Over the last year, we lost a number of sporting icons who will never be forgotten. As we begin to usher in the New Year, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on those who we have lost across the past 12 months.
Below we pay tribute to the legends who sadly left us in 2022.
Pele (1940-2022)
Pele was football’s first truly global superstar. A goalscorer supreme, but also the architect of some of the most ingenious skills the world has ever seen. The International Olympic Committee decreed him the greatest athlete of the 20th Century, and Time magazine had him on their list of the 100 most important people of the century. This was a man who transcended sport.
Bill Russell (1934-2022)
Bill Russell was widely considered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was the centrepiece of the Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 National Basketball Association titles. The two titles he won in 1968 and 1969 were achieved as a player-coach. Russell was a five-time MVP and 12-time NBA All Star. He also captained the USA’s Olympic gold medal-winning team at the 1956 Olympic Games.
Shane Warne (1969-2022)
A cricket legend, Shane Warne is regarded as the best spin-bowler of all time while also having the captivating personality to go alongside his huge talent. In his 15-year career, Warne took a staggering 708 Test wickets, the most for an Australian and the second-most in the world, behind Muttiah Muralitharan. Warne was a member of Australia’s World Cup win in 1999, and was part of five Ashes-winning sides between 1993 and 2007.
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Doddie Weir (1970-2022)
Scottish rugby union lock Doddie Weir had an impressive career that saw him represent Newcastle Falcons, Border Reivers and the Scotland national team. Weir was regarded as a wonderful character as well as a great rugby player. He sadly passed away after a five-year battle with Motor Neurone Disease in which he spent his time campaigning to raise awareness and help find a cure for the disease. At the time of his death he had raised over £8 million.
Billy Bingham (1931-2022)
A Northern Ireland footballing legend, Bingham had a distinguished career as both a player and a manager. His playing highlights involved winning the First Division with Everton in 1962-63 and reaching the 1959 FA Cup final with Luton Town. As Northern Ireland manager, Bingham won two of the British Home Championships in 1980 and 1984.
Jack de Bromhead (2009-2022)
The son of excellent racehorse trainer Henry de Bromhead, Jack was an aspiring jockey who was tipped to have an exciting career ahead of him. The teenager had a race named in his honour at Leopardstown in December with most of his family and friends present, but he will also have a race at the Cheltenham Festival also dedicated to his memory.
Mills Lane (1937-2022)
One of boxing's most celebrated referees, Mills Lane took charge of more than 100 title fights during a career that saw him share a ring with the likes of Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes and Lennox Lewis. Tough but fair, Lane officiated in some of boxing's most famous (and infamous) nights including Holyfield's heavyweight title win over Buster Douglas, and the 'Bite Fight' between Holyfield and Tyson in 1997.
Nick Bollettieri (1931-2022)
The American coach served as a mentor to some of tennis’ biggest stars in recent decades including Maria Sharapova, Martina Hingis, Andre Agassi, Monica Seles and both Serena and Venus Williams. Bollettieri also founded his own tennis academy to offer help and support to young people. Hewas later inducted into the tennis hall of fame in 2014.
Siniša Mihajlović (1969-2022)
European Cup and Serie A winner Siniša Mihajlović sadly passed away in December aged 53 after a long battle with leukaemia. In his playing days, the Serbian was widely regarded a set-piece specialist and he still holds the Serie A record for most goals from free kicks with 28, two more than Andrea Pirlo. As a manager he coached the likes of Fiorentina, Sampdoria, AC Milan, Torino and his homeland's national team.
Lester Pigott (1935-2022)
11-time Champion Jockey Lester Piggott was one of the biggest names in horse racing for decades, with an incredible record of 4,493 winners on the flat in Britain and over 5,300 total victories across the globe in both Flat and National Hunt racing. Following the news of his passing in May, legendary broadcaster Derek Thompson called Piggott “without doubt the greatest jockey of all time.”
David Johnson (1951-2022)
Former England, Liverpool, Ipswich Town and Everton striker David Johnson passed away in November after battling throat cancer. Fondly remembered for his spell at Anfield, where Johnson won four league titles, three European Cups, two League Cups and a UEFA Super Cup, Johnson was also named in the Ipswich Hall of Fame in 2016. Nicknamed 'The Doc', Johnson was a hugely popular figure every time he graced the dressing room and was one of the finest forwards of his era.
Adam Walker (1991-2022)
Former rugby league star Adam Walker tragically passed away at the age of just 31 in October. The prop forward, who played with twin brother Jonathan for Scotland in the 2013 World Cup, made more than 100 appearances for Hull KR between 2013-16 and in 2019 was part of the Salford team that reached the Grand Final. Walker also played for Wakefield, Huddersfield and St Helens before finishing his career at Leigh in 2020.
