Athletes who died young
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- Joe Delaney was a Second Round (41st overall) draft choice of the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1981 NFL draft. He was a college football star at Northwestern State, where he also excelled at track and field. He was a bona fide star in the NFL, rushing for 1,121 yards in his rookie season, which ended with him being selected as AFC rookie of the year.
He had injury issues through his second season, though he played in all 8 games of the strike shortened season.
On June 29th, Delaney and friends went to a park called Critter's Creek. He noticed three young boys struggling to swim in a makeshift pond. Delaney dove into the water, and rescued two out of the three young boys (though one did die en route to the Hospital), however, in his struggle to rescue the third boy, both Delaney and the child drowned. Both bodies were pulled from the water the next day.
The Kansas City Chiefs honored Joe Delaney by inducted him to their wall of fame. And though his uniform number 37 has yet to be officially retired by the team, the number has not been issued since his death. Delaney was posthumously given the Presidenttial Citizen's Medal by President Reagan, and Loiusiana Gog. Keen awarded Delaney the Civilian Bravery Award. Northwestern State retired Delaney's uniform number 44 in his honor. The Cheifs started the "37Forever" foundation in honor of Delaney's tireless community service work.promising young star who died shortly before the 1983 NFL season attempting to save three young boys from drowning. Was able to pull two out of the water (one died en route to the hospital) and died trying to save the third. - Lou Gehrig is remembered as baseball's "Iron Horse" and used to own the major league record for the 2,130 consecutive games that he played for the New York Yankees between 1925 and 1939, where he had a .340 career batting average, making him one of the greatest hitters of all time. Henry Louis Gehrig was born in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, New York City on June 19, 1903. His parents, Heinrich and Christina Gehrig, were German immigrants. Of their four children, Lou was the only one who survived to adulthood. Growing up as a mama's boy, Lou lived with his parents until he married at the age of 30. Lou attended New York public schools, including the High School of Commerce, where he excelled in baseball, football and swimming. In his senior year, Lou's school won New York's public school baseball championship. They played Chicago's best high school team at Wrigley Field in 1920. The game was a portrait of what was to come: with the bases loaded and two outs in the 9th inning, Lou crushed a 3-2 pitch over the right field to win the game. To fulfill his parents' dream, Lou enrolled at New York's Columbia University in 1922. Because he had briefly played for a professional baseball club the preceding summer, Lou was barred from athletic competitions at Columbia for a year. After sitting out the year, Lou started on the college's baseball and football squads, earning him the nickname "Columbia Lou." When his father lost his job and his mother fell ill, Lou decided to leave college for a professional baseball career. In June 1923, the New York Yankees signed him to a minor league contract. He was assigned to the team's Hartford, Connecticut, farm club where he played for two seasons. Lou was then inserted into the Yankee lineup on June 1, 1925 substituting for their regular first baseman, Wally Pipp. For the next 14 years, Lou did not miss a single game. Even though Lou made an immediate impression in the majors, leading the American League with 20 triples in his second season, it was in 1927 that this six-foot, 210-pound left-hander blossomed as a slugger. He challenged teammate Babe Ruth for the league's home run title. By the end of the season, Lou had hit 47 home runs to Babe Ruth's 60, earning second place. That year, Lou hit .373 and set a major league record by racking up 175 RBIs. Not surprisingly, Lou was voted the league's Most Valuable Player. He also helped the Yankees to win the 1927 World Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. True to his form, Lou had almost decided to sit out the entire series to stay by his ill mother's side. For the next 13 consecutive seasons, Lou knocked more than 100 home runs, and slugged 46 home runs with 184 RBIs in 1931. On June 3, 1932, Lou hit four home runs in one game against the Philadelphia Athletics, setting another major league record. In 1933, Lou married Eleanor Twitchell, who helped him withstand the rigors of professional baseball. On the eve of his 2,000th consecutive game in 1938, Eleanor suggested that Lou was getting compulsive about the streak and advised him to end his career at 1,999 games. Despite his wife's good intentions, Lou would not be deterred and appeared there and at 130 more games. During 1939 spring training Lou began to experience weakness and problems with coordination. On May 2, 1939, Lou's consecutive game streak finally ended when he removed himself from the team. Suspecting something more than his training was making him feel worn out, Lou entered the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota for health tests and on June 19, 1939, his 36th birthday, Lou was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a rare incurable muscular disorder which causes the muscular motor functions to degenerate, resulting in atrophying muscles, which in turn can lead to paralysis and ultimately death. New York mayor Fiorello LaGuardia named Lou the city's parole commissioner upon his retirement from baseball in 1939, a job he held until his declining health confided him to his bed in early 1941. Lou Gehrig finally passed away from ALS on June 2, 1941 at the age of 37. His universal renown was so great that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis later became known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.Iconic Yankees star of the post WWII era. Died from the disease that now bares his name.
