Just a Moment: The Top 5 "In Memoriam" Gestures in Sports

Image via Complex Original

Can we please have a moment of silence? For all the veterans, soldiers, rappers, and athletes...hold up, athletes? Yep, thanks to the undying support of fans and teammates, the legacies of fallen sports stars, from soccer players to race car drivers, live on forever. So, as a tribute to the athletes who passed away, here are the top 5

IN MEMORY OF: Thurman Munson (June 7, 1947 - August 2, 1979)

BY: New York Yankees

GESTURE: After the popular catcher died while piloting a small plane, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner immediately retired Munson's number 15. In the first game after Munson's death, the Yankees took the field in the Bronx but left the catcher position empty in honor of their fallen teammate. After a stirring rendition of "America the Beautiful," Yankee fans gave an eight-minute standing ovation before Munson's replacement finally took the field. On September 20, 1980, a plaque dedicated to Munson's memory was placed in Monument Park.

COMPLEX SAYS: See, King George ain't always bad.

IN MEMORY OF: Hank Gathers (February 11, 1967 - March 4, 1990)

BY: Bo Kimble

GESTURE: After his teammate and friend collapsed and died on the court prior to the NCAA Tournament, Kimble led Loyola Marymount to an improbable run to the Elite Eight. In honor of Gathers, Kimble shot his first free throw of each game left-handed (Gathers was right-handed but often shot FTs lefty).

COMPLEX SAYS: Don't get it confused: Bron Bron's lefty experiment was just to hype an injury.

IN MEMORY OF: Dale Earnhardt (April 29, 1951 - February 18, 2001)

BY: NASCAR

GESTURE: After the iconic driver died in a crash in the 2001 Daytona 500, fans of the legendary #3 began honoring Earnhardt by holding three fingers in the air or waving number three-shaped signs on the third lap of every NASCAR race. Also, TV coverage remained silent on the third lap of every race until the following year's Daytona 500.

COMPLEX SAYS: Drive slow, homies.

IN MEMORY OF: Sean Taylor (April 1, 1983 - November 27, 2007)

BY: Washington Redskins

GESTURE: Taylor was murdered by home intruders in his Miami home. During the first Redskins game (against the Buffalo Bills) after his death, the Skins lined up for their first defensive play with only 10 men on the field. Throughout the game, players signaled to the sky, holding up the numbers two and one--#21, for Taylor

IN MEMORY OF: Antonio Puerta (November 26, 1984 - August 28, 2007)

BY: Sergio Ramos

GESTURE: Puerta suffered cardiac arrest in Sevilla's first match of the 2007 campaign. The following year, former Sevilla and Spain teammate Ramos wore a shirt with Puerta