Ezekiel “Zeke” Moore obit

 Ezekiel “Zeke” Moore Has Died

He was not on the list.

Ezekiel “Zeke” Moore, former Houston Oilers cornerback and longtime Houston community figure, died on September 22, 2026, at the age of 82. Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, on December 2, 1943, Moore’s life was defined by athletic excellence, leadership, and service to others.

Moore’s athletic journey began at Booker T. Washington High School and Tuskegee Laboratory High School, where he distinguished himself in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He earned All-State and All-District honors in basketball and captained both his football and basketball teams during his senior year .

He continued his education and athletic career at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, excelling as a halfback, defensive back, and return specialist. In 1964, he led the team in scoring and delivered standout performances, including a 101‑yard interception return and multiple long touchdown returns . By 1966, he was a team co‑captain and one of the program’s most dynamic players and had six interceptions in nine games that season..

Moore was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the fifth round of the 1967 NFL/AFL Draft and went on to spend his entire 11‑year professional career with the franchise. He became known for his speed, instinct, and reliability, returning kicks as a rookie before emerging as a starting cornerback. His career highlights included a Pro Bowl selection in 1970 and an AFL All‑Star honor in 1969 . Over 145 games, he recorded 24 interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, and remained a cornerstone of the Oilers’ defense throughout the 1970s.

After retiring from football, Moore continued to serve his community. He spent five years as a Houston Texans ambassador and later became president of the Townwood Homeowners Association in Houston. He also served as a Texas Registered Peace Officer, reflecting his lifelong commitment to leadership and public service .

Moore’s legacy endures through his contributions to sports and community life. He was inducted into the Lincoln University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011 and was selected by fans for the Houston Oilers’ 30th Anniversary Dream Team in 1989 .

Condolences to his family and friends and may he Rest in Peace.

 

Zeke Moore

No. 22

Position           Cornerback

Personal information

Born    December 2, 1943 (age 82)

Tuskegee, Alabama, U.S.

Listed height   6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)

Listed weight  198 lb (90 kg)

Career information

High school     Booker T. Washington (Tuskegee)

College            Lincoln (MO)

NFL draft        1967: 5th round, 127th overall pick

Career history

Houston Oilers (1967-1977)

Awards and highlights

Pro Bowl (1970)

AFL All-Star (1969)

Career NFL/AFL statistics

Interceptions    24

Fumble recoveries       8

Touchdowns    4

Chris Spatola obit

ESPN analyst and son-in-law of legendary college basketball coach dies aged 47: Tributes pour in for beloved broadcaster

 

He was not on the list.

Chris Spatola, a longtime college basketball analyst and radio host, has died at the age of 47.

Spatola's passing was unexpected, with stunned reactions coming in from throughout the college basketball landscape. At the time of publishing, the cause of his death was unknown.

Spatola spent years with ESPN and SiriusXM covering the game. His passing was confirmed by the Worldwide Leader on Monday night.

'Chris Spatola brought a unique perspective to ESPN's college basketball coverage, shaped by his experiences as a student-athlete, Army veteran, coach and broadcaster,' a statement from the network read.

'He was thoughtful, prepared and passionate about the sport, earning the respect of colleagues, coaches, players and fans alike. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time.'

Spatola was a four-year starter playing college basketball at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1998 to 2002.

He served in the US Army before eventually joining the Duke coaching staff as an assistant under Mike Krzyzewski.

Krzyzewski would later become Spatola's father-in-law when he married the coach's daughter, Jamie.

Chris is survived by Jamie and their three children: John David, Mackenzie and Madeline.

A statement from the Krzyzewski family read: 'There are no words to adequately express our heartbreak over the loss of our beloved Chris Spatola.

'Chris served our country, was a devoted husband and father, and was such an important part of our family.

'We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, thoughts, and prayers we have received during this incredibly difficult time.

'We respectfully ask for privacy as our entire family, particularly Jamie and her three beautiful children, grieve and process this unimaginable loss.'

Spatola left Duke's coaching ranks in 2012 to join ESPN and later continued on to SiriusXM. Colleagues posted condolences and remembrances on social media.

College GameDay host Rece Davis posted, 'Devastated to hear the news of the loss of Chris Spatola. Brilliant, funny, dedicated to his family, hoops and his crafts of coaching and broadcasting. My prayers are with his beautiful family. I'll remember him like this - coming out of practice, fired up for a game.'

'Chris was a friend and someone I really respected,' wrote Baylor basketball coach Scott Drew. 'So many Great Memories of Baylor Games he announced. He often talked about his family and I know how much he loved them. Praying for the Spatola Family.'

Former Virginia Tech coach and veteran ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg described the loss as 'heartbreaking' and called Spatola 'such a good soul.'

'Don’t have any words right now other than that we’ve all lost a great one,' wrote basketball play-by-play voice Matt Martucci. 'The light of the world is not as bright without somebody like Chris Spatola in it. RIP to a friend, colleague, and a wonderful family man.'

'Hug your loved ones. I really liked Chris. Always positive when I was around him. Awful, awful news Rest in Peace,' posted ESPN analyst Terrence Oglesby.

'Chris Spatola was an incredible human being, caring for everybody around him and showcasing his rich passion for basketball with the manner in which he called games,' wrote NBC Sports broadcaster John Fanta.

'The sport was better because Chris was a part of it. Beyond the hardwood, Chris was a family man who graduated from West Point and bravely served our country in Iraq. Just a tremendous person who cared for others and was always giving of his time. God bless Chris and his family & friends. Heartbroken to learn of his passing.'

Ernie Accorsi obit

Giants mourn loss of former GM and Ring of Honor inductee Ernie Accorsi

 

He was not on the list.

Ernie Accorsi, who became only the second general manager inducted into the Giants Ring of Honor and was instrumental in bringing Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning to the franchise, passed away peacefully Saturday while surrounded by the love of his family. He was 84.

Born on Oct. 29, 1941 in Hershey, Pa., Accorsi was the Giants' general manager from 1998-2006 after serving as an assistant under George Young for four seasons. In Accorsi's nine years as G.M., the Giants won two NFC East titles, earned four postseason berths, and advanced to Super Bowl XXXV. He retired at the conclusion of the 2006 season. The Giants won the Super Bowl the following season (and gave Accorsi a championship ring) and again in 2011.

The Giants were the final stop in Accorsi's remarkable 37-year career that included successful stints as the general manager of the Baltimore Colts (he saw Johnny Unitas throw his first pass in a Colt uniform in a 1956 preseason game in his hometown of Hershey and his last one while working for the team) and the Cleveland Browns. In his last 16 years as a general manager, Accorsi had nine playoff teams, including six division champions. The Giants, Browns and Colts won a combined 143 regular-season and postseason games under his stewardship.

Members of the Giants organization and NFL community paid their respects to Accorsi and the legacy he built:

Giants President John Mara:

"Ernie helped shape the course of New York Giants history through his vision, leadership and unwavering belief in building a championship organization. Beyond his accomplishments as a football executive, he was a trusted advisor and dear friend. His legacy will forever be part of the Giants, and he will be greatly missed."

