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Notable sports deaths in 2019 (Updated: Feb. 19)

Notable sports deaths in 2019 (Updated: Feb. 19)

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Notable sports deaths in 2019 (Updated: Feb. 19)

Don Newcombe, long-time pitcher for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. Feb. 19. He was 92.
Don Newcombe, long-time pitcher for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. Feb. 19. He was 92. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press

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Don Newcombe, long-time pitcher for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. Feb. 19. He was 92. Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Gene Littler, professional golfer who won 29 times on the PGA Tour, including the 1961 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills in Bloomfield Township. Feb. 15. He was 88.
Gene Littler, professional golfer who won 29 times on the PGA Tour, including the 1961 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills in Bloomfield Township. Feb. 15. He was 88. Associated Press

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Gene Littler, professional golfer who won 29 times on the PGA Tour, including the 1961 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills in Bloomfield Township. Feb. 15. He was 88. Associated Press
Rick Rasnick, head football coach at Eastern Michigan from 1995-99, from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. Feb. 13. He was 59.
Rick Rasnick, head football coach at Eastern Michigan from 1995-99, from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. Feb. 13. He was 59. Eastern Michigan athletics

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Rick Rasnick, head football coach at Eastern Michigan from 1995-99, from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. Feb. 13. He was 59. Eastern Michigan athletics
Ron Hughes, a long-time member of the Lions front office who was part of the player-personnel department from 1982-2000. Feb. 12. He was 75.
Ron Hughes, a long-time member of the Lions front office who was part of the player-personnel department from 1982-2000. Feb. 12. He was 75. Detroit Lions

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Ron Hughes, a long-time member of the Lions front office who was part of the player-personnel department from 1982-2000. Feb. 12. He was 75. Detroit Lions
Pedro Morales, professional wrestler who spent some time in the WWF and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995. Feb. 12. He was 76.
Pedro Morales, professional wrestler who spent some time in the WWF and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995. Feb. 12. He was 76. WWE

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Pedro Morales, professional wrestler who spent some time in the WWF and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995. Feb. 12. He was 76. WWE
Dick Kempthorn, former Michigan fullback who was a team captain and member of the 1947 and 1948 national-championship teams who went on to a successful career in business. Feb. 8. He was 92.
Dick Kempthorn, former Michigan fullback who was a team captain and member of the 1947 and 1948 national-championship teams who went on to a successful career in business. Feb. 8. He was 92. Wikipedia

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Dick Kempthorn, former Michigan fullback who was a team captain and member of the 1947 and 1948 national-championship teams who went on to a successful career in business. Feb. 8. He was 92. Wikipedia
David Williams, Detroit Mumford alum, athletic director at Vanderbilt and the first black athletic director in the SEC. Feb. 8. He was 71.
David Williams, Detroit Mumford alum, athletic director at Vanderbilt and the first black athletic director in the SEC. Feb. 8. He was 71. Mark Humphrey, Associated Press

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David Williams, Detroit Mumford alum, athletic director at Vanderbilt and the first black athletic director in the SEC. Feb. 8. He was 71. Mark Humphrey, Associated Press
John Dingell, long-time congressman serving southeast Michigan who also developed an epic Twitter persona, particularly when it came to his fandom for Michigan, the Tigers and other sports, of prostate cancer. Feb. 7. He was 92.
John Dingell, long-time congressman serving southeast Michigan who also developed an epic Twitter persona, particularly when it came to his fandom for Michigan, the Tigers and other sports, of prostate cancer. Feb. 7. He was 92. Special to The Detroit News

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John Dingell, long-time congressman serving southeast Michigan who also developed an epic Twitter persona, particularly when it came to his fandom for Michigan, the Tigers and other sports, of prostate cancer. Feb. 7. He was 92. Special to The Detroit News
Frank Robinson, Major League Baseball Hall-of-Fame slugger, the game's first black manager, and later a league executive. Feb. 7. He was 83.
Frank Robinson, Major League Baseball Hall-of-Fame slugger, the game's first black manager, and later a league executive. Feb. 7. He was 83. Associated Press

