Pro wrestler Johnny Meadows dead from COVID-19 complications at 59
Storm Gifford
Johnny Meadows, the pro wrestler who grappled against the likes of Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan, is dead at the age of 59.
The athlete, born John Condrone in 1960, died Tuesday from coronavirus complications after being on a ventilator since Sept. 28, reported The Daily Times.
"The family is so grateful for each of his cherished friends and the (hospital) staff that provided such great care and compassion, read a Facebook message posted by a family member.
During his career, which began in 1979, he was one half of the wrestling duos The Paradise City Rockers and The Dream Team.
Competing under numerous wrestling banners, Meadows tag-teamed with high-profile stars Eddie Guerrero, Kid Cash and Dirty White Boy, according to his website.
After his wrestling career ended in 1996, Meadows — reverting to John Condrone — segued into songwriting.
In addition to receiving Grammy and Dove Award — by the Gospel Music Association — nominations, more than 300 of his compositions were purportedly featured on TV, film and radio. He also composed for numerous artists, including Selena Gomez and Julie Reeves.
Condrone also penned the Kimberly Simon single “If You Stole My Heart.”
He also performed in more than 100 shows a year, and had performances scheduled in Knoxville and Mount Carmel, Tenn., before being stricken with COVID-19, according to the Times.
Wrestler Joe Laurinaitis (right, here with his son James) famous for his years in the WWE as the Road Warrior Animal, died on Sept. 23, 2020; he was 60. A cause of death was not given. Laurinaitis’ career began in the 1980s and he was a member of the famed tag teams Road Warriors and Legion of Doom.
Olympian snowboarder Alex Pullin died during a spearfishing accident on July 8, 2020, off of Australia’s Gold Coast; he was 32. Pullin competed in the 2010, 2014 and 2018 Olympics and carried the flag for Australia’s team in 2014. Pullin’s body was found unconscious and without a mask while out fishing.
Former WWE wrestler Shad Gaspard’s body was identified on May 20, 2020 by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Lifeguard Division on Venice Beach in California after he went missing the previous weekend; he was 39. Gaspard had been swimming with his son when the pair got caught in a rip current, and while lifeguards were able to save the ten-year-old, Gaspard had been sucked under water when they returned for him.
Olympic bobsledder Pavle Jovanovic died by suicide on May 3; he was 43. Jovanovic’s death was confirmed by the The USA Bobsled and Skeleton via statement on May 9, saying that “The winter sports community has suffered a tragic loss. Pavle’s passion and commitment towards bobsled was seen and felt by his teammates, coaches, competitors, and fans of the sport.” The New Jersey native competed in the 2006 Olympics.
Former NFL quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, who previously played for the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bill and Minnesota Vikings, died in a car accident on Sunday, April 12, 2020. He was 36.
NHL player Colby Cave, the forward for the Edmonton Oilers, died on April 11, 2020 following a brain bleed that occurred earlier in the week. "It is with great sadness to share the news that our Colby Cave passed away this morning," Emily, Cave’s wife, said in a released statement. "Both our families are in shock but know our Colby was loved dearly by us, his family and friends, the entire hockey community and many more. We thank everyone for their prayers during this difficult time."
David Forney, a star lineman for Navy's record-breaking offense, was discovered unresponsive in his dorm and pronounced dead at Anne Arundel County Medical Center on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020, in Annapolis, Md., with the cause of death not being immediately clear. He was 22. In a statement, the team’s offensive line coach, Ashley Ingram, called Forney an "all-time great Navy offensive lineman." Here, Navy offensive guard Forney, far right, blocks Tulane defensive end, Davon Wright, as quarterback Malcolm Perry looks to pass in the first half of an NCAA college football game on Oct. 26, 2019, in Annapolis.
Retired Lakers' player Kobe Bryant tragically died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, Calif. Bryant was among nine people killed the accident. He was 41. His daughter Gianna, 13, was also killed in the crash.
