List of gridiron football players who died during their careers

This is a list of players of gridiron football (American football and Canadian football) players who died while still on a team roster. Included are players in professional and college football who have died of any cause. For professional football players, the most common cause of death is vehicle crashes. For college players, the most common cause of death is in-game and practice injuries. Each player is listed with the team to which he was assigned at the time of his death, rather than the team with which he spent most of his career. Players who were free agents at the time of their death are not listed.

National Football League

= Pro Bowler
= Hall of Famer

1922–1965

NameAgePositionTeamCause of deathYear
Ralph Anderson24WRLos Angeles Chargers (AFL)Diabetic reaction1960
Jeff Burkett26WR / PChicago CardinalsPlane crash1947
Ernie Davis23HBCleveland BrownsLeukemia1963[a]
Terry Dillon22DBMinnesota VikingsDrowned1964
Bo Farrington28TEChicago BearsCar crash (with Willie Galimore)1964
Don Fleming25SCleveland BrownsAccidental electrocution1963
Willie Galimore29HBChicago BearsCar crash (with Bo Farrington)1964
Howard Glenn26GNew York Titans (AFL)Neck injury (in-game)1960
Ching Hammill23BBProvidence Steam RollerCrushed by electric crane1925
Mack Lee Hill25FBKansas City Chiefs (AFL)Pulmonary embolism1965
Stone Johnson23HBKansas City Chiefs (AFL)Neck injury (in-game)1963[b]
Mose Kelsch38KPittsburgh PiratesCar crash1935
Bob Laraba28LBSan Diego Chargers (AFL)Car crash1962
Gene Lipscomb31DTPittsburgh SteelersDrug overdose1963
Stan Mauldin27OTChicago CardinalsHeart attack1948
Lucien Reeberg21OTDetroit LionsHeart attack1964
Dave Sparks26DTWashington RedskinsHeart attack1954

1966–1995

NameAgePositionTeamCause of deathYear
Jeff Alm25DTHouston OilersSuicide1993
Eric Andolsek25GDetroit LionsCar crash1992
Troy Archer24DENew York GiantsCar crash1979
Brad Beckman24TEAtlanta FalconsCar crash1989
Jerome Brown27DTPhiladelphia EaglesCar crash1992
Frank Buncom29LBCincinnati Bengals (AFL)Blood clot1969
J. V. Cain28TESt. Louis CardinalsHeart attack1979
Rusty Chambers27LBMiami DolphinsCar crash1981
Kirk Collins25CBLos Angeles RamsEsophageal cancer1984
David Croudip30DBAtlanta FalconsDrug overdose1988
Shane Curry24DEIndianapolis ColtsHomicide1992
Joe Delaney24RBKansas City ChiefsDrowned1983
Jim Duncan26CBBaltimore ColtsSuicide1972
Blenda Gay26DEPhiladelphia EaglesHomicide1976
Larry Gordon28LBMiami DolphinsHeart attack1983
David Griggs28LBSan Diego ChargersCar crash1995
Roger Hagberg31TEOakland Raiders (AFL)Car crash1970
Chuck Hughes28WRDetroit LionsCardiac arrest (in-game), compounded by spleen injury from a previous game1971
Bruce McLenna26FBKansas City Chiefs (AFL)Car crash1968
Ralph Norwood23OTAtlanta FalconsCar crash1989
David Overstreet25RBMiami DolphinsCar crash1984
Brian Piccolo26HBChicago BearsEmbryonal cell carcinoma1970
Ron Rector24HBAtlanta FalconsMotorcycle crash1968
Don Rogers23SCleveland BrownsDrug overdose1986
Andy Spiva24LBAtlanta FalconsCar crash1979
Stacey Toran27DBLos Angeles RaidersCar crash1989
Fred Washington23DTChicago BearsCar crash1990
Dave Waymer34SLos Angeles RaidersHeart attack1993

