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List of sports officials who died while active

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This is a list of sports officials who died while active. This list is organized alphabetically by the sport the individual officiated in, and notes the deaths in chronological order within each sport. Also noted are age, leagues/associations or events they were part of when they died, officiating position (if applicable), cause of death, and date of death. Some deaths occurred due to an in-game injury or medical emergency, but most were the result of injuries and illnesses sustained elsewhere. There are also deaths that occurred due to violence directed towards officials. Abuse of officials, whether it be physical violence or verbal threats, has been of increasing concern in many sports.[1][2][3]

Although this list primarily consists of professional sports officials, amateur sports officials may be included if their deaths are related to games they worked, or were scheduled to do so. Officials who worked in notable high level amateur sports (such as NCAA Division I college sports and Major Junior ice hockey), and officials who worked world championship or Olympic/Paralympic events shortly before their deaths are treated as professional. This list does not include officiating supervisors or officials who retired shortly before their deaths, unless they were working a game at the time.

Association football

[edit]
Photograph of Vladimir Pettay
RPL referee Vladimir Pettay died in the 2011 crash of RusAir Flight 9605

The following are association football/soccer referees who died during their careers or officiating assignments.

Name Age League Cause of death Date of death Ref(s)
Russia Vladimir Pettay 38 Russian Premier League plane crash June 20, 2011 [4]
Netherlands Richard Nieuwenhuizen 41 Royal Dutch Football Association assaulted by players December 2, 2012 [5]
United States Ricardo Portillo 46 Liga Continental de Futbol (Utah) (amateur) assault by player May 4, 2013 [6]
Brazil Otávio da Silva 20 unknown league in Pio XII (amateur) decapitated by spectators June 30, 2013 [7]
United States John Bieniewicz 44 recreational league in Detroit assault by player July 1, 2014 [8]
CanadaColombia Edwin Quintero 49 unknown league in Toronto shot during game October 9, 2022 [9]
France Johan Hamel 42 Ligue 1 stroke November 15, 2022 [10]
South Africa Max Molelekoa 31 Premier Soccer League car accident January 21, 2023 [11]
South Africa Akho Ndzingo 30 Premier Soccer League gunshot wounds June 12, 2024 [12]
Jamaica Wilverglen Lamey 48 Jamaica Football Federation in-game collapse September 21, 2024 [13]
Uganda Peter Kabugo 27 Uganda Premier League in-game cardiac arrest due to asthma attack November 1, 2024 [14]

Athletics

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Track and field

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The following are track and field officials who died during their careers or officiating assignments.

Name Age Event Association Cause of death Date of death Ref(s)
United States Maree Rodebaugh 56 shot put Amateur Athletic Union[a] internal bleeding after being struck in back during meet May 29, 1977 [15]
United States Paul Suzuki 77 shot put USA Track & Field[b] brain injury during pre-meet practice June 22, 2005 [16]
Germany Dieter Strack 74 javelin throw Düsseldorf Athletics (DLV) impaled during meet August 26, 2012 [17]
United States Douglas Koban 75 hammer throw USA Track & Field Niagara brain injury during meet December 7, 2014 [18]
United States Ethan Roser 19 hammer throw College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin[c] brain injury during meet April 22, 2017 [19]

Australian rules football

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Photograph of Alexander Salton
VFL umpire Alexander Salton was a casualty of World War I, and is the only VFL/AFL umpire to die in military service

The following are Australian football umpires who died during their careers or officiating assignments.

Name Age Position League Cause of death Date of death Ref(s)
Australia Alexander Salton 47 goal umpire Victorian Football League killed in action during WWI September 10, 1916 [20]
Australia Ern Jenkins 48 goal umpire Victorian Football League unknown December 21, 1927 [21] [22]
Australia Teddy Shorten 51 goal umpire Victorian Football League unknown July 9, 1949 [22]
Australia Greg Sidebottom 61 field umpire Kyabram District Football League[d] in-game heart attack April 2, 2016 [23][24]
Australia Jesse Baird 26 goal umpire Australian Football League murdered February 19, 2024 [25]

Baseball

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NL umpire John McSherry (pictured umpiring a 1985 game) died after collapsing during the Cincinnati Reds 1996 home opener

The following are baseball umpires who died during their careers or officiating assignments.

