Sport's Tragedies - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 01-12-2004, 01:40 AM

Sad topic, but pays tribute and remembers the great sport's figures whose careers were cut short and those who died tragically.

Knute Rockne -- Coach of the Notre Dame football team, famous for his "Win one for the Gipper" speech, died in a plane crash.

Sonny Liston -- Heavyweight fighter who overdosed in 1970.

Roberto Clemente, of the Pittsburg Pirates, died in a plane crash in 1970 enroute to earthquake stricken Nicaragua to deliver aid and supplies.

The entire West Virginia Marshall University Football team, coaches and some fans were killed in a plane crash in 1970. Only one player wasn't on the plane as he was attending his father's funeral.

Daryl Stingley of the New England Patriots was paralyzed for life during a game in 1978.

Len Bias -- First Draft Pick for the Boston Celtics overdosed in 1986.

Reggie Lewis -- Captain of the Boston Celtics, collapsed and died of a heart ailment in 1993.

Brian · 01-12-2004, 02:48 AM

Donnie Moore - the former Major League pitcher was one strike away from leading the then-California Angels to their first World Series in 1986. But Red Sox slugger Dave Henderson played the killjoy and hit a two-run homer to put the Red Sox ahead 6-5. The Angels tied it but lost on Henderson's extra-inning sac fly, giving the Bosox a 7-6 win. The Angels lost the next two games and lost their chance for their first pennant. In 1989, an extremely depressed and dejected Moore, who was recently released from a minor league club, shot and seriously injured his wife and shot himself. He couldn't let go of it.

Tony Coligliaro of the Red Sox wielded a good bat but his promising career was cut short when he was hit in the face by a pitch. He returned a long while later but his career was never the same again.

Janice · 01-12-2004, 03:04 AM

Ray Chapman is the only player to die due to injuries suffered in a Major League game. In 1920, he was struck in the head by a Carl Mays' pitch and died the next day.

Chapman was a very good shortstop, leading the AL in putouts three times and assists once. He hit .300 three times and led the AL in runs scored and walks in 1917.

His death was one of the reasons the spitball was outlawed.

http://www.indiejournal.com/indiejou...alltragedy.htm

Brian · 01-12-2004, 03:26 AM

Yeah, I read about that. Those were the days when helmets weren't worn.

Billy Martin died on Christmas day in 1989 when the pickup truck in which he was riding in crashed. I hope to make a movie about the guy someday.

Dave Dravecky of the San Francisco Giants threw a pitch one day and broke his arm in 1989. It was the last pitch he would ever throw, as his arm would later be amputated. The same freakish accident would happen to Tampa Bay Devil Ray Tony Saunders (the Rays' first pick in the expansion draft). It happened twice, once with the Rays and a year or so later during rehab and Saunders had to retire after the second occurence. Luckily his arm didn't have to be amputated.

1976 Rookie of the Year, Mark Fidrych of the Detroit Tigers, had a very promising career ahead of him. After an awesome rookie season, his career suddenly made a turn for the worst. During spring training in 1977, he decided to catch pop flies but in a freak accident, tore up his knee. He would pitch a few more years but never made it back to the big leagues after 1980.

Former Rookie of the Year Thurman Munson of the Yankees died in a plane crash in 1979. The indident unnerved Billy Martin tremendously.

Lou Gehrig of the Yankees had to retire due to illness. He suffered from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. He died in 1941. Catfish Hunter would die of the same illness decades later.

RustyShackleford · 01-12-2004, 04:57 PM

Dale Earnhardt was killed in a crash on the last lap of the Daytona 500 on February 18, 2001. He was one of the greatest.

Janice · 01-13-2004, 02:13 PM

Brian Piccoli of the Chicago Bears died of cancer at age 26. His death inspired the movie, Brian's Song.

Lyle Alzado, although out of sports at the time of his death, showed the world the danger of abusing steroids. He died of brain cancer in 1992 at the age of 42.

Florence Griffith-Joyner -- Three-time Olympic gold medalist died at the age of 38 in 1998 of a heart problem. Mystery and speculation surround the actual cause of her death.

Duk Koo Kim sustained brain injuries and died in a fight with Boom Boom Mancini in 1982.

Brian Damage · 01-13-2004, 03:35 PM

Jerome Brown a starting defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles and voted the defensive rookie of the year in 1987, was killed in a car car accident in Florida on June 25th,1992.