1996–2021

NameAgePositionTeamCause of deathYear
Gaines Adams26DEChicago BearsCardiac arrest2010
Jovan Belcher25LBKansas City ChiefsSuicide2012
Leon Bender22DTOakland RaidersSeizure1998
Jerry Brown25LBDallas CowboysCar crash2012
Brandon Burlsworth22GIndianapolis ColtsCar crash1999
Marcus Cassel23CBCarolina PanthersCar crash2006
Marquis Cooper26LBOakland RaidersPresumed dead from boating accident; body never found2009
Rodney Culver26RBSan Diego ChargersPlane crash1996
Chris Henry26WRCincinnati BengalsFell out of back of a moving vehicle2009
Thomas Herrion23GSan Francisco 49ersIschaemic heart disease2005
Marquise Hill24DENew England PatriotsDrowned2007
Edwin Jackson26LBIndianapolis ColtsCar crash2018
Fred Lane24RBCarolina PanthersHomicide2000
Kenny McKinley23WRDenver BroncosSuicide2010
O.J. Murdock25WRTennessee TitansSuicide2012
Damien Nash24RBDenver BroncosCardiac failure2007
Corey Smith29DEDetroit LionsPresumed dead from boating accident, body never found2009
Korey Stringer27OTMinnesota VikingsHeat stroke2001
Sean Taylor24FSWashington RedskinsHomicide2007
Derrick Thomas33LBKansas City ChiefsPulmonary embolism2000
Eric Turner31SOakland RaidersStomach cancer2000
Tray Walker23CBBaltimore RavensMotorcycle crash2016
Darrent Williams24CBDenver BroncosHomicide2007

2022–present

NameAgePositionTeamCause of deathYear
Jaylon Ferguson26LB, DEBaltimore RavensDrug overdose2022
Jeff Gladney25CBArizona CardinalsCar crash2022
Dwayne Haskins24QBPittsburgh SteelersHit by vehicle while walking2022

Arena Football League and af2

Canadian Football League

NameAgePositionTeamCause of deathYearReference(s)
Allen Gallaher26OLBC LionsHeart attack1977[2]
Mylan Hicks23DBCalgary StampedersHomicide2016[3]
Joe McKnight28RBSaskatchewan RoughridersHomicide2016[4]
Tom Pate23LBHamilton Tiger-CatsAneurysm (in game)1975[5]
Christian Saulsberry25WREdmonton ElksHomicide2022[6]
Derrell Robertson27DELas Vegas PosseAutomobile crash1994[7]
Adrian Robinson25LBHamilton Tiger-CatsSuicide2015[8]
Ted Watkins27WRHamilton Tiger-CatsShot while robbing a liquor store1968

Continental Football League

NameAgePositionTeamCause of deathYearReference(s)
Glen Hepburn29Two-way endOmaha MustangsInjuries sustained during game vs Michigan Arrows1968[9]
NameAgePositionTeamCause of deathYearReference(s)
Donald Sellers26Wide receiverLas Vegas Outlaws (XFL)Car Crash2001[10]
Troy Stark28Offensive linemanNew York/New Jersey Hitmen (XFL)Complications from surgery2001[11]
Chris Brown24Offensive linemanDC Defenders (XFL)Drowned2021[12][13]
Jessie Lemonier25LinebackerBirmingham Stallions (USFL)Unknown2023[14]
Chris Smith28Defensive endSeattle Sea Dragons (XFL)Unknown2023[15]
Alex Collins28Running backMemphis Showboats (USFL)Motorcycle Accident2023[16]

New England Football League

NameAgePositionTeamCause of deathYearReference(s)
Odin Lloyd27LinebackerBoston BanditsHomicide2013[17]

