Sports athletes are considered among the widely recognized personalities, having millions of fans across the globe. Based on their success, they also pocket huge figures and enjoy a lavish lifestyle. However, things won’t go in the same way for all sportsmen as some failed to perform good in the ground and get depressed. Even the tragic accidents of taking their own lives by sports people also reported. from boxing to Basketball and Hockey, there are a lot of examples. Here we have a rundown of top 10 most popular sports athletes who commit suicide.
1 – Phillip Adams (NFL)
Having started his professional career in 2010, Phillip Adams impressed the world with his excellent defensive skills as he played as cornerback throughout his career. He remained the part of many big teams like San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and New York Jets in National Football League. In April 2021, the world witnessed the tragic event of Adams’ suicide after killing 6 people a day before. Later, postmortem studies revealed that he is suffering from brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
2 – Aaron Hernandez (NFL)
Aaron Hernandez, professional football player from America has started his career in NFL in 2010 after selected by New England Patriots in the draft. He performed magnificently while playing at the position of tight end before getting into the legal consideration. He was charged for the murder of Odin Lloyd in 2013. Later on, he was proved as criminal and also received allegations for other criminal activities and punished for life prison. In 2017, Hernandez was found dead in the cell which declared as a suicide.
3 – Rick Rypien (NHL)
Having played six seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Rick Rypien is one of the best forward player of NHL history. He was best famous for his his hitting and fighting abilities despite his short stature. Rypien enjoyed his professional career from the year 2005 to 2011 with Canucks and then signed the deal with Winnipeg Jets for the upcoming season. However, the world couldn’t see this man playing more as he committed suicide because of mental illness and depression.
4 – Wade Belak (NHL)
The American Ice Hockey player is also among the sports athletes who commit suicide. Having played for multiple teams in National Hockey League, Wade Belak has always shown amazing gameplay since starting his career with Colorado Avalanche in 1992-95 season of NHL. He played as forward with exceptional ability to work as defenceman at the same time. That’s why, he is also among the highest paid NHL players. Belak was supposed to be the part of Battle of the Blades in 2011 but he found dead in the hotel. Firstly, the cause was unknown but family members revealed that he had depression which confirmed his death as pre-planned suicide.
5 – Darren Sutherland (Boxer)
Darren Sutherland was an Irish professional boxer who came into the eyes of the world after winning bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics during his amateur career. He started his professional boxing career in 2008 where he fought against Bulgarian boxer Georgi Iliev and won his first match. In total, he appeared in 4 matches and received victory in all of them. Fans were hopeful to see Sutherland as one of the leading boxer but he commited suicide due to severe depression in September 2009.
6 – Ricky Berry (NBA)
The death of Ricky Berry is no doubt a great shock for whole world especially for lovers. The American professional basketball player was the part of Sacramento Kings and playing a small forward. He joined the team in 1988 and spent a full season with Kings. He impressed the fans after having an outstanding debut season, averaging 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists while shooting 40.6 percent from three-point range. In 1989, Ricky shooted himself was found dead in hotel. The suicide note revealed that his wife is cheating him and thus, he took his life.
7 – Edwin Valero (Boxer)
The Venezuelan boxer competed in professional bouts from 2002 to 2010. During his reign, he achieved enormous success as he won 2 back to back title in different classes. Edwin Valero won the WBA super featherweight in 2006 and WBC lightweight championship in 2009. Throughout his professional career, he appeared in 27 matches and has not faced a single loss. Thus, he ended his career as undefeated champion. However, he died tragically and are among the sports athletes who commit suicide. In 2010, he was found guilty of murdering his wife and was taken to jail. The very next day, he committed suicide by hanging with his pant.
8 – Bill Robinzine (NBA)
Bill Robinzine was an American professional basketball player who played seven season in National Basketball Association. He made his professional debut in 1975 and played for big teams including Kansas City Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, and Utah Jazz. In 1982, his contract deal for playing with Utah Jazz ended and he did not receive any new offer. Bill went through huge depression and took his life in the same year.
9 – Ryan Freel (MLB)
Ryan Freel is best famous for his performances at outfield positions as he played in Major League Baseball from 2001 to 2009. He is one of the very best in business as he can play as a utility player, second base and third base simultaneously. Ryan Freel has been diagnosed with dangerous brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy and was the first MLB player with this disease. He committed suicide in 2012 due to self-inflicted gunshot wound.
10 – Kenny McKinley (NFL)
After drafted by Denver Broncos in 2009 NFL draft, Kenny McKinley started his professional football career. He was a Wide receiver and has shown excellent gameplay in his amateur career. Due to his brilliant defensive and passing skills, Kenny thought to be one of the greatest NFL player in the coming times. But he took his life in 2010 by shooting himself with a gun. Later investigations revealed that he was suffering from depression and other financial crisis.