Giants Executive Vice President Steve Tisch:

"Ernie brought intelligence and thoughtful leadership to every decision, and his contributions to the Giants and the game were significant. We are grateful for all he gave to this organization and are thinking of his family and his many friends and colleagues."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell:

"Ernie Accorsi was one of the most respected football minds in NFL history and a dear friend whose wisdom and perspective I valued tremendously. Throughout his remarkable career, he shaped championship-caliber clubs and earned the admiration of everyone who worked with him.

"Ernie's impact extended beyond the teams he served. As co-chair of the General Managers Advisory Committee, he helped guide our game and strengthen the NFL. His integrity, common sense and commitment to doing what was best for football made him an invaluable voice. Ernie was thoughtful, humble, and he cared deeply about the people in our league. He never lost sight of the relationships that make football special and we will all greatly miss him."

Tom Coughlin:

"Ernie was very decisive, very opinionated. His mind was as sharp as a tack. He loved to laugh. He was a great storyteller, great storyteller. He loved to have an audience and laugh, and then everyone else would laugh with him. He was great with punchlines. He was one of those. He was very loyal. Very, very loyal. My experience, of course, Ernie and John Mara interviewed me when I became the head coach back in 2004. I didn't realize that within a couple of years, Ernie was getting ready to retire. Nevertheless, we had a great challenge and we went forward from there. I always enjoyed working with Ernie, I always enjoyed talking with Ernie."

"Ernie will always be remembered, and I say this out of great respect, he's the guy that made the trade for Eli Manning. That will go down in Giants history as one of the great moves of all time. Was it risky? Sure it was risky. Ernie did it. Shut the door, went in, he did it on his own. It was his move. He had followed Eli from the time Eli was a very young player at Ole Miss, and he was convinced that Eli was the franchise quarterback that the Giants needed. He was not going to be deterred. He saw an opportunity. I think both teams benefitted greatly from the decision, and Ernie pulled the trigger."

Eli Manning:

"I was extremely sad to hear the news about Ernie. I call Ernie every draft week for the last 12 years, maybe longer than that, and just thank him for making the trade and believing in me and bringing me to the New York Giants. I know he was the believer in me and kind of the reason I got here. I appreciated him so much for building such great teams and giving us the opportunity to win some championships here. He was always so fun to sit with and just talk, whether it's the Giants or his time in Baltimore around the Colts. His stories around the NFL and the people he was around that shaped his career were always so entertaining. I know the Giants organization owes a lot of thanks to Ernie Accorsi and what he was able to do for the organization."

Justin Tuck:

"My football career is very synonymous with Ernie. He had drafted me and then us going in the Ring of Honor together and then just our interactions throughout my career while at the Giants, he was a man who always did things the right way. He always had a good demeanor. I didn't get to know him much outside of football, but just in football, you could tell the character of him and who he was as a person just by how he interacted with us on the football side of things. It's always tough when you lose a guy like him because of what he meant to not only the Giants, but the NFL as a whole. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family. It's a sad day for football fans."

The Accorsi Family:

"It was the honor of my dad's lifetime to represent the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants, three organizations that meant so much to him throughout his remarkable career. Our family is deeply grateful to each of them and to the many people who became lifelong friends along the way.

"We are especially grateful to the New York Giants organization, John Mara, Ronnie Barnes, and the late Wellington Mara for their friendship, loyalty, and love for my father over so many years. The Giants were far more than a team to him. They were family, and being part of that family was something he treasured. Once a Giant, always a Giant."

Accorsi's most significant personnel move with the Giants was acquiring Manning in a draft-day trade with the San Diego Chargers in 2004. Manning became the greatest quarterback in Giants history and was the MVP of Super Bowls XLII and XLVI.

"I have always said that in the first Super Bowl I was hoping he would do it," Accorsi once said. "In the second Super Bowl I was almost sure he was going to do it."

Before the 2004 NFL Draft, talent evaluators were in almost universal agreement that three championship-caliber quarterbacks were available: Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, and Philip Rivers.

Accorsi and Coughlin coveted Manning of the University of Mississippi. Accorsi famously concluded his college scouting report of the quarterback with the following entry: "These guys are rare, you know."

But the Giants had the fourth choice in the first round. The quarterback-needy San Diego Chargers owned the first pick and took Manning. The Giants selected Rivers with the fourth pick. The two teams then completed a trade, with the Giants sending Rivers, their third-round selection in 2004, and their first- and fifth-round choices in the 2005 draft to the Chargers for Manning.

Accorsi was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 26, 2008. While a student there, Accorsi was heavily involved in the campus media as sports editor for the Old Gold and Black and sports director for WFDD. Accorsi graduated from Wake Forest in 1963.

He spent time as a sportswriter at three newspapers, the Charlotte News, the Baltimore Sun and the Philadelphia Inquirer. He also worked in the athletic departments at St. Joseph's University and Penn State University. He began his career in professional sports in 1970 as the public relations director for the Baltimore Colts.

After serving a two-year stint as an assistant to the president of the National Football Conference, Accorsi returned to the Colts, first as an assistant general manager from 1977-81 and then as general manager from 1982-83. He left the Colts on Feb. 7, 1984 and joined the front office of the Cleveland Browns on March 4 – a mere 24 days before the Colts packed up and headed to Indianapolis.

Named Cleveland's general manager in 1985, he engineered the supplemental draft selection of Bernie Kosar and guided the franchise to AFC Central Division titles in four of his first five years in charge of football operations. The Browns advanced to the AFC title game in 1986, '87 and '89. Accorsi left the Giants in April 1992 to work as a lobbyist for Baltimore's NFL expansion efforts, and he briefly served as chief financial officer of the Baltimore Orioles in 1994.

On Nov. 14, 2016, Accorsi, Coughlin and Tuck were fittingly inducted together into the team's Ring of Honor during a ceremony at halftime of a Monday night game.

"I will always cherish the memory of Wellington and Ann Mara and Bob Tisch, who gave me the opportunity to be a general manager, and George Young who brought me here 22 years ago," Accorsi said to the crowd. "(And) every one of you, the best fans of the best franchise in sports. Every player to ever wear the Giant blue. If I can take a line from the great Yankee Clipper, I want to thank the good Lord for making me a New York Giant."

 

Personal information

Born    October 29, 1941

Hershey, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Died    September 19, 2026 (aged 84)

Career information

College            Wake Forest

Career history

Baltimore Colts (1970–1974)

Public relations director

National Football League (1975)

Office staff

Baltimore Colts (1977–1981)

Assistant general manager

Baltimore Colts (1982–1983)

General manager

Cleveland Browns (1985–1992)

Executive vice president & general manager

New York Giants (1994–1997)

Assistant general manager

New York Giants (1998–2006)

General manager

Awards and highlights

New York Giants Ring of Honor

Paul Lloyd obit

Former British and European bantamweight champion Paul “Livewire” Lloyd dead at 57

 He was not on the list.

Paul “Livewire” Lloyd sadly passes away at the young age of just 57

Former British, Commonwealth and European bantamweight champion Paul “Livewire” Lloyd (20-7, 14 KOs) has died at just 57.

