This article lists notable athletes from various sports who died in 2023. It includes competitors from motorsports, baseball, wrestling, athletics, hockey, and other disciplines, with publicly reported information such as sport, nationality, date of death, and known achievements.
Quick Overview: Athletes Who Died in 2023
| Name | Sport | Nationality | Date of Death | Age |
| Ken Block | Rally driving | American | Jan 2, 2023 | 55 |
| Gino Odjick | Ice hockey | Canadian | Jan 15, 2023 | 52 |
| Jay Briscoe | Professional wrestling | American | Jan 17, 2023 | 38 |
| Kyle Smaine | Freestyle skiing | American | Jan 29, 2023 | 31 |
| Lanny Poffo | Professional wrestling | Canadian-American | Feb 2, 2023 | 68 |
| Tim McCarver | Baseball | American | Feb 16, 2023 | 81 |
| Dick Fosbury | Track & field | American | Mar 12, 2023 | 76 |
| Joe Pepitone | Baseball | American | Mar 13, 2023 | 82 |
| Bushwhacker Butch | Professional wrestling | New Zealander | Apr 2, 2023 | 78 |
| Craig Breen | Rally driving | Irish | Apr 13, 2023 | 33 |
| Tori Bowie | Track & field | American | Apr 23, 2023 | 32 |
| Dick Groat | Baseball / basketball | American | Apr 27, 2023 | 92 |
| Vida Blue | Baseball | American | May 6, 2023 | 73 |
| Wayne Coleman (Billy Graham) | Professional wrestling | American | May 17, 2023 | 79 |
| Jim Brown | American football | American | May 18, 2023 | 87 |
| Roger Craig | Baseball | American | Jun 4, 2023 | 93 |
| The Iron Sheik | Professional wrestling | Iranian-American | Jun 7, 2023 | 81 |
| Patrick Gasienica | Ski jumping | American | Jun 12, 2023 | 24 |
| Terry Funk | Professional wrestling | American | Aug 23, 2023 | 79 |
| Bray Wyatt | Professional wrestling | American | Aug 24, 2023 | 36 |
| Tim Wakefield | Baseball | American | Oct 1, 2023 | 57 |
| Adam Johnson | Ice hockey | American | Oct 28, 2023 | 29 |
| Willie Hernández | Baseball | Puerto Rican | Nov 20, 2023 | 69 |
Detailed List
Ken Block
- Born: November 21, 1967
- Died: January 2, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Rally driving, Gymkhana series, co-founder of DC Shoes and Hoonigan
- Cause of death: Snowmobile accident
Ken Block was an American rally driver and entrepreneur best known for his success in rally competitions and the globally popular Gymkhana video series. He competed in Rally America, the World Rally Championship, and X Games events. Block also co-founded DC Shoes and Hoonigan Industries. He died in 2023 following a snowmobile accident in Utah.
Gino Odjick
- Born: September 7, 1970
- Died: January 15, 2023
- Nationality: Canadian
- Known for: NHL left winger, Vancouver Canucks enforcer
- Cause of death: Heart attack
Gino Odjick was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who spent 12 seasons in the NHL, primarily with the Vancouver Canucks. Known for his enforcer role, he became a fan favorite during the 1990s. Odjick died in 2023 after suffering a heart attack.
Jay Briscoe
- Born: January 25, 1984
- Died: January 17, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Ring of Honor wrestler, Briscoe Brothers
- Cause of death: Car accident
Jay Briscoe was an American professional wrestler best known as one half of the Briscoe Brothers in Ring of Honor. He held multiple world and tag team championships during his career. Briscoe died in 2023 following a car accident in Delaware.
Kyle Smaine
- Born: June 27, 1991
- Died: January 29, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Freestyle skiing, world championship gold medalist
- Cause of death: Avalanche
Kyle Smaine was an American freestyle skier and world champion in the halfpipe discipline. He represented the United States at major international competitions. Smaine died in 2023 after being caught in an avalanche in Japan.
Lanny Poffo
- Born: December 28, 1954
- Died: February 2, 2023
- Nationality: Canadian-American
- Known for: WWF wrestler “The Genius”
- Cause of death: Heart failure
Lanny Poffo was a Canadian-American professional wrestler, poet, and motivational speaker. He competed in multiple wrestling promotions and was known for his “The Genius” persona in WWF. Poffo died in 2023 from heart failure.
Tim McCarver
- Born: October 16, 1941
- Died: February 16, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: MLB catcher, baseball broadcaster
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Tim McCarver was a former Major League Baseball catcher and long-time broadcaster. He won two World Series titles with the St. Louis Cardinals and later earned acclaim as a television commentator. McCarver died in 2023.
Dick Fosbury
- Born: March 6, 1947
- Died: March 12, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Olympic gold medalist, “Fosbury Flop”
- Cause of death: Lymphoma
Dick Fosbury was an American Olympic high jumper who revolutionized the sport with the “Fosbury Flop.” He won gold at the 1968 Olympics. Fosbury died in 2023 following a recurrence of lymphoma.