Former Mississippi State wide receiver De'Runnya Wilson found dead in Birmingham, Ala. on Jan. 21, 2020. The prominent football player's death is being investigated as a homicide, police say. He was 25.
WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Rocky "Soul Man" Johnson died Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. He was 75. Johnson was the father of actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
Former Oakland Raiders (pictured) and Cleveland Browns player George Atkinson III died on Dec. 2, 2019; he was 27. Atkinson’s death comes nearly one year after the suicide of his twin brother Josh, who died last Christmas. The athlete, who joined the NFL in 2013 after playing for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, had openly struggled with losing his brother and mother last year, and was open about those struggles, including self-harm, as recently as October 2019.
Ryan Costello, a minor leaguers in the Minnesota Twins organization, was found dead in his New Zealand hotel room on Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, days after joining a team in the Australian Baseball League. The 23-year-old third baseman died in his sleep, the Auckland Tuatara baseball team said. No cause was given.
Charles Rogers, the former wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, died on Nov. 10, 2019; he was 38. Rogers played for the Lions for three seasons, during which time he was repeatedly injured, before being cut by the team in 2006. He then battled a drug addiction over the next few years. No cause of death has been released.
Patrick Day, a boxer and Golden Gloves winner in 2012, died on Oct. 16, 2019, from a traumatic brain injury he suffered in his super welterweight fight with Charles Conwell on October 12, in Chicago, according to a statement from promoter Lou DiBella. He was 27. DiBella also said in the statement, "He was a son, brother, and good friend to many. Pat’s kindness, positivity, and generosity of spirit made a lasting impression with everyone he met. Patrick Day didn’t need to box. He came from a good family, he was smart, educated, had good values and had other avenues available to him to earn a living. He chose to box, knowing the inherent risks that every fighter faces when he or she walks into a boxing ring. Boxing is what Pat loved to do. It’s how he inspired people and it was something that made him feel alive." Here, Day celebrates his decision win against Elvin Ayala during their junior middleweight fight on Oct. 27, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Professional basketball player Andre Emmett, who played for Texas Tech, New Jersey Nets and most recently for the BIG3, was found shot and killed Monday morning, Sept. 23, 2019, in Dallas, Tex. He was 37.
Neiron Ball, former Raiders Linebacker, died on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019, nearly a year after suffering an aneurysm caused by a rare brain condition. He was 27.
Cedric Benson, former NFL running back who played with the Green Bay Packers, died on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, in a motorcycle accident in Austin, Tex. He was 36.
Dutch Pitcher Loek Van Mil # 51 has died in an accident, according to the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association. The organization has not released any details about the accident "at the request of the family." Van Mil was 34 years old.
Boxer Maxim Dadashev was confirmed dead by ESPN and his trainer after suffering injuries in the ring on Friday, July 19, 2019. The Russian-born boxer underwent surgery for brain swelling after the fight and was placed in a medically induced coma. He was 28.
Los Angeles Angels pitcher, Tyler Skaggs, was found dead in his hotel room on July 1, 2019, just weeks before his 28th birthday. A cause of death has not been released, but foul play is not suspected.
Former NBA player Rasual Butler was killed in a single car accident in Studio City, California on Jan. 31, 2018, according to TMZ. He was 38. Butler's wife, singer Leah LaBelle, was also killed in the crash. Butler reportedly lost control of his Range Rover in the early morning hours and flipped the car after hitting a parking meter and slamming into a wall. He played 14 seasons in the NBA with nine different teams, including the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs.
Tyler Hilinski, the Washington State quarterback, was found dead on Jan. 16, 2018 with an "apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head," police said. The 21-year-old redshirt sophomore had not shown up to practice earlier in the day. When police went to check on him, they found his body, a rifle and a suicide note in his apartment. Hilinski's family members and teammates posted tributes to the late athlete upon learning the news. His younger brother Ryan wrote on Twitter, "Please keep my family in your prayers tonight."