Name Age League Cause of death Date of death Ref(s)
United States Jack McQuaid 35–36 National League unknown April 16, 1895 [26]
United States Jack Sheridan 52 American League heart attack November 2, 1914 [27]
United States Steve Kane 45 Ohio State League[e] heart attack October 30, 1915 [28][29]
United States Silk O'Loughlin 42 American League influenza December 20, 1918 [30]
United StatesEngland Pete Harrison 36 National League tuberculosis March 10, 1921 [31]
United States Paul Sentell 43 National League collapsed during pre-game warmup from appendicitis April 27, 1923 [32]
United States Frank Wilson 38 National League appendicitis June 12, 1928 [33]
United States Sherry Magee 44 National League pneumonia March 13, 1929 [34]
United States Cy Pfirman 48 National League kidney disease May 16, 1937 [35]
United States Lou Kolls 48 American Association[f] car accident February 23, 1941 [36]
United States Cal Drummond 52 American Association[g] in-game stroke May 3, 1970 [37]
United States Tony Venzon 56 National League complications of open heart surgery September 20, 1971 [38]
United States Lou DiMuro 51 American League post-game car accident June 7, 1982 [39]
United States Bill Kunkel 48 American League colon cancer May 4, 1985 [40]
United States Dick Stello 53 National League car accident November 18, 1987 [41]
United States Lee Weyer 51 National League post-game heart attack July 4, 1988 [42]
United States Nick Bremigan 43 American League heart attack March 28, 1989 [43]
United States John McSherry 51 National League in-game heart attack April 1, 1996 [44]
United States Wally Bell 48 Major League Baseball heart attack October 14, 2013 [45]
United States Eric Cooper 52 Major League Baseball blood clot following knee surgery October 20, 2019 [46]
United States David Simon 51 Frontier League[h] cardiac arrest December 5, 2022 [47]
United States Conor McKenzie 29 Northwoods League car accident while travelling to game July 9, 2023 [48]
United States Marty Bauer 55 Atlantic League unknown October 4, 2024 [49]

Softball

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The following are softball umpires who died during their careers or officiating assignments.

Name Age League Cause of death Date of death Ref(s)
United States Ricky Scearce Jr 60 University Interscholastic League in-game heart attack May 4, 2012 [50]
United States Jeff Reynolds 65 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association in-game heart attack May 25, 2016 [51][52]
Canada Rick Rogers 61 Softball Ontario collapsed during tournament July 21, 2024 [53]

Basketball

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The following are basketball referees that died during their careers or officiating assignments.

Name Age League Cause of death Date of death Ref(s)
United States Troy Raymond 46 Sun Belt Conference, Southland Conference[i] suicide August 12, 2011 [54]
United States Greg Willard 54 National Basketball Association pancreatic cancer April 1, 2013 [55]
United States Tony Brown 55 National Basketball Association pancreatic cancer October 20, 2022 [56]
United States Don McGillicuddy 56 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association in-game cardiac arrest March 1, 2024 [57]

Boxing

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The following are boxing referees who died during their careers or officiating assignments.

Name Age Final match Cause of death Date of death Ref(s)
United States Richard Green 46 Page def. Snipes (May 20, 1983, USBA) suicide September 15, 1983 [58]
United States Mitch Halpern 33 Mendoza def. Álvarez (August 12, 2000, WBA) suicide August 20, 2000 [59]

Cricket

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The following are cricket umpires who died during their careers or officiating assignments.

Name Age League Cause of death Date of death Ref(s)
Wales Alcwyn Jenkins 72 South Wales Cricket Association in-game brain injury July 4, 2009 [60]
IsraelIndia Hillel Awaskar 55 Israel Cricket Association in-game neck injury November 30, 2014 [61]
Wales John Williams 80 Pembroke County Cricket League in-game brain injury August 15, 2019 [62]
India Sumit Bansal 46 Delhi & District Cricket Association cardiac arrest shortly after recovering from in-game injury October 10, 2021 [63]

Gridiron football

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The following are gridiron football officials (including Canadian rules officials and those of other football variations) who died during their careers or officiating assignments.

Name Age Position League Cause of death Date of death Ref(s)
United States James Barnhill 45 referee American Football League heart attack March 11, 1966 [64]
United States George Young 45 umpire American Football League brain tumor September 21, 1969 [65]
United States Jack Vest 45 referee National Football League motorcycle crash June 2, 1972 [66][67]
United States Harry Kessel 47 head linesman National Football League unknown October 9, 1972 [68][69]
United States George Ellis 53 field judge National Football League unknown illness July 31, 1974

[70][71]

United States Vince Jacob 51 side judge National Football League heart attack October 26, 1982 [72]
United States Dick Jorgensen 56 referee National Football League complications of a blood disorder October 10, 1990 [73]
United States Dave Hamilton 61 umpire National Football League unknown January 9, 1995 [74][75]
United States Donnie Hampton 47 field judge National Football League heart attack January 30, 1995 [76][77]
United States Bob Lawing 58 back judge National Football League cancer May 6, 2010 [78][79]
United States Carl Madsen 71 replay official National Football League cardiac arrest while driving home from game October 24, 2021 [80]

Ice hockey

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The following are ice hockey officials who died during their careers or officiating assignments.