Joe Pepitone
- Born: October 9, 1940
- Died: March 13, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: New York Yankees first baseman
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Joe Pepitone was a three-time MLB All-Star and Gold Glove winner best known for his years with the New York Yankees. His career also included stints with several other teams. Pepitone died in 2023 at the age of 82.
Bushwhacker Butch
- Born: June 8, 1944
- Died: April 2, 2023
- Nationality: New Zealander
- Known for: WWF tag team The Bushwhackers
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Bushwhacker Butch was a New Zealand professional wrestler best known for his role in the WWF tag team The Bushwhackers. He later served as a wrestling promoter and trainer. He died in 2023.
Craig Breen
- Born: February 2, 1990
- Died: April 13, 2023
- Nationality: Irish
- Known for: World Rally Championship driver
- Cause of death: Rally testing crash
Craig Breen was an Irish rally driver who competed in the World Rally Championship. He won multiple international titles and was regarded as one of Ireland’s top rally talents. Breen died in 2023 following a crash during a rally test.
Tori Bowie
- Born: August 27, 1990
- Died: April 23, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Olympic gold medalist sprinter
- Cause of death: Complications related to childbirth
Tori Bowie was an American track and field athlete and Olympic gold medalist. She competed in sprint and relay events at the world level. Bowie died in 2023 from complications related to childbirth.
Dick Groat
- Born: November 4, 1930
- Died: April 27, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop, MLB MVP
- Cause of death: Complications from stroke
Dick Groat was a professional baseball and basketball player, best known as a shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also worked as a longtime sports broadcaster. Groat died in 2023 following complications from a stroke.
Vida Blue
- Born: July 28, 1949
- Died: May 6, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Cy Young Award–winning MLB pitcher
- Cause of death: Cancer-related complications
Vida Blue was a former MLB pitcher and Cy Young Award winner who helped lead the Oakland Athletics dynasty of the 1970s. He was a six-time All-Star. Blue died in 2023 from cancer-related complications.
Superstar Billy Graham
- Born: June 7, 1943
- Died: May 17, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: WWWF Heavyweight Champion
- Cause of death: Sepsis and multiple organ failure
Superstar Billy Graham was an American professional wrestler and former world champion who influenced generations of performers. He died in 2023 due to sepsis and multiple organ failure.
Jim Brown
- Born: February 17, 1936
- Died: May 18, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: NFL Hall of Fame running back, actor, activist
- Cause of death: Natural causes
Jim Brown was a Hall of Fame American football player, actor, and civil rights activist. Widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, he died of natural causes in 2023.
Roger Craig
- Born: February 17, 1930
- Died: June 4, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: MLB pitcher, coach, manager
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Roger Craig was a Major League Baseball pitcher, coach, and manager, known for his role in championship-winning teams. He died in 2023 at the age of 93.
The Iron Sheik
- Born: March 15, 1942
- Died: June 7, 2023
- Nationality: Iranian-American
- Known for: WWF World Heavyweight Champion
- Cause of death: Cardiac arrest
The Iron Sheik was an Iranian-American professional wrestler and former world champion in WWE. He died in 2023 from cardiac arrest.
Patrick Gasienica
- Born: November 28, 1998
- Died: June 12, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Olympic ski jumper (Beijing 2022)
- Cause of death: Motorcycle accident
Patrick Gasienica was an American ski jumper who competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics. He died in 2023 following a motorcycle accident.
Terry Funk
- Born: June 30, 1944
- Died: August 23, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Legendary professional wrestler
- Cause of death: Not publicly disclosed
Terry Funk was a legendary American professional wrestler whose career spanned more than five decades. He died in 2023 after a prolonged illness.
Bray Wyatt
- Born: May 23, 1987
- Died: August 24, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: WWE world champion wrestler
- Cause of death: Heart attack (with prior medical complications)
Bray Wyatt was an American professional wrestler and multiple-time world champion in WWE. He died in 2023 from a heart attack linked to prior medical complications.
Tim Wakefield
- Born: August 2, 1966
- Died: October 1, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Knuckleball pitcher, Boston Red Sox
- Cause of death: Brain cancer
Tim Wakefield was a knuckleball pitcher who spent most of his career with the Boston Red Sox. He died in 2023 following complications from brain cancer.
Adam Johnson
- Born: June 22, 1994
- Died: October 28, 2023
- Nationality: American
- Known for: Professional ice hockey forward
- Cause of death: On-ice accident
Adam Johnson was an American ice hockey player who competed in the NHL and European leagues. He died in 2023 after a fatal on-ice accident.
Willie Hernández
- Born: November 14, 1954
- Died: November 20, 2023
- Nationality: Puerto Rican
- Known for: MLB relief pitcher, AL MVP
- Cause of death: Health-related complications
Willie Hernández was a former MLB relief pitcher and 1984 American League MVP. He died in 2023 after ongoing health complications.
Editorial Notes
- Includes athletes from multiple sports
- Only publicly reported deaths from 2023
- Updated periodically for accuracy
