Updated: April 14th, 2025 12:30PM
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025
The world of sports is one of passion, dedication, and unforgettable moments.
It is shaped by extraordinary individuals who inspire millions on and off the field.
These figures, whether athletes, coaches, or influential pioneers, leave a lasting legacy, etched into the hearts of fans and the history books of their respective sports.
As we progress through 2025, we pause to remember and honor the monumental contributions of those we have lost this year.
Their influence extends far beyond their accomplishments in competition.
They brought communities together, provided moments of joy and triumph, and influenced the trajectory of their sports in profound ways.
This article serves as a dedication to their legacy and as an evolving tribute.
We will continually update this piece with the names and stories of notable sports figures who pass in 2025, ensuring their impact is celebrated and never forgotten.
Take a look below at Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025.
Listen Live to 93.5 & 107.5 The Fan
WIBC | Notable People Who Have Passed Away in 2025
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
1. Don Hassleback – Passed away on April 14th
Don Hasselbeck was a former NFL tight end known for his nine-year career, including a Super Bowl XVIII victory with the Los Angeles Raiders.
Drafted in 1977 by the New England Patriots, he also played for the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants.
Hasselbeck was celebrated for his contributions on the field and as the father of NFL quarterbacks Matt and Tim Hasselbeck.
He passed away at age 70, leaving behind a legacy of athletic excellence and family leadership.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
2. Karenna Groff – Passed away on April 13th
Karenna Groff was a former MIT soccer player and the 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year, recognized for her athletic and academic achievements.
She co-founded openPPE during the pandemic, contributing to innovative mask designs.
Groff tragically passed away in a plane crash in Copake, New York, alongside her family.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
3. Kyren Lacy – Passed away on April 13th
Kyren Lacy was an American college football wide receiver who played for Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and LSU Tigers.
Known for his athleticism, he earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2024.
Tragically, Lacy passed away at 24 in an apparent suicide following legal troubles related to a fatal car crash.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
4. Ray Shero – Passed away on April 9th
Ray Shero was an influential American ice hockey executive in the NHL, serving as general manager for the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils.
Under his leadership, the Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2009.
Known for his strategic acumen, Shero also contributed to U.S. Olympic hockey teams and later advised the Minnesota Wild.
He passed away in 2025 after a brief illness.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
5. Octavio Dotel – Passed away on April 8th
Octavio Dotel was a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball, representing a record 13 teams.
Known for his role as a relief pitcher, he recorded 109 saves and won the 2011 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Dotel also earned a gold medal in the 2013 World Baseball Classic with the Dominican Republic.
He tragically passed away in a nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
6. Shigeaki Hattori – Passed away on April 5th
Shigeaki Hattori was a Japanese race car driver and team owner.
He competed in CART, IndyCar, and NASCAR, with notable achievements including winning the 1994 Formula Toyota championship.
As the owner of Hattori Racing Enterprises, he led his team to the 2018 NASCAR Truck Series championship.
Hattori tragically passed away in a car accident in North Carolina.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
7. Hank Steinbrecher – Passed away on March 25th
Hank Steinbrecher was a pivotal figure in American soccer, serving as Secretary General of the U.S. Soccer Federation from 1990 to 2000.
He played a key role in elevating the sport in the U.S., overseeing major events like the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
A National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, Steinbrecher’s legacy includes his contributions as a player, coach, and administrator.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
8. George Foreman – Passed on March 21st
George Foreman was a legendary American boxer, two-time world heavyweight champion, and Olympic gold medalist.
Known for his powerful punches, he achieved fame with a stunning victory over Joe Frazier in 1973 and later became the oldest heavyweight champion at age 45.
After retiring, Foreman became a successful entrepreneur, famously endorsing the George Foreman Grill, and a Christian minister.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
9. Kenneth Sims – Passed on March 21st
Kenneth Sims was a standout American football player, known for his role as a defensive end.
A Texas native, he excelled at the University of Texas, earning unanimous All-American honors and winning the prestigious Lombardi Award in 1981.
Sims was the first overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft, playing eight seasons with the New England Patriots.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
10. John Feinstein – Passed on March 13th
Source:NBAE via Getty Images
John Feinstein media, 1956-2025 media, 1956-2025 john feinstein media,1956-2025 media,1956-2025
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
11. Oliver Miller – Passed on March 12th
Source:Getty
Former NBA player Oliver Miller passed away on Wednesday as a result of cancer, according to the NBA Players Association. The center, who was 54 years old, played nine seasons in the league with the Suns, Pistons, Raptors, Mavericks, Kings and Timberwolves.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
12. Junior Bridgeman – Passed on March 13th
Source:Getty
Former University of Louisville basketball star and billionaire entrepreneur Junior Bridgeman died after suffering a medical emergency during a fundraiser at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
13. Lee Kunzman – Passed away on February 27th
Lee Kunzman was an American race car driver who competed in USAC and CART series, including multiple Indianapolis 500 appearances.