- Thurman Munson was born on 7 June 1947 in Akron, Ohio, USA. He was married to Diane Dominick. He died on 2 August 1979 in Canton, Ohio, USA.Died while piloting his plane outside of Akron, Ohio
- Ricky Bell was born on 8 April 1955 in Houston, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for Disco 9000 (1977), The NFL on CBS (1956) and The NFL on NBC (1965). He was married to Nathalia Laidler. He died on 28 November 1984 in Inglewood, California, USA.
- Eric Turner was born on 20 September 1968 in Ventura, California, USA. He died on 28 May 2000 in Thousand Oaks, California, USA.Career and life ended by cancer
- Considered by many to be one of the greatest college basketball players of the modern era. During the 1985 and 1986 seasons, this unheralded Northwestern High School (Hyattsville, MD) product asserted himself into the forward spot at the University of Maryland. His highlight-reel performances, including his one-man show (30+ points) against North Carolina en route to the first-ever win in the Dean Dome in 1986, made him a player to watch. He was the second pick taken by the Boston Celtics in the 1986 NBA Draft, expected to pick up where a retirement-bound Larry Bird left off. Tragically, that would never come to pass. Three days after being drafted, Bias spent a night partying with friends and snorting cocaine in his University of Maryland dorm room. Overtaken by heart failure, he died shortly after. Bias' death was a shock to the nation, and shed light on substance abuse within the sports arena. The University of Maryland was plunged into the abyss that, thankfully, they have pulled out of. But their success is due in no small part to the one who wore #34.Died from cocaine overdose two days after being drafted by the Boston Celtics.
- Was most noted for being goalkeeper with the Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey club from 1981-85. Won Vezina Trophy (awarded to the NHL's top goaltender) for 1984-85 season. Also was starting goalie for Swedish national hockey team in 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, NY, USA, helping that team win the silver medal. Died in violent car crash in which Porsche that he was driving slammed into a school wall at over 80 mph.
- Rodney Culver was born on 23 December 1969 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He died on 11 May 1996 in Miami, Florida, USA.Killed in Value-Jet crash that also claimed his wife.
- David Griggs was born on 5 February 1967 in Camden, New Jersey, USA. He died on 19 June 1995 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.Died in a car crash only five months after playing in the Super Bowl.
- Toni Fritsch was born on 10 July 1945 in Petronell, Austria. He died on 12 September 2005 in Vienna, Austria.
- Reggie Lewis was born on 21 November 1965 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He was married to Donna Harris. He died on 27 July 1993 in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.Heart attack after shooting hoops in practice.
- Reginald Howard White was born on December 19, 1961 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was born to unmarried parents, Charles White and Thelma Dodd Collier. He was raised by his mother until age eight when he was placed with his grandmother, Mildred Dodd.
At Howard High School, Reggie lettered in football, basketball and track. Following high school, he attended the University of Tennessee where he is still the all-time leader for sacks in a career and holds the single game and single season records for most sacks.
He began his professional career with the Memphis Showboats of the USFL in 1984. After the USFL folded in 1985, he went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles where he would play for eight years, establishing himself as one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL.
In 1993, he signed with the Green Bay Packers and three years later won his first and only Super Bowl. He retired from the NFL at the end of the 1998 season only to comeback in 2000 for one more season with the Carolina Panthers.
He died on December 26, 2004 at his home in Cornelius, North Carolina. He is survived by his wife of almost twenty years, Sara White, and two children.
On February 4, 2006, he was posthumously elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. - Jerome Brown was born on 4 February 1965 in Brooksville, Florida, USA. He died on 25 June 1992 in Brooksville, Florida, USA.Killed along with 12 year old cousin after losing control of his car while driving at a high rate of speed.