The London Boxing History tweeted the following on X: "Gutted to read of the passing of former World Title challenger Paul “Livewire” Lloyd at the age of just 57.  Lloyd would win the lot domestically, claiming Area, British, Commonwealth and European Titles. It’s been a sad few weeks for boxing, gone far too soon. RIP champ."

Andrew Fairly responded: "Oh no, far too young. His poor family. God bless you Paul and sleep tight."

Amateur Career

Paul "Livewire" Lloyd was born 7 December 1968 in Bebington, Wirral.

He was an English amateur bantamweight and professional bantam/super bantamweight boxer of the 1990s and 2000s.

Lloyd, as an amateur, won the 1990 Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) bantamweight title against Michael Gibbons, Michael Alldis, Wilson Docherty, and Patrick Mullings (Harrow & District ABC).

Lloyd participated in the World Cup in Bombay, India, during November 1990, defeating Rico Maspaitela of Indonesia and losing to Enrique Carrión of Cuba. He participated in the trials for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Halle, Germany, defeating Shaun Anderson of Scotland and losing to Dieter Berg of Germany.

Lloyd won the gold medal at bantamweight at the 1992 Canada Cup in Ottawa, Canada, during May 1992, defeating Lorenzo Aragon Armenteros of Cuba, Mark Mercier of Canada, and Alexei Aztamohov of Russia.

Pro Career

Boxing out of Vauxhall Motors ABC in Ellesmere Port, as a professional he won the Central Area super-bantamweight title, British, European, and Commonwealth bantamweight title.

Lloyd challenged for the British super-bantamweight title against Richie Wenton, the IBF bantamweight title against Tim Austin, WBO super-bantamweight title against Marco Antonio Barrera, IBC bantamweight title against Johnny Bredahl, and IBO bantamweight title against Noel Wilders.

GBN would like to express their deepest condolences to all of Paul's family and friends at the this difficult time.

Mike Burton obit

Three-Time Olympic Champion Mike Burton Dies at 79; Packaged Legendary Career in Distance Freestyle

 He was not on the list.

Legendary American distance star Mike Burton has died, according to a social-media post written by his son, Eric. Burton, 79, was a three-time Olympic champion between the 1968 Games in Mexico City and the 1972 Games in Munich. Burton was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1977 and was enshrined in the UCLA Hall of Fame, along with several others.

My heart is broken this morning,” wrote Eric Burton on Facebook. “My dad, Mike Burton, has passed away after a grueling battle with Alzheimer’s and dementia. My dad was by far the toughest man to have ever lived. He always inspired me to greatness. I will forever miss him, his stories and just having him around. He will definitely live on through all of us. This is not goodbye, but see you later.”

Burton established himself as one of the greatest distance freestylers in history, setting five world records in the 1500 freestyle between 1966 and 1972. At the 1968 Olympic Games, Burton was the gold medalist in the 400 freestyle and 1500 freestyle. Four years later, Burton defended his Olympic title by winning the 1500 freestyle in a world-record time of 15:52.58. Both of Burton’s victories in the 1500 freestyle were dominant, as he won his 1968 gold by 18 seconds and his 1972 title by six seconds.

Coached by Sherm Chavoor at the Arden Hills Swim Club, Burton became a five-time NCAA champion at UCLA and was an overwhelming choice for induction into ISHOF in the late 1970s. In addition to his Olympic success, Burton was a three-time medalist at the 1967 Pan American Games.

Burton also became a successful coach after his competitive career concluded and he remains one of four men to defend an Olympic gold medal in the 1500 freestyle. He was the first man to swim the 1650-yard freestyle in under 16 minutes and was the first man to break 8:30 in the 800 freestyle. At the 1972 Olympic Trials, he qualified for the 1500 freestyle final in eighth, placed third and rose to the occasion to win his second straight Olympic gold.

Arthur Hancock III obit

 

Arthur Hancock III Dies at 83 After Defining Career in American Thoroughbred Racing 

He was not on the list.

 

Arthur Hancock III Dies at 83 After Defining Career in American Thoroughbred Racing

Arthur B. Hancock III, the Stone Farm owner and breeder whose horses helped shape American Thoroughbred racing across several generations, has died at the age of 83. Hancock died at his Kentucky home on Friday following a long battle with pancreatic cancer, his wife Staci confirmed. His career produced two Kentucky Derby winners, a U.S. Horse of the Year and bloodlines that would have an impact well beyond the United States.

Hancock was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on February 22, 1943, into a family whose name was already firmly established at the highest level of the Thoroughbred industry.

His grandfather, Arthur B. Hancock, founded Claiborne Farm, while his father, Arthur B. “Bull” Hancock Jr., developed the operation into one of the dominant breeding establishments of the 20th century. The family's influence extended into international racing and bloodstock.

Arthur III chose to build his own operation rather than follow the same path.

After graduating from Vanderbilt University, he moved to the New York area and worked under trainer Edward Neloy. He subsequently established Stone Farm near Paris, Kentucky, developing the property into a significant breeding and racing operation.

The breakthrough came in 1982.

Gato Del Sol, bred and raced by Hancock in partnership with Leone Peters, produced Stone Farm's first Kentucky Derby victory. It was a landmark achievement for Hancock personally and an important moment in establishing Stone Farm as an independent force within the American breeding industry.

Another major success followed through Risen Star, whom Hancock and Peters bred. Risen Star won the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes in 1988.

But the horse most closely associated with Hancock's name would arrive the following year.

Sunday Silence carried Hancock's colours through one of the most memorable campaigns in American racing history. In 1989 he won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Breeders' Cup Classic, defeating Easy Goer in each of the first two legs of the Triple Crown before their rivalry reached its conclusion in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Sunday Silence was subsequently named U.S. Horse of the Year.

His importance to Hancock's legacy did not end with his retirement. Sunday Silence later became a hugely influential sire in Japan, establishing a bloodline that would dominate Japanese racing and produce champions including Deep Impact.

Hancock was also a co-breeder of Fusaichi Pegasus, who won the Kentucky Derby in 2000. Other notable horses associated with his breeding and racing interests included Kentucky Oaks winner Goodbye Halo and Blue Grass Stakes and Haskell Invitational Handicap winner Menifee.

Stone Farm's graduates extended well beyond those headline achievements, contributing horses of significance to the American and international breeding industries.

Hancock's career was not without serious setbacks. The rapid expansion of Stone Farm after the success of Gato Del Sol was followed by substantial financial pressure, with the operation eventually carrying debts of about $15 million. His personal life also included a long struggle with alcohol, which he stopped drinking on New Year's Day in 1989.

Away from racing, Hancock had another enduring passion: Bluegrass music. He was a composer and musician, with music remaining an important part of his life alongside his work with horses.

His involvement in the wider racing industry included membership of The Jockey Club and, from 1996, a position on the board of Fasig-Tipton.

The recognition of his contribution came in 2025 when Hancock was inducted as a Pillar of the Turf by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. The honour placed him alongside his grandfather and father, both previously recognised for their contributions to Thoroughbred racing.

