Who: George Foreman — the two-time heavyweight champion — died on March 21, 2025 at 76; no cause of death was disclosed. His passing capped a year in which the sports world lost dozens of icons across boxing, wrestling, baseball, football, hockey, NASCAR and more.
- Fast Fact: The losses include household names such as Hulk Hogan, George Foreman, Greg Biffle and Diogo Jota.
- Fast Fact: Causes were varied: plane and car crashes, cancer, heart disease, suicide and sudden collapses.
- Fast Fact: High-profile officials also died — including former MLB and NFL commissioners.
- Fast Fact: Some deaths came in athletes’ primes (Diogo Jota) while others followed long illnesses (Tagliabue, Parker, Dryden).
- Fast Fact: Tributes poured in across social platforms and from teams, leagues and family members.
This post has been updated.
The Legacy
2025’s losses rippled beyond headlines — these were careers and moments that defined sports for generations. Highlights from three of the most influential figures:
- George Foreman — Two-time world heavyweight champion (1973, 1994), star of the famed Rumble in the Jungle era, and entrepreneur behind the George Foreman Grill that made him a household name.
- Hulk Hogan — The pro wrestling icon who helped move wrestling into mainstream pop culture and inspired a generation of entertainers and athletes.
- Greg Biffle — NASCAR star: 1998 Truck Series Rookie of the Year, 2000 Craftsman Truck champion and 2002 Busch Series champion with 19 Truck Series wins.
Social Proof — Reactions and Tributes
Fans, teammates, coaches and leagues reacted immediately: moments of silence were observed, official team statements were released, and social feeds filled with photos, video highlights and personal memories. Hashtags related to the fallen athletes trended while veteran players and current stars shared condolences. Tributes ranged from stadium displays and halftime remembrances to long-form social posts celebrating careers and charitable work.
Notable Athletes Listed (Selected)
Below is a consolidated list of the notable sports figures who died in 2025, with the details reported at the time.
- Greg Biffle (Dec 23, 1969 — Dec 18, 2025, 55) — NASCAR champion; died after a private jet crash in North Carolina.
- Junior Bridgeman (Sep 17, 1953 — Mar 11, 2025, 71) — Former NBA player turned billionaire owner; died after suffering a heart attack.
- Bay Area Lab Co‑operative founder (July 10, 1950 — Nov 3, 2025, 75) — Conte, linked to BALCO steroid scandals; died from pancreatic cancer.
- Octavio Dotel (Nov 25, 1973 — Apr 8, 2025, 51) — MLB reliever with 700+ appearances; died in a nightclub roof collapse in Santo Domingo.
- Ken Dryden (Aug 8, 1947 — Sep 5, 2025, 78) — Six‑time Stanley Cup winner and Hockey Hall of Famer; died from cancer.
- George Foreman (Jan 10, 1949 — Mar 21, 2025, 76) — Two‑time heavyweight champion; no cause of death given.
- Mike Greenwell (Jan 10, 1949 — Mar 21, 2025) — Former Red Sox outfielder; reported death from thyroid cancer.
- Ricky Hatton (Oct 6, 1978 — Sep 14, 2025, 46) — Two‑division world champion; died by suicide.
- Jim Irsay (Aug 11, 1953 — Jul 24, 2025, 65) — Former Colts owner; death certificate lists cardiac arrest from pneumonia and heart disease.
- Gregory (Chicago White Sox closer) (Mar 14, 1981 — Jul 5, 2025, 44) — Died from stomach cancer.
- Johnny O. Johnson (Jan 30, 1943 — Sep 5, 2025, 82) — Two‑time World Series champion and 1986 Mets manager; died after a long illness.
- Carl Eller (Dec 30, 1937 — Jun 3, 2025, 87) — Member of the Vikings’ Purple People Eaters; died after a long hospitalization.
- Famous college coach (Aug 22, 1940 — Jan 10, 2025, 84) — Longtime Colorado Buffaloes head coach; died from dementia complications.
- Bill McMichael (Oct 17, 1957 — Apr 23, 2025, 67) — 1985 Bears defensive tackle and later wrestler; died from complications of ALS.
- The Big O (Apr 6, 1970 — Mar 12, 2025, 54) — Played 10 NBA seasons; died from cancer.
- Bernie Parent (Apr 3, 1945 — Sep 21, 2025, 80) — Flyers goaltending legend; died in his sleep.
- Tony Parker (Jun 9, 1951 — Jun 28, 2025, 74) — Two World Series titles and multiple batting crowns; died from complications of Parkinson’s.
- Rodney Rogers (Jun 20, 1971 — Nov 21, 2025, 54) — NBA Sixth Man of the Year (2000); died from complications related to his spinal cord injury.
- Sabu (Terrance Brunk) (1963/1964 — May 11, 2025, 61) — ECW hardcore wrestling star; no cause released.
- Ryne Sandberg (Sep 18, 1959 — Jul 28, 2025, 65) — Hall of Fame Cub; died from cancer.
- Paul Tagliabue (Nov 24, 1940 — Nov 9, 2025, 84) — Former NFL Commissioner; died from heart failure and Parkinson’s complications.
- Buck Showalter (Torborg) (Nov 26, 1941 — Jan 19, 2025, 83) — Longtime MLB manager; died from Parkinson’s complications.
- Bob Uecker (Jan 26, 1934 — Jan 16, 2025, 90) — Iconic broadcaster and entertainer; died from lung cancer.
- Bud Selig (Vincent) (May 29, 1938 — Feb 1, 2025, 86) — Former MLB commissioner; died from bladder cancer.
- Don Nelson (Oct 28, 1937 — Nov 9, 2025, 88) — NBA champion coach and games‑coached record holder; cause not revealed.
- Fuzzy Zoeller (Nov 11, 1951 — Nov 27, 2025, 74) — Major champion in golf; family reported cardiac arrest.
These entries reflect the reporting available at publication. The losses span causes and generations: sudden tragedies, long illnesses, and the passing of figures who shaped their sports. For ongoing updates and full obituaries, check official team statements and family announcements.
If you have a correction or additional tribute to submit, contact our newsroom and we will update this remembrance.
Image Referance: https://www.complex.com/sports/a/thomas-golianopoulos/remembering-the-athletes-who-died-in-2025