- Jerry Smith was born on 19 July 1943 in Eugene, Oregon, USA. He died on 15 October 1986 in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.First American professional athlete to die from A.I.D.S. His number 87 and the Redskins logo appear on the AIDS quilt.
- David Woodley was born on 25 October 1958 in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. He died on 4 May 2003 in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.Former starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.
- Andra Franklin was born on 22 August 1959 in Anniston, Alabama, USA. He died on 6 December 2006 in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA.
- Steve Olin was born on 4 October 1965 in Portland, Oregon, USA. He was married to Patti McKelvey. He died on 22 March 1993 in Clermont, Florida, USA.Killed along with teammate Tim Crews in a boating accident caused by high hurricane force winds.
- Tim Crews was born on 3 April 1961 in Tampa, Florida, USA. He was married to Laurie Joan Elberg. He died on 23 March 1993 in Orlando, Florida, USA.Died in same boat crash that claimed the life of teammate Steve Olin and left Bobby Ojeda badly injured.
- Lyman Bostock was born on 22 November 1950 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. He was married to Youvene Whistler. He died on 24 September 1978 in Gary, Indiana, USA.Victim of a drive by shooting.
- Reggie Roby was born on 30 July 1961 in Waterloo, Iowa, USA. He died on 22 February 2005 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
- Cory Lidle was born on 22 March 1972 in Hollywood, California, USA. He was married to Melanie Varela Lidle. He died on 11 October 2006 in New York City, New York, USA.Crash plane into high rise apartment building
- J.V Cain was a Tight End for the St. Louis Cardinals of the NFL. On July 22, 1979, Cain was participating with teammates in a work out when he passed out. It was later ruled that Cain died of congenital heart failure brought out by working out in extreme heat.
Cain played high school football at Booker T. Washington in Houston Texas, before playing college football at Colorado. He was the 7th overall selection in the 1974 NFL players draft. Two years alter, he emerged as the full time starting tight end for the Cardinals. He was expected to be a bigger part of the offense going into 1979 when he passed away during training camp.
His final career totals were 76 receptions for 1,014 yards and nine touchdowns.Heart stroke during training camp. - Lewis Billups was born on 10 October 1963 in Tampa, Florida, USA. He died on 9 April 1994 in Orlando, Florida, USA.Killed when he crashed his car and was ejected into a tree.
- Gary Carter was born on 8 April 1954 in Culver City, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Arli$$ (1996), The Last Home Run (1996) and Sunday Night Baseball (1990). He was married to Sandy Carter. He died on 16 February 2012 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, USA.
- Tom Underwood was born on 22 December 1953 in Kokomo, Indiana, USA. He died on 22 November 2010 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
- Vern Ruhle was born on 25 January 1951 in Coleman, Michigan, USA. He was married to Sue and Darlene Mekulen. He died on 20 January 2007 in Houston, Texas, USA.
- Tug McGraw was born on 30 August 1944 in Martinez, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Everybody Loves Raymond (1996), 1976 National League Championship Series (1976) and 1978 National League Championship Series (1978). He was married to Diane Hovenkamp and Phyllis Ann Kline. He died on 5 January 2004 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
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Ryan Freel was born on 8 March 1976 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. He was an executive and manager. He was married to Christie Moore. He died on 22 December 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA.Suicide- John Grimsley was born on 25 February 1962 in Canton, Ohio, USA. He died on 6 February 2008 in Missouri City, Texas, USA.Accidently shot himself cleaning a rifle while preparing for a hunting trip.
- Don Bracken was born on 16 February 1962 in Coalinga, California, USA. He died on 29 October 2014 in Billings, Montana, USA.
- Donnie Moore was born on 13 February 1954 in Lubbock, Texas, USA. He was married to Tonya Martin. He died on 18 July 1989 in Anaheim, California, USA.Killed self after attempted murder/suicide. Was forever haunted by the infamous Dave Henderson home run in the 1986 ALCS.
- Jeff Alm was born on 31 March 1968 in New York, New York, USA. He died on 14 December 1993 in Houston, Texas, USA.Took his own life after he was afraid of being arrested as the result of a car accident that killed his passenger.
