Aussie cricket legend Rodney Marsh, 74.
Legendary Australia Wicketkeeper Rod Marsh Dies at Age 74
Aussie cricket legend Rodney Marsh, 74.
Legendary Australia Wicketkeeper Rod Marsh Dies at Age 74
Boxing legend Leon Spinks died at the age of 67 on Friday night in a Henderson, Nevada, hospital near his home after battling with prostate cancer for several years, according to family friend Joe Bernal.
Spinks served in the Marine Corps before he rocketed to international fame in 1978 when he beat Muhammad Ali in a split decision to earn the undisputed world heavyweight title in what was considered one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.
“It was considered a mere joke,’’ fellow boxing great George Foreman told USA TODAY Sports when reflecting on that historic bout. “Why in the world would they put (Spinks) in the ring with Muhammad Ali with such a short boxing career?
“He beat the devil out of Muhammad, from pillar to post, even Muhammad was surprised.
“(Spinks) was legitimate, and he has his rightful place in the history of heavyweight boxers.’’
Spinks' gap-toothed smile became his trademark as he burst on the scene as an amateur. Fighting alongside his brother Michael and a charismatic light welterweight by the name of Ray Leonard, they became most successful U.S. Olympic boxing team in history.
Leon Spinks, former heavyweight boxing champ, dies at 67
The next post may be brought to you by my little bitch Spamdreth
Tom Smith: Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions prop dies
Former Scotland and British and Irish Lions prop Tom Smith has died aged 50.
Recognised as one of the nation's finest players, Smith was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in 2019.
He won 67 caps, and was instrumental in both Scotland's 1999 Five Nations title and the Lions' 1997 series win against world champions South Africa.
Revered coach Sir Ian McGeechan described him as "the greatest Scotland player of the professional era".
In November, Smith travelled from his home in France to Edinburgh to be inducted into Scottish Rugby's Hall of Fame, and presented the match ball before the Scots' autumn loss to South Africa at Murrayfield.
He captained his country during an eight-year Test career and was a hugely influential figure at club level for Brive and Northampton Saints until his retirement in 2009.
Smith coached at Edinburgh and Lyon in France before stepping back from the game in the wake of his cancer diagnosis in November 2019.
Until the 2021 tour of South Africa, he had been the last Scot to start a Lions Test match, having been selected for six in a row during 1997 and 2001.
Renowned as a powerful, technical scrummager despite his modest 5ft 10ins, 16st frame, Smith was years ahead of his time in possessing remarkable footballing skill.
Jim Telfer, McGeechan's legendary coaching colleague, said he was "a rugby player first and a prop second".
"He was never compromised when he had the ball in his hands," Telfer added. "He could move it quickly or take the player on or hold it up. His skill was the thing I remember with Tom.
"You could play a different kind of game when he was in the team.
"He could be a link player but was still a solid servant in the scrums and line-outs. He was always a very good scrummager - he was the ideal shape because he had the bulk as well."
BBC Website
NBA Hall of Famer Bob Lanier dies at 73
(CNN)Bob Lanier, an eight-time All-Star and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, died Tuesday, the NBA said. He was 73.
Lanier, who played for 14 years in the NBA, died after a short illness, surrounded by family, the NBA said in a statement.
"Bob Lanier was a Hall of Fame player and among the most talented centers in the history of the NBA, but his impact on the league went far beyond what he accomplished on the court," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in the statement.
"His enormous influence on the NBA was also seen during his time as President of the National Basketball Players Association, where he played a key role in the negotiation of a game-changing collective bargaining agreement."
Lanier also served as the league's global ambassador for more than 30 years, "traveling the world to teach the game's values and make a positive impact on young people everywhere," Silver said.
"We send our deepest condolences to Bob's family and friends," Silver added.
Former NBA star Bob Lanier died Tuesday at age 73, the league said.
The NBA legend played center with "fluid" movements, despite his 6-foot-11 frame, according to his NBA biography. He retired in 1984 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.
The Detroit Pistons drafted Lanier out of St. Bonaventure in the 1970 draft with the first overall pick, according to the biography. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Team for 1970-71 and averaged 15.6 points that season. He was also named the 1974 NBA All-Star Most Valuable Player.
"The Detroit Pistons organization is deeply saddened by the passing Bob Lanier, a true legend who meant so much to the city of Detroit and to generations of Pistons fans," Pistons owner Tom Gores said in a statement early Wednesday.