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Frank Robinson, Major League Baseball Hall-of-Fame slugger, the game's first black manager, and later a league executive. Feb. 7. He was 83. Associated Press
Joe Presko, major-league pitcher in the 1950s who spent the 1957 and 1958 seasons with the Tigers. Feb. 5. He was 90.
Joe Presko, major-league pitcher in the 1950s who spent the 1957 and 1958 seasons with the Tigers. Feb. 5. He was 90. Detroit News

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Joe Presko, major-league pitcher in the 1950s who spent the 1957 and 1958 seasons with the Tigers. Feb. 5. He was 90. Detroit News
Matti Nykanen, four time Olympic ski-jumping champion whose personal demons, particularly with alcohol, made him the subject of biographies and a film. Feb. 4. He was 55.
Matti Nykanen, four time Olympic ski-jumping champion whose personal demons, particularly with alcohol, made him the subject of biographies and a film. Feb. 4. He was 55. Bob Pearson, Getty Images

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Matti Nykanen, four time Olympic ski-jumping champion whose personal demons, particularly with alcohol, made him the subject of biographies and a film. Feb. 4. He was 55. Bob Pearson, Getty Images
Bob Friend, long-time pitcher for the Pirates who led the league in ERA in 1955. Feb. 3. He was 88.
Bob Friend, long-time pitcher for the Pirates who led the league in ERA in 1955. Feb. 3. He was 88. Associated Press

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Bob Friend, long-time pitcher for the Pirates who led the league in ERA in 1955. Feb. 3. He was 88. Associated Press
Alice Dye, "first lady" of golf architecture and design whose courses include TPC of Sawgrass. Feb. 1. She was 91.
Alice Dye, "first lady" of golf architecture and design whose courses include TPC of Sawgrass. Feb. 1. She was 91. Andy Lyons, Getty Images

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Alice Dye, "first lady" of golf architecture and design whose courses include TPC of Sawgrass. Feb. 1. She was 91. Andy Lyons, Getty Images
Wade Wilson, former Vikings quarterback and Cowboys position coach. Feb. 1. He was 60.
Wade Wilson, former Vikings quarterback and Cowboys position coach. Feb. 1. He was 60. Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images

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Wade Wilson, former Vikings quarterback and Cowboys position coach. Feb. 1. He was 60. Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
Peter Magowan, long-time owner of the San Francisco Giants, of cancer. Jan. 27. He was 76.
Peter Magowan, long-time owner of the San Francisco Giants, of cancer. Jan. 27. He was 76. Eric Risberg, Associated Press

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Peter Magowan, long-time owner of the San Francisco Giants, of cancer. Jan. 27. He was 76. Eric Risberg, Associated Press
John Coughlin, United States figure skater, of suicide. Jan. 18. He was 33.
John Coughlin, United States figure skater, of suicide. Jan. 18. He was 33. Getty Images

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John Coughlin, United States figure skater, of suicide. Jan. 18. He was 33. Getty Images
Glen Wood, co-founder of Wood Brothers Racing. Jan. 18. He was 93.
Glen Wood, co-founder of Wood Brothers Racing. Jan. 18. He was 93. Sean Gardner, Getty Images

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Glen Wood, co-founder of Wood Brothers Racing. Jan. 18. He was 93. Sean Gardner, Getty Images
Joe O'Donnell, Ann Arbor native, offensive guard at Michigan and in the NFL. Jan. 17. He was 77.
Joe O'Donnell, Ann Arbor native, offensive guard at Michigan and in the NFL. Jan. 17. He was 77. Buffalo Bills

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Joe O'Donnell, Ann Arbor native, offensive guard at Michigan and in the NFL. Jan. 17. He was 77. Buffalo Bills
Mel Stottlemyre, major-league pitcher and pitching coach, of multiple myeloma. Jan. 13. He was 77.
Mel Stottlemyre, major-league pitcher and pitching coach, of multiple myeloma. Jan. 13. He was 77. Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