- Chris Mims was born on 29 September 1970 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He died on 15 October 2008 in Los Angeles, California, USA.One of many players on the San Diego Chargers Super Bowl team that met an untimely death. Suspected heart attack, had been dead for several days before a welfare check was done on him.
- Junior Seau, was a native of Oceanside, CA. He attended Oceanside High School where he lettered in football, basketball, and track. Parade magazine named him to its High School All-American team simply as an athlete and refused to specify a particular sport. In 2010, Junior was inducted into the Oceanside High School Hall of Fame. Upon graduation, Junior accepted a football scholarship to the University of Southern California, where he was named unanimous first-team All-American before being drafted fifth over all in the 1990 N.F.L. draft by the Chargers, who played 40 miles south of his hometown. A 12-time Pro Bowler, Seau played 13 seasons with the Chargers and was one of the team's most popular players. In the 1994 season, he led the team to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the San Francisco 49ers, 49-26. The Pro Football Hall of Fame selected him for the 1990s All-Decade Team. Seau was traded to the Dolphins in 2003, and after three injury-plagued seasons he was released. He signed a one-day contract with the Chargers in August 2006 to announce his retirement. But four days later, he signed with the New England Patriots and was a member of the 2007 team that went undefeated in the regular season, losing to the Giants in the Super Bowl. His last season in the N.F.L was 2009. He finished his career with 1,524 tackles, 56 ½ sacks and 18 interceptions. The circumstances of Seau's death raised comparisons to the former Chicago Bears star Dave Duerson. In February 2011, Duerson shot himself in the chest, saying in a note that he wanted his brain donated to the study of football head injuries. Though remembered as a hard-hitting, inspirational linebacker, Seau did not have a documented history of concussions. He missed several games in his career with leg and chest injuries. In October 2010, he sustained minor injuries when he drove his S.U.V. off a 30-foot bluff after being arrested on suspicion of domestic assault. The police said he fell asleep at the wheel.
- Steve McNair is an American football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He spent most of his career with the Houston / Tennessee Oilers / Tennessee Titans and also played for the Baltimore Ravens.
Steve McNair played college football at Alcorn State in Lorman, Mississippi, where he won the 1994 Walter Payton Award as the top player in NCAA Division I-AA. He was drafted third overall by the NFL's Houston Oilers in 1995, becoming the team's regular starting quarterback in 1997, their first season in Tennessee (though he started six games over the prior two seasons in Houston), and remained the starting quarterback for the Titans through 2005. After the 2005 season, McNair was traded to the Baltimore Ravens, with whom he played for two seasons before retiring after thirteen NFL seasons.
Steve McNair led the Titans to the playoffs four times, and the Ravens once, and played in Super Bowl XXXIV with the Titans. McNair was selected to the Pro Bowl three times, and was an All-Pro and Co-MVP in 2003. McNair was the first African-American quarterback to win AP NFL MVP and is, along with Cam Newton and Patrick Mahomes, one of only three to win the award.Shot and killed by his mistress. - Danny Thompson was born on 1 February 1947 in Wichita, Kansas, USA. He died on 10 December 1976 in Rochester, Minnesota, USA.A star in the making at Shortstop, died in 1976 at the age of 29. Leukemia
- Alan Wiggins was born on 17 February 1958 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was married to Angela Mckenzie. He died on 6 January 1991 in Los Angeles, California, USA.Promising career sidelined by injuries and drug abuse. Died of A.I.D.S in 1991
- Kirby Puckett was born on March 14, 1960 in Chicago's South Side. He was the youngest of nine children born to William and Catherine Puckett. He was raised in the Robert Taylor Homes housing project, a row of broken-down apartments, which were dubbed "the place where hope dies."
Since there were no baseball fields nearby, Kirby never played Little League baseball. He first practiced baseball by drawing a chalk strike zone on a building wall and repeatedly throwing a ball against it.
Although he earned All-American honors at Calumet High School, Kirby was virtually ignored by pro scouts because of his size. Out of high school, he worked jobs as a Ford plant worker and a census taker. He continued playing baseball in a recreational league.
One August afternoon, he decided to attend a Kansas City Royals tryout camp with 150 other wannabes vying for a dream position. Although the Royals didn't sign him that day, the baseball coach from Bradley University was impressed with Kirby's bat speed and defense. He recruited Kirby to come to Bradley on a scholarship.