For Hancock, however, the legacy was never simply a list of race wins. Stone Farm represented an attempt to establish something of his own within a family already synonymous with American breeding. The results included Derby winners, Classic performers and a stallion whose influence ultimately reached across the world.

Arthur Hancock III leaves behind a racing legacy that will continue through the horses bred at Stone Farm and the bloodlines that trace back to the decisions he made over more than five decades in the Thoroughbred industry.

Jimmy Revie obit

Jimmy Revie, British Featherweight Champion of the Early 1970s, Dies at 79

 He was not on the list.

Half a point, that was the margin by which Jimmy Revie won 3 separate fights during his British featherweight championship reign, a run so narrow it once earned him boos from an unimpressed Royal Albert Hall crowd despite the victory. Revie died in September 2026, at age 79, following complications from dementia.

Born in Stockwell, London, on July 8, 1947, Revie turned professional in September 1966 with a 5th round stoppage of Brian Gullefer. He won his first 13 fights inside the distance before suffering his first defeat in February 1968, stopped in the 9th round by Jimmy Anderson in a challenge for the British junior lightweight title. Revie dropped to featherweight, won his next 6 fights, and earned a shot at the British title vacated by Howard Winstone, defeating former British Empire champion John O’Brien in March 1969 after the referee stopped the contest in the 5th round due to eye injuries.

Revie was considered a contender for Johnny Famechon’s world title, though he never got the opportunity to fight for it. He kept busy with non-title bouts before his first defence, notably defeating European champion Tommaso Galli by half a point in October 1969, then Ecuadorian champion Miguel Herrera by the same slim margin 12 days later, and Algerian fighter Ould Makloufi by another half point that November. A stoppage loss to Tunisian fighter Tahar Ben Hassen in April 1970 marked his 2nd professional defeat, but Revie rebounded to make his first British title defence that September, beating Alan Rudkin at Wembley’s Empire Pool, again by half a point.

Revie challenged José Legra for the European title in January 1971, losing a unanimous decision after the full 15 rounds. That July, defending his British title against Evan Armstrong at Grosvenor House, Revie was well ahead on points when Armstrong knocked him out in the 12th round to claim the championship. Revie won his next 7 fights and earned another British title eliminator victory over Vernon Sollas in March 1974, setting up a rematch for the vacant title in March 1975 at the Royal Albert Hall, a fight Revie lost controversially when Sollas struck him while he was down near the end of the 4th round. He fought 6 more times, winning only twice, closing out his career with back to back losses to Jim Watt and Charlie Nash in 1976.

Beyond the ring, Revie appeared in Jim Goddard’s 1980 film King Billy, playing the role of Leon Cole.

Jimmy Revie’s British featherweight championship reign, built on razor thin decisions and hard fought battles against some of the era’s toughest contenders, remains a defining chapter of early 1970s British boxing.

Mike Sweetney obit

Georgetown Basketball Great and DMV Native Mike Sweetney Passes Away

 

He was not on the list.

Former Georgetown University basketball standout, DMV basketball legend and NBA first-round pick Michael “Mike” Sweetney has passed away, according to an announcement from his wife, India Sweetney.

India shared the news on social media, remembering her husband of nearly 20 years as a devoted husband, father and family man.“With the heaviest hearts, we are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Michael,” she wrote. “His children were the light of his life, and he lived every day to give them the best life possible.”

Sweetney, a Washington, D.C. native, starred at Oxon Hill High School in Prince George’s County, where he was named The Washington Post’s All-Met Player of the Year before continuing his career at Georgetown University.

The 6-foot-8 power forward played for the Hoyas from 2000 to 2003, averaging 18.2 points per game during his three-year college career. As a junior during the 2002-03 season, Sweetney earned All-American honors before declaring for the NBA Draft.

The New York Knicks selected Sweetney with the ninth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, a class that included LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Sweetney spent two seasons with the Knicks before playing two seasons with the Chicago Bulls. He later continued his professional career internationally.

Following his playing career, Sweetney became an advocate for mental health awareness, speaking publicly about his experiences with depression and grief following the death of his father early in his NBA career. He later worked in coaching, including as an assistant coach with the men’s basketball program at Yeshiva University.

Sweetney is survived by his wife, India, and their children. Memorial service information has not yet been publicly announced.

He had previously served as an assistant coach of the Yeshiva University Men's basketball team and head coach of the girls varsity basketball team at New York's Ramaz School.

Sweetney went to Oxon Hill for high school, where he was named Washington Post All Met Basketball Player of the Year.

He continued the tradition of highly skilled big men at Georgetown University, averaging 18.2 points while shooting nearly 55% over his three-year collegiate career. He was especially dominant over his junior year, in which he was named Honorable Mention All-America by AP, as well as being a Naismith College Player of the Year finalist and a candidate for the John R. Wooden Award. That year, Sweetney was the only player in the nation to rank in the top 20 in scoring and rebounding.

Despite playing only three seasons for the Hoyas, he ranks ninth on Georgetown's career scoring list (1,750), fifth in rebounds (887) and sixth in blocks (180) as of 2026.

 

Career information

High school     Oxon Hill (Oxon Hill, Maryland)

College            Georgetown (2000–2003)

NBA draft        2003: 1st round, 9th overall pick

Drafted by       New York Knicks

Playing career 2003–2017

Position           Power forward

Number           50, 60

Coaching career          2019–2026

Career history

Playing

2003–2005      New York Knicks

2005–2007      Chicago Bulls

2009–2010      Shaanxi Kylins

2010    Erie BayHawks

2010    Cangrejeros de Santurce

2010    Metros de Santiago

2010–2011      Club Biguá

2011    Cangrejeros de Santurce

2012    Vaqueros de Bayamón

2013    Guaiqueríes de Margarita

2013    Vaqueros de Bayamón

2014    Club Atlético Atenas

2014    Brujos de Guayama

2015–2017      Urunday Universitario

Coaching

2019–2023      Yeshiva University (assistant)

Career highlights

Second-team All-American – NABC (2003)

Third-team All-American – SN (2003)

Jim Bradshaw obit

Jim Bradshaw Has Died

 He was not on the list.

James Alfred Bradshaw, a former NFL safety remembered for his toughness, reliability, and quiet leadership in the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary, passed away on September 16, 2026. He was 87 years old. This was announced by his nephew on social media.

Born January 13, 1939, in St. Clairsville, Ohio , Bradshaw grew up with a deep love for sports and competition. He graduated from St. Clairsville High School in 1958 and played college football for the Chattanooga Mocs; where he developed into a disciplined, physical defensive back who caught the attention of professional scouts .

Bradshaw was selected in both the NFL and AFL drafts in 1963—18th round by the Pittsburgh Steelers and 20th round by the Boston Patriots . He ultimately joined the Steelers, playing five seasons in Pittsburgh from 1963 to 1967. During his career, Bradshaw recorded 11 interceptions, 9 fumble recoveries, 493 total return yards, and 4 touchdowns—numbers that reflected his instinctive playmaking and ability to change momentum in critical moments . He spent the 1968 season with the Cleveland Browns as an offseason and practice‑squad member, rounding out a professional career defined by consistency and hard work.