Jason Leffler (June 12, 2013): 37-year-old NASCAR driver Jason Leffler died in an accident on June 12, 2013 at a dirt car event at Bridgeport Speedway in New Jersey. A two-time winner on the NASCAR Nationwide Series who had the nickname "LefTur" above the driver's side window on his race cars, was pronounced dead shortly after 9 p.m., New Jersey State Police said. "NASCAR extends its thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies to the family of Jason Leffler who passed away earlier this evening," NASCAR said in a statement.
Jerry Brown (Dec. 8, 2012): The Dallas Cowboys practice-squad linebacker was killed in a one-car accident Saturday and teammate Josh Brent was charged with intoxication manslaughter. Irving (Tx.) police spokesman John Argumaniz said Brent was speeding when the vehicle hit a curb and flipped at least once, Argumaniz said. Argumaniz says the 25-year-old Brown was found unresponsive at the scene and pronounced dead at a hospital. The Cowboys signed Brown to their practice squad Oct. 24.
Hector 'Macho' Camacho (Nov. 24, 2012): The former championship boxer died on Nov. 24, 2012 at the hospital in Puerto Rico where he has been unconscious since he was shot in the face in an attack in his hometown. 50-year-old Camacho went into cardiac arrest in the pre-dawn hours and he was then taken off life support and died shortly thereafter. Camacho, who grew up in 'Spanish' Harlem won super lightweight, lightweight and junior welterweight world titles in the 1980s and fought high-profile bouts against Felix Trinidad, Julio Cesar Chavez and Sugar Ray Leonard while compiling a career record of 79-6-3.
Junior Seau (May 2, 2012): A 12-time Pro Bowler and a six-time First-Team All-Pro, Junior Seau is found dead in his California home in May, 2012. The 43-year-old linebacker played for the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots during a 20-year NFL career. Seau is survived by an ex-wife and three children. TMZ.com, which reported the news of his death, says that Seau sent text messages to his wife and kids Tuesday that read "I love you." According to TMZ, cops believe that he shot himself.
Sarah Burke (Jan. 19, 2012): Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke died at the University of Utah Hospital from injuries sustained during a Jan. 10 training run on the Park City superpipe course. She was 29. Burke, a pioneer in free skiing, had just completed a 540-degree 'flat spin' trick on the U-shaped superpipe when what appeared to be a routine landing turned tragic in the few split seconds after Burke’s skis made impact. She bounced and fell on her head, suffering a torn vertebral artery that resulted in hemorrhaging in her brain, according to her Canadian National Halfpipe Team publicist. Burke's family and husband, skier Rory Bushfield, released a statement expressing their 'heartfelt gratitude for the international outpouring of support they have received from all of the people Sarah touched.'
Randy 'Macho Man' Savage (May 20, 2011): The two-time WWF champ and four-time WCW title holder was killed in a car accident in Tampa according to a report from TMZ.com. He was 58. Savage, who was known for his distinctive deep voice (Oooooooh Yeahhhhh!) and trademark shades, lost control of his 2009 Jeep Wrangler after suffering a heart attack his brother told the gossip website. Since leaving the ring, Savage had put his trademark voice to work on cartoons - not to mention a rap album - and made a cameo in the first 'Spiderman' movie as wrestler Bonesaw McGraw.
Derek Boogaard (May 13, 2011): The Rangers enforcer was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment by family members. He was just 28 years old. According to a report released by the Hennepin County medical examiner's office in Minnesota, Boogaard died from an accidental mix of alcohol and oxycondone toxicity. His career in New York never really got going as he played just 22 games for the Blueshirts. He suffered a season-ending concussion in December in a fight with Matt Carkner. Boogaard spent five seasons with the Minnesota Wild before signing with the Rangers as a free agent.
