NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and CFL players that passed away

Peter Maher a former NHL broadcaster passed away at the age of 79 as announced on August 13th. For more than three decades, Maher was more than the radio voice of the Calgary Flames—he was the soundtrack of hockey in southern Alberta. His vivid descriptions, unmistakable enthusiasm and deep respect for the game allowed listeners to picture every rush, save and goal as though they were seated beside him in the broadcast booth.

Born in Campbellton, New Brunswick, Maher discovered broadcasting at an early age, announcing lineups for a local softball league when he was only 14. After developing his craft in the Maritimes and working in minor-league hockey, he reached the NHL as a radio play-by-play announcer for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the late 1970s. When the Flames relocated from Atlanta to Calgary in 1980, Maher followed the franchise’s new beginning and became one of its most enduring figures.

Maher called 2,954 Flames games during 33 consecutive seasons, reportedly never missing an assignment. He guided listeners through the club’s first years in Calgary, its trip to the 1986 Stanley Cup Final and the unforgettable 1989 championship victory over the Montreal Canadiens. His voice also captured the excitement of the Flames’ remarkable 2004 playoff run, when the team came within one victory of another Stanley Cup.

His calls became woven into Flames history. “Yeah, baby!” celebrated the biggest moments, while “You can put it in the win column!” provided the familiar conclusion to a Calgary victory. Those expressions were memorable because they were genuine—the spontaneous reactions of a broadcaster who understood what each moment meant to the team and its supporters.

Maher’s work extended well beyond Calgary. He called six NHL All-Star Games, international hockey and the 2005 IIHF World Championship. During the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, he delivered the radio call of Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal that gave Canada the men’s hockey gold medal, adding another historic moment to an extraordinary résumé.

In 2006, Maher received the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to hockey broadcasting. He was also inducted into several regional sports halls of fame, including the New Brunswick and Maritime Sports halls. After his retirement in 2014, the radio broadcast booth at the Scotiabank Saddledome was named in his honor—a fitting tribute to the place from which he had brought Flames hockey into countless homes and automobiles.

Maher was admired not simply for longevity but for preparation, accuracy and professionalism. He understood that a radio announcer must become the listener’s eyes, and he approached every broadcast with clarity, energy and an abiding love for hockey. His work helped connect generations of supporters to the Flames and gave the franchise a voice that remains instantly recognizable.

Peter Maher’s place in Canadian sports broadcasting is secure. Whenever longtime Flames fans remember the championship of 1989, the stirring run of 2004 or the many dramatic victories in between, they can still hear his voice rising above the roar: “Yeah, baby!” And after one more Calgary win, there was only one proper way to finish—“You can put it in the win column!”

John McKeachie, the familiar television and radio personality whose unmistakable voice, sharp reporting and offbeat sense of humor made him one of British Columbia’s most popular sportscasters, has died at the age of 82. During a broadcasting career spanning more than four decades, McKeachie covered nearly every major sport and became a trusted presence in the homes of generations of Canadian sports fans. His death was reported on August 12, 2026. A cause of death was not immediately announced.

Born and raised in Victoria, McKeachie played baseball and basketball while growing up and later studied economics and geography at the University of Victoria. Broadcasting was not initially part of his plan. After spending eight years in the sporting-goods business, he broke his jaw while playing basketball and accepted a summer position at Victoria radio station CKDA. That temporary job launched a remarkable career. He worked at CKDA from 1970 to 1972 before moving to CKNW, where he helped present broadcasts of Vancouver Canucks hockey and B.C. Lions football. Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame

McKeachie became a fixture at BCTV in 1973 and remained one of the station’s principal sports anchors through 1999. Over those 27 years, he reported the day’s sports news while also working as an on-air host and color commentator for Vancouver Canucks and Vancouver Whitecaps telecasts. Respected for his extensive contacts throughout North American sports, he frequently broke important stories before other Vancouver outlets. Viewers also appreciated the humor and personality he brought to the nightly sportscast, including his memorable on-air exchanges with BCTV news anchor Robert Malcolm.

His assignments extended far beyond the BCTV studio. McKeachie covered the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer for CTV. His résumé also included the Vancouver Grizzlies and NBA basketball, the World Basketball Championships, the B.C. Summer and Winter Games, Vancouver Whitecaps soccer and North American Soccer League coverage for ESPN. He was voted TV Week magazine’s British Columbia Sportscaster of the Year three consecutive times, from 1987 through 1989. BC Sports Hall of Fame

From 1998 to 2000, McKeachie hosted CBC Vancouver’s McKeachie’s Hockey Talk, a postgame program associated with Hockey Night in Canada. The program expanded to a national audience and helped establish the format that became CBC’s long-running After Hours. He later returned to sports radio, working at TEAM 1040—where he hosted McKeachie in the Morning—and at MOJO Sports Radio. He also wrote a weekly sports column for The Province from 1997 to 2000 and narrated the Outdoor Life Network series Road Hockey Rumble in 2007 and 2008.

Away from the press box and television lights, McKeachie was an enormously popular master of ceremonies. He donated his time to numerous charitable events across British Columbia and helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. His warmth, quick wit and deep connections within the sporting community made him as comfortable addressing a banquet room as he was speaking into a television camera.

McKeachie was inducted into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame in 2012. In April 2026, he was selected for induction into the media category of the BC Sports Hall of Fame, the province’s highest sporting honor. The recognition celebrated a career that brought the Canucks, Lions, Whitecaps, Grizzlies, Olympic Games and countless other events to life for British Columbia audiences.

John McKeachie belonged to an era when a local sportscaster did more than read scores. He became a companion to viewers, a storyteller and a lasting part of the community’s sporting identity. His death leaves British Columbia without one of its most recognizable sports voices, but the stories he told—and the affection with which he told them—will remain part of the province’s broadcasting history.

Paul Lewis Snyder Sr., Buffalo businessman, entrepreneur, and former owner of the Buffalo Braves NBA franchise, died on August 10, 2026, at the age of 87 . His life and career left a lasting imprint on Western New York’s business landscape and on the early history of professional basketball in Buffalo.

Snyder was born and raised in Mansfield, Pennsylvania . He first attended Alfred University before transferring to the University at Buffalo, where he competed on both the football and wrestling teams . His