At 6 feet 2 inches and 205 pounds, Bradshaw brought size and strength to the safety position, earning the respect of teammates and opponents alike for his physical style and dependable presence in the defensive backfield .

Randy Pederson obit

Randy Pedersen, Hall of Fame Player and Broadcasting Legend, Dies at 64

 He was not on the list.

Randy Pedersen, among the most important professional bowling figures of the past 40 years, died Wednesday, Sept. 16. He was 64 years old.

“Randy was supremely talented in everything he did. Bowling, golf, comedy, broadcasting, anything. He was a force, a giant in sports and on TV,” said PBA Commissioner Tom Clark. “He was our friend, our partner. Randy was our voice. He was my brother. I spoke with so many people today who loved him. There will never be another Randy Pedersen. Please hug the people you love.”

During his playing career, Pedersen won 13 PBA Tour titles with one major in the 1987 PBA National Championship.

He also won one PBA50 Tour title, which came in his first career PBA50 Tour title event.

Pedersen was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2011 and the USBC Hall of Fame in 2025.

In 2001, Pedersen joined the broadcast booth where he began his second Hall of Fame career as the voice of the PBA.

Pedersen served as the PBA’s lead color analyst for 25 years, making him the longest-tenured broadcaster in PBA history.

His ability to quickly develop chemistry with a variety of play-by-play commentators fostered his historic longevity.

No matter who joined him in the booth — from Rob Stone and Dave Ryan, to Mike Jakubowski and Lon McEachern, to John Fanta and Dave LaMont — Pedersen entertained and educated bowling fans.

Pedersen called each of the PBA’s most iconic 21st century moments, including Kelly Kulick’s historic 2010 Tournament of Champions title, Pete Weber’s iconic 2012 U.S. Open title, and each of Jason Belmonte’s record major titles.

With his signature blend of charisma, humor, and analysis, Pedersen elevated professional bowing for more than a quarter century.

Pedersen shaped professional bowling coverage and fandom for 25 years with such great success that the next 25 years will be filled with broadcasters trying to replicate his brilliance and fans longing for his presence.

Raised in southern California, Pedersen lived near Orlando, Fla. for the past 30 years.

Colin Powers obit

Colin Powers, former British and European champ, dies aged 70

 He was not on the list.

Former British and European junior welterweight champion Colin Power died on September 16 from cancer. He was 70 years old.

Powers competed in a terrific era and had a ready-made rival in Clinton McKenzie. They would fight three times, with two of them being named as British Fight of the Year.

Powers, 28-5-1 (20 KOs), turned professional in 1975 and would win the British 140lbs title two years later when, in his 18th outing, he would avenge his only loss to that point by beating Des Morrison in 10 rounds. Both men hit the deck along the way.

In 1978, Powers journeyed to Paris, France, to overpower Jean Baptiste Piedvache in 11 rounds. The victory crowned Powers, from London, the European junior welterweight champion.

Powers would lose the belt in Spain – to Fernando Sanchez – only to bounce back with a successful defense of his British championship against McKenzie, winning a cracking bout on points over 15 rounds, in February 1979.

In September, they would meet for the third time with McKenzie winning his first – and only – fight of the series. Again, it was over 15 rounds. Again, all in attendance stood to applaud at the final bell.

Powers would lose to Sylvester Mittee in his next bout, the effects of several hard fights slowing him slightly. He retired, aged just 27, in 1983 following a loss to Lloyd Christie.

“He fought the hardest fight of his life for the last four years,” his wife Ellen Power wrote on social media following his passing.

“A very rare form of cancer. May god bless him peacefully.”

Fredd Young obit

Seahawks Mourn The Passing Of Fredd Young

The Seahawks mourn the passing of Legend Fredd Young, who died Tuesday at the age of 64.

 He was not on the list.

Fredd Young, a linebacker and special teams standout for the Seahawks in the 1980s, died Tuesday at the age of 64.

Young, a third-round pick out of New Mexico State in the 1984 draft, spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Seahawks, and earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his four seasons with Seattle, as well as first-team All-Pro honors in 1987.

A fan-favorite on the Chuck Knox-era Seahawks teams, Young began his career as a special teams standout, then took over a starting linebacker role in his second season, totaling 338 tackles in three seasons as a starter. Young had 9.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and an interception in 1987 to earn All-Pro recognition, and last year he was honored as one of the top 50 players in franchise history.

Young was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather, who loved his family deeply. He is survived by his wife, Michelle, their children, Jessica, Freddy Jr. Matthew, Monroe, Fenix, Jeremiah and Amirah, and grandchildren Jaysha, Jarah, Jianika, Titus, Cassius, Justus and Sunday.

He was a linebacker for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Seattle Seahawks and the Indianapolis Colts. He was selected to four Pro Bowls - two on the special teams and two as a linebacker. He was renowned as a heavy hitter and was featured in the NFL film The NFL Crunch Course.

Young was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas, the first high school to produce two Heisman Trophy winners. Young was a 2-year letterman in basketball and football. He received a full athletic scholarship to New Mexico State University (NMSU), was a part of the first-team all-Missouri Valley Conference from 1981 to 1983, the AP honorable mention all-American team in 1983, and the 1983 Sporting News honorable mention all-American team. He was voted to the NMSU Hall of Fame and Aggie Legend, and he was drafted in the third round of the 1984 NFL draft, the 76th overall pick.

Young's jersey number for the Seahawks was 50. He is perhaps most famous for being the Seattle Seahawks special teams player of the year for 1984–85, and a stalwart in the middle of the Seahawks defense from 1985 to 1987.

In May 1988, after four consecutive Pro Bowls and two All-Pro selections (for special teams and strong inside linebacker), he was traded to Indianapolis for the Colts' 1st-round draft picks in 1989 and 1990.He retired after three years in Indianapolis due to injuries.

George Chuvalo obit

Canadian boxer George Chuvalo, who faced Muhammad Ali in his prime, dead at 89

 

He was not on the list.

George Chuvalo, the iron-chinned Canadian heavyweight who took the best punches from the giants of boxing without ever falling, has died. He was 89.

Chuvalo suffered from dementia late in life and had been residing in a long-term care facility in Toronto. He died Saturday according to multiple online posts by family and friends.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who said the boxer was a family friend, shared condolences on social media Saturday.

"My thoughts are with all of George's family and loved ones as we mourn his passing," he said.

Chuvalo went the distance with Muhammad Ali in bouts in Toronto and Vancouver, and absorbed the hardest shots sluggers Joe Frazier and George Foreman had to offer without being knocked down.

It was unfathomable family tragedy after he retired that brought him to his knees.

"If you added up every punch I took and multiplied the total by 10,000, it wouldn't begin to equal the pain of losing three sons and a wife to drugs and suicide," he said in his 2013 autobiography Chuvalo: A Fighter's Life, co-written with Murray Greig.

