Greatness left us in 2022

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Franco Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers great Franco Harris whose “The Immaculate Reception,” led to one of the most iconic plays in sports history died. No cause of death was given.

Harris was a star fullback at the University of Penn State before he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 13th pick in the 1972 draft. He would go on to win the NFL’s Rookie of the Year award in after rushing for a then-rookie record 1,055 yards and 10 touchdowns. He would help the Steelers reach the postseason, where the legend of Harris and the Pittsburgh Steelers would begin.

On December 23, 1972, The Steelers would take on their rival Oakland Raiders in only their second playoff game in team history. On a fourth down play with 22 seconds left in the game, Pittsburg quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw a pass to running back John Fuqua. Now what would happen next is debatable to this day.

Bill Russell

Bill Russell, one of the iconic figures in American history and the greatest winner in North American team sports, died peacefully on July 31. He was 88.

Roger E. Mosley

Roger E. Mosley, best known as helicopter pilot Theodore “T.C.” Calvin in the original Magnum P.I., died at the age of 83.

“He was surrounded by family as he transcended peacefully. We could never mourn such an amazing man. He would HATE any crying done in his name. It is time to celebrate the legacy he left for us all. I love you daddy. You loved me too. My heart is heavy but I am strong. I will care for mommy, your love of almost 60 years. You raised me well and she is in good hands. Rest easy.”

Stephen “tWitch” Boss

Stephen Laurel “tWitch” Boss was an American freestyle hip hop dancer, choreographer, actor, television producer, and television personality. In 2008, he finished in second place on the American version of So You Think You Can Dance. He was 40 and died of suicide.

Coolio

First rising to fame as a member of the gangsta rap group WC and the Maad Circle, Coolio achieved mainstream success as a solo artist in the mid-to-late 1990s with his albums It Takes a Thief (1994), Gangsta’s Paradise (1995), and My Soul (1997). He was 59.

He is best known for his 1995 Grammy Award–winning hit single “Gangsta’s Paradise”, as well as other singles “Fantastic Voyage” (1994), “1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin’ New)” (1996), and “C U When U Get There” (1997).

Earnie Shavers

Earnie Shavers, a hulking heavyweight boxer and power puncher who took on some of the sport’s biggest names, including Muhammad Ali in a match that saw “The Greatest” end up falling to the canvas during their legendary boxing match decades ago, died. Shavers had just celebrated his 78th birthday.

Bernard Shaw

Shaw, who rose to journalistic prominence as the face of CNN for more than 20 years after becoming one of the then-upstart network’s first news anchors, gained the collective trust of America as he reported on myriad history-making moments in the U.S. as well as around the world. He was 82.

Lamont Dozier

Lamont Dozier, the songwriter who penned hits for acts such as Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, and the Isley Brothers has died. Dozier was one-third of the songwriting and production trio Holland–Dozier–Holland that was responsible for much of the Motown Sound that changed music. He was 82

Michael Henderson

Michael Henderson, singer, and musician most known for his vocals on the Norman Connors track “You Are My Starship” passed away. He was 71

William “Poogie” Hart

The Grammy Award-winning lead singer and songwriter of the R&B group The Delfonics, has passed away. He was 77.

The Delfonics were founded in Philadelphia in the ’60s with Hart and his brother Wilbert alongside Randy Cain, Ritchie Daniels and Thom Bell. The Sound of Philadelphia, otherwise known as T.S.O.P, became a hallmark of soul music in the ’60s and ’70s and the Delfonics were one of the forefathers with hit singles such as “La-La Means I Love You,” “Hey! Love,” “Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),” and “Ready or Not Here I Come (Can’t Hide From Love).”

Caleb Swanigan

Former Purdue Boilermaker Caleb Swanigan died at the age of 25.

“Alongside a broken heart emoji, the team wrote, “Devastated. Our thoughts and prayers to Caleb Swanigan’s family and friends. The world lost a gentle soul last night. Love you Biggie.”

Marion Barber, III

Marion Barber’s death was caused by heat stroke, the Frisco Police Department confirmed.

The office has officially ruled Barber’s death as accidental.

Barber, 38, was found dead inside an apartment on June 1 following a welfare check conducted by the Frisco Police Department.

