In 2025, we said goodbye to sports figures who cemented their names in history through titles, comebacks, leadership and legacy. From the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NHL and MLB to soccer’s global stage, the college ranks and Olympic arenas, legends and beloved figures died and left behind the games they helped shape. Boxing, tennis, golf and NASCAR also mourned champions, while the deaths of rising athletes in various sports left a void that will linger for years to come.