Thurman Munson (August 2, 1979): It's hard to believe it's been over thirty years since the Yankees captain died in a crash while practicing takeoffs and landings in his new plane near his hometown of Canton, Ohio. The Yankees immediately retired the All-Star catcher's No. 15, and his locker at the old Yankee Stadium was left untouched as a memorial to the beloved Bomber. Munson's locker joined the team in the move across 161st street where it is now part of the museum honoring Yankee history.
Billy Martin (December 25, 1989): Few Yankee greats were as controversial – and beloved – as the former second baseman and five-time manager of the Bronx Bombers. Martin, who won four World Series as a player and one as a manager for the Yanks, died in a one-car accident in Fenton, New York on Christmas Day after a night of heavy drinking. The Yankees had retired Martin's No. 1 in 1986.
Cory Lidle (October 11, 2006): The 34-year-old righthanded pitcher had only been back in New York for two months when he became the third Yankee to die in a plane crash. Lidle, traded from the Phillies in August, was in his personal airplane with his flight instructor when the plane veered into an apartment building at 72nd Street and York. The crash was ruled to be pilot error, but the NTSA was unable to determine who was piloting the craft. Lidle had spent nine seasons in the major leagues with seven different teams. In 2007 the Yankees honored Lidle, his widow Melanie and son Christopher threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day and the Yankees wore ceremonial black armbands through the season.
Roberto Clemente (December 31, 1972): A Pirates legend and favorite son of his native Puerto Rico, Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash while attempting to deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Inducted into the Hall of Fame the year after his tragic death, Clemente's body was never found after his plane went down off the coast of San Juan shortly after takeoff.
Oklahoma State Basketball Team (January 27, 2001): After playing a Big 12 conference road game at the University of Colorado, two planes carrying the Oklahoma State basketball team took off from a small airport outside Boulder into a driving snowstorm. One of the planes lost electrical power and crashed in a prairie town some 40 miles east of Denver. Two members of the team died, along with six team staffers and both pilots.
Marshall Football Team (November 14, 1970): After a 17-14 loss to East Carolina University the Southern Airways flight carrying the Marshall University football team crashed while attempting to land at West Virginia's Tri-State Airport in 'adverse operating conditions' according to the report released by the National Transportation Safety Board. All 75 on board died - including players, coaches, fans and crew - in the worst air disaster in sports history. In 2006, Matthew McConaughey stars in 'We Are Marshall' a movie dipicting the University's attempt to rebuild the football program.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. (February 18, 2001): The death of the man know as 'The Intimidator' stunned the NASCAR world. Earnhardt was running third behind two cars he owned when, after tangling with Sterling Marlin, his car slammed into the fourth-turn wall in the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. The crash looked like thousands of others in which drivers had walked away. Earnhardt didn't, and some say his death changed the sport forever. His death came three years after he won the Daytona 500 in 1998, the sport's Super Bowl, in his 20th attempt.
Payne Stewart (October 25, 1999): It's been a decade since the surreal plane crash that claimed the life of two-time U.S. Open golf champ Payne Stewart. Stewart, four months removed from his '09 Open triumph, died along with two crew members and three other passengers as the Learjet lost cabin pressure causing 'incapacitation of the flight crewmembers' according to the 31-page report issued by the NTSB. The plane flew pilotless for four hours before finally plunging to eath in northeast South Dakota.
Hank Gathers (March 4, 1990): Just 23 years old when his death was caught on camera. Midway through the first half of a West Coast Conference tournament game against Portland State, the Loyola Marymount University forward soared up for a dunk. Seconds later, he crumpled to the floor, struggled to get up and then went into convulsions. Less than two hours later, he was declared dead. He had a pre-diagnosed heart condition.
Sean Taylor (November 26, 2007): The 24-year-old defensive back was murdered in his Miami-area home. The Redskins' first-round - fifth overall - pick in the 2004 draft, Taylor had won a national championship with the University of Miami in 2001. He was shot in the early morning hours at his home during a robbery and was declared dead the next day. The Redskins honored him with black ribbons on their jerseys and with the defense taking the field with just 10 players on the first play of their Dec. 2 loss to the Bills. Taylor was posthumously selected to the 2008 Pro Bowl.
