The sports world is mourning the deaths of athletes and sports figures who’ve passed away in 2026, such as three-time World Series champion Terrance Gore, Bill Mazeroski, who hit one of the biggest home runs in World Series history, two-time WNBA Champion Kara Braxton, and NFL Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen.
Tears were shed for Tre Johnson, who died on a family trip, and Rondale Moore, who died at 25. We now Remember the Athletes Who Died in 2026.
Kara Braxton
February 18, 1983 — February 21, 2026 (43 years old)
The Detroit Shock drafted Braxton, a 6’6” forward from the University of Georgia, with the seventh overall pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft. In four seasons with Detroit, Braxton was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team and was a 2007 All-Star. She was a vital contributor to the Shock’s 2006 and 2008 WNBA Championship teams. No cause of death was given.
Chet Brooks
January 1, 1966 — January 16, 2026 (60 years old)
Brooks won two Super Bowls in three seasons as a defensive back with the San Francisco 49ers before suffering a career-ending injury in 1990. He died from cancer.
Bobby Duncum
August 14, 1944 — January 21, 2026 (81 years old)
A brawling West Texas cowboy, Duncum is best known for his time in the AWA as a member of The Heenan Family, a heel stable managed by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, that also included Nick Bockwinkel, Ray Stevens, and Blackjack Lanza.
Terrance Gore
June 8, 1991 — February 6, 2026 (34 years old)
One of the fastest players of his era, Gore was a dangerous pinch runner and trusted defensive replacement. Despite playing in just 112 career regular seasons games, he was a three-time World Series champion (2015, Kansas City Royals; 2020, Los Angeles Dodgers; 2021, Atlanta Braves). He died due to complications following routine appendix removal surgery.
Ray Handley
October 8, 1944 — February 5, 2026 (81 years old)
A two-time Super Bowl winner as an assistant coach with the New York Giants, Handley ascended to the head coaching position in 1991 after Bill Parcells retired and then-Giants defensive coordinator Bill Belichick left for the top job in Cleveland. Handley went 14-18 in two turbulent years as head coach of the Giants.
Lou Holtz
January 6, 1937 — March 4, 2026 (89 years old)
One of the most accomplished coaches in college football history, Holtz won 249 career games in 33 seasons. He won the 1988 National Championship at Notre Dame and is the only college football coach to lead six different programs to bowl games. A family member announced in January 2026 that Holtz had entered end-of-life hospice care in Orlando, Florida.
Tre’ Johnson
August 30, 1971 — February 15, 2026 (54 years old)
After starring at Temple, Johnson, a 326 lb. offensive guard, played nine seasons in the NFL, primarily for Washington. In retirement he became a high school teacher and coach. Johnson died unexpectedly during a family trip.
Sonny Jurgensen
August 23, 1934 — February 6, 2026 (91 years old)
The longtime Washington quarterback led the NFL in passing yards five times, made five Pro Bowls, and was named a member of the 1960s All-Decade Team. Jurgensen was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983. He died in Naples, Florida.
Mickey Lolich
September 12, 1940 — February 4, 2026 (85 years old)
Lolich, a lefty power pitcher with a 96 MPH fastball, won 217 games over 16 seasons in MLB, primarily with the Detroit Tigers. In 1968, he delivered one of the most legendary performances in World Series history, tossing three complete game victories, including one in Game 7 to lead the Tigers to their first title in 23 years. He died in a care facility in Michigan.
Bill Mazeroski
September 5, 1936 — February 20, 2026 (89 years old)
Arguably, the greatest defensive second baseman of all time, Mazeroski is best known for hitting one of the most important home runs in MLB history: a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, which lifted the Pittsburgh Pirates over the New York Yankees. No details were provided about his death.
Doug Moe
September 21, 1938 – February 17, 2026 (87 years old)
Known for his loud wardrobe and run-and-gun offenses, Moe won 628 games in 15 seasons as an NBA head coach. Moe was a two-time All-American small forward at the University of North Caroline but was ensnared in a point shaving scandal that resulted in his blacklisting from the NBA. Moe went overseas before playing five seasons in the ABA. He died from complications from cancer.
Rondale Moore
June 9, 2000 — February 21, 2026 (25 years old)
Moore was a freshman phenom wide receiver at Purdue, catching 114 receptions and 12 touchdowns in 2018 on his way to being named a first-team All-American. He played three seasons in the NFL after the Arizona Cardinals drafted him in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. Moore was found dead inside of a garage. His death is still under investigation.
Chase Pistone
August 20, 1983 — March 2026 (42 years old)
The grandson of two-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner “Tiger” Tom Pistone began racing at the age of six and competed in the NASCAR Xfinity, Truck, and ARCA series. No cause of death was given but his brothers told Legends Nation to "post the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is 988 on a phone or text."
Barry Wilburn
December 9, 1963 — February 6, 2026 (62 years old)
An 8th round pick in the 1985 NFL Draft, Wilburn would enjoy a breakout season in 1987, leading the NFL with nine interceptions, being named to a first-team All-Pro, and snagging two interceptions in Washington’s 42-10 win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII. Wilburn, a cornerback who played eight NFL seasons, died in a house fire in his residence in Memphis, Tennessee.