A History of Athletes Dying on the Playing Field

On the anniversary of Reggie Lewis' death, we look back at sports stars who passed while playing the sports they loved.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Few people seem as invincible as our favorite athletes. Ballers performing phenomenal feats on the field of play can sometimes make us forget that they're even mortal. In some cases though, we're given cruel reminders of just how human they are. Such was the case 18 years ago today when Boston Celtic Reggie Lewis collapsed and died at the age of 27 during an offseason practice. The NBA All-Star's death made us think back to what other star athletes had died playing the sports they loved, it turns out that athletes dying while playing is not as uncommon as one would think. From boxing to baseball to racing, athletes of nearly every major sport have been lost to on the field tragedy. So, in memoriam of Reggie Lewis and other athletes who met the same fate, here is a History of Athletes Dying on the Playing Field...

Ray Chapman

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Frank Hayes

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Bill Masterton

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Chuck Hughes

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Duk Koo Kim

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Pistol Pete Maravich

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Hank Gathers

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Reggie Lewis

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Ayrton Senna

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Dale Earnhardt

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Korey Stringer

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Marc Vivien Foe

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Antonio Puerta

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Scott Kalitta

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