Name Age Position League Cause of death Date of death Ref(s)
Canada Stéphane Provost 37 linesman National Hockey League motorcycle crash April 22, 2005

[81]

Sweden Roland Hedberg 62 referee Swedish Ice Hockey Association in-game brain injury January 30, 2010 [82][83]
United States Butch Mousseau 48 referee Western Collegiate Hockey Association brain injury during pre-game warmup March 25, 2016 [84]
Czech Republic Pavel Lainka 24 referee WSM Liga[j] in-game brain injury September 10, 2016 [85]
Russia Rafael Kadyrov 47 referee Kontinental Hockey League brain cancer January 20, 2017 [86]

Rugby football

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Rugby league

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The following are rugby league match officials/referees who died during their careers or officiating assignments.

Name Age League Cause of death Date of death Ref(s)
AustraliaEngland Ted Hooper 54 New South Wales Rugby Football League[k] collapsed after match August 22, 1925 [87]
England Chris Leatherbarrow 27 Super League suicide November 1, 2015 [88]

Rugby union

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The following are rugby union match officials/referees who died during their careers or officiating assignments.

Name Age League Cause of death Date of death Ref(s)
Australia Kerry Fitzgerald 43 Queensland Rugby Union[l] heart attack December 18, 1991 [89][90]
South Africa Ian Rogers 41 South African Rugby Football Union[m] cancer November 26, 1998 [91]
Australia Ian Hooper 60 Far North Coast Rugby Union in-match heart attack April 28, 2019 [92]

Tennis

[edit]

The following are tennis umpires who died during their careers or officiating assignments.

