The sports world lost many icons in 2025. Let’s remember and honor them.
Photo courtesy The Straits Times
George Foreman was big in the boxing ring. He won a gold medal in the 1968 Summer Olympics and became a two-time heavyweight champion. A born-again Christian, he returned to the boxing ring in his mid-40s. His good-natured personality led him to become a successful businessman, known for selling millions of George Foreman grills. Thank you, Big George!
Hulk Hogan was a larger-than-life personality in the wrestling ring. During the 1980s, he gave us the Hulkamania craze. He was known for his blond hair, bandanas, and Fu Manchu moustache. He was part of the WCW, WWE, and the WWF. After his wrestling days, his public image was tarnished, which led to mixed reactions when we learned of his death this year.
Dick Button was a skating prodigy who introduced Americans to figure skating. He won back-to-back gold medals in the 1948 and 1952 Winter Olympics. He was also a man of many firsts. The first skater to land the double axel jump, the first triple loop, and was also credited for inventing the flying camel spin, known as the “Button Camel.”
Boris Spassky was a prodigy at chess. At 18, he became the Grandmaster and earned the World Chess Championship Title from 1969 to 1972. He lost to Bobby Fischer during the Cold War, which became known as the “Match of the Century.” Not only was he a revered chess player, but he also showed true sportsmanship. A good sport, indeed.
Graphic courtesy Facebook
The world of Hockey lost a few legends, three of them were goaltenders. Ken Dryden was a six-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Montreal Canadiens, all in the 1970s. After retiring, Dryden was a multifaceted man, later becoming a writer, teacher, advocate, broadcaster, sports executive, and politician in his native Canada.
Bernie Parent was regarded as one of the greatest goalies of all time, who won two Stanley Cup Championships for the Philadelphia Flyers during the “Broad Street Bullies” era.
Eddie Giacomin never won a Stanley Cup Championship, but was adored by fans when he played for the New York Rangers.
Goodbye to Alex Delvecchio, the last surviving member of the Detroit Red Wings’ 1952, 1954, and 1955 Stanley Cup Teams.
Howard Twilley was a two-time Super Bowl Champion for the Miami Dolphins. He was a member of the undefeated Dolphins team, which won Super Bowl VII and Super Bowl VIII the following year.
Steve McMichael won the Super Bowl in the 1980s. He was a staunch member of the Chicago Bears’ famed “46 defense.” He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024 before dying this year with a battle of ALS.
Bob Trumphy photo courtesy Georgia Public Broadcasting
Bob Trumpy played his entire football career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Trumpy is the only player in Bengals history to be a Pro Bowler in both the AFL and the NFL. As an NBC broadcaster, he called 4 Super Bowls.
Mike Patrick was the versatile play-by-play announcer for ESPN for over four decades. He called games for the NFL, College Football, Men’s and Women’s College Basketball, and even the College World Series.
John Brenkus combined sports and science into a show he created and hosted. The show delved into the physics, engineering, and mechanics of sports and athletes. The show focused on aspects athletes are accustomed to, such as human flight, precision, and reaction time. Brenkus tragically took his life this year. He was only 53.