Tytyana Miller

Master P announced his daughter Tytyana Miller died. The younger sister to actor and rapper Romeo Miller, Tytyana was 29-years-old. Tytyana appeared alongside her brother on the reality show “Growing Up Hip Hop” in 2016.

Jeff Gladney

NFL player Jeff Gladney died in a crash in Dallas. He was only 25-years-old. Gladney, who played for the Arizona Cardinals, was among two people who died in the crash.

Lil Keed

Keed’s last project dropped in 2020, with his “Trapped On Cleveland” album. This album contained 37 tracks in total, with the deluxe edition. Keed’s album collabs included Travis Scott, Young Thug, 42 Dugg, Lil Baby, Chris Brown, and more. Her was just 24.

Bob Lanier

“For more than 30 years, Bob served as our global ambassador and as a special assistant to David Stern and then me, traveling the world to teach the game’s values and make a positive impact on young people everywhere,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement, also adding, “It was a labor of love for Bob, who was one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever been around.” He was 73.

Kevin Samuels

Relationship guru was,56.

Andrew Woolfolk

Saxophonist For Earth, Wind & Fire,  died at 71.

Dwayne Haskins

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins died after being stuck by a car in South Florida on April 9th. Haskins was in Florida training with Steelers Quarterbacks, Running backs and Wide Receivers for the upcoming 2022 season. He was 24.

LaShun Pace

Pace, a founding member of the Anointed Pace Sisters gospel group, died March 21 of kidney failure after five years of dialysis and a lifetime struggle with weight and the diabetes that accompanied it. She was 60 years old

Traci Braxton

Traci Braxton, a singer who was the sister of Toni and Tamar Braxton, died. She was 50.

Johnny Brown

Brown played “Nathan Bookman” on the hit show “Good Times” from 1975-1979. He was 84

Charley Taylor

Former NFL player and coach Charley Taylor passed away at the age of 80. Taylor first joined the NFL in 1964, playing for the Washington team.

Moses J. Moseley

Moses J. Moseley, an actor who rose to fame on the TV show, “The Walking Dead,” died. The 31-year-old was found dead in his car in Georgia on Jan. 26 from an gunshot wound to the head.

Bill Owens

Bill Owens, a real-life trailblazer who was the first Black state senator in Massachusetts history and a civil rights icon in his own right in the Boston area who notably tried to gain traction on the topic of reparations for Massachusetts residents who are descendants of enslaved Black people in the U.S. Owens, died on Jan. 22 at the age of 84.

General Charles McGee

Whether you found out about the Tuskegee Airmen in a history book, the 1995 HBO television movie named after them or George Lucas’ criminally-ignored 2012 film Red Tails, it goes without saying that America was indefinitely made proud by the Black men in that legendary squadron.

One of those prestigious gentlemen who fought bravely in World War II was decorated war hero Charles McGee, who we’re sad to say has passed away at the age of 102.

General Charles McGee

General Charles McGee Source:Getty

Whether you found out about the Tuskegee Airmen in a history book, the 1995 HBO television movie named after them or George Lucas’ criminally-ignored 2012 film Red Tails, it goes without saying that America was indefinitely made proud by the Black men in that legendary squadron.

One of those prestigious gentlemen who fought bravely in World War II was decorated war hero Charles McGee, who we’re sad to say has passed away recently at the age of 102.

McGee died January 16  in his sleep at home in Bethesda, Maryland as reported by his son, Ron McGee. He’s credited with flying 409 fighter combat missions over the span of three wars, later in his military career helping to bring attention to the stateside racism against the same Black pilots who fought for America’s freedom.

More on the courageous and honorable life of Charles McGee below, via AP News:

“After the U.S. entry into World War II, McGee left the University of Illinois to join an experimental program for Black soldiers seeking to train as pilots after the Army Air Corps was forced to admit African Americans. In October 1942 he was sent to the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama for flight training, according to his biography on the website of the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

“You could say that one of the things we were fighting for was equality,” he told The Associated Press in a 1995 interview. “Equality of opportunity. We knew we had the same skills, or better.”

McGee graduated from flight school in June 1943 and in early 1944 joined the all-Black 332nd Fighter Group, known as the “Red Tails.” He flew 136 missions as the group accompanied bombers over Europe.

More than 900 men trained at Tuskegee from 1940 to 1946. About 450 deployed overseas and 150 lost their lives in training or combat.”

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