Pat Tillman (April 22, 2004): Citing the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the Cardinals safety turned down a reported three-year, $3.6 million offer to return to the NFL and enlisted in the US Army. Less than two years after he enlisted, Tillman was killed in a controversial friendly fire accident in Afghanistan, shot three times in the head. The Army initially mislead Tillman's family about his death, purposely citing enemy fire as the cause of death. After a Congressional inquiry, Tillman's family learned the truth and heavily criticized the Army. In his memory, the Cardinals have named the plaza around the stadium the Pat Tillman Freedom Plaza and his alma mater, Arizona State, named the entrance to their stadium the Pat Tillman Memorial Tunnel. The NFL gave $250,000 to the United Service Organization in 2004 to build a Pat Tillman USO Center.
Florence Griffith-Joyner (September 21, 1998): Still the world-record holder in the 100 and 200-meters, FloJo was known as much for her wild style as for her blazing speed and Olympic wins. She wowed the 1998 Seoul Olympics by winning three gold medals and doing it with flashy fingernails and outfits. She set the world records in the 100 and 200 meters in the Olympics and also won gold in the 4-x-100 relay. She won a silver in the 4-x-400 relay. FloJo died in her sleep, suffocating during an epileptic seizure, just two months shy of her 39th birthday.
Pelle Lindbergh (November 11, 1985): Just as his star was rising in the NHL, coming off a 40-win season, the Swedish goaltender for the Flyers was killed in a car accident. Lindbergh, who was the goaltender on the NHL All-Rookie team in 1982-83 and was the first European to win the Vezina after his 40-win season in '84-85, crashed his customized Porsche into a wall outside an elementary school in New Jersey, injuring two others. Tests showed Lindbergh was legally intoxicated at the time of the crash. He was the leading vote-getter for the 1986 NHL All-Star Game and though they have never retired his jersey, No. 31 has never again been worn by a Flyer.
Dan Snyder (September 29, 2003): The 25-year-old center for the Atlanta Thrashers was a passenger in the Ferrari that Dany Healtley lost control of and crashed into a wall. Snyder, a journeyman who played less than one full season in the NHL, died of head injuries six days later. Heatley, the 2002 NHL Rookie of the Year, was charged with Second Degree vehicular homicide, but avoided prison time. He received three years probation and was required to give 150 speeches on the dangers of speeding. A rink in Snyder's hometown of Elmira, Ontario now bears his name.
Reggie Lewis (June 27, 1993): Just three years after the outcry surrounding Hank Gather's death and months after the first signs that he had a similar heart problem, Lewis collapsed and died during an offseason workout at Brandeis University. The 6-foot-7 captain of the Celtics had passed out during a playoff game at the Boston Garden in April. It would turn out to be his final game. Lewis sought three different opinions from cardiologists, after the first at Boston's New England Baptist Hospital returned with a verdict that he could not safely return to professional basketball. The second opinion said he could play and a third recommended that he continue to have his heart monitored. Lewis was leaning towards returning to the NBA with the precaution of having a cardiologist and defibrillator on hand, but never got the chance.
Len Bias (June 19, 1986): Less than 48 hours after being selected as the first-round pick, second overall, of the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics, the 22-year-old was dead of a cocaine overdose. As a result of his death, Congress passed a strict Ant-Drug Act, which also created the DARE programs found in communities across the country.
Steve Olin/Tim Crews (March 22, 1993): With an offday during spring training, Tim Crews invited his new teammates to his home on Little Lake Nellie for a barbeque and fishing. After 8 p.m., Crews, a free agent reliever who after six seasons with the Dodgers had just signed a deal with the Indians, Olin, a right-handed reliever, who had pitched four seasons with the Indians, set out with a third teammate in an open-air bass boat. At a high-rate of speed, the boat driven by Crews, crashed into a dock which jutted some 220 to 250 feet into the water. Olin, 27, was killed instantly. Crews, 32, died of head injuries the next day. Former Met and Yankee and current SNY analyst Bobby Ojeda was the accident's lone survivor.
