1968 season. Browns head coach Blanton Collier replaced Ryan with Bill Nelsen, who went on to lead the team to a division title. The official conclusion of Ryan's time with the Browns came on September 9, 1969, when he was released, but new Redskins coach Vince Lombardi quickly signed Ryan as a backup.

Despite throwing only one pass during the 1969 season, Ryan returned for the last of his 13 years in the NFL in 1970 before officially announcing his retirement on April 13, 1971. With his accurate throwing arm, his 14.7 yards per completion still ranks as one of the all-time leaders.

[jimsteel]

Connie Madigan, a Canadian NHL defenseman, passed away as reported on several social media posts at the age of 89.

He played 20 games in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues during the 1972–73 season.

The rest of his career, which lasted from 1955 to 1976, was spent in the minor leagues. Madigan is notable for being the oldest rookie in NHL history, aged 38. He portrayed Ross "Mad Dog" Madison in the movie Slap Shot (1977). Mr. Madigan passed away on January 2, 2024

Beset with numerous injuries in the 1972–73 season, the St. Louis Blues of the NHL bought Madigan's rights from the Buckaroos, and he suited up for the Blues in January 1973 at the age of 38, becoming the oldest rookie ever. He played competently for the Blues in twenty regular-season games and five playoff games before finishing his career with Portland in parts of the two successive seasons.

At the time of his retirement, Madigan was second in minor league history in career penalty minutes.

[jimsteel]

Willie Bethea, a former CFL halfback and fullback who played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, passed away at the age of 84

Bethea won the Grey Cup with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1963, 1965 and 1967. Prior to his CFL career he played football in Paterson, New Jersey, and attended Rider University. Bethea played from 1963 to 1970 during his career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Bethea ran for 3,919 yards in his career on 781 attempts, scoring 20 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 145 passes for 1,800 yards and 9 receiving touchdowns. He was inducted into the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Wall of Honour in 2012

[jimsteel]

Taveras Washington, a former NFL guard, passed away at 40

He was a guard in the National Football League for part of a single season in 2008. He played college football for the University of Florida, and also played professionally for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League.

Washington was born in Greenville, Mississippi. He attended South Delta High School in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, and played high school football for the South Delta Bulldogs.
He accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Ron Zook and coach Urban Meyer's Florida Gators football team from 2002 to 2005.
Washington was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2006, and was a member of the 49ers' practice squad from 2006 to 2007. He was released by the 49ers in 2008, signed by the Washington Redskins and released.

He was subsequently signed by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008, and appeared in two of the Chiefs' regular-season games.
Additionally, he was a member of the Las Vegas Locomotives of the UFL, and participated in the Locomotives' 2009 UFL championship.

[TTX]

40 is too young. RIP.

[on_the_edge]

Jan 4, 2024 11:15:05 GMT -5 jimsteel said:

Connie Madigan, a Canadian NHL defenseman, passed away as reported on several social media posts at the age of 89.

He played 20 games in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues during the 1972–73 season.

The rest of his career, which lasted from 1955 to 1976, was spent in the minor leagues. Madigan is notable for being the oldest rookie in NHL history, aged 38. He portrayed Ross "Mad Dog" Madison in the movie Slap Shot (1977). Mr. Madigan passed away on January 2, 2024

Beset with numerous injuries in the 1972–73 season, the St. Louis Blues of the NHL bought Madigan's rights from the Buckaroos, and he suited up for the Blues in January 1973 at the age of 38, becoming the oldest rookie ever. He played competently for the Blues in twenty regular-season games and five playoff games before finishing his career with Portland in parts of the two successive seasons.

At the time of his retirement, Madigan was second in minor league history in career penalty minutes.

Buckaroos is such a cool team name. RIP

[jimsteel]

US Olympian and swimming coach Richard Thornton, 65, dies while surfing in California,

[jimsteel]

Jack Squirek, a former NFL linebacker in who played in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Raiders from 1982 to 1986 and for the Miami Dolphins in 1986 passed away at the age of 59.

During college he starred at the University of illinois. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders in the 2nd round (35th overall) of the 1982 NFL Draft.

Squirek's most famous play is his interception in Super Bowl XVIII against the Washington Redskins: before the end of the first half, a Raiders drive stalled when Jim Plunkett's third-down pass was incomplete, but Ray Guy's 27-yard punt pinned Washington at their own 12-yard line with 12 seconds left in the half. On the next play, Squirek intercepted Joe Theismann's screen pass and returned it for a touchdown to give the Raiders a 21–3 halftime lead. The Raiders went on to win, 38–9. Super Bowl champion (XVIII). He played in 55 games during his NFL career.

[jimsteel]

Marty Amsler, a former defensive end in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers, passed away at the age of 81.

He played college football at the University of Evansville. He graduated from the University of Evansville in 1967. In 1964, he was named to the All-Conference team of the Indiana Collegiate Conference at defensive end and was inducted into the University of Evansville Hall of Fame and the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and 2001 respectively.

Amsler was selected in the 18th round (243rd overall) of the 1965 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He became the first graduate from the University of Evansville to be drafted into the NFL. He was waived before the season started and returned to Evansville to serve as an assistant coach for the offensive and defensive linemen.

He then signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent in 1966, but was cut before the season started. In 1966, he played defensive end for the Wheeling Ironmen of the Continental Football League.
Amsler signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears in 1967 and played in fourteen games that season, registering one interception and one fumble recovery. He missed the 1968 season with a torn Achilles tendon. The next year, he played in eleven games and recorded one fumble recovery. He was released on September 14, 1970. He was then claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals on September 15, 1970 and played three games before being cut.
The Green Bay Packers signed Amsler to their taxi squad on October 18, 1970, before activating him in week six and playing him the rest of the season (9 games). He also played on special teams.
He signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent in 1971, but was released on September 2. Throughout his entire NFL career, he played in 37 games and started in 20.

The following is an excerpt from Amsler's online obituary: "Marty graduated from Bosse High School in 1960 where he played football and was named to the All-Conference team of the Indiana Collegiate Conference for his position at defensive end. He later played for the University of Evansville and was the first graduate from the university to play for the NFL. In 1979 and 2001, he was inducted into the University of Evansville Hall of Fame and the Indiana Football Hall of Fame. Marty played football in the Continental Football League and was then drafted into the NFL in 1965 by the Dallas Cowboys. He later signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears in 1967 where he played for three seasons and then went on to play for the Bengals, Packers and Broncos. He was a member of the NFL Players Association and former Players Board of Directors.

Marty formerly served on the Evansville board of public works and zoning appeals. He was a member of Bethel UCC, formerly sang in the church choir, and was on the board of directors. He was also a member of the Downtown Quarterback Club, Masonic Lodge, and announced Friday night high school football."