PARIS (AFP): Shane Warne, Bill Russell, Lester Piggott — just three sports icons who passed away in 2022.
AFP Sport looks at their legacies as well as seven other high-profile sports stars to have died over the last year:
BASKETBALL
Bill Russell — Died aged 88 on July 31
— He won a record 11 NBA crowns as a cornerstone of a Boston Celtics dynasty, overcame racism to become the league s first Black superstar and was a prominent civil rights activist.
Bill Russell won a record 11 NBA crowns but was as well known as a civil rights activist
He was the first Black coach to win the NBA Finals. That triumph came in 1968, especially poignant as it was just weeks after civil rights leader Martin Luther King s assassination.
“A good man and great American who did everything he could to deliver the promise of America for all Americans,” said US Presideent Joe Biden.
BOXING
Earnie Shavers — Died aged 78 on September 1
— “Earnie hit me so hard it shook my kinfolk in Africa,” remarked Muhammad Ali after their 1977 heavyweight world title bout which Ali won after 15 pulsating rounds.
Earnie Shavers fell short twice in heavyweight world title bouts but his fearsome punch even had Muhammad Ali reeling
One of 10 children, Shavers family fled Alabama under threats from the Ku Klux Klan. He only took up boxing in his early 20s but his fearsome punch left not just Ali in awe.
“I was in the land of make-believe. I heard saxophones and trombones sounding in my ear… I saw little blue rats scamper out to smoke cigars, drink whisky, man,” said another opponent, James Quick Tillis.
CRICKET
Shane Warne — Died aged 52 on March 4
— Regarded by many in sports-mad Australia as second only to Don Bradman, Warne mixed legendary cricket deeds with colourful headlines away from the pitch earning him the nickname Hollywood in a career as bewitching as his famed wrong un.
Cricket legend Shane Warne s death at 52 left Australia reeling in shock
Warne took 708 wickets in a 145-Test career. “I should think there have been a lot of great cricketers, great spinners and great leg-spinners but Warnie will always be, certainly from my point of view, the No. 1,” said Mike Gatting, who was at the wrong end of Warne s ball of the century in 1993.
Rod Marsh — Died aged 74 on March 4
— A flamboyant Australian wicketkeeper — nicknamed Iron Gloves — he made his international debut in 1970 against England before retiring in 1984 with what was then a world-record 355 Test dismissals, 95 off the bowling of Dennis Lillee.
Rod Marsh or Iron Gloves as he was fondly known during his prime as Australian wicketkeeeper went on to become chairman of selectors for the national side
He was no mean batsman either becoming the first Aussie wicketkeeper to score a Test century, against Pakistan in 1982.
FOOTBALL
Uwe Seeler – Died on July 21 aged 85
— Played in all four World Cups in which Pele appeared (1958-70) but unlike the Brazilian legend never lifted the trophy. The closest he came was captaining the side that lost to England in the 1966 final.
German football legend Uwe Seeler came closest to World Cup success in the 1966 final when he captained West Germany in their defeat by England
Like his father, Seeler played for Hamburg from 1953 to 1972 where he is referred to fondly as Uns Uwe (Our Uwe) making 476 appearances.
“Uwe Seeler stands for everything that characterises a good person: Down-to-earthness, loyalty, joie de vivre, plus he was always approachable,” said Hamburg board member Jonas Boldt.
NFL
Dan Reeves — Died on January 1 aged 77
— The bespectacled coach shares with Buffalo Bills legendary coach Marv Levy and Minnesota Vikings Bud Grant, the most visits to a Super Bowl without ever winning (four).
Dan Reeves won a Super Bowl ring as a player but in four visits to the NFL showpiece as a coach he ended up on the losing side
Ironically his last trip to the Super Bowl in 1999 resulted in the Broncos (who he had taken three times to the Super Bowl) beating his Atlanta Falcons. He did win one Super Bowl ring – as a running back for the Dallas Cowboys.
RACING
Lester Piggott — Died on May 29 aged 86
— For many the greatest jockey of all time. Known as the Long Fellow , he rode a record nine Epsom Derby winners.
Lester Piggott rode a record nine Epsom Derby winners and is widely regarded as the greatest jockey of all time
Piggott, who rode his first winner aged just 12, served a year in prison for tax fraud in 1987 and then made a shock return to riding.
He memorably reunited with Irish trainer Vincent O Brien to win the prestigious Breeders Cup Mile on Royal Academy at the age of 54 in 1990.
“Lester walked about with an aura about him,” said his great rival Willie Carson.
RUGBY UNION
Phil Bennett – Died on June 12 aged 73
— Considered to be the finest fly-half to play for Wales, pivotal to the country s glory years during the 1970s who became a cult figure due to a grievance-laced pre-match speech before facing England, the old enemy, in Cardiff in 1977.
Phil Bennett (R) probably Wales s finest fly-half formed a sublime half-back partnership with scrum-half Gareth Edwards (L) in the 1970s and he was also a renowned orator
“Look what these bastards have done to Wales. They ve taken our coal, our water, our steel. They buy our homes and live in them for a fortnight every year. What have they given us?” he said.
“Absolutely nothing. We ve been exploited, raped, controlled and punished by the English – and that s who you are playing this afternoon,” said Bennett. Wales won 14-9.
RUGBY UNION/LEAGUE
Va aiga Tuigimala — Died on February 24 aged 52
— Affectionately known as Inga the winger to fans of both rugby union and rugby league, he played for the All Blacks in union and Samoa in both codes. He was also a member of the Wigan side that dominated rugby league in the 1990s.
Va aiga Tuigamala was one of the great all round talents equally as good in rugby union as league
TENNIS
Nick Bollettieri — Died on December 4 aged 91
— Legendary coach who helped develop superstars such as Andre Agassi and Maria Sharapova.
Bill Russell won a record 11 NBA crowns but was as well known as a civil rights activist
The demanding routine for children and adolescents living and training at the Korean War veteran s academy produced results but also drew criticism.
“I hated it at Bollettieri s academy,” said Agassi. “The only way I could get out was to succeed.”
Bollettieri, though, remained unrepentant. “I did what had to be done. Tennis is not a sport for choirboys.”
