Passings 2007: Sports

Denver Broncos cornerback. Jan. 1. Shooting.

NASCAR driver who won the 2001 Talladega 500. Jan. 7. Cancer.

Player in World War II-era women's baseball league immortalized in "A League of Their Own." Jan. 16.

MVP of the 1957 World Series when he pitched the Milwaukee Braves. Feb. 6.

Baseball commissioner during development of free agency, multimillion-dollar contracts. March 15.

Broadcast Minnesota Twins games for 45 seasons. April 1.

Longtime Grambling coach; transformed small college into a football power. April 3.

New England Patriots player paralyzed during on-field collision in 1978. April 5. Complications of paralysis.

Transformed NASCAR from a small Southern sport into a billion-dollar conglomerate. June 4.

Winningest men's coach in Tennessee basketball history. June 11.

World Wrestling Entertainment star. Found June 25; apparent suicide after killing wife, 7-year-old son.

San Francisco 49ers coach; won three Super Bowls. July 30. |

Hall of Fame Yankee shortstop; sportscaster much loved for exclaiming "Holy cow!" Aug. 13.

Led the Los Angeles Lakers to two NBA finals appearances, won 482 games as a college coach. Aug. 22.

Britain's best-known rally driver, former World Rally champion. Sept. 15. Helicopter crash.

Longtime Chicago Blackhawks owner. Sept. 26.

Founded National Hot Rod Association, helping turn drag racing into legitimate sport. Sept. 28.

Hero of first Super Bowl in 1967, helping Green Bay beat Kansas City 35-10. Oct. 20.

Youngest major leaguer ever at age 15; later a Cincinnati sportscaster. Nov. 15.

Hall of Fame jockey; one of only two to win five Kentucky Derbys. Nov. 26.

Hall of Fame guard with the Cleveland Browns; Ohio State's first black football All-American. Nov. 27.

Washington Redskins' star safety; known as one of the hardest hitters in the NFL. Nov. 27. Shot in his home. |

Discus great who won gold medals in four Olympics. Oct. 1.