Derrick Thomas — Shocking Sports Deaths

In 2000, Thomas' was speeding in snowy conditions when he lost control of his car. He was paralyzed from the chest down. Weeks later, while in the hospital,Thomas went into cardio-respiratory arrest and died as a result of a pulmonary embolism. He was 33.

Nine years later, the Chiefs linebacker was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame, a momentous occasion but a bit bittersweet considering how much more Thomas could have brought to the game and the world had he lived for longer.