Derrick Thomas (February 8, 2000): On his way to the airport, to catch a plane to St. Louis to see the NFC Championship game, driving through a snowstorm, the Chiefs linebacker lost control of his SUV, overturning it at least three times. A passenger was killed and Thomas was paralyzed from the neck down. Weeks later, on Feb. 8, 2000 the 33-year-old Thomas died of a massive blood clot in his lung. Feared for his ability to pressure the quarterback, Thomas had 126 1/2 sacks in his career, highlighted by his seven sacks in a game. He was in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2009.
Ayrton Senna (May 1, 1994): The 34-year-old Brazilian's legacy may not be in the three Formula-1 world titles he held or the 41 races he won, but in the fact that he is the last Grand Prix driver to die at the wheel. On that May morning, after two scares involving other drivers at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, Senna met with other drivers to discuss safety. That afternoon, in the seventh lap while leading that race, Senna crashed into a retaining wall and was killed in front of a live television audience. He received a state funeral in his native Brazil.
1972 Israeli Olympic Team Members: Every four years, when the world gathers for the Olympic Games, the worry about security is a reminder of the Munich Massacre. The victims of an armed Palestinian Group, Black September, the 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team that were killed were: wrestling coach Moshe Weinberg; weightlifter Yossef Romano; weightlifter Ze'ev Friedman; weightlifter David Berger; wrestler Eliezer Halfin; wrestling referee Yossef Gutfreund; shooting coach Kehat Shorr; wrestler Mark Slavin; fwrestling referee Yakov Springerl encing coach Andre Spitzer and track coach Amitzur Shapira.
Andres Escobar (July 2, 1994): A defender on the 1994 Colombian World Cup team, Escobar directed a pass back that got past his goaltender and gave the US a goal. The Colombians were eliminated in the game and many believe that misdirected pass led to his murder less than a month later. On July 2, 1994 Escobar was shot and killed outside a bar near Medellin. Rumors buzzed that the murder was ordered by drug lords, who were outraged when Escobar's goal and the Colombians' loss cost them money in bets. A local teacher was later convicted of the murder.
Drazen Petrovic (June 7, 1993): Petrovic paved the way for international ballers in the NBA, starring in Europe before coming to the NBA in 1989, where he played four seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers and New Jersey Nets. But Petrovic never got to see the fruits of his pioneering ways; after his best season in the NBA, in which he averaged 22.3 points per game for the 1992-93 Nets, Petrovic died in an automobile accident on the Autobahn in Germany. The Nets retired his No. 3 jersey on Nov. 11, 1993.
Manchester United (February 6, 1958): Manchester United is one of soccer's most storied franchises, but the darkest day in its history occurred when a British European Airways Flight 609 carrying the team, staff members and assorted journalists crashed on take-off. Of the 44 people on board, 21 were killed, including eight players and chief coach Bert Whalley. Two surviving United players never played another match. Multiple plaques and statues now stand in memorial of the fallen at Old Trafford, United's home stadium.
Nick Adenhart (April 9, 2009): No one envisioned after the 22-year-old Adenhart pitched six innings against the Oakland A's that the young pitcher would never make another appearance in the majors again. He was killed in a car crash just hours after leaving the ballpark. Two other passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, while Adenhart died a short time later at the University of California-Irvine Medical Center. The driver of the vehicle, Andrew Gallo, 22, was indicted by an Orange County grand jury on May 27, 2009 on three counts of murder; Gallo had a blood-alcohol content of .19 percent two hours after the crash.