Known for his resilience, he overcame severe injuries from two major crashes during his career.
After retiring, he managed Hemelgarn Racing, contributing to their 1996 Indy 500 and 2000 championship victories.
He was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2006.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
14. Larry Dolan (center) – Passed on February 23rd
Source:Getty
Larry Dolan, who bought the Cleveland Indians in 2000, has died at age 94
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
15. Al Trautwig – Passed on February 23rd
Source:Getty
Al Trautwig, one of the most recognizable sports broadcasters in New York and a fixture at numerous international sporting events for more than three decades, has died. He was 68.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
16. Scott Sauerbeck – Passed on February 18th
Source:Getty
Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Scott Sauerbeck has died at the age of 53.
Sauerbeck pitched for the Pirates for five seasons and still holds the team record for the most games pitched in a season by a left hander.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
17. Howard Twilley – Passed on February 5th
Source:Getty
Howard Twilley, a key receiver for the Miami Dolphins during the team’s perfect 1972 season and a Heisman Trophy runner-up at the University of Tulsa, has died. He was 81.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
18. Dick Jauron – Passed on February 8th
Source:Getty
Longtime NFL player and coach Dick Jauron, who led the Chicago Bears to the playoffs and was voted AP coach of the year in 2001, died Saturday. He was 74.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
19. Virginia McCaskey – Passed on February 6th
Source:Getty
Virginia Halas McCaskey, the only daughter of Pro Football Hall of Famer George Halas and the Bears’ principal owner since 1983, passed away February 6 at the age of 102.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
20. Fay Vincent – Passed on February 1st
Source:Getty
Francis T. “Fay” Vincent, who served as the eighth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1989-92, has passed away. He was 86.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
21. Richard Button – Passed on January 30th
Source:Getty
Amidst the tragic loss of athletes, coaches and officials in an aerial collusion between American Airlines Flight 5342 and Army helicopter in Washington D.C. on 29 January, two-time Olympic champion Richard “Dick” Button passed away.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
22. Jeff Torborg – Passed on January 19th
Source:Getty
Jeff Torborg, the former catcher who caught Sandy Koufax’s perfect game and was the 1990 American League Manager of the Year with the Chicago White Sox, died at age 83.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
23. Bob Uecker – Passed on January 16th
Source:Getty
Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker “Mr. Baseball” and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 90.
The team announced Uecker died Thursday morning, calling it “one of the most difficult days in Milwaukee Brewers history.” In a statement released by the club, Uecker’s family said he had battled small cell lung cancer since early 2023.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
24. Gus Williams – Passed on January 15th
Source:Getty
Gus Williams, the point guard “Wizard” who helped lead the SuperSonics to their only NBA championship in 1979, died Wednesday nearly five years after suffering a stroke. He was 71.
Nicknamed “the Wizard” for his combo of speed, athleticism and scoring, Williams spent six seasons of his NBA career with the SuperSonics.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
25. Bill McCartney – Passed on January 10th
Source:Getty
Bill McCartney, one of the most visible and successful head coaches in the University of Colorado’s 135-year athletic history, passed away peacefully after a long illness. He was 84.
He orchestrated a turnaround with a program that had won just 14 games over the previous six seasons to one that claimed three Big Eight Conference titles and the 1990 consensus national championship.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
26. Felix Mantilla – Passed on January 10th
Source:Getty
Felix Mantilla, who played 11 years in the MLB and was a member of the original Mets team Dies at age 90.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
27. Brian Matusz – Passed on January 6th
Source:Getty
Former Orioles pitcher Brian Matusz died of a drug overdose, according to a Phoenix police report obtained by the Baltimore Banner.
Matusz was found dead in his home by his mother, Elizabeth, on Jan. 6.
He was 37.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
28. Agnes Keleti – Passed on January 2nd
Source:Getty
The world’s oldest living Olympic gold medallist, the Hungarian gymnast Agnes Keleti, who escaped the Holocaust with false identity papers and the Soviet Union’s brutal clampdown on her home country by emigrating to Israel, has died aged 103.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
29. Tiger Bech – Passed on January 1st
Source:Princeton Athletics
Former Princeton football player Tiger Bech, an All-Ivy League kick returner, was among those killed in the deadly pickup truck attack early in New Orleans on January 1st.
Rest In Peace: Notable Sports Figures We’ve Lost In 2025 was originally published on rone1075thefan.staging.go.ione.nyc