In his freshman year, Kirby showed amazing progress. However, following the death of his father, he took more than three weeks off from school, subsequently jeopardizing his scholarship. He thought about quitting baseball and going back home to work in the auto industry. However, he decided to give it one more shot by enrolling at Triton Junior College in nearby River Grove.
After hitting .472 with 16 homers in his final season at Triton, the Minnesota Twins drafted Kirby with the third pick in the 1982 January supplemental draft. He spent only two seasons in the Twins minor league system before making his major league debut on May 8, 1984 against the California Angles. He collected four hits that day, tying a major league record for most hits in a debut game. He would finish the season with a .296 batting average and 31 RBIs, earning him third place in the voting for American League Rookie of the Year.
His breakout season came in 1986 when he batted .328 with 31 homers and won the first of his six gold gloves in center field. The following season, he continued to shine, leading the underdog Twins to their first World Series championship. In 1988, he hit a career-best .356, earning him third place in the MVP voting and a reputation as one of baseball's premier hitters.
However, his career-defining moment came in Game Six of the 1991 World Series against the Atlanta Braves. With the Twins down three games to two, Kirby told his teammates "Jump on my back. I'll carry you." He made good on that promise by taking away a potential game-winning double in the third inning with a spectacular jumping catch and then hitting a game-winning home run in the 11th inning to keep the Twins alive in the series. The Twins would win their second World Series Championship the next day with a Game Seven win.
Even though the Twins would not make it back to the World Series in the following seasons, Kirby continued to put up impressive statistics. He also continued his standing as one of baseball's most recognizable and beloved players. His outgoing personality, hard-working attitude, community involvement, and good rapport with teammates and the media earned him a huge fan-base throughout the country.
However, his fairy tale career came to an end in 1996 after he was forced to retire in spring training with early symptoms of glaucoma. He finished his career with 10-All Star appearances, six Gold Gloves, a .318 batting average, one All-Star Game MVP trophy and two World Series rings.
Despite having his career cut short at a relatively young age (35) and not being able to see out of his right eye, Kirby appeared very optimistic and never expressed any bitterness.
He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001 on the first ballot.
In the following years, Kirby's one-time flawless public image would begin to take a major hit. In February 2002, his wife, Tonya, filed for divorce, claiming that Kirby physically and verbally abused her throughout their marriage, even threatening to kill her on several occasions. Later that same year, he was arrested on charges of groping a woman in a bar restroom, to which he was later acquitted. In addition, there were several negative articles and reports coming out about Kirby's private life which included allegations of numerous extra-marital affairs, sexual misconduct, physical abuse, and lewd public behavior. To escape the burgeoning media backlash, Kirby, whose weight continued to balloon, decided to move to Arizona in the winter of 2003.
He managed to keep a low profile until March 5, 2006 when he suffered a massive stroke. Doctors performed emergency surgery that same day but were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead on March 6, 2006 after being disconnected from life support. He died at the second-youngest age (behind Lou Gehrig) of any Hall of Famer inducted while living.
He is survived by his two adopted children, Kirby Jr. and Catherine, and his fiancée Jodi Olson.Hall of fame player. - Mike Flanagan was born on 16 December 1951 in Manchester, New Hampshire, USA. He was married to Kathy Walsh and Alex Lynn Debes. He died on 24 August 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.Self inflicted gunshot to the head. Ex Orioles and Blue jays pitcher.
- Mike Sharperson was born on 4 October 1961 in Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA. He died on 26 May 1996 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.In the process of riving his major league career. He just been recalled from Triple A Las Vegas when he lost control of his car and was killed.
- Catfish Hunter was born on 8 April 1946 in Hertford, North Carolina, USA. He was married to Helen Hunter. He died on 9 September 1999 in Hertford, North Carolina, USA.As a result of ALS
- Mark Fidrych was born on 14 August 1954 in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. He was an actor, known for The Slugger's Wife (1985), Dear Mr. Fidrych (2009) and Cos (1976). He was married to Ann Fidrych. He died on 13 April 2009 in Northborough, Massachusetts, USA.Suffocation when his clothing was caught on truck he was working on.