Alexei Cherepanov (October 13, 2008): The 19-year-old Cherepanov was considered among the best of a crop of young Russian hockey players that included NHL stars Alex Ovetchkin and Evgeni Malkin when he collapsed on the ice during a Kontinental Hockey League game with his club Avangard Omsk. The Rangers' 2007 first-round draft pick was rushed to the hospital and where he died a short time later, despite being revived on two separate occasions. Federal investigators in Russia later revealed the Blueshirts prospect had been taking performance-enhancing drugs for months.
Steve Prefontaine (May 30, 1975): The world class American long distance runner inspired millions of Americans in the 1970s into daily running, but it was an automobile that tragically ended Prefontaine's life at the age of 24. Prefontaine was driving in Eugene, Oregon when he swerved to avoid an oncoming car and crashed his convertible into a rock wall on the side of the road; the overturned car eventually crushed Prefontaine's chest. The site where he died is now Prefontaine Memorial Park, centered around a boulder called Pre's Rock. Runners all over the world to this day still make pilgrimages to the site to honor the fallen hero.
Rocky Marciano (August 31, 1969): The only undefeated heavyweight champion of all-time died on the eve of his 46th birthday when the private plane he was traveling in to Des Moines, Iowa crashed into a tree upon landing. A combination of nighttime flying, low fuel, adverse weather conditions, and the chronicled inexperience of pilot Glenn Belz spelled doom for Marciano, who had a surprise birthday gathering waiting for him in Des Moines. Marciano is ranked by Ring Magazine as the greatest Italian-American boxer of all-time, as well as the sixth greatest heavyweight champion ever.
Joe Delaney (June 29, 1983): The Chiefs running back won AFC Rookie of the Year in 1981 and went to the Pro Bowl the same year, but he only played two seasons in the NFL and never got to see his jaw-dropping potential come to full fruition. In an act that defined – and claimed – his heroic life, Delaney drowned while attempting to save three kids from a similar fate in Chinner's Creek in Monroe, Louisiana. Delaney was honored across the country after his death for his bravery, and was posthumously awarded the President's Citizen Medal by President Ronald Reagan, who said of Delaney, "He made the ultimate sacrifice by placing the lives of three children above regard for his own safety. By the supreme example of courage and compassion, this brilliantly gifted young man left a spiritual legacy for his fellow Americans."
Korey Stringer (August 1, 2001): The massive Korey Stringer was a 6-foot-4, 335-pound stalwart at tackle for the Minnesota Vikings who made the Pro Bowl in 2000. Stringer, however, may have made his biggest impact on football after his death in 2001 due to complications from a heatstroke suffered during a Vikings training camp session in Mankato, Minnesota. Stringer's death significantly raised awareness of the dangers of heat exposure across the NFL and organized football in America in general, and prompted a number of new policies in the NFL regarding practice safety measures, including shortened sessions, increased water breaks, and the mandatory presence of a team doctor at practice at all times.
Arturo Gatti (July 11, 2009): The circumstances surrounding the former boxing champ's death in a hotel room in are almost as compelling as some of Gatti's legendary fights during his 16-year career in the ring. Gatti was found dead in the room and his widow, Amanda Rodrigues, was charged with strangling Gatti after her purse strap was found in the hotel room stained with his blood. But police later ruled Gatti's death a suicide and Rodrigues was released from jail. Gatti fights were named Ring Magazine's "Fight of the Year" an unprecedented four different times (1997, 1998, 2002 and 2003) and the boxer is regarded as one of the most exciting fighters to ever grace a boxing ring.
Vernon Forrest (July 25, 2009): Less than three weeks after his boxing contemporary Gatti suffered a violent death, Forrest was gunned down on an Atlanta street after the armed boxer pursued a man who had robbed him moments earlier. The two engaged in a shootout, but Forrest eventually aborted the pursuit and began walking back to his car; it was then that the assailant turned on Forrest and shot him multiple times in the back. Forrest, a champion in both the welterweight and light middleweight division with a career record of 41-3, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Darryl Kile (June 22, 2002): Just two hours before before the Cardinals were scheduled to play the Cubs, the 33-year-old righthanded pitcher was found dead in his hotel room. The game was postponed and thrust the Cardinals organization further into mourning as Kile's tragic death came just days after the passing of longtime announcer Jack Buck. A Chicago coroner reported that Kile had coronary atherosclerosis, a condition commonly known as hardening of the arteries. Kile's father died in his mid-40s of a heart attack indicting a family history of heart disease.
