Lorenzo
Charles (Nov. 25, 1963-June 27, 2011): Charles only played 36 career
games in the NBA (with the Atlanta Hawks in 1985-86), but he left a
lasting impression while playing college ball at North Carolina State.
Charles threw down the famous game-winning dunk as time expired in the
1983 national championship game. That moment, of course, is one of
college basketball’s most memorable, especially the image of head coach
Jim Valvano storming the court following his team’s win. Charles’ No. 43
jersey was retired in 2008, the 25th anniversary of the school’s ’83
title. Charles died when a bus he was driving crashed along a highway. (Flickr/ncsunewsdept )

Mike
Heimerdinger (Oct. 13, 1952-Sept. 30, 2011): Heimerdinger served as the
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator under Jeff Fisher from
2008-2010. He also served in that capacity from 2000-2004 before he
assumed other coaching roles with the Jets and Broncos. On Nov. 24,
2010, Heimerdinger began to undergo chemotherapy after being diagnosed
with a rare, fast-moving type of cancer  that attacked his lymphatic
system. Heimerdinger was fired from his position as Tennessee’s
offensive coordinator in February. He died of his illness on Sept. 30,
2011 while in Mexico receiving experimental treatments. (AP Photo/Wade
Payne, File)

Tom
Cavanagh (March 23, 1982-Jan. 6, 2011), Derek Boogaard (June 23,
1982-May 13, 2011), Rick Rypien (May 16, 1984-Aug, 15, 2011), Wade Belak
(July 3, 1976-Aug. 31, 2011): 2011 was a difficult year for current and
former NHL players, as the league saw a handful pass away.

Cavanagh,
a winger who appeared in 18 career games with the Sharks, played with
Harvard from 2001-2005. He was found dead of an apparent suicide in the
parking garage of the Providence Place Mall.

Boogaard,
one of the league’s most feared enforcers, spent six seasons in the NHL
(five with the Wild, one with the Rangers). The 28-year-old died of an
accidental overdose of alcohol and oxycodone. An autopsy later found
that he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which was likely
caused the many concussions he suffered throughout his playing career.

Rypien,
also an enforcer in the NHL, spent his entire six-year career with the
Vancouver Canucks before signing with the Winnipeg Jets this past
offseason. His August death was ruled a suicide, and it came on the
heels of a battle with depression, which even forced him to take an
extended leave of absence during his final season in Vancouver.

Belak,
who retired in March, spent 14 seasons in the NHL as an enforcer with
five different teams (Nashville, Toronto, Calgary, Colorado and
Florida). He was found dead in a Toronto hotel room, and police have
still not confirmed a cause of death, although it was treated as a
suicide. Belak’s family believes his death was accidental. (Flickr/theseoduke )

Randy
Poffo aka “Macho Man” Randy Savage (Nov. 15, 1952-May 20, 2011): Poffo,
known by people around the world as “Macho Man” Randy Savage, became
one of wrestling’s most iconic figures during his career. The flashy
superstar became known for his amazing in-ring presence, his
recognizable character and his use of the phrase “Ooh yeah!” Poffo also
pursued a baseball career before transitioning to wrestling. He died of a
sudden massive heart attack while driving with his wife in Florida. (Flickr/caraboolu )

Duke
Snider (Sept. 19, 1926-Feb. 27, 2011): Nicknamed “The Silver Fox” and
“The Duke of Flatbush,” Snider was a Hall of Fame center fielder who was
selected to eight All-Star Games. Snider played with the Dodgers
(1947-1962), the New York Mets (1963) and the San Francisco Giants
(1964) over the course of his 18-year career. He’s the Dodgers career
leader in home runs (389), RBIs (1,271) and extra-base hits (814). The
two-time World Series champion was inducted into the Hall of Fame in
1980. His No. 4 is retired by the Dodgers. Snider died of an undisclosed
illness. (Flickr/Ghost of Fire )6 of 11

Harmon Killebrew (June 29, 1936-May 17, 2011): “Killer” was one of the game’s most feared hitters during the 1960s, and he’s still regarded as one of the best power hitters in major-league history. Killebrew, a 13-time All-Star, was the American League’s MVP in 1969. Over the course of his 22 seasons in the bigs, he hammered 523 home runs and compiled 1,584 RBIs. He also became a broadcaster after his playing days were through, and had his No. 3 retired by the Minnesota Twins. He died at the age of 74 after a bout with esophageal cancer.  (Flickr/tonyoandkitty )

Al
Davis (July 4, 1929-Oct. 8, 2011): Al Davis is one of the most
influential figures in NFL history. The former owner of the Oakland
Raiders, Davis was instrumental in the merger between the American
Football League and the National Football League. He served as coach and
general manager of the Raiders over the course of his career, as well,
in addition to leaving briefly to become the commissioner of the AFL. In
many ways, he was the Raiders, and his motto of, “Just win, baby” will
go down as one of sports’ most famous. He died at his home at the age of
82 due to heart failure. (AP Photo)8 of 11

Joe
Frazier (Jan. 12, 1944-Nov. 7, 2011): “Smokin’ Joe” was a former
undisputed world heavyweight champion, mostly known for his bouts with
Muhammad Ali. He defeated Ali in the “Fight of the Century” and battled
him nearly to the death in the “Thrilla in Manila.” The champ died
following a battle with liver cancer at the age of 67. (AP Photo)

Dan
Wheldon (June 22, 1978-Oct. 16, 2011): Dan Wheldon was one of IndyCar’s
most popular stars before a tragic crash during one of the sport’s most
famous races ended his life. Wheldon died during a fiery 15-car pileup
at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Following his death, he was honored with a
five-lap, three-wide formation salute as his No. 77 was displayed atop
the scoreboard in one of the most emotional scenes ever shown on
television. Wheldon won 16 times in his Indy career, including two
Indianapolis 500s (2005 and 2011). Wheldon captured the 2005 series
championship. (Flickr/Track Chic )

Oklahoma
State women’s basketball coaches Kurt Budke (June 3, 1961-Nov. 17,
2011) and Miranda Serna (March 11, 1975-Nov. 17, 2011): Budke and Serna
died in a plane crash just 10 months after the 10-year anniversary of
another plane crash that took the lives of 10 men affiliated with the
school’s men’s program. Budke was the Oklahoma State women’s head coach
from 2005 until his death. Serna, who played on Budke’s 1996 national
championship team at Trinity Valley Community College, served as an
assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Lokomotiv
hockey team of the KHL (Sept. 7, 2011): In a horrific tragedy, 44
people, including the entire Lokomotive hockey team of the KHL, died in a
plane crash 150 miles northeast of Moscow on Sept. 7. Of the 45 people
on board, 36 were players, coaches and team officials. Among those who
died in the crash were former NHL players Pavol Demitra, Karlis
Skrastins, Ruslan Salei and Brad McCrimmon. Only one person survived the
crash — a flight engineer named Alexander Sizov. (AP Photo/Photo Agency
KHL)