College

PlayerAgeSchoolPositionCause of deathYearRef(s)
Bennie Abram III20MississippiSafetyExercise collapse associated with sickle cell trait2010[18]
Ted Agu21CaliforniaDefensive endExercise collapse associated with sickle cell trait2014[19]
John Airhart19Simmons CollegeQuarterbackTraumatic brain injury sustained during 1909 game vs. Howard Payne1910
John AlbertChicagoMultipleStomach ailment1914
John Allen24Christian Brothers CollegeTackleTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. St. Louis University alumni team1899[20]
Kyle Ambrogi21PennsylvaniaRunning backSuicide2005
Avery Atkins20University of FloridaCornerbackEcstasy overdose2007[21]
Sal Aunese21University of ColoradoQuarterbackStomach cancer1989[22]
Walter Back22OregonBlood poisoning1935
Devin Chandler20VirginiaWide receiverHomicide2022[23]
George T. Bahen21GeorgetownHalfbackSpinal cord injury sustained during 1894 game vs. Columbia Athletic Club1895[24]
Marlin Barnes22University of MiamiLinebackerHomicide1996
Charles BeccaraLehighGuardAccidental self-inflicted gunshot1895[25]
Verner BelyeaNorwich CollegeHalfbackSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Holy Cross1913
Heath Benedict24Newberry CollegeOffensive tackleEnlarged heart2008[26]
Brook Berringer22University of NebraskaQuarterbackPlane crash1996
Preston Birdsong19Tennessee TechDefensive backExercise collapse associated with sickle cell trait2000
Edward Bohn22Missouri MinesHalfbackSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Central Missouri1920
Austin Box22University Of OklahomaLinebackerAccidental opioid overdose2011
Tajh Boyd19Liberty UniversityOffensive linemanSuicide2023[27]
Cary BrownPresbyterianEndSpinal cord injury sustained during practice1923
Hunter Brown21Air Force AcademyOffensive linemanBlood clot in lungs following an injury suffered in practice2023[28]
Michael Burke21Medico-Chirurgical CollegeTackleTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. Philadelphia Pharmacy1909[29]
Eugene Byrne21ArmyTackleTraumatic brain and spinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Harvard1909[30]
Derringer Cade20Northeast Missouri StateLinebackerIdiopathic hypertropic cardiomyopathy sustained during game vs. Southwest Baptist University1990
Ronnie Caldwell21Northwestern StateSafetyHomicide2023[31]
Leon Carey20Arkansas A&MCerebral hemorrhage1931[32]
Archer Christian18VirginiaHalfbackTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. Georgetown1909[33]
Ladarius Clardy18Kennesaw StateQuarterbackHomicide2021[34]
Leonard Clarkson23Norwich CollegeEndInternal injuries sustained during game vs. Dartmouth1907[35]
Hiram Cole19Central MethodistTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. Missouri Military1916
Jeremiah Collins18Austin Peay StateCornerbackCar crash2023[36]
John CooperNorth CarolinaSpinal cord injury sustained during practice1908[37]
E.L. CowdenEastman Business CollegeInternal injuries sustained during game vs. Poughkeepsie High School1899[38]
John CrumbacherTennesseeOffensive tackleCar crash1966[39]
John Curley20Trinity College (IA)Unknown1924
Carl Dahlbeck25PurdueGuardBurn injury1936[40]
Tom McGannon20PurdueHalfbackBurn injury1936[41]
Mario Danelo21USCKickerFall from a cliff2007[42]
Devaughn Darling18Florida StateLinebackerExercise collapse associated with sickle cell trait2001
Donald DavisEmporia StateHalfbackInternal injuries sustained during game vs. Baker1921
Lavel Davis Jr.21VirginiaWide receiverHomicide2022[23]
Ernest Dickson21ArkansasHalfbackPneumonia1908
Ovid DonaldsonMcMurryEndSpinal cord injury sustained diving into a swimming pool1927
Gardner Dow21University of ConnecticutCenterTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. New Hampshire1919[43]
Butch Duhe20LSUQuarterbackCongenital heart defect1970
W.L. EganNorthwestern Oklahoma StateHalfbackTraumatic brain injury1910
Jake Ehlinger20TexasLinebackerAccidental overdose2021[44]
Richard EvansCollege of WoosterHalfbackSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Western Reserve1907
Thomas EvansUtah StateGuardSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Colorado Mines1908
James Fenton21Holy CrossTackleSpinal cord injury sustained during practice1928
G. Cook Ferebee19VMIHalfbackTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. Roanoke College1908
Oliver FerryAlfredInternal injuries sustained during 1920 game vs. Allegheny1921
Tom FisherTennesseeLinebackerCar crash1966[39]
Miles Fox19NavyRunning backSunstroke sustained during practice1928
Richard Von Albade Gammon17GeorgiaFullbackTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. Virginia1897