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Mel Stottlemyre, major-league pitcher and pitching coach, of multiple myeloma. Jan. 13. He was 77. Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
Gus Ganakas, Michigan State basketball coach (1969-76) and broadcaster. Jan. 11. He was 92.
Gus Ganakas, Michigan State basketball coach (1969-76) and broadcaster. Jan. 11. He was 92. Detroit News archives

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Gus Ganakas, Michigan State basketball coach (1969-76) and broadcaster. Jan. 11. He was 92. Detroit News archives
J.D. Gibbs, race-car driver and co-owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, of degenerative neurological disease. Jan. 11. He was 49.
J.D. Gibbs, race-car driver and co-owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, of degenerative neurological disease. Jan. 11. He was 49. Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images

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J.D. Gibbs, race-car driver and co-owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, of degenerative neurological disease. Jan. 11. He was 49. Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images
Rick Forzano, Detroit Lions head coach from 1974-76. Jan. 10. He was 90.
Rick Forzano, Detroit Lions head coach from 1974-76. Jan. 10. He was 90. Associated Press

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Rick Forzano, Detroit Lions head coach from 1974-76. Jan. 10. He was 90. Associated Press
Lenny Green, major-league outfielder including with his hometown Detroit Tigers (1967-68). Jan. 6. He was 86.
Lenny Green, major-league outfielder including with his hometown Detroit Tigers (1967-68). Jan. 6. He was 86. Detroit News archives

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Lenny Green, major-league outfielder including with his hometown Detroit Tigers (1967-68). Jan. 6. He was 86. Detroit News archives
Kwamie Lassiter, NFL defensive back for several teams including the Arizona Cardinals, of a heart attack. Jan. 6. He was 49.
Kwamie Lassiter, NFL defensive back for several teams including the Arizona Cardinals, of a heart attack. Jan. 6. He was 49. Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

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Kwamie Lassiter, NFL defensive back for several teams including the Arizona Cardinals, of a heart attack. Jan. 6. He was 49. Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images
Rick Down, Wyandotte native, major-leaguer and major-league hitting coach for several teams. Jan. 5. He was 68.
Rick Down, Wyandotte native, major-leaguer and major-league hitting coach for several teams. Jan. 5. He was 68. Doug Benc, Getty Images

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Rick Down, Wyandotte native, major-leaguer and major-league hitting coach for several teams. Jan. 5. He was 68. Doug Benc, Getty Images
Alex Smirnoff, professional wrestler (including with WWE), of kidney failure. Jan. 5. He was 71.
Alex Smirnoff, professional wrestler (including with WWE), of kidney failure. Jan. 5. He was 71. Special to Detroit News

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Alex Smirnoff, professional wrestler (including with WWE), of kidney failure. Jan. 5. He was 71. Special to Detroit News
George Welsh, long-time football coach at Virginia. Jan. 2. He was 85.
George Welsh, long-time football coach at Virginia. Jan. 2. He was 85. Julian H. Gonzalez, Getty Images

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George Welsh, long-time football coach at Virginia. Jan. 2. He was 85. Julian H. Gonzalez, Getty Images
"Mean" Gene Okerlund, legendary wrestling announcer for WWE and WCW. Jan. 2. He was 76.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund, legendary wrestling announcer for WWE and WCW. Jan. 2. He was 76. WWE

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"Mean" Gene Okerlund, legendary wrestling announcer for WWE and WCW. Jan. 2. He was 76. WWE
Tyler Trent, Purdue student and Boilermakers super fan, of bone cancer. Jan. 1. He was 20.
Tyler Trent, Purdue student and Boilermakers super fan, of bone cancer. Jan. 1. He was 20. Michael Hickey, Getty Images

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Tyler Trent, Purdue student and Boilermakers super fan, of bone cancer. Jan. 1. He was 20. Michael Hickey, Getty Images

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    Don Newcombe, long-time pitcher for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. Feb. 19. He was 92.