"As fierce and as dominant as Bob was on the court, he was equally kind and impactful in the community," Gores said. "As an ambassador for both the Pistons organization and the NBA, he represented our league, our franchise and our fans with great passion and integrity."
Lanier eventually joined the Milwaukee Bucks and led them to five consecutive division titles in the regular season.
"I learned so much from Bob by simply watching how he connected with people. He was a close friend who I will miss dearly, as will so many of his colleagues across the NBA who were inspired by his generosity," Silver said.
Former Australia cricketer Andrew Symonds had died in a car crash at the age of 46.
Symonds made 238 appearances for Australia, establishing himself as one of the best and most popular white-ball players in the world in the 2000s.
He scored almost 7,000 international runs – including eight centuries – and took 165 wickets across all formats.
Symonds helped Australia win the World Cup in 2003 and 2007 and went on to work for Fox Sports as a pundit after retiring from playing in 2009.
Australia cricket hero Andrew Symonds dies in car crash aged 46 | Metro News
Jesus Christ if you were a former Australian cricket player you wouldn't be making plans for Christmas this year![]()
Legendary jockey Lester Piggott dies aged 86: Nine-time Derby winner passes away a week after being admitted to hospital in Switzerland
Legendary jockey and nine-time Derby winner Lester Piggott has died at the age of 86.
Unquestionably one of the greatest jockeys of all time, Piggott rode his first winner, The Chase, at Haydock in 1948 when just 12 years of age.
His last win came with Palacegate Jack at the same Merseyside track in 1994, a few weeks short of his 59th birthday. He retired for a final time in 1995.
Legendary jockey Lester Piggott dies aged 86 | Daily Mail Online
Who was the only black man ever to ride 3 English Derby winners?
Lester Piggott’s cell mate
That legendary game against Spain...
Billy Bingham, former Northern Ireland manager and player, dies aged 90
Billy Bingham, former Northern Ireland manager and player, dies aged 90 | Northern Ireland | The Guardian
The 5 that have fallen your all hero's ride n peace.
Roger and Bradley Stockton's family say they're 'heartbroken'
The family of father and son sidecar partners, Roger and Bradley Stockton, say heartbroken doesn't even begin to describe how they're feeling, after the pair were killed during yesterday's race.
Fifty-six year old Roger and Bradley, who was 21, were from Crewe in Cheshire.
Tributes paid to father and son who died in Ago's Leap incident - Manx Radio
Fascists dress in black and go around telling people what to do, whereas priests... more drink!
Welsh fly-half Phil Bennett, ‘a player with stardust in his boots’, dies aged 73
The former Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half Phil Bennett has died at the age of 73, his former club Scarlets have announced.
Bennett, affectionately known as ‘Benny’, played 413 times for Llanelli RFC from making his debut as an 18-year-old to his final appearance in 1981, captaining the side for six years of his 15-year spell.
Regarded as one of Wales’ greatest players, he won 29 caps for his country between 1969 and 1978, winning two Five Nations grand slams and three triple crowns.
Paying tribute to Bennett on their website, the Scarlets said: “A player with stardust in his boots, he possessed a sidestep that would mesmerise defenders - his jinking run to spark ‘the greatest try ever scored’ for the Barbarians against New Zealand in Cardiff in 1973 will live long in rugby folklore.”
Bennett’s former club captain and Wales and Lions teammate Delme Thomas said: “He was the best fly-half I have ever seen on a rugby field.”
Scarlets’ executive chairman Simon Muderack said: “As a club, region and community, we are devastated by this news.”
Reflecting on Bennett’s key role in Llanelli dominating the domestic scene, including four Welsh Cup triumphs in the 1970s, he said: “Wherever the Scarlets travel around the world, people mention the name Phil Bennett.
“He was an icon of our sport, a rugby superstar, but someone who always remembered his roots. There was no finer ambassador of Scarlets Rugby than Phil, a player respected across the rugby world, both during his career and long after he finished playing.
“Phil was a hero and friend to so many people, not only in Llanelli and West Wales, but throughout the game and I am sure a lot of Scarlets supporters will have their own particular stories of the times they met and chatted to ‘Benny’.
“He loved the club and epitomised the values we hold true - humility and pride in our community.
“On behalf of everyone at the Scarlets, we send our heartfelt condolences to Pat, Steven, James and all of Phil’s family and friends at this incredibly sad time.”