E. Herbert Garrison22DickinsonEndTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. Swarthmore1886[45]
Clayton Geib21College of WoosterOffensive guardCerebral edema following game vs. Ohio Wesleyan2017
George Gipp25University of Notre DameMultipleStrep throat infection and pneumonia1920
Eric Goll20Chadron StateDefensive linemanExercise collapse associated with sickle cell trait2016
Harry Goodloe20Central (KY)Internal injuries sustained during game vs. Kentucky1894[46]
Leo Goodreau19VillanovaQuarterbackSpinal cord injury sustained during practice1928
Robert Grays19Midwestern StateDefensive backSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville2017
Reuben Gretschow23ElmhurstTackleSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Valparaiso1931[32]
Lewis Grisler21Ohio WesleyanEndHeart failure sustained during practice1906
Theodore Hammonds23WarnerWide receiverExercise collapse2010
Jack Hartsock17Ohio WesleyanUnknown1935
Tyler Heintz19Kent StateOffensive linemanExertional heat stroke following conditioning drills2017
Tyler Hilinski21Washington State UniversityQuarterbackSuicide2018[47]
Edwin Hill25NYUHalfbackAccidental gunshot1929[48][49]
Henry Hooper20DartmouthCenterComplications from appendicitis surgery1904[50]
Charles HopeCorning Free AcademyInjuries received during a game1903[51]
Jasper Howard20University of ConnecticutCornerbackHomicide (stabbed)2009[52]
Jaden Hullaby21University of New MexicoHalfback/Tight endUnknown2023[53]
James JamiesonCornellQuarterbackTyphoid fever1907
Tommy Johnson24KansasQuarterbackKidney failure related to injury sustained during game vs. Missouri1911[54]
Harry Jordan19Sioux Falls CollegeRunning backSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. South Dakota1902
Ty Jordan19UtahRunning backAccidental gunshot2020[55]
Kosta Karageorge22Ohio StateDefensive linemanSuicide2014[56]
Ryan Keeler20UNLVDefensive linemanHypertrophic cardiomyopathy2023[57]
Harry KnightDrexelFullbackCrushed skull during practice game against Penn1894[58]
Luke Knox22FIULinebacker/Tight endUnknown2022[59]
Mariushi Kuwamoto28HawaiiHalfbackTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. Kamehameha School1917
Charles Lange19Montana StateSpinal cord injury sustained during practice1911
Myzelle Law19MidAmerica Nazarene UniversityDefensive linemanHeat-related injuries at practice2023[60]
Robert Layfield18Johns HopkinsQuarterbackSpinal cord injury sustained during 1914 game vs. Lehigh1915
Robert LewinBaltimore Medical CollegeGuardHeart failure during game vs. Navy1903
Dale Lloyd II19RiceDefensive backExercise collapse associated with sickle cell trait2006[19]
Aaron Lowe21UtahCornerbackHomicide2021[61]
LyonsWashington & JeffersonInjuries received during a game1892[62]
Justin McAllister19Sacramento City College PanthersOffensive tackleHeart failure2023[63]
Ralph McClure21Colorado CollegeBackSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Colorado1932
Robert McKeeAlmaTackleInternal injuries sustained during game vs. Detroit Athletic Club1901
Gordon McMillan21West VirginiaQuarterbackPneumonia1924
Jordan McNair19MarylandOffensive linemanLiver failure (caused by heatstroke)2018[19][64]
Camdan McWright18San Jose StateRunning backTraffic collision (hit by a school bus while riding an electric scooter)2022[65]
Wayne Merrifield21Michigan State Normal CollegeInternal injuries1931[32]
Walter Merryman22Davis & ElkinsHalfbackTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. Western Maryland1911
Keith Miller23Texas A&M–CommerceWide receiverUnknown2024[66]
Darius Minor18University of MaineDefensive backAortic dissection2018[19][67]
James Mock19Roanoke CollegePneumonia (caused by internal injuries sustained during practice)1910
Rudolph Monk29West VirginiaHalfbackTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. Bethany College (WV)1910
Howard Montgomery21Hampden-SydneyTackleSpinal cord injury sustained during practice1905[68]
Harold P. Moore19Union (NY)HalfbackTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. NYU1905[68]
Ed Morrissey21St. Ambrose CollegePneumonia and blood poisoning1913
Anthony Mostella22South AlabamaRunning backMotorcycle crash2010[69]
Chucky Mullins21University of MississippiDefensive backSpinal cord injury sustained during 1989 game vs. Vanderbilt1991
Cornelius Murphy21FordhamTackleTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. Bucknell1931[32]
Aaron O'Neal19MissouriLinebackerExercise collapse associated with sickle cell trait2005
Edgar NewschwanderRiponTackleSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Northwestern College (WI)1900
James NicholsUniversity of AlabamaCenterSpinal injury1931[32]
