12 Black Athletes Who Died Before Their Time

steve-mcnairSteve 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.

 

Payton_Walter_05Walter 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.

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