- Frank Pastore was born on 21 August 1957 in Alhambra, California, USA. He was married to Gina Pignotti. He died on 17 December 2012 in Los Angeles, California, USA.Died from complications of an accident a month prior
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Brian Pillman makes the list of a long line of tragic deaths in wrestling. He had endured 36 throat operations as a child. Pillman played football in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals in 1984 and in the CFL for the Calgary Stampeders. It was in Calgary where he met Owen Hart (who also died at a relatively early age) and started his wrestling career for Stampede Wrestling. Pillman's major titles include the Tag Team Championship, the US Tag Team Championship, and the Light Heavyweight Championship. Pillman also suffered a terrible broken leg that deeply hurt his career. He died at the age of 35 while still being an active wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation.Ex-CFL player turned pro wrestler. Was found dead in his hotel hours before he was to face Golddust on PPV>- Owen Hart was one of twelve children from a legendary Canadian wrestling family. His brother Bret is also one of the most well known wrestlers of all time. Owen was one of the best wrestlers in the business and his major accomplishments include being the 1994 King of the Ring, former Intercontinental Champion(2), former European Champion, and co-holder of the Tag Team Championship (4). Sadly, Hart plunged to his death on May 23, 1999 during a PPV when he was performing a spectacular entrance. Hart was only 34 and is survived by his wife Martha, his son Oje and his daughter Athena.Died as a result of a stunt gone wrong before a crowd on live PPV.
- Steve Howe was born on 10 March 1958 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA. He was married to Cindy Holliday. He died on 28 April 2006 in Coachella, California, USA.Star pitcher whose battle with drugs became a cautionary tale for young athletes. Was briefly banned from baseball because of drug use. Was sober but fell back to old demons. Was killed when he crashed his pick-up truck.
- Perro Aguayo Jr. was born on 23 July 1979 in Mexico, Distrito Federal, Mexico. He was an actor, known for Qué pobres tan ricos (2013), AAA Fusion (2012) and Lucha Mexico (2016). He died on 21 March 2015 in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.Died in ring during a match in Mexico, March 21st, 2015.
- Florence Delorez Griffith Joyner (December 21, 1959 - September 21, 1998), also known as Flo-Jo, was an American track and field athlete. She is considered the fastest woman of all time based on the fact that the world records she set in 1988 for both the 100 m and 200 m still stand and have yet to be seriously challenged. During the late 1980s she became a popular figure in international track and field because of her record-setting performances and flashy personal style. She died in her sleep as the result of an epileptic seizure in 1998 at the age of 38. She attended California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).epileptic seizure
- Chuck Hughes started his NFL career as a 4th round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles, he made the hometown player the 99th player drafted overall. He played in a handful of games, mostly as a back-up, but was a starter for a few games in 1968. he also served as a kick returner on special teams. In 1970, he had a breakout season as a member of the Detroit Lions, starting 9 games and posting career highs in receptions and yards per catch.
On October 24th, 1971, the Lions were playing against the St. Louis Cardinals. Hughes ran his route, and after the play was over, was stumbling and seemed short of breath. He collapsed on the field. Medical staff tried to no avail to save Hughes. Hughes had a heart attack on the field and died as a result. Chuck Hughes was the last NFL to die on the field, during a game.Last NFL player to die during a game. - Doug Kotar was born on 11 June 1951 in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, USA. He died on 16 December 1983 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.Running back for the New York Giants in the late 70's and early 80's. Died at the age of 32 from cancer.
- John Tuggle was born on 13 January 1961 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. He died on 30 August 1986 in Tijuana, Mexico.Teammate of Kotar, also died young from cancer
- Troy Archer was born on 16 January 1955 in Glendale, California, USA. He died on 22 June 1979 in North Bergen, New Jersey, USA.Promising young defensive tackle, was killed when he crashed his pick up truck.
- Carl Ekern was born on 27 May 1954 in Richland, Washington, USA. He died on 1 August 1990 in Ridgecrest, California, USA.Passed away a few years after his career ended.
- Drew Hill was born on 5 October 1956 in Newnan, Georgia, USA. He died on 18 March 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.Enjoyed multiple 1,000 seasons as part of the Houston Oilers Fun and Gun team of the early 90's
- Rick Bryan was born on 20 March 1962 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. He died on 25 July 2009 in Coweta, Oklahoma, USA.Former first round pick, never lived up to expectations.