Virgil Noland21OregonGuardBurn injury1911
Edison Ogrosky20Southwestern (KS)FullbackInternal injuries sustained during game vs. Bethany College (KS)1924
Bryan Pata22University of MiamiDefensive linemanHomicide2006[70][71]
Ivan Perkins21New Mexico NormalTraumatic brain injury sustained during practice1937
D'Sean Perry20VirginiaLinebackerHomicide2022[23]
Charles PerslandPennsylvania Military CollegeTraumatic brain injury1917
John PetersMorningsideInternal injuries sustained during practice1909
Lawrence PiersonLake ForestHalfbackSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. South Division High School1900
Ereck Plancher19Central FloridaWide receiverExercise collapse associated with sickle cell trait2008[19]
Polie Poitier19ColoradoDefensive backExercise collapse associated with sickle cell trait1974
Alfred Primm, Jr.AmherstHalfbackSpinal cord injury sustained during practice1926
Charles PriorLehighQuarterbackSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. West Virginia Wesleyan1925
Jack Reeves23Emporia StateFullbackSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Washburn1920
Paul Reyna19Boise StateDefensive TackleTraumatic brain injury sustained during scrimmage1999[72]
Paul RootEastern IllinoisHalfbackTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. Illinois State1915
Joe Roth21University of California BerkeleyQuarterbackMelanoma1977
Reed Ryan22University of Minnesota DuluthDefensive linemanGenetic heart condition2023[73]
Hugh Saussy18City College of New YorkGuardTraumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Elizabeth Athletic Club1893[74]
Bryan ScottKnox CollegeSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. St. Louis University1915
John Segrist27Ohio StateCenter-rushSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Western Reserve1901[75]
Bertrand F. Serf18DoaneQuarterbackTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. Kansas1896[76]
Ron Settles21California State University, Long Beach (Long Beach State)Running backFound hanging in jail cell1981
Frank Shanklin21Hanover CollegeEndInternal injuries sustained during practice1903[77]
Derek Sheely22Frostburg StateFullbackTraumatic brain injury sustained during practice2011
Richard Sheridan, Jr.26ArmyEndSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Yale1931[32]
Ja'Quayvin Smalls20Western CarolinaDefensive backExercise collapse associated with sickle cell trait2009
AJ Simon25AlbanyDefensive endUnknown2024[78]
C. D. SmithMillsapsTackleSpinal cord injury sustained during game vs. Stetson1931[32]
Wayne Souza20University of Wisconsin-MadisonFlankerDrowned while swimming in Lake Monona1979
Joe Spybuck19HaskellTackleTraumatic brain injury sustained during practice game1909
Bryce Stanfield21FurmanDefensive tackleSudden medical emergency during a football workout2024[79]
Freddie Joe Steinmark22University of Texas at AustinSafetyOsteosarcoma1971
Jamain Stephens20California (PA)Defensive linemanBlood clot in heart2020[80][81]
Rodney Stowers20Mississippi StateNose guardBroken leg injury1991[82]
Owen Thomas21PennsylvaniaOffensive linemanSuicide2010[83]
Jack Trice21Iowa State UniversityTackleInternal injuries sustained during game vs. Minnesota1923
Frank TrimbleIndianaTackleBlood poisoning1909
Sione Veikoso22BYUOffensive linemanConstruction accident2022[84]
Brian Alan Wagner19Emporia StateLinebackerHomicide (Traumatic Brain Injury from physical assault)1999
Joseph WalshSt. Mary's College (KS)GuardSpinal cord injury sustained during practice1909
George Watkinson22YaleHalfback"Over-exertion and exposure" sustained during game vs. Princeton1886[85]
Spencer Webb22OregonTight endHead injury from cliff diving2022[86]
Sam Westmoreland18Mississippi StateOffensive linemanSuicide2022[87][88]
Rashidi Wheeler22NorthwesternSafetyExercise collapse associated with bronchial asthma2001[19]
Jordan Wiggins18Georgia Southern UniversityOffensive linemanSuicide2019[89]
Chad Wiley22North Carolina A&TOffensive linemanExercise collapse associated with sickle cell trait2008
Devin Willock21GeorgiaOffensive linemanCar crash2023[90]
Earl WilsonNavyQuarterbackSpinal cord injury sustained during 1909 game vs. Villanova1910
Ralph Wilson18WabashHalfbackTraumatic brain injury sustained during game vs. St. Louis University1910
Willis Wilson21HawaiiRunning backDrowned2013[91]
Khambrail Winters20Texas StateDefensive backHomicide2020[92]
John WithnellSt. Louis UniversityQuarterbackInternal injuries sustained during practice1903
Homer WrayGettysburgInternal injuries sustained during a practice game1913
Ted York20YaleGuardPneumonia1912

Team vehicle and plane crashes

See also

Notes

References