The son of Croatian immigrants was born Sept. 12, 1937, in Toronto's Junction neighbourhood. He became intrigued by boxing after seeing The Ring magazine at a newsstand.

Chuvalo was 10 years old the first time he stepped through the ropes, and a growth spurt combined with an interest in weightlifting saw him develop into a six-foot, 210-pound fighter.

After a brief amateur career, he turned pro in 1956, winning notice for performances at the Jack Dempsey Tournament at Maple Leaf Gardens.

But by the early 1960s, Chuvalo's career had stagnated under ineffective guidance until Toronto poultry magnate Irv Ungerman took over as his manager.

Chuvalo parlayed several wins into an attention-getting 11th-round stoppage over contender Doug Jones at Madison Square Garden in 1964. He returned to that mecca of boxing the next year, narrowly losing a decision to former champ Floyd Patterson in a bout The Ring named best of 1965.

'He just keeps coming and coming'

Chuvalo's style was inexorable without being reckless. He moved forward with thudding blows from both hands to the head and body, producing stoppages in 88 per cent of his wins.

"You can't believe his strength," Canadian fighter Bill Drover once told a writer. "There's no way to stop him. He just keeps coming and coming. The only way you can stop him is with a stick of dynamite."

Chuvalo would always insist his defence was better than advertised, but it was his durability that was remarkable. He was able to absorb the shots, he said, thanks to a 17.5-inch neck strengthened through exercises.

Chuvalo found himself fighting for the heavyweight title in 1966 as a replacement foe when Ali's affiliation with the Black Muslims and controversial anti-Vietnam-War stance made him a pariah in the U.S.

The challenger's prospects were described in a New York Times headline: Bettor's-Eye View of Chuvalo: A Big Bum With a Lot of Heart.

While Chuvalo failed to become Canada's first heavyweight champion since Tommy Burns in the early 1900s, he earned praise for a gritty performance. Ali famously called him the toughest man he had faced up to that point, but Chuvalo was ambivalent being the first to take the champ 15 rounds.

"In a crazy way, that fight is what defines me for a lot of my fellow Canadians but it took a long time before I came to appreciate how good it made me feel," he said.

Never knocked down

With wife Lynne and five children at home, Chuvalo appreciated the paydays the Ali performance begat. He would beat contenders Jerry Quarry and Manuel Ramos, losing close bouts to Oscar Bonavena and Jimmy Ellis.

Chuvalo was stopped for the first time in 1967 by Frazier, requiring a silicone implant to keep an eyeball from drooping. The loss to Foreman in the fourth round three years later was also notable, with the referee stepping in before Chuvalo's "never knocked down" streak might have been ended.

Chuvalo's loss to Ali in Vancouver in 1972 was not as compelling or as close as the first bout. He retired for good on a winning note six years later, finishing with a record of 73 wins, 18 losses and two draws, with 64 of his wins coming by knock out.

Unlike with Ali and others, the toll of concussive blows wasn't evident on the surface. Chuvalo was articulate and spoke in rapid-fire bursts, with a quip or self-deprecating joke usually at the ready.

But like many fighters, he had a tough time transitioning to the "humdrum" nature of life, as he once described it. At various points, he opened a nightclub, got his real estate licence, promoted fights, hosted a TV show and took cinema's worst ever arm-wrestling defeat in a cameo in David Cronenberg's The Fly.

Chuvalo told CBC Radio in 1968 he didn't want his four sons boxing for a living, but it was outside the ring where he couldn't protect them. The youngest, Jesse, became hooked on heroin after a prescription for pain medication ran out and was just 19 when he fatally shot himself in 1985.

Older brothers George Jr. and Steven had by then also become users of the drug and involved in petty crime to feed their habits. Steven Chuvalo described a feeling of "worthlessness" he and his two addicted brothers felt in an interview with CBC's the fifth estate in 1995.

"My dad spent quite a few years chasing us around the city, Georgie and I in particular, and dragging us out of drug houses and heroin houses and basically just trying to keep us alive," he said.

George Jr., three days sprung from jail in Kingston, Ont., overdosed on Halloween 1993.

Just four days after that, 49-year-old Lynne Chuvalo swallowed pills and left a suicide note.

"I never thought she'd do it, but I'm not surprised," Chuvalo told the New York Times a short time later, adding his wife never got over the first burial of a child.

Steven Chuvalo, who spoke on the fifth estate of wanting to make his father proud, would overdose and die eight months after that program aired.

Chuvalo would persevere, marrying again, and cherishing time spent with oldest son Mitch, daughter Vanessa, and his grandchildren. He would travel the country, speaking bluntly to students, as captured in a CBC Radio report in 1998.

"I'd like to think if you're ever tempted with the idea of doing drugs, or you ever flirt with doing drugs, I hope you think of me, George Chuvalo, and what drugs did to my family."

In 2017, reports surfaced of family drama involving Chuvalo's surviving children and the fighter's second wife, Joanne, who he was divorcing. Some of the disputes centred around the state of Chuvalo's cognitive decline and his future care.

On a podcast five years later, Mitch Chuvalo said his father no longer recognized him when he visited.

By that time, his legacy had been recognized by the City of Toronto, with the official opening in 2019 of the 7,000-square foot George Chuvalo Community Centre, located in the Junction.

Cal Nichols obit

Nichols, who saved Oilers from relocation in 1990s, dies at 84

Businessman, investor 'stepped forward repeatedly' to help franchise stay in Edmonton 

He was not on the list.

Cal Nichols, who helped save the Edmonton Oilers from relocation during the 1990s, died on Saturday. He was 84.

Nichols was born in Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan, in 1942 and built a career in business from a young age before moving to Edmonton in 1969. There, he continued to make a name in the oil industry while also becoming a season ticket holder for the Oilers, something he remained for the rest of his days.

Nichols first helped the team he loved by co-chairing the Friends of the Oilers ticket drive in 1996, which more than doubled the team's season ticket base, before taking it a step further in 1997.

That year, Edmonton owner Peter Pocklington put the team up for sale, but Nichols assembled a group of 38 local investors and was able to purchase the Oilers for $110 million in 1998. Edmonton Investors Group went on to sell the Oilers to current owner Daryl Katz in 2008.

“If it wasn’t for Cal, the Oilers wouldn’t be in Edmonton,” Katz said when he assumed ownership of the team.

Kevin Lowe, a Hall of Fame defenseman who worked closely with Nichols when he became the Oilers' general manager in 2000, echoed those sentiments on Sunday.

“That’s what really needs to be remembered forever, is that he was the guy that put it all together and he was a dog on a bone,” he said. “The thing almost didn’t get done because at the 11th hour they didn’t have the money, but it came together.

“Lots of people deserve acknowledgement, but Cal for sure. The Oilers aren’t there, Rogers Place is not there, and Connor McDavid is not there. None of that happens without Cal’s leadership.

“He was a real gentleman, and he had a great love for the game of hockey. At that point he was well established in Edmonton, and he didn’t want to lose the history of the Edmonton Oilers and he knew keeping them here would be great for business and great for the city.”

