A look at some notable sports deaths of 2015

Darryl Dawkins

1/11

1979: Darryl Dawkins of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a game. (JONATHAN DANIEL / ALLSPORT)

Frank Gifford (1930-2015)

2/11

Pro football Hall of Famer and former “Monday Night Football” broadcaster.

(John Rooney / AP)

Tommy Hanson (1986-2015)

3/11

Former Angels and Braves pitcher.

(Jae C. Hong / AP)

Minnie Minoso (1925-2015)

4/11

Former Negro Leagues and American League standout.

(David Banks / AP)

Calvin Peete (1943-2015)

5/11

Most successful African American golfer before Tiger Woods.

(Lennox McLendon / AP)

'Rowdy' Roddy Piper (1954-2015)

6/11

Former WWE star.

(Matt Sayles / AP)

Al Rosen (1924-2015)

7/11

Only person to win baseball’s MVP and executive of the year award.

(Ed Widdis / AP)

Flip Saunders (1955-2015)

8/11

Former NBA coach.

(Richard Sennott / Associated Press)

Dolph Schayes (1928-2015)

9/11

A 12-time NBA All-Star.

(Matty Zimmerman / AP)

John Williams (1962-2015)

10/11

Nicknamed “Hot Rod.” Was a popular sixth man with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 1986 to 1995.

(Mark Duncan / AP)

Justin Wilson (1978-2015)

11/11

Race car driver killed after getting hit by track debris.

(Mark J. Terrill / AP)

By Houston Mitchell

Assistant Sports Editor

Dec. 23, 2015 9:33 AM PT

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As 2015 winds down, let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the many notable sports personalities who died this year.

It seems every sport was touched, from baseball (Yogi Berra, Ernie Banks) to hockey (Al Arbour) to the NBA (Darryl Dawkins, Moses Malone) and beyond.

We take a moment to remember those five people and others in the photo gallery above.

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Houston Mitchell

Houston Mitchell is an assistant sports editor, writer of the Dodgers Dugout newsletter and editor of all of the sports newsletters for the Los Angeles Times.

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