10 NFL Players You Didn’t Realize Died This Year—RIP!
Even though 2026 is still progressing relatively quickly, the NFL has lost some recently retired Hall of Fame players and other players who made a key impact for their respective teams during their playing careers throughout the decades. Some of these guys you may recognize, and others you may not, as passings are tragic and unexpected. Hearing about someone passing away is always heartbreaking for everyone who knew these amazing people and what they accomplished in their lives on and off the football field. These tragic deaths also serve as a reminder that life is short and should be enjoyed every day to the fullest. We’re going to look back at these NFL players and remember all they accomplished on the field here at TPS, and what they did after their football careers came to an end. Which NFL players have sadly passed away this year? John BrodieNov 14, 1965; Detroit, MI, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Francisco 49ers quarterback John Brodie (12) in action against the Detroit Lions at Tiger Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Lions 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports Brodie was the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers from 1957 to 1973, made two Pro Bowls with the franchise, led the team to the playoffs four times, won the 1965 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, won the 1970 NFL MVP award, and is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame for his on-field accomplishments at Stanford. Despite throwing 224 interceptions against 214 touchdowns, Brodie was a prolific passer during his time in the league, leading the league in passing yards in 1965, 1968, and 1970, and in passing touchdowns in 1965 and 1970. Brodie also led the 49ers to their first playoff win in the 1970 season, defeating the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Divisional Round, but lost to the Tom Landry-coached Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship game. He was also a golfer, playing for the Stanford Cardinal and later going professional with the Senior PGA after his football career concluded. Brodie competed on the Senior PGA Tour from 1985 to 1998, winning the 1991 Security Pacific Senior Classic and earning $735,000 during his career. Brodie passed away on January 23, 2026, at the age of 90. Matt SnellJan 12, 1969; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Jets running back Matt Snell (41) celebrates as he leaves the field following the defeat of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III at the Orange Bowl. The Jets defeated the Colts 16-7 to become the first AFL team to win the Super Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports Snell was a fullback who played for the New York Jets, helping them win Super Bowl III, and made three AFL All-Star appearances. He also won the 1961 National Championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes and is enshrined in the Jets’ Ring of Honor. Snell was a versatile and complete player in his heyday with the Jets, as he rushed for 4,287 yards, scored 24 rushing touchdowns in both the AFL and NFL, caught 193 receptions for 1,375 yards, and scored seven touchdowns. Snell was a key figure in the Jets’ lone Super Bowl win, as he rushed for 121 yards on 30 carries and scored the team’s only touchdown that game. After his playing career, Snell was a partner for DEFCO Securities Inc. and owned a restaurant in New York City. Snell passed away on March 10, 2026, at the age of 84. Rondale Moore Moore was an explosive, versatile wide receiver during his collegiate career with the Purdue Boilermakers from 2018 to 2020. Moore broke out onto the national scene in his freshman year, where he caught 114 receptions for 1,258 yards, scored 12 receiving touchdowns, rushed for 213 yards on 21 carries, and scored two rushing touchdowns. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the 49th pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Moore played for the Red Birds from 2020 to 2023, as he caught 135 receptions for 1,201 yards, scored three touchdowns, rushed for 249 yards on 52 carries, and scored one rushing touchdown in 2023. The former NFL player had stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings in 2024 and 2025, respectively. However, he dealt with a knee injury that kept him out of action in 2024 and a season-ending knee injury he endured during a preseason game against the Houston Texans in 2025. Moore tragically passed away on February 21, 2026, in the garage of a house in New Albany, Indiana, at the age of 25. Sonny JurgensenOct 20, 1968; St. Louis, MO, USA: FILE PHOTO; Washington Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen (9) in action against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports Jurgensen was the star quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington from 1957 to 1974. Jurgensen helped the Eagles to the 1960 NFL Championship in a 17-13 win over Vince Lombardi’s Packers, made five Pro Bowls, was a two-time First Team All-Pro, was a two-time second-team All-Pro, led the league in passing yards in 1961, 1962, 1966, 1967, and 1969, led the league in passing touchdowns in 1961 and 1967, has his number retired by Washington, and is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He truly became an iconic NFL player when the Eagles traded him to Washington in 1964. He was spectacular on the field and helped the team reach Super Bowl VII, but he didn’t play due to nagging injuries at the time. Jurgensen’s only playoff appearance came at age 40 in a game against the Los Angeles Rams, when Washington lost 19-10 back in 1974. He was strongly dedicated to winning games and excelled under pressure during his prime, especially in his final NFL season. Jurgensen was a color commentator on TV immediately after his playing career, beloved by Washington fans, and retired from broadcasting in 2019. Jurgensen passed away in Naples, Florida, on February 6, 2026, at the age of 91. Joey BrownerOct 27, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Former Minnesota Vikings safety Joey Browner smiles as his was honored before the game with the Green Bay Packers at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Packers win 44-31. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports Browner was a dominant safety for the Minnesota Vikings and one season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from the 1980s to the early 1990s, as he made six Pro Bowls, was on the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, and is enshrined in the Vikings’ Ring of Honor. Browner was a bone-crushing safety who caused havoc against opposing defenses with his bruising hits. He had 9.5 sacks, 37 interceptions returned for 465 yards, scored three pick-sixes, had 17 forced fumbles, and one fumble recovered for a touchdown. Browner also helped the Vikings reach the playoffs in 1987, 1988, and 1989. The closest Browner got to reaching a Super Bowl was in the 1988 NFC Championship game, when the Vikings lost 17-10 to Washington, who went on to win the Super Bowl that season. He appeared in seven games for the Buccaneers and started two of them in his lone season with the team in 1992. However, his time with the Vikings is more memorable, thanks to the grit and strength he showcased on the field. Browner was nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame nine times but was never selected. Browner passed away on March 28, 2026, at the age of 65. His former teammate Steve Jordan said he lost a great friend and one of the best Vikings teammates he’s ever had. Barry WilburnJan 31, 1988; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Washington Redskins cornerback Barry Wilburn (45) celebrates after intercepting Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (not pictured) during Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium. Washington defeated Denver 42-10. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports Wilburn was a standout cornerback who played in the NFL and CFL, helping Washington win Super Bowl XXII and the B.C. Lions win the 82nd Grey Cup against the Baltimore Stallions. Wilburn earned a First-Team All-Pro in 1987 and led the league in interceptions that season as well, with nine. He had 20 interceptions returned for 196 yards, scored a pick-six in 1987, had a forced fumble, six fumble recoveries, and 246 tackles during his time in the NFL as a player. Wilburn spent two seasons in the CFL playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and B. C. Lions in 1993 and 1994, respectively. He had three interceptions returned for a total of 42 yards with the Roughriders and Lions. He signed a deal with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1999, three years after he was released by the Philadelphia Eagles, and played in eight games for the Blue Bombers. Wilburn served as a defensive backs coach for Howard University in 2007. Wilburn tragically died in a house fire at his residence in Memphis, Tennessee, on February 6, 2026. He was 62 years old. Derrick Clark Clark was a running back who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent player and signed with the Denver Broncos in 1994. He rushed for 168 yards on 56 carries, scored three touchdowns, and caught nine receptions for 47 yards. Clark re-signed with the Broncos in 1996 and was allocated to the Rhein Fire of the World League of American Football. He was the team’s leading rusher in 1996, rushing for 399 yards on 84 carries, scoring three rushing touchdowns, and had 37 receptions for 229 yards with the Fire. Clark also helped the Fire win the sixth World Bowl in 1998. Clark had stints on the Broncos’ practice squad in 1996 and the Oakland Raiders in 1997, but never played a regular-season game with them. He spent four seasons with the Rhein and signed with the Orlando Rage of the XFL in 2001, and led the team with seven touchdowns in the league’s only season. Clark was also one of three football players from Evangel University to make it to the NFL and was inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame in 2021. Clark passed away on February 15, 2026, at the age of 54. Ed BlaineJan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers helmet on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Blaine was an offensive guard who played one season for Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers and four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. Blaine played his collegiate football for the Missouri Tigers from 1959 to 1961, and helped the team win the 1960 Orange Bowl against the Navy Midshipmen 21-14. He also helped the Packers win the 1962 NFL Championship game against the New York Giants 16-7. He was traded to the Eagles in 1963 and started in 56 games for the franchise in his four seasons with the team. After Blaine’s football career ended, he earned a doctorate in physiology from the University of Missouri in 1970 and had a long and interesting career in academia studying kidney function and its connection to cardiovascular disease. He also taught at the Medical School at the University of Missouri, along with conducting research on the effect of salt on kangaroos at the Howard Foley Institute in Melbourne Austrailia from 1992 until his retirement. Blaine passed away in his St. Louis home on March 22, 2026, at the age of 86. Mike Wagner Wagner was a hard-hitting safety who spent his entire NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1971 to 1980 with the “Steel Curtain” defense. Wagner helped the Steelers become a dynasty in the 1970s, being a part of the team’s four Super Bowl wins. He made two Pro Bowls as a player, was a First-Team NFL All-Pro in 1973, was a Second-Team All-Pro in 1976, was the interception co-leader in 1973 with Dick Anderson of the Miami Dolphins, as they both had eight interceptions, and is enshrined in the Steelers’ Hall of Honor. Wagner played in 119 games, started in 116 of those games, had 36 interceptions for 491 yards, and had 12 fumble recoveries with the Steelers. After retiring from playing football, Wagner served as a defensive backs coach at Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and worked in the financial industry. Wagner also earned an M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh and was a bank vice president in Pittsburgh. Wagner passed away from pancreatic cancer on February 18, 2026, at the age of 76. Tracy Scroggins Scroggins was a standout defensive end and linebacker, spending his whole playing career with the Detroit Lions from 1992 until 2001. Scroggins played in 142 games with the Lions and started in 89 of them. He had one interception in 1993, had six pass deflections, eight forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, scored two touchdowns from his fumble recoveries, had 321 tackles, scored a safety in 1997, had 60.5 sacks, and has the third most sacks by a Detroit Lion behind Mike Cofer and Robert Porcher. He had six sacks in seven seasons with the Lions, making him one of their fiercest defensive players during his time on the field. Scroggins helped the Lions reach the playoffs five times in his career, and helped them win the NFC Central in the 1993 season before the team was defeated by the Green Bay Packers in the Wildcard Round of the playoffs that season. Scroggins earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Detroit while playing for the Lions. After his playing career, Scroggins was a prominent voice raising awareness of the dangers of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). He also earned a real estate license in Florida and enjoyed spending time with family. Scroggins passed away at the age of 56, as his family stated he struggled with CTE.
