The sports world has lost several top athletes and iconic sports stars this year.
The sports world is mourning the deaths of athletes and sports figures who have passed away in 2026 from National Basketball Association to National Football League.
In remembrance, here are just some of the sports stars who have died in 2026.
Tommy John (Age 83, died August 15, 2026)
Longtime MLB All-Star pitcher famous for pioneering ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery.
He was a Major League Baseball (MLB) left-handed pitcher who played 26 seasons from 1963 to 1989. John died from a recurrence of bladder cancer.
Mary Rand (Age 86, died March 26, 2026)
British Olympic gold medalist who won the long jump at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics while setting a world record died from acute myeloid leukemia.
Garret Anderson (Age 53, died April 16, 2026)
MLB star and 2002 World Series champion with the Los Angeles Angels died of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (a severe inflammation causing tissue death in the pancreas).
Craig Morton (Age 83, died May 9, 2026)
Morton was an iconic NFL quarterback who led the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos to Super Bowl appearances.
He died of acute respiratory failure caused by severe sepsis from a urinary tract infection
Jason Collins (Age 47, died May 12, 2026)
13-year NBA veteran center and the first openly gay player in North America's major men's pro sports leagues.
He died of respiratory failure with underlying conditions of stage IV glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, pulmonary embolism (blood clot), and hydrocephalus (fluid buildup in the brain).
Chris Spatola (Age 47, died September 24, 2026)
Spatola was ESPN college basketball analyst and former Army/Duke basketball player. Official statements from ESPN, Duke University, and his family (including his father-in-law, former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski) confirmed his sudden passing, but did not release details regarding the specific medical cause.
Gordon Johncock (Age 90, died September 28, 2026)
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner (1973 and 1982) died from natural causes at his home in South Branch, Michigan.
Cliff Hagan (Age 94, died October 15, 2026)
A specific cause of death was not publicly announced when Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame NBA forward with the St. Louis Hawks and NCAA champion at Kentucky, Cliff Hagan, passed away.
John Beake (Age 87, died October 17, 2026)
Beake was a former general manager of the Denver Broncos who guided the franchise to multiple Super Bowl appearances.
The Denver Broncos confirmed his passing after it was shared by his family, noting that no cause was provided.
Ron Duguay (Age 69, died October 21, 2026)
Iconic former New York Rangers and NHL ice hockey star died of complications from Stage 4 colon cancer that spread to his liver.
Dale Brown (Age 90, died October 23, 2026)
Longtime and winningest LSU men's basketball head coach died at the age of 90 but a specific cause of death was not publicly specified.
Mike Ditka (Age 86, died October 9, 2026)
Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end and legendary head coach who led the Chicago Bears to victory in Super Bowl XX survived a heart attack during the 1988 NFL season and another in 2018 that required doctors to implant a pacemaker.
He suffered a stroke in 2012 but died of natural causes in October this year.
