The sports industry, locally and internationally, has witnessed the deaths of several prominent sports personalities, the latest being a former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, and Liverpool forward, Diogo Jota, who both died on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

These renowned stars, whether retired or active, represented their respective countries and clubs in various sports such as football, boxing, wrestling, and more, were national heroes, mentors, and symbols of excellence and resilience.

Their deaths, many of which occurred suddenly or due to one ailment or the other, have plunged the local and global sporting fraternities into mourning, evoking a collective sense of grief and reflection.

With the demise of Rufai and Jota sending shockwaves through the sporting world, The Guardian, in this report, takes a look at seven deaths in the sports industry in 2025 that hurt.

The Liverpool forward, born Diogo José Teixeira da Silva, was born on December 4, 1996, and breathed his last on Thursday after being involved in a car accident alongside his younger brother, Andre Silva.

The Civil Guard said a vehicle veered off a motorway and burst into flames shortly after midnight in the municipality of Cernadilla in the province of Zamora, confirming the deaths of Jota, 28, and his brother, Andre.

Jota was a talented Portuguese professional footballer known for his versatility as a forward. Starting his career with Paços de Ferreira in the Primeira Liga, he quickly rose to prominence with his goal-scoring ability.

He later played for top clubs, including Wolverhampton Wanderers. In 2020, he signed for Liverpool, where he became an integral part of the squad, helping the club win the Premier League, FA Cup, and other honours, and scoring crucial goals in domestic and European competitions.

Internationally, he represented Portugal, earning nearly 50 caps, and was part of the squads that won the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025.

Former Super Eagles captain and goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, also known as Dodo Mayana, died on Thursday in his Idimu, Lagos home, according to his associates.

Rufai, who spent his career manning posts for clubs in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Belgium, Holland, and Spain, reportedly died from a protracted illness, which kept him out of circulation for a while.

He played for Nigeria in two World Cups and as many Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, one of the highlights of his over 20-year career being the triumph at the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

Born in Lagos, Rufai started his career with Stationery Stores F.C. and also played for Femo Scorpions before moving to the Benin Republic in 1986 to play for AS Dragons FC de l’Ouémé.

A legendary figure in Nigerian football, both as a player and coach, the late defender who captained the country’s national team, then known as the Green Eagles, from 1974 to 1980, died in Enugu on April 12 at the age of 74 after a protracted illness.

Under his leadership, Nigeria won her first African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1980. Chukwu earned 54 caps and scored five goals for the national team.

Known as ‘Chairman’ for his commanding presence, Chukwu’s legacy spans his leadership on the field and his contributions as a coach for both club and country.

Following his playing career, he managed several teams, including Enugu Rangers, the Kenya national team, and the Super Eagles, leading Nigeria to the semi-final of the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia. He was also involved in football administration, serving as the general manager and CEO of Rangers.

The heavyweight champion boxer who fought from the late 1960s to the late 1990s died on March 21 at the age of 76.

Foreman was also an Olympic gold medalist, who made hundreds of millions of dollars after his fighting days, selling the George Foreman Grill.

He was a legendary American boxer, two-time world heavyweight champion, and Olympic gold medalist. Known for his powerful punches, he achieved fame with a stunning victory over Joe Frazier in 1973 and later became the oldest heavyweight champion at age 45.

After retiring, Foreman became a successful entrepreneur, famously endorsing the George Foreman Grill, and a Christian minister.

On March 29, 2025, Olanrewaju died during a fight at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, fighting with Ghana’s John Mbagunu, known as “Power,” in an undercard bout of Ghana’s Professional Boxing League. He collapsed and could not be revived.

Despite immediate medical attention and being rushed to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, he was pronounced dead 30 minutes after arrival. The 40-year-old held the Nigerian light heavyweight title and the West African Boxing Union (WABU) light heavyweight title.

The late Nigerian boxer died fighting for N3 million, The Guardian learnt. According to sources at ringside, Olanrewaju suddenly fell to the canvas, prompting the referee to immediately call for medical help.

Initially, the timekeeper thought it was a knockdown, but it soon became clear that something was seriously wrong.

Despite urgent efforts by medical staff to revive him, he was later pronounced dead, with reports suggesting he may have suffered a cardiac arrest.

No fewer than 21 athletes from Kano State lost their lives in a fatal accident while returning from the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged “Gateway Games 2025,” held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The athletes were killed in May when their vehicle, carrying 35 passengers, mostly athletes and officials, lost control and fell from a bridge in Kura Local Government Area.

He was the younger brother of the late Liverpool attacker, Diogo Jota, with the two siblings dying in the same car accident in Spain.

The Pefaniol of Portugal player may not have been popular, but dying in the same accident as his brother, Jota, made him well-known.