Name Age Position Final tournament Cause of death Date of death Ref(s)
United States Dick Wertheim 60–61 linesman 1983 US Open in-game brain injury September 15, 1983 [93]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Rodebaugh was fatally struck during the 1977 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
  2. ^ Suzuki was fatally struck during the 2005 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
  3. ^ Roser was fatally struck while assisting officials as a volunteer.
  4. ^ Sidebottom was an umpire in the VFL from 1976 to 1987.
  5. ^ Kane previously umpired in the National League and Federal League.
  6. ^ Kolls previously umpired in the AL.
  7. ^ Drummond umpired in the AL from 1960 to 1969, where he suffered a serious head injury that led to his death.
  8. ^ Simon was also umpiring college baseball at the time of his death.
  9. ^ Raymond was a referee for the 2003-04 NBA season.
  10. ^ Lainka was refereeing a junior hockey game when he was mortally injured.
  11. ^ Hooper had retired in 1915, and was working as the NSWRFL’s referee assignor when he died after officiating an exhibition match in 1925.
  12. ^ Fitzgerald refereed the 1987 Rugby World Cup final and his final match was during the 1991 Rugby World Cup.
  13. ^ Rogers refereed the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and was assigned to 1999 Rugby World Cup qualifying but had fallen ill.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Buckingham, Philip; Sheldon, Dan (March 30, 2023). "'The only thing that hasn't happened yet is a referee getting murdered'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  2. ^ Downward, Paul; Webb, Tom; Dawson, Peter (January 2, 2024). "Referee Abuse, Intention to Quit, and Well-Being". Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport. 95 (1): 207–217. doi:10.1080/02701367.2023.2184459. ISSN 0270-1367. PMID 37039732 – via Taylor & Francis Online.
  3. ^ Jones, Maya A.; Coello, Sara (May 23, 2024). "Attacks on officials at youth sporting events are spurring a worrying exodus". ESPN. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  4. ^ "Russian referee Vladimir Pettay mourned". UEFA. June 24, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  5. ^ James, Stuart (December 21, 2012). "Richard Nieuwenhuizen: Dutch football and the death of a linesman". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  6. ^ "Soccer referee punched by player in Utah dies". CBC News. May 5, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  7. ^ Keating, Fiona (July 6, 2013). "Brazilian Referee Beheaded by Fans for Killing Player". International Business Times UK. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  8. ^ Householder, Mike (July 2, 2014). "Rec league soccer ref dies after punch to the head". CTV News. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  9. ^ Talbot, Michael (May 1, 2023). "Reward offered for info leading to arrest in soccer ref's murder". CityNews Toronto. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  10. ^ "French referee Johan Hamel passes away aged 42 after suffering a stroke". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  11. ^ Letshaba, Teboho (January 21, 2023). "PSL mourns death of assistance referee Moeketsi Molelekoa". SABC News. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  12. ^ Hlati, Okuhle (June 14, 2024). "Hawks probe killing of Khayelitsha police officer". Cape Times. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  13. ^ "Referee Wilverglen Lamey dies after collapsing during match - Jamaica Observer". Jamaica Observer. September 22, 2024. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  14. ^ Aheebwa, Brian (November 4, 2024). "Kabugo: Beyond the Match Official and the Cause of His Sudden Death". NBS Sport. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  15. ^ "We'll Miss Maree". The Sacramento Bee. May 31, 1977. p. 22. Retrieved December 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Elliott, Helene; Stephens, Eric (June 23, 2005). "Official Dies After Shotput Accident". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  17. ^ "Javelin accident kills German athletics official". BBC News. August 27, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  18. ^ Fleischman, Tom (December 9, 2014). "Track official dies after accident at Cornell meet". The Ithaca Journal. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  19. ^ BieryGolick, Keith (April 28, 2017). "Hammer-throw death leaves family clinging to faith". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  20. ^ "The association's only loss – Alex Salton". AFLUA. April 24, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  21. ^ "Family Notices". Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: The Age. December 21, 1929. p. 7. Retrieved December 17, 2024 – via Trove.
  22. ^ a b "Player/Umpires". AFLUA. April 10, 2013. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  23. ^ "Football umpire dies after heart attack during match". ABC News. April 2, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  24. ^ "Greg Sidebottom". AFLUA. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  25. ^ Smith, Alexandra; Duffin, Perry; Sibthorpe, Clare; McSweeney, Jessica; Rawsthorne, Sally (February 23, 2024). "Police officer charged with murder of missing Sydney couple". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  26. ^ "From Bleachers to President By Way of the Umpire's Job". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. February 15, 1920. p. 40. Retrieved December 14, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. Jack McQuaid, one of the veteran umpires of that season, died just on the eve of the season, April 16, 1895.
  27. ^ "Jack Sheridan". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  28. ^ Nowlin, Bill. "Umpires in the Federal League". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  29. ^ "Steve Kane". Retrosheet. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  30. ^ "Silk O'Loughlin". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  31. ^ "Pete Harrison". Retrosheet. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  32. ^ "Paul Sentell". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  33. ^ "Frank Wilson". Retrosheet. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  34. ^ "Sherry Magee". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  35. ^ "C.H. (Cy) Pfirman, Umpire". The New York Times. May 17, 1937. p. 19. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  36. ^ "Lou Kolls". Retrosheet. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  37. ^ "Cal Drummond". Retrosheet. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  38. ^ "Umpire's son knew little about his dad or his line of work". Las Vegas Review-Journal. June 6, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  39. ^ "Lou DiMuro, a member of the umpire crew which..." United Press International. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  40. ^ "Bill Kunkel". NJ Sports. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  41. ^ "Dick Stello". Retrosheet. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  42. ^ "Lee Weyer". Retrosheet. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  43. ^ "Nick Bremigan". Retrosheet. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  44. ^ "Today in Baseball History: Umpire John McSherry dies after collapsing on the field". NBC Sports. April 1, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  45. ^ "Veteran MLB umpire Bell, 48, dies of heart attack". MLB. October 15, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  46. ^ "Eric Cooper, MLB umpire for 21 years, dies at 52". ESPN. October 20, 2019. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  47. ^ Singelais, Mark (December 7, 2022). "'Like a gentle giant': Capital Region baseball umpire David Simon dies at 51". Times Union. Albany, N.Y. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  48. ^ Hurley, Scott (July 10, 2023). "Man killed in Waushara County crash was Northwoods League umpire". WLUK. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  49. ^ "Atlantic League mourns the loss of umpire Marty Bauer". Atlantic League. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  50. ^ Coleman, Adam; Buckley, Joshua (May 5, 2012). "Softball umpire dies after heart attack during game". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  51. ^ Couto, Richard (May 29, 2016). "Umpire from Tiverton dies after umpiring softball game". WJAR. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  52. ^ "Mass. softball umpire dies after collapsing during game". USA Today. June 2, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  53. ^ Smith, Cody (July 24, 2024). "Umpires honour one of their own who died at area tournament". The London Free Press. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  54. ^ Goodman, Jeff (August 17, 2011). "Referee commits suicide after wife found dead". CBS News. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  55. ^ "Longtime NBA ref Willard dies in Calif. at 54". ESPN. April 2, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  56. ^ "Tony Brown, referee who worked NBA Finals, dies at 55". NBA. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  57. ^ "Referee who died after collapsing on court was beloved official, fiancé and grandfather". WFXT. March 4, 2024. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  58. ^ "Richard Green". The New York Times. July 6, 1983. pp. B9.
  59. ^ "A life of promise ends with a gunshot". The Irish Times. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  60. ^ "Cricket ball throw killed umpire". BBC News. April 21, 2010. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  61. ^ "Indian-origin Israeli cricket umpire dies after being hit by ball". The Times of India. November 30, 2014. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  62. ^ "Cricket umpire died after being hit by batsman's shot". BBC News. November 28, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  63. ^ "Delhi-based umpire Sumit Bansal passes away at 46". Hindustan Times. October 10, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  64. ^ "Jim Barnhill NFL Officiating Record and Bio". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  65. ^ "AFL Ref, Ex-Brown, Dies at 45". Cleveland Plain Dealer. September 22, 1969. p. 1E. George D. Young, an American Football League umpire and a former defensive end with the Cleveland Browns, dies yesterday. Young, 45, was afflicted with a brain tumor and was admitted to the hospital Friday.
  66. ^ "Jack Vest NFL Officiating Record and Bio". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  67. ^ "Johnson City's Jack Vest officiated Super Bowl II". Johnson City News & Neighbor. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  68. ^ "Harry Kessel NFL Officiating Record and Bio". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  69. ^ "Obituary for Harry Kessel". Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. October 10, 1972. p. 9. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  70. ^ "George Ellis - Officiated Kentucky Games". Kentucky Basketball. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  71. ^ "George Ellis NFL Officiating Record and Bio". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  72. ^ "Vincent Jacob - Officiated Kentucky Games". Kentucky Basketball. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  73. ^ "NFL referee Jorgensen dies - UPI Archives". United Press International. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  74. ^ "David Hamilton NFL Officiating Record and Bio". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  75. ^ "Death: David Burgess Hamilton". Deseret News. January 11, 1995. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  76. ^ "Donnie Hampton NFL Officiating Record and Bio - Pro Football Archives". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  77. ^ "NFL -- Shell Won't Coach L.A., Report Says". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  78. ^ "Bob Lawing NFL Officiating Record and Bio". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  79. ^ Austro, Ben (January 30, 2011). "Honors, remembrances for former refs". Football Zebras. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  80. ^ "Former NFL official Carl Madsen dead at age 71". Associated Press. October 25, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2024.
  81. ^ "Accident claims life of NHL linesman". CBC Sports. April 22, 2005. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
  82. ^ "Swedish referee dies after puck strikes head". ESPN. January 30, 2010. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  83. ^ "Referee Dies after Hit By Hockey Puck" (in Swedish). Sveriges Radio. January 30, 2010. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  84. ^ "NCAA hockey referee Butch Mousseau dies week after fall to ice". CBS Sports. March 25, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  85. ^ "Czech Referee Killed After Being Hit By Puck". Scouting The Refs. September 12, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  86. ^ "Cкончался арбитр КХЛ Рафаэль Кадыро" (in Russian). регнум. January 20, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  87. ^ "The referees' founding father who refused to be paid". National Rugby League. January 13, 2019. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  88. ^ "Coroner rules rugby league referee's death was suicide". St Helens Star. St Helens Star. February 8, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  89. ^ "Joubert joins exclusive club". SA Referees. October 27, 2011. Archived from the original on October 27, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  90. ^ "Fitzgerald dies". New Straits Times. December 19, 1991. p. 48. Retrieved December 17, 2024 – via Google News.
  91. ^ "Africa: One of SA's top rugby referees dies". WOZA. Johannesburg, South Africa. November 27, 1998. Retrieved December 17, 2014 – via allAfrica.
  92. ^ Gibson, Amber (April 28, 2019). "Popular rugby referee dies after on-field heart attack". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  93. ^ "U.S. Open linesman dies". Tri-City Herald. September 17, 1983. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2024 – via Google News Archive Search.
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