Josh Hancock (April 29, 2007): The Cardinals reliever - and a member of the 2006 World Series champs - was drunk and talking on his cell phone when he plowed his rented Ford Explorer into the back of a tow truck parked on a St. Louis highway. The tow truck was aiding a driver from a previous accident. According to the medical examiner, Hancock, 29, died "within seconds" from head injuries suffered in the crash. His blood-alcohol level was almost twice Missouri's legal limit and marijuana was found in the car. As a result of Hancock's fatal accident, the Cardinals banned alcohol in the clubhouse.
Darrent Willliams (January 1, 2007): As the Broncos young cornerback was leaving a Denver nightclub in the early morning hours after a New Year's Eve party the white stretch Hummer he was riding in was sprayed with bullets. The former Oklahoma State star died in the arms of teammate Javon Walker of a single gunshot to the neck according to the coroner's office. The shooting followed an incident at the club. Willie D. Clark, a suspected gang member, is charged with 39 counts in the case, including first-degree murder. The 24-year-old rising star had just finished his second season in the NFL, starting 14 games.
Mike Coolbaugh (July 22, 2007): The Binghamton native had been a member of the Tulsa Drillers (Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies) coaching staff for less than a month when he was struck in the head by a line drive as he stood in the first-base coach's box during a minor-league game. After Coolbaugh - a 1990 draft pick of the Blue Jays who played 44 games in the big leagues with the Cardinals and Brewers - received CPR on the field he was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The Rockies - who captured the National League pennant in '07 - voted to give Coolbaugh's widow a full share of their playoff winnings. As a result of Coolbaugh's death, Major League Baseball now requires base coaches to wear helmets on the field.
Marquis Cooper/Corey Smith (March, 2009): A fishing trip off Florida's Gulf Coast turned deadly for NFL players Marquis Cooper and Corey Smith as the boat they were on capsized sending the two players, along with friends William Bleakley and Nick Schuyler, plunging into the 62-degree water. Schuyler, a former college football player, was the lone survivor. He was rescued after clinging to the crippled boat for more than 36 hours. He reported that all four clung to the capsized boat for hours after a wave flipped the boat, but that at some point the three others drifted away. Cooper, a third-round pick of the Buccaneers in 2004, played with the Raiders in 2008. Smith, a free-agent defensive end, started six games during a three-year stint with the Lions.
Steve McNair (July 4, 2009): The ex-NFL quarterback was shot four times on the Fourth of July by his 20-year-old lover as he slept on a sofa in a downtown Nashville condo he rented with a friend. The woman, Sahel Kazemi, then turned the 9-mm semiautomatic she had purchased two days earlier on herself. Later it was revealed that Kazemi believed the married McNair was seeing a second woman who was not his wife, and her despair drove her to the murder-suicide.
Malik Sealy (May 20, 2000): The Bronx product, who starred on the St. John's hoops team from 1989 to 1992 and played for four NBA teams, died of head and chest injuries after a 4 a.m. car crash in Minnesota. Sealy, then with the Timberwolves, was on his way home after teammate Kevin Garnett's 24th birthday party when his SUV was struck head on by a pickup truck traveling the wrong way on a highway in the Minneapolis suburb of St. Louis Park.
Meadows leaves behind a wife, Marie, and sons, according to a report.
Meadows' passing comes just one week after the sudden death in the ring of 26-year-old Mexican grappler Luis Angel Salazar aka Principe Aereo, noted Essentially Sports.
