Shocking and Tragic Deaths of Sportsman (Part 1)
There have been many sportsmen and women who have died way too soon. Usually at the top of their game, these deaths have drawn shock and remorse from fans and players alike. Whether their deaths occurring from suicides, homicides, or automotive accidents,
these players will be missed as being well into their athletic careers and taken from the world unwillingly.
First on the list occurred not too long ago. On September 20, 2009, Kenny McKinley, a wide receiver for the Denver Broncos, was found dead in his apartment as a result of an apparent suicide. Only 23 years old, the fifth-round NFL Draft pick died as a result
of a gunshot wound to his head, which was ruled as self-inflicted. No details on the reason behind the suicide were ever made public. Graduating from the University of South Carolina, he remains the all-time leading receiver.
Luna Vachon was a WWE, WCW, and other independent federations, wrestler. On August 27, 2010, Vachon was found dead as a result of an apparent prescription drug overdose. She suffered many injuries from her wrestling career and was also bipolar, for which
she took these medications. She became addicted to the medication and, even after rehabilitation in 2009, overdosed. She was 48 years old.
On July 22, 2010, while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Lorenzen Wright was reported missing after leaving his ex-wife’s residence four days earlier. On July 28, Wright’s body was found in the woods near Hacks Cross Road in Memphis, Tennessee. The case
is still being investigated, being determined a homicide. On the morning of July 19, a 911 call had been made from his cell phone and while speaking with the dispatcher, shots rang out. He played for five different teams in his 13 NBA seasons and was only
34 years old at the time of death.
Bob Probert was one of the toughest players in the NHL. He was drafted in 1983 to the Detroit Redwings and retired in 2002 after playing for the Chicago Blackhawks. He had 3,300 penalty minutes in his career, the fourth highest in the history of the NHL.
While out boating on Lake St. Clair, Probert collapsed as a result of what he described as “severe chest pain.” His father-in-law, who had boating with him along with his children and mother in law, attempted CPR, but his attempts were futile. He was rushed
to the hospital with no vital signs and was pronounced dead later in the day after attempts to revive him produced no results. He was 45 years old when he passed away on July 5, 2010.
On April 18, 2010, Edwin Valero was arrested as a suspect in the murder of his 24-year-old wife, who was found dead in a hotel in Carabobo. He then admitted to hotel security and police that he, indeed, had murdered his wife. In the early hours of April
19, Velero hung himself in his cell using the pants that he was wearing, with a picture of his family in his mouth. He was an undefeated super featherweight boxer with a professional record of 27 KOs, 19
of which occurred in the first round. He was the only fighter in the WBC to win every fight as a result of a knockout. He was only 28 years old when he committed suicide.
One day after sustaining grave injuries from a car accident, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, Chris Henry, was pronounced dead as a result of blunt force trauma to the head. With his fiancée, Loleini Tonga, driving, Henry fell out of the back of the truck
as a result of the accident. Henry was honored by the NFL with a moment of silence before each game of Week 15 in the 2009 NFL Regular Season. He was only 26 years old when he died on December 17, 2009.
These terrible deaths are among the most recent that have occurred in the world of sports. In the next articles, we will take a look at past deaths that were appalling to players and fans alike.
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