10 NFL Players Who Died Too Young
Football always celebrates its heroes, but some moments remind fans that the game’s hardest blows don’t happen on the field. The recent loss of a young Dallas Cowboys player sent shockwaves across the league. It was another painful reminder that, beneath the toughness and spectacle, even the brightest players can be struggling.
The NFL has seen this story before. Over the years, champions, rookies, and rising stars have all left the game—and the world—far too soon. Each loss reignites the same question about what players battle when the crowds aren’t watching.
Marshawn Kneeland
The Dallas Cowboys saw Marshawn Kneeland as one of their most promising young defenders. He was drafted in 2024, after which he recorded 26 tackles, one sack, and scored his first career touchdown just days before his death in November 2025. At just age 24, the cause of death was ruled suicide, following a difficult period that included the loss of his mother shortly before joining the NFL. Kneeland’s teammates and coaches spoke about his kindness and discipline, and his passing renewed discussions about mental health support for players.
Walter Payton
During his time with the Chicago Bears, Walter Payton defined excellence and professionalism. Nicknamed “Sweetness,” he ran for over 16,700 yards, won a Super Bowl, and earned a reputation for his toughness and humility. In 1999, at 45, he died from a rare liver disease. His loss stunned fans and teammates who had always seen him as unbreakable. Payton’s foundation and the annual NFL Man of the Year award that bears his name continue to honor his spirit of generosity.
Sean Taylor
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Dbking
Sean Taylor was the cornerstone of Washington’s defense. In 2007, intruders broke into his home, and he was fatally shot while protecting his family. He was only 24. Taylor’s death devastated teammates and fans who saw him evolving into one of the league’s top safeties. The team later retired his number 21 jersey to ensure that his memory remains part of every game day.
Junior Seau
To fans in San Diego, Junior Seau represented passion and consistency. As a 12-time Pro Bowler, he played 20 seasons and became one of the most respected linebackers in NFL history. In 2012, Seau died by suicide at age 43. Later studies revealed that he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which sparked important conversations about head trauma and mental health in professional football. His foundation continues to support youth programs and community initiatives in his honor.
Steve McNair
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Keith Allison
Before dual-threat quarterbacks became common, Steve McNair was already redefining the position. He led the Tennessee Titans to a Super Bowl and shared the 2003 MVP award with Peyton Manning. In 2009, he was killed in an apparent murder-suicide at 36. He left behind a reputation for toughness, charity work, and a commitment to his teammates that still resonates with fans.
Derrick Thomas
Derrick Thomas, the Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, recorded 126.5 career sacks and was a consistent game-changer throughout the 1990s. In 2000, a car accident left him paralyzed, and complications two weeks later claimed his life at 33. His foundation continues to serve children in need and carries forward the same sense of purpose he showed both on and off the field.
Darrent Williams
Darrent Williams brought excitement every time he suited up for the Denver Broncos. Fans admired his competitiveness and infectious personality. On New Year’s Day 2007, Williams was killed in a drive-by shooting at age 24, just hours after a game. The Broncos later created the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award to recognize players who demonstrate integrity and teamwork.
Pat Tillman
Image via Wikimedia Commons/DoD
Pat Tillman made one of the most selfless decisions in sports history when he left the Arizona Cardinals in 2002 to join the U.S. Army. He was killed two years later in Afghanistan by friendly fire at 27. The Pat Tillman Foundation now provides scholarships and leadership programs for veterans and their families. Tillman’s choice to walk away from fame for military service continues to be remembered as a symbol of courage and conviction.
Joe Delaney
Joe Delaney’s final act was heroic. In 1983, at age 24, the Kansas City Chiefs running back lost his life trying to rescue three children from drowning in a pond. Though he managed to save one, he never made it out of the water himself. Delaney’s bravery remains one of the most selfless moments in NFL history, and his story is still taught to young athletes as an example of compassion and courage.
Ronnie Hillman
For Ronnie Hillman, success came through persistence. As a key member of the Denver Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50, he provided quickness and reliability in the backfield. In 2022, at 31, Hillman died after battling a rare form of kidney cancer. His former teammates remembered him as hardworking and dedicated to his craft.