THROWBACK THURSDAY: As we all know Death is inevitable, but most times we hope it never occurs especially to people we love and at vulnerable times. Painfully we cannot change this reality, so here’s a list of 7 Athletes we lost in 2023.
Athletes We Lost In 2023
Tori Bowie (August 27, 1990 – May 2, 2023)
Bowie is one of the athletes we lost in 2023. She was a beloved athlete, whose career as a runner was an inspiration to young athletes all over the world. Her hard work earned her three medals. The gold she won in 2016, at the international stage for the USA 4x100m relay team. The silver and bronze medals were scored shortly after.
The Olympian was not only a relay success but also a 100-meter race world champion. The star was eight months pregnant when she died due to childbirth complications. Her death struck the hearts of many who loved her, as she was only 32 years of age.
Ken Block (November 20, 1967 – January 1st 2023)
Ken Block was an excellent rally driver and the co-founder of DC Shoes. He was the winner of the Rally America Championship’s Rookie of the Year award in the early stages of his career and basked in success throughout the rest of his career.
Ken was survived by Lucy Block his wife and their Daughter Lia Block who took after her father’s image and also became a successful driver. He died on January 1st, 2023 at the age of 55.
Patrick Gasienica (November 28, 1998 – June 12, 2023)
Gasienica was a Ski jumping genius, he was part of Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. In 2015 he began his career representing the U.S at two FIS Junior World Ski Championships.
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He died at the young age of 24, from a motorcycle accident on a Monday night in the village of Bull Valley, in Chicago. His mark on the Ski jumping world would never be forgotten.
Clark Haggans (January 10, 1977 – June 19, 2023)
The NFL player was a starting linebacker for the Steelers’ Super Bowl XL winning team in 2006. With shuffles between Arizona, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh. In doing so he helped win Super Bowl XL against the Seahawks.
Haggans is said to have died from complications of chronic alcohol use. He died on the 19th of June 2023 at age 46.
Danielle Ballard (November 16, 1993 – July 13, 2023)
In her early days, she was the gem of her high school, Memphis Central High School. Following that part, she received All- freshman team honors in her first year and made it to the SEC’s All-Defensive team in two seasons.
Danielle died shortly after being hit by a car and gave in to her injuries at 1:26 a.m. on the 13th of July 2023. She was 29.
Charles White (January 22, 1958 – January 11, 2023)
White’s career unlike others, did not have a perfect start, some would even call it disappointing but he got on track in 1979 by winning the Heisman Trophy winner, he went on to play for the Cleveland Browns and then the Los Angeles Rams, ushering him to earn the 1987 Comeback Player of the year honors in ’87.
Before his death, he had over 3,000 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns. Charles passed away on Jan, 11th 2023 at age 64.
Ryan Mallett (June 5, 1988 – June 27, 2023)
Mallett started as a high school quarterback who was highly sought after and is still considered one of the best to ever come out of Arkansas. He began his career starting up to 26 games for the Razorbacks before heading to the NFL.
Ryan Marllett spent seven seasons in the NFL with stops at New England, the Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens. He drew his last breath on the 27th of June 2023, drowning off the Florida coast.
This is a selected few from the many remarkable athletes we lost in 2023.
