Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Phillip Adams, a DB for Oakland and 5 other NFL teams from 2010-15, died on 4/8 as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after killing 5 other people. He was 32.

It's suspected that his abnormal and criminal behavior may have stemmed from brain damage caused by multiple concussions during his NFL career, and studies are being done to determine any connection between the two.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Longtime Pacers coach Bobby "Slick" Leonard, a Basketball HoFer, died on 4/13 at age 88.

Leonard began in the NBA as a player for 7 seasons with the first five calling the shots for the Lakers (4 seasons in Minneapolis and 1 in Los Angeles), and played his final two seasons in Chicago, the first one with the Chicago Packers, and the second with the renamed Chicago Zephyrs, where he also coached the team. He remained their coach when the team moved to Baltimore and became the Bullets first head coach for just that inaugural season.

Five seasons later, he took the helm with the Indiana Pacers, remaining there for nearly 12 season, and guiding the Pacers to 3 ABA Championships during his time there.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Leroy Keyes, a DB/RB for 5 seasons in the NFL, died on 4/15 at age 74.

An alumnus of Purdue, Keyes played for 5 years in the pros: 1969-72 with the Eagles, and 1973 (Chiefs). He was a 1st round draft choice, and #3 overall in the 1969 NFL draft.

Dave M.