Five sporting personalities who died under tragic circumstances

Death is inevitable, but the circumstances under which it occurs remain a mystery to all.

In this piece, we put the spotlight on five sports personalities who lost their lives under tragic circumstances.

Christian Atsu

Ghanaian international Christian Atsu was trapped to death in wreckage following an earthquake in Turkey.

His body was recovered on Saturday, February 18, 2023, over a week after the devastating earthquake.

He passed away at age 31. Atsu played for Cheetah FC(in Ghana), FC Porto, Rio Ave, Chelsea, Vettese, Bournemouth, Malaga, Everton, Newcastle United, Al Rayad, and Hatayspor.


Kobe Bryant

National Basketball Association(NBA) legend Kobe Bryant died in 2020 in a helicopter crash while on board with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, six family friends, and the pilot, Ara Zobayan.

Kobby is regarded as the closest to Michael Jordan regarding the ranking of who is the greatest basketball player ever.

He played for Los Angeles Lakers throughout his 20 years career.

Emiliano Sala

Emiliano Sala died at age 28 following a plane crash that occurred at the bottom of the English channel.

The Argentine had flown to England for his medicals after completing his transfer but decided to return to Nantes to say his final goodbyes.

Sala, following the accident, went missing as his body was not discovered and was eventually pronounced dead.

Marquis Cooper

Marquis Cooper, a former NFL linebacker and special teamer died in a bolt accident in 2009.

Copper was involved in the accident alongside three other passengers, which included his friend and former teammate Corey Dominique Smith.

Only one person survived while Copper, Corey, and one other passenger's bodies were not found after the bolt somersaulted.

Copper played for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers and died at age 26.

Corey Smith

Corey died with his friend Cooper in a boot accident in Clearwater, Florida, United States.

Unlike, Cooper, Corey was a Superbowl champion.

He passed away at age 29. He played for Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions in his short career.