The Welsh Rugby Union described Bennett as a “legend” and a “true gentleman”. A WRU statement said: “Such sad news from Llanelli this evening with the passing of Phil Bennett, a Welsh rugby legend in every sense and true gentleman. Our deepest condolences to Phil’s wife Pat, their family and his many, many friends. Rest in peace Benny.”
Bennett’s first Lions tour was to South Africa in 1974 and he was at the heart of what was regarded as the greatest rugby tour in history.
The tourists won 21 of their 22 matches and the Test series 3-0, with one game drawn, and the squad became known as ‘The Invincibles’, with Bennett top scoring with 103 points.
He was captain for the tour to New Zealand three years later in a series the hosts won 3-1, but Bennett again top scored with 125 points. The Lions said: “The fly-half is widely recognised as one of the all-time greats of the game and dazzled in both the red of Wales and red of the British & Irish Lions at the height of his career in the 1970s.”
Andy Goram: Scotland and Rangers goalkeeping great dies aged 58
Former Scotland and Rangers goalkeeper Andy Goram has died after "a short battle" with cancer at the age of 58.
Goram was capped 43 times for his country at football and four times at cricket - the only Scot to have played at the top level at both sports.
He helped Rangers win five Scottish Premier League titles, three Scottish Cups and two League Cups.
Goram was also on loan at Manchester United during the run-in as they won the Premier League title in 2000-01.
He was most recently goalkeeping coach with West of Scotland Football League club Cambuslang Rangers.
It was announced in April that Goram had been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, which affects the long tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach, and later revealed he been given six months to live.
He also disclosed that he had turned down chemotherapy as it would only extend his life by three months……….
Andy Goram: Scotland and Rangers goalkeeping great dies aged 58 - BBC Sport
A number of years ago Andy Goram had also gone public with the fact that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Fans greeted this revelation with characteristic sensitivity. As he walked onto the pitch, a chant came from the crowd: Two Andy Gorams! There’s only two Andy Gorams…
Enjoyed the absolute pleasure of an afternoon in his company outside his bar at Holborn back in the day.
A real gentlemen.
RIP
Terry Neill dead: Former Arsenal captain and manager passes away aged 80
Arsenal's youngest ever captain Terry Neill has died at the age of 80.
The Northern Irishman played over 270 times for the Gunners, taking on the armband at the age of 20. The former centre-half would go on to manage the north London outfit for seven years, starting in 1976, after he crossed the divide having been in charge of rivals Tottenham.
Neill would guide Arsenal to three straight FA Cup finals, seeing his side lift the trophy in 1979 with a famous 3-2 win over Manchester United.
Terry Neill dead: Former Arsenal captain and manager passes away aged 80 - Mirror Online
French-born Australian boxing legend Johnny Famechon, who became world featherweight champion during a short but stunning career, has died aged 77, officials said Thursday.
Famechon was considered one of Australia's greatest boxers, becoming WBC featherweight champion in 1969 after he beat Cuban Jose Legra on points at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
He defended his title twice against Japan's former world flyweight and bantamweight king Fighting Harada over a career that saw him win 56 of his 67 professional fights, including 20 knockouts.
He retired at just 25 after surrendering his title to Mexican Vicente Saldivar in 1970.
"I am so sorry to learn of the passing away of Australian boxing icon Johnny Famechon," WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said on Twitter. "May he rest in eternal peace."
Born Jean-Pierre Famechon in Paris before his parents migrated to Australia when he was five, he was known for his silky defensive skills which earned him the nicknamed "poetry in motion".
"You talk about them doing state funerals for certain people, if anyone deserves one then 'Fammo' certainly does," fellow Australian boxer Jeff Fenech, who won world titles in three weight divisions, told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"He was beautiful to watch, just so skilful. He was like Floyd Mayweather, one of those guys who hit and never got hit."
Famechon suffered a stroke and an acquired brain injury in 1991 when he was hit by a car in Sydney, but returned to near full health. He was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997.
Australian boxing great Johnny Famechon dies aged 77
The NRL is in shock following the death of premiership-winning coach Paul Green, aged 49.
Green is reported to have died in his Brisbane home on Thursday morning, with a post mortem examination to be conducted.
A star in his own right as a player, Green played 162 games across five different clubs as a halfback, five-eighth and hooker while also playing seven State of Origins for Queensland.
Green also won the 1995 Rothmans Medal as the league's best and fairest player that year.
But he will forever be remembered as the man who helped guide North Queensland to their maiden premiership in 2015.
NRL coach Paul Green dies aged 49 | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)