What NFL Player Died Today?

Find out which NFL player died today and learn about their life and career.

Introduction

Today, we mourn the death of an NFL player. This player was a great athlete and will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.

NFL player deaths by year

Since 1920, when NFL records began to be kept, over 1,300 NFL players have died. The majority of these deaths were due to natural causes, but there have also been suicides, car accidents, drug overdoses and other tragedies.

Here is a list of NFL player deaths by year:

1920-1929: 13 Deaths
1930-1939: 11 Deaths
1940-1949: 20 Deaths
1950-1959: 31 Deaths
1960-1969: 35 Deaths
1970-1979: 33 Deaths
1980-1989: 45 Deaths
1990-1999: 58 Deaths
2000-2009: 73 Deaths
2010-2019: 94 Deaths

NFL player deaths by cause

As of May 2020, the NFL has had a total of 1,303 deaths among former players. These deaths are categorized by the cause of death, which includes cardiovascular disease (heart disease, heart attack), neurodegenerative disease (ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia), cancer, suicides, and other causes.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among NFL players, accounting for 34.3% of all player deaths. This is followed by neurodegenerative disease at 21.9%, cancer at 17.0%, suicides at 7.6%, and other causes at 19.2%.

The most common specific cardiovascular diseases that have resulted in NFL player deaths are coronary heart disease (11.4%), hypertensive heart disease (9.6%), and atherosclerotic heart disease (7.3%). The most common specific neurodegenerative diseases that have resulted in NFL player deaths are Alzheimer’s disease (5.7%), ALS (4.8%), Parkinson’s disease (2.8%), and dementia (2.5%).

The most common cancers that have resulted in NFL player deaths are skin cancer (3.6%), bladder cancer (2.5%), leukemia (2.1%), and brain cancer (1.9%).

NFL player deaths by team

As of September 2020, the following NFL players have died:

Arizona Cardinals:
-Pat Tillman, safety (died 2004)

Atlanta Falcons:
-Wiley Brown, linebacker (died 2020)

Baltimore Ravens:
-OT Jonathan Ogden, offensive tackle (died 2020)

Buffalo Bills:
– Cookie Gilchrist, fullback (died 2011)
– Reggie McKenzie, linebacker (died 2020)

Carolina Panthers:
– Sam Mills, linebacker (died 2005)
– Kevin Greene, linebacker (died 2020)

NFL player deaths by position

In the last few years, there have been a number of NFL player deaths that have made headlines. Some of these deaths have been due to natural causes, while others have been due to drug overdoses or automobile accidents. Here is a rundown of NFL player deaths by position.

Offensive linemen:

In 2012, Los Angeles Chargers offensive lineman Kris Dielman retired from the NFL after suffering a seizure on the team plane. The seizure was caused by a concussion he sustained during a game. In 2013, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Matt O’Dwyer died of a heart attack at the age of 38.

Quarterbacks:

Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot and killed by his mistress in 2009. In 2011, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Jerry Brown Jr. was killed in an automobile accident by his teammate and fellow Cowboys player Josh Brent. Brent was later convicted of intoxication manslaughter in Brown’s death.

Running backs:

In 2010, former Cincinnati Bengals running back Christopher Henry died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. In 2012, Baltimore Ravens running back Damien Berry died of an accidental fentanyl overdose. Fentanyl is a powerful painkiller that is often used in Hospice care. In 2014, San Francisco 49ers running back Kwame Harris was sentenced to six months in jail for assaulting his ex-boyfriend during an argument. Harris had pled no contest to felony domestic violence charges stemming from the altercation.
Defensive linemen:

In 2012, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Corey Williams was shot and killed during an attempted robbery at a gas station. In 2014, New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith was shot and killed following a minor traffic accident.

Linebackers:
In 2011, Oakland Raiders linebacker Thomas Howard was killed in an automobile accident while driving on the freeway at high speed. Howard’s blood alcohol level was over the legal limit at the time of the accident. Also in 2011, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jerry Brown Jr. (see above) was killed in an automobile accident while riding as a passenger in teammate Josh Brent’s car

Conclusion

No NFL player died today.