Final farewells: Deaths in sport in 2022

Pele, Shane Warne and Bill Russell — simply three sports activities icons who handed away in 2022.

AFP Sport seems at their legacies in addition to 9 different high-profile sports activities stars to have died during the last yr:

BASKETBALL

FILE PHOTO: Boston Celtics’ legend Bill Russell stands along with his Presidential Medal of Freedom in the course of the NBA All-Star basketball recreation in Los Angeles, February 20, 2011. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok/File Photo

— He received a document 11 NBA crowns as a cornerstone of a Boston Celtics dynasty, overcame racism to grow to be the league’s first Black celebrity and was a distinguished civil rights activist.

He was the primary Black coach to win the NBA Finals. That triumph got here in 1968, particularly poignant because it was simply weeks after civil rights chief Martin Luther King’s assassination.

“A good man and great American who did everything he could to deliver the promise of America for all Americans,” stated US President Joe Biden.

BOXING

Earnie Shavers — Died aged 78 on September 1

— “Earnie hit me so hard it shook my kinfolk in Africa,” remarked Muhammad Ali after their 1977 heavyweight world title bout which Ali received after 15 pulsating rounds.

One of 10 youngsters, Shavers’ household fled Alabama beneath threats from the Ku Klux Klan. He solely took up boxing in his early 20s however his fearsome punch left not simply Ali in awe.

“I was in the land of make-believe. I heard saxophones and trombones sounding in my ear… I saw little blue rats scamper out to smoke cigars, drink whisky, man,” stated one other opponent, James ‘Quick’ Tillis.

CRICKET
Shane Warne — Died aged 52 on March 4

— Regarded by many in sports-mad Australia as second solely to Don Bradman, Warne blended legendary cricket deeds with colourful headlines away from the pitch incomes him the nickname ‘Hollywood’ in a profession as bewitching as his famed incorrect ‘un.

Warne took 708 wickets in a 145-Test profession. “I should think there have been a lot of great cricketers, great spinners and great leg-spinners but Warnie will always be, certainly from my point of view, the No. 1,” stated Mike Gatting, who was on the incorrect finish of Warne’s ‘ball of the century’ in 1993.

Rod Marsh — Died aged 74 on March 4

— A flamboyant Australian wicketkeeper — nicknamed ‘Iron Gloves’ — he made his worldwide debut in 1970 in opposition to England earlier than retiring in 1984 with what was then a world-record 355 Test dismissals, 95 off the bowling of Dennis Lillee.

He was no imply batsman both turning into the primary Aussie wicketkeeper to attain a Test century, in opposition to Pakistan in 1982.

FOOTBALL

FILE PHOTO: Legendary Brazilian soccer participant Pele waves to the spectators earlier than the beginning of under-17 boys’ ultimate soccer match of Subroto Cup event at Ambedkar stadium in New Delhi, India, October 16, 2015. REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee/File Photo

— The Brazilian celebrity whose title grew to become synonymous along with his sport, “O Rei” (The King) is the one footballer in historical past to win three World Cups — 1958, 1962 and 1970.

Known for his genius with the ball, he epitomized the elegant type of play referred to as “samba football” in Brazil, the place he was declared a “national treasure.”

Pele scored an all-time document 1,281 targets in 1,363 matches for Santos (1956-74), the Brazilian nationwide group, and the New York Cosmos (1975-77).

“Football has lost the greatest player in its history,” stated German legend Franz Beckenbauer.

George Cohen – Died on December 23 aged 83

— The 37-times capped defender performed each minute of England’s victorious 1966 marketing campaign that culminated in a 4-2 extra-time win over the then West Germany to provide England their first and solely World Cup.

Cohen spent his total profession with Fulham, enjoying 459 video games for the Cottagers from 1956-1969 earlier than a knee harm lower quick his profession at 29.

Uwe Seeler – Died on July 21 aged 85

— Played in all 4 World Cups by which Pele appeared (1958-70) however not like the Brazilian legend by no means lifted the trophy. The closest he got here was captaining the aspect that misplaced to England within the 1966 ultimate.

Like his father, Seeler performed for Hamburg from 1953 to 1972 the place he’s referred to fondly as ‘Uns Uwe’ (Our Uwe) making 476 appearances.

NFL

Dan Reeves — Died on January 1 aged 77

— The bespectacled coach shares with Buffalo Bills legendary coach Marv Levy and Minnesota Vikings’ Bud Grant, essentially the most visits to a Super Bowl with out ever profitable (4).

Ironically his final journey to the Super Bowl in 1999 resulted within the Broncos (who he had taken thrice to the Super Bowl) beating his Atlanta Falcons. He did win one Super Bowl ring – as a working again for the Dallas Cowboys.

RACING
Lester Piggott — Died on May 29 aged 86

— For many the best jockey of all time. Known because the ‘Long Fellow’, he rode a document 9 Epsom Derby winners.

Piggott, who rode his first winner aged simply 12, served a yr in jail for tax fraud in 1987 after which made a shock return to driving.

He memorably reunited with Irish coach Vincent O’Brien to win the distinguished Breeders’ Cup Mile on Royal Academy on the age of 54 in 1990.

“Lester walked about with an aura about him,” stated his nice rival Willie Carson.

RUGBY UNION

Phil Bennett – Died on June 12 aged 73

— Considered to be the best fly-half to play for Wales, pivotal to the nation’s glory years in the course of the Seventies who grew to become a cult determine on account of a grievance-laced pre-match speech earlier than going through England, the outdated enemy, in Cardiff in 1977.

“Look what these bastards have done to Wales. They’ve taken our coal, our water, our steel. They buy our homes and live in them for a fortnight every year. What have they given us?” he stated.

“Absolutely nothing. We’ve been exploited, raped, controlled and punished by the English – and that’s who you are playing this afternoon,” stated Bennett. Wales received 14-9.

RUGBY UNION/LEAGUE

Va’aiga Tuigimala — Died on February 24 aged 52

— Affectionately generally known as ‘Inga the winger’ to followers of each rugby union and rugby league, he performed for the All Blacks in union and Samoa in each codes. He was additionally a member of the Wigan aspect that dominated rugby league within the Nineteen Nineties.

TENNIS

Nick Bollettieri — Died on December 4 aged 91

— Legendary coach who helped develop superstars comparable to Andre Agassi and Maria Sharapova.

The demanding routine for youngsters and adolescents residing and coaching on the Korean War veteran’s academy produced outcomes but additionally drew criticism.

“I hated it at Bollettieri’s academy,” stated Agassi. “The only way I could get out was to succeed.”

Bollettieri, although, remained unrepentant. “I did what had to be done. Tennis is not a sport for choirboys.”

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