12 Black Athletes Who Died Before Their Time

Steve McNair was born Feb. 14, 1973, and died July 4, 2009, at 36. The NFL quarterback led the Tennessee Titans to the playoffs four times and the Baltimore Ravens once. He also played in Super Bowl XXXIV with the Titans. McNair is the Titans’ all-time leading passer. Sadly, McNair was fatally shot in a murder-suicide. Walter Payton was born July 25, 1954, and died Nov. 1, 1999, at 45. Payton was one of the NFL’s all-time great running backs, playing his whole career with the Chicago Bears. He also was a great humanitarian and an advocate for organ donation and education. He died of liver cancer. Ernie Davis was born Dec. 14, 1939, and died May 18, 1963, at 23. Davis was a Syracuse University running back and the first African-American athlete to win the Heisman Trophy. He was diagnosed with acute monocytic leukemia. Len Bias was born Nov. 18, 1963, and he died June 19, 1986, at 22. The University of Maryland basketball star was named the 1986 ACC Player of the Year. He was selected second overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1986 NBA draft. Less than 48 hours later, Bias died of a cocaine overdose in his dorm room. Hank Gathers was born Feb. 11, 1967, and died March 4, 1990, at 23. The Loyola Marymount University basketball star was only the second player in NCAA history to lead the country in both scoring and rebounding in one season. Gathers collapsed and died on the court during a game from a rare heart condition. Reggie Lewis was born Nov. 21, 1965, and died July 27, 1993, at 27. Only three years after Gathers died from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy during a collegiate game, Lewis met the same fate on a basketball court. His No. 35 jersey was retired by the NBA's Boston Celtics as a memorial. Sean Taylor was born April 1, 1983, and died Nov. 27, 2007, at 24. Taylor was an NFL player who was a free safety for the Washington Redskins for four seasons. Sadly, he died during a botched robbery at his home in Palmetto Bay, Florida. Chris Henry was born May 17, 1983, and died Dec. 17, 2009, at 26. Henry was a wide receiver for the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. He died as a result of head injuries sustained in a truck incident. Darrent Williams was born Sept. 27, 1982, and died Jan. 1, 2007, at 24. Williams was an NFL player for the Denver Broncos. After a night of partying at a New Year’s 2007 celebration, a disagreement in a club led to a drive-by shooting. Thomas Herrion was born Dec. 15, 1981, and died Aug. 20, 2005, at 23. Herrion was an offensive guard for the NFL's San Francisco 49ers. Herrion collapsed and died in the locker room due to heart failure after a preseason game. Malik Sealy was born Feb. 1, 1970, and died May 20, 2000, at 30. Sealy was a shooting guard for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves. Sadly, he was killed in a car accident. Roberto Clemente was born Aug. 18, 1934, and died Dec. 31, 1972, at 38. Clemente was a Puerto Rican professional baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was killed in a plane crash on his way to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

Related Stories

Gone Too Soon: 10 Iconic Black Stars Who Passed Away Before the Age of 30

5 Black Athletes Who Would Have Had Prolific Careers But Died Prematurely

6 Black NFL Quarterbacks Who Dispelled The Myth That They Can’t Play The Position