Outside of the Oilers, Nichols was inducted into the Alberta Business Hall of Fame and was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal from the Governor General of Canada in 2002. He was also awarded the Order of Canada in 2015, which recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.

“It is difficult to imagine that the Oilers would still be in Edmonton if not for Cal Nichols," Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "During the 1990s, Nichols stepped forward repeatedly to not only save the franchise from leaving the city that adores it, but to ensure its long-term stability and success.

“Cal truly was a self-made man who, from modest beginnings as a teenager, gradually built a successful business career -- turning his management of a single gas station into running his own oil company. An early Oilers season ticket holder, he co-chaired a ticket drive in 1996 that forestalled relocation. The following year, when the team was up for sale, he rallied dozens of local business leaders to purchase the club and keep it in Edmonton. And he served as the Oilers’ governor for a decade.

“On a personal note, Cal was a friend and trusted confidant on whom I could rely for wise counsel and for relentless effort on behalf of the franchise he loved.

“The National Hockey League family mourns his passing. We send our most sincere condolences to his wife, Edna; their children Ken and Kristine; their five grandchildren; and his many friends and admirers."

Gary Myers obit

Gary Myers, patriarch of Myers racing family, dead at 76

 

He was not on the list.

Former NASCAR driver and patriarch of the Myers racing family, Gary Myers, died at the age of 76 on Thursday night, according to his son.

Gary Myers made 47 starts over the course of his 5-year NASCAR career, according to Motorsport Stats.

Myers is the father of professional racers Burt and Jason Myers.

Gary Myers himself also came from a lineage of racing royalty; he is among the second generation of four generations of racers in the Myers family. He is the son of NASCAR driver Billy Myers and his uncle is Bobby Myers; both are two of the early legends of Bowman Gray Stadium. His cousin, Danny ‘Chocolate’ Myers, is a longtime NASCAR staffer and personality.

Continuing in the tradition of his father and uncle, Gary Myers won 38 races at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Burt Myers shared a heartfelt tribute to his father on Facebook:

“Last night I lost my hero. He fought so hard but was so tired. My daddy is in Heaven and can finally do the things he wanted to do the last several years. Thank God for the times we had. He taught me everything I know. Selfishly I want him here but I know he is much better off now. I miss him so much. I love you Daddy!”

Bob McKay obit

NFF Hall of Famer Bob McKay Passes Away

The 2017 inductee and consensus All-American helped lead Texas to the 1969 national championship.

 He was not on the list.

Bob McKay, a 2017 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee and an All-America offensive tackle for the Longhorns from 1968-69, passed away Sept. 10 in Austin, Texas. He was 78.

"Bob McKay was accomplished in everything he did, from his remarkable football career to his professional life, but nothing meant more to him than his family," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "He was a gentle giant and simply one of those people you loved being around. More than a great football player, Bob was a great person and a good friend. We will miss him dearly, and our thoughts and prayers are with Donna and the entire McKay family."

A stalwart on the offensive line, paving the way for the Longhorns' fabled "Wishbone" attack, McKay's efforts helped guide Texas to the national championship in 1969.

A consensus First Team All-American in 1969, the 6-foot-6 McKay guided Texas to a perfect 11-0 season and the national title after defeating Notre Dame in the 1970 Cotton Bowl. He also helped the team to a No. 3 final ranking nationally in 1968 following a win over Tennessee in the 1969 Cotton Bowl. The 1969 All-Southwest Conference selection led the Longhorns to two conference championships.

Behind McKay and the rest of the offensive line, the 1969 squad outscored opponents 435-119 while leading the nation in rushing offense (363 yards per game) and scoring offense (33.8 points per game). With McKay in the starting lineup, Texas held an impressive 20-1-1 record and twice finished in the top three of the AP rankings. After his senior campaign, he played in the Coaches All-America Game and the Hula Bowl. During his standout career in Austin, McKay played for NFF College Football Hall of Fame coach Darrell Royal and alongside NFF College Football Hall of Fame halfback Chris Gilbert.

McKay was drafted 21st overall by the Cleveland Browns in 1970 and spent nine seasons in the NFL with the Browns and New England Patriots. He would lead each franchise to two playoff appearances during his career.

He was inducted into the University of Texas Hall of Honor in 1990 and the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

Following his football career, McKay worked in commercial sales and was involved with the NFL Children's Benefit and CASH of Austin.

Born Dec. 27, 1947, in Seminole, Texas, he grew up in Crane, Texas, attending Crane High School.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife and anchor of 50 years, Donna; their two children, Jill (Scott) and Josh (Katie); eight cherished grandchildren; and brothers Don (Kathy) and Mike.

Personal information

Born    December 27, 1947

Seminole, Texas, U.S.

Died    September 10, 2026 (aged 78)

Listed height   6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)

Listed weight  260 lb (118 kg)

Career information

High school     Crane (Crane, Texas)

College            Texas (1968-1969)

NFL draft        1970: 1st round, 21st overall pick

Career history

Cleveland Browns (1970–1975)

New England Patriots (1976–1978)

Awards and highlights

National champion (1969)

Consensus All-American (1969)

First-team All-SWC (1969)

Career NFL statistics

Games played  105

Games started  71

Fumble recoveries       2

Barry Melrose obit

Barry Melrose, former player, coach and ESPN analyst, dies

 He was not on the list.

Barry Melrose, a former NHL player and coach who was a beloved hockey analyst for ESPN for over 25 years, died Wednesday, his wife, Cindy, told ESPN's Steve Levy. He was 70.

Melrose was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2023, leading to his retirement from ESPN. He joined the network in 1996.

"For decades, Barry Melrose was one of the most distinctive and trusted voices in hockey," ESPN said in a statement. "His knowledge of the game was deep, his candor was refreshing, and his passion was unmistakable. He was a foundational part of ESPN's hockey coverage, and fans and teammates truly appreciated his entertaining delivery and charismatic personality.

"We send our deepest condolences to his loved ones. He always kept it interesting and he will be missed."

Melrose served as coach of the Wayne Gretzky-led Los Angeles Kings, taking them to the Stanley Cup Final in the first of his three seasons (1992-95). He stepped away briefly from ESPN in 2008 to return to the bench, coaching the Tampa Bay Lightning for 16 games.

Overall, he had an 84-108-29 record as a head coach.

At ESPN, millions watched him as a studio analyst, and within the company's walls, he was lauded as the consummate teammate.

He was known for his witty personality, flashy suits and recognizable goatee, slicked-back hair and mullet, which endeared him to hockey fans worldwide. He regularly worked alongside Levy and John Buccigross on ESPN's hockey coverage, including All-Star Games, Stanley Cup playoffs and the Cup Final.

"Barry was my best friend at ESPN," Buccigross wrote on social media Wednesday night. "A big brother figure of rock solid values. I am shook to my core. Barry gave his life to hockey and some of his ESPN family, like me, learned of his shocking death today while at a hockey rink in Las Vegas preparing for the upcoming season. Chilling and fitting -- the rink was Barry's home. A more beloved ESPN institution there has not been. We love you, Barry. Forever."