EricIdlefan · 01-13-2004, 03:55 PM

Marc Bonticonti(son of former Dolphin great Nick) paralyzed from the waste down while trying to make a tackle and fell down hard!!

And of course, who could forget the OJ thing!!

Sid · 01-19-2004, 08:38 PM

Darryl Kile died in his sleep in a Chicago Hotel of a heart attack in 2002

Brandon Burlsworth former Arkansas tackle killed in car accident a week after being drafted by the colts in 1999.

Brook Berringer a Nebraska backup quarterback killed in a plane crash in 1996.

Derrick Thomas died from injuries in car crash happend a month earlier in 2000.

Janice · 01-19-2004, 08:55 PM

Rocky Marciano, World Heavyweight Champion died in a plane crash in 1969. He was 46.

passionsfan79 · 01-19-2004, 09:29 PM

malik sealy who played his final games as a minnesota timberwolve who died in a car accident.....i dont remember what year it was though

sinatrastar · 01-19-2004, 09:44 PM

"Florence Griffith-Joyner -- Three-time Olympic gold medalist died at the age of 38 in 1998 of a heart problem. Mystery and speculation surround the actual cause of her death."

I didnt remember she died.

EricIdlefan · 01-20-2004, 12:16 AM

Sergei Grinkov collasping on the ice and dying while holding is wife at his side Kata Goordeva.

Janice · 01-20-2004, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by EricIdlefan
Sergei Grinkov collasping on the ice and dying while holding is wife at his side Kata Goordeva.

I remember that. It was the saddest thing.

Janice · 01-20-2004, 12:32 AM

I'm trying to remember a story about athletes, teammates, in a boating accident. I think one of them died. They were drinking....I think charges were filed for recklessness.

Does anyone remember this story?

01-12-2004, 01:40 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Sport's Tragedies Sad topic, but pays tribute and remembers the great sport's figures whose careers were cut short and those who died tragically. Knute Rockne -- Coach of the Notre Dame football team, famous for his "Win one for the Gipper" speech, died in a plane crash. Sonny Liston -- Heavyweight fighter who overdosed in 1970. Roberto Clemente, of the Pittsburg Pirates, died in a plane crash in 1970 enroute to earthquake stricken Nicaragua to deliver aid and supplies. The entire West Virginia Marshall University Football team, coaches and some fans were killed in a plane crash in 1970. Only one player wasn't on the plane as he was attending his father's funeral. Daryl Stingley of the New England Patriots was paralyzed for life during a game in 1978. Len Bias -- First Draft Pick for the Boston Celtics overdosed in 1986. Reggie Lewis -- Captain of the Boston Celtics, collapsed and died of a heart ailment in 1993.

01-12-2004, 03:04 AM	#3
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Ray Chapman is the only player to die due to injuries suffered in a Major League game. In 1920, he was struck in the head by a Carl Mays' pitch and died the next day. Chapman was a very good shortstop, leading the AL in putouts three times and assists once. He hit .300 three times and led the AL in runs scored and walks in 1917. His death was one of the reasons the spitball was outlawed. http://www.indiejournal.com/indiejou...alltragedy.htm
	Last edited by Janice; 01-12-2004 at 03:21 AM.

01-13-2004, 03:55 PM	#8
EricIdlefan August Back To School Forum Addict Join Date: Oct 12, 2003 Location: East TN Posts: 68,236	Marc Bonticonti(son of former Dolphin great Nick) paralyzed from the waste down while trying to make a tackle and fell down hard!! And of course, who could forget the OJ thing!!
	__________________ August Back to School!

01-19-2004, 08:38 PM	#9
Sid Little Mac and Doc Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2003 Posts: 150	Darryl Kile died in his sleep in a Chicago Hotel of a heart attack in 2002 Brandon Burlsworth former Arkansas tackle killed in car accident a week after being drafted by the colts in 1999. Brook Berringer a Nebraska backup quarterback killed in a plane crash in 1996. Derrick Thomas died from injuries in car crash happend a month earlier in 2000.
	__________________ from South Park Jimmy: Okay. Try this one on for size: Why did the... pigeon cross the road? Cartman: Okay, why? Jimmy: Because it was having sex with the chihi... Because it was having sex with the ch-hi-hi... Because it was having sex with the ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch... eh, it was having sex with the ch-ch-hiicken

01-19-2004, 09:29 PM	#11
passionsfan79 Proud to be Sara fan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 13, 2002 Location: MN Posts: 2,265	malik sealy who played his final games as a minnesota timberwolve who died in a car accident.....i dont remember what year it was though
	__________________ Americas band The Beach Boys Member of the Sara Evans fan club since Dec 05 2005 forever

01-12-2004, 02:48 AM	#2
Brian Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jun 23, 2001 Posts: 20,451	Donnie Moore - the former Major League pitcher was one strike away from leading the then-California Angels to their first World Series in 1986. But Red Sox slugger Dave Henderson played the killjoy and hit a two-run homer to put the Red Sox ahead 6-5. The Angels tied it but lost on Henderson's extra-inning sac fly, giving the Bosox a 7-6 win. The Angels lost the next two games and lost their chance for their first pennant. In 1989, an extremely depressed and dejected Moore, who was recently released from a minor league club, shot and seriously injured his wife and shot himself. He couldn't let go of it. Tony Coligliaro of the Red Sox wielded a good bat but his promising career was cut short when he was hit in the face by a pitch. He returned a long while later but his career was never the same again.

01-12-2004, 03:26 AM	#4
Brian Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jun 23, 2001 Posts: 20,451	Yeah, I read about that. Those were the days when helmets weren't worn. Billy Martin died on Christmas day in 1989 when the pickup truck in which he was riding in crashed. I hope to make a movie about the guy someday. Dave Dravecky of the San Francisco Giants threw a pitch one day and broke his arm in 1989. It was the last pitch he would ever throw, as his arm would later be amputated. The same freakish accident would happen to Tampa Bay Devil Ray Tony Saunders (the Rays' first pick in the expansion draft). It happened twice, once with the Rays and a year or so later during rehab and Saunders had to retire after the second occurence. Luckily his arm didn't have to be amputated. 1976 Rookie of the Year, Mark Fidrych of the Detroit Tigers, had a very promising career ahead of him. After an awesome rookie season, his career suddenly made a turn for the worst. During spring training in 1977, he decided to catch pop flies but in a freak accident, tore up his knee. He would pitch a few more years but never made it back to the big leagues after 1980. Former Rookie of the Year Thurman Munson of the Yankees died in a plane crash in 1979. The indident unnerved Billy Martin tremendously. Lou Gehrig of the Yankees had to retire due to illness. He suffered from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. He died in 1941. Catfish Hunter would die of the same illness decades later.

01-12-2004, 04:57 PM	#5
RustyShackleford Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 13, 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 369	Dale Earnhardt was killed in a crash on the last lap of the Daytona 500 on February 18, 2001. He was one of the greatest.

01-13-2004, 02:13 PM	#6
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Brian Piccoli of the Chicago Bears died of cancer at age 26. His death inspired the movie, Brian's Song. Lyle Alzado, although out of sports at the time of his death, showed the world the danger of abusing steroids. He died of brain cancer in 1992 at the age of 42. Florence Griffith-Joyner -- Three-time Olympic gold medalist died at the age of 38 in 1998 of a heart problem. Mystery and speculation surround the actual cause of her death. Duk Koo Kim sustained brain injuries and died in a fight with Boom Boom Mancini in 1982.

01-13-2004, 03:35 PM	#7
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Jerome Brown a starting defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles and voted the defensive rookie of the year in 1987, was killed in a car car accident in Florida on June 25th,1992.

01-19-2004, 08:55 PM	#10
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Rocky Marciano, World Heavyweight Champion died in a plane crash in 1969. He was 46.

01-19-2004, 09:44 PM	#12
sinatrastar Indian Summer Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 22, 2003 Location: 78 W 86th St. Apt 3E Posts: 6,027	"Florence Griffith-Joyner -- Three-time Olympic gold medalist died at the age of 38 in 1998 of a heart problem. Mystery and speculation surround the actual cause of her death." I didnt remember she died.

01-20-2004, 12:16 AM	#13
EricIdlefan August Back To School Forum Addict Join Date: Oct 12, 2003 Location: East TN Posts: 68,236	*Sergei Grinkov collasping on the ice and dying while holding is wife at his side Kata Goordeva.*

01-20-2004, 12:32 AM	#15
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I'm trying to remember a story about athletes, teammates, in a boating accident. I think one of them died. They were drinking....I think charges were filed for recklessness. Does anyone remember this story?