Added Levy: "For more than 30 years Barry was the unquestioned face/voice of hockey in the United States. He was a man of the people, a family man, a part of my family. Tonight I'll toast to the kid from Kelvington who made it big but never forgot his roots. Now he can drink all the Bud Lights, smoke all the cigars and play all the rounds of golf he wants to. Barry Melrose was the best of us."

At the time of Melrose's retirement, Gretzky paid tribute to him with the greatest of compliments: "Hockey is more than a game, it's a community -- a finely tuned orchestra -- and Barry was our conductor."

The Kings hired Melrose in 1992, and with Gretzky leading the way, they made a memorable playoff run, reaching the Cup Final before losing to the Montreal Canadiens in five games.

Rob Blake, a Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman, played for Melrose during that time, and after learning of his death Wednesday, he recalled their days together.

"He was just a terrific person to be in charge of our team," Blake told ESPN. "A real big personality, and he was a pleasure. He loved the game of hockey. The bright lights in L.A. were nothing for him when he got there."

Blake said he wasn't surprised when Melrose made a successful pivot to television.

"What he was teaching us about the game of hockey, he was teaching on TV," Blake said. "He got to promote the game for a number of years at a very high level. It was great."

Tony Granato, another former King, added: "He could light up a room. He could make people hear his voice, and then you turn around and wonder what else he was going to say? There was no phoniness to him. He just was himself."

Melrose, who was from rural Kelvington, Saskatchewan, began his coaching career in 1987, when he led the Medicine Hat Tigers to the WHL's Memorial Cup title. He coached the Seattle Thunderbirds for the 1988-89 season and the Adirondack Red Wings of the American Hockey League for three seasons (1989-92), winning the Calder Cup championship in 1991.

During his 11 years as a player, Melrose appeared in 300 career NHL games as a defenseman with the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings (1979-86). He also played three seasons with Cincinnati in the WHA (1976-79) -- the last teaming with a young Mark Messier.

He finished with 10 goals, 33 points and 728 penalty minutes in his NHL career. His WHA totals were 5 goals, 32 points and 343 penalty minutes in 178 games.

"From the flowing locks of his distinctive mullet to the flared lapels of his trademark long suit coats, Barry Melrose cut an unmistakable figure whenever you were fortunate enough to run into him at a rink or catch him on your television screen," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. "You were even more fortunate if you engaged him in conversation or listened to his analysis because he never failed to boost your love of the game of hockey."

Melrose is survived by his wife, Cindy, and two sons, Tyrell and Adrien.

Melrose began his junior hockey career as a defenceman in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with the Weyburn Red Wings for the 1973–74 season. He spent the next two seasons in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Chiefs.

He was selected in the second round (36th overall) of the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft by the Montreal Canadiens and in the fourth round (37th overall) the 1976 WHA Amateur Draft by the Cincinnati Stingers. He started the 1976–77 season with the Springfield Indians of the American Hockey League, before moving mid-season to the Cincinnati Stingers of the World Hockey Association (WHA), where he stayed until 1979.

Upon retirement, Melrose immediately began coaching. He coached the 1987–88 season with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League, leading them to a 44–22–6 record and a Memorial Cup title.

Melrose coached the next season with the Seattle Thunderbirds before jumping to the AHL and coaching the Adirondack Red Wings. He spent three years with the Red Wings, leading them to a Calder Cup win in the 1991–92 season.

For the 1992–93 season, the 35-year-old Melrose was hired to coach the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, leading them, without home-ice in any round, to the 1993 Stanley Cup Final, which they lost to the Montreal Canadiens in five games. It was the franchise's first trip the finals. Melrose's Kings missed the playoffs the next season and then he was fired 41 games into the 1994–95 season.

The Tampa Bay Lightning hired Melrose as their head coach in June 2008. On October 21, 2008, Melrose recorded his first win as a head coach in over 13 years in a 3–2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers. On November 14, 2008, Melrose was fired after just 16 games by the Lightning with a 5–7–4 record.

 Born in Kelvington, Saskatchewan, to Norrie and James Melrose, he grew up on a farm outside the town. He was the cousin of former NHL players Wendel Clark and Joe Kocur and longtime minor league forward Kerry Clark. Melrose resided in Glens Falls, New York, with his wife, Cindy, and the couple had two sons. Melrose became a U.S. citizen in March 1998.

Melrose joined ESPN as a guest analyst in the spring of 1994 and 1995 when the Kings missed the playoffs and permanently in the fall of 1995 as a color commentator and studio analyst alongside hosts John Buccigross and John Saunders. He left ESPN in June 2008 to coach the Tampa Bay Lightning. After his short stint with the Lightning ended, he returned to ESPN on January 1, 2009, in conjunction with the Winter Classic played between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. He was also the lead studio analyst on NHL 2Night together with Ray Ferraro along with host Buccigross. The trio also called select NHL games and the Frozen Four championship games together.

Career statistics

                        Regular season                       Playoffs

Season Team   League GP       G         A         Pts       PIM     GP       G         A         Pts       PIM

1973–74          Weyburn Red Wings   SJHL   50        2          19        21        162      —        —        —        —            —

1974–75          Kamloops Chiefs        WCHL 70        6          18        24        95        6          1          1          2            21

1975–76          Kamloops Chiefs        WCHL 72        12        49        61        112      12        4          6          10            14

1976–77          Cincinnati Stingers      WHA  29        1          4          5          8          2          0          0          0            0

1976–77          Springfield Indians      AHL    23        0          3          3          17        —        —        —        —            —

1977–78          Cincinnati Stingers      WHA  69        2          9          11        113      —        —        —        —            —

1978–79          Cincinnati Stingers      WHA  80        2          14        16        222      3          0          1          1            8

1979–80          Winnipeg Jets  NHL    74        4          6          10        124      —        —        —        —        —

1980–81          Winnipeg Jets  NHL    18        1          1          2          40        —        —        —        —        —

1980–81          Toronto Maple Leafs   NHL    57        2          5          7          166      3          0          1          1            15

1981–82          Toronto Maple Leafs   NHL    64        1          5          6          186      —        —        —        —            —

1982–83          Toronto Maple Leafs   NHL    52        2          5          7          68        4          0          1          1            23

1982–83          St. Catharines Saints   AHL    25        1          10        11        106      —        —        —        —            —

1983–84          Detroit Red Wings      NHL    21        0          1          1          74        —        —        —        —            —

1983–84          Adirondack Red Wings           AHL    16        2          1          3          37        —        —        —            —        —

1984–85          Adirondack Red Wings           AHL    72        3          13        16        226      —        —        —            —        —

1985–86          Detroit Red Wings      NHL    14        0          0          0          70        —        —        —        —            —

1985–86          Adirondack Red Wings           AHL    57        4          4          8          204      —        —        —            —        —

1986–87          Adirondack Red Wings           AHL    55        4          9          13        170      11        1          2            3          107

WHA totals      178      5          27        32        343      5          0          1          1          10

AHL totals       248      14        40        54        760      11        1          2          3          107

NHL totals       300      10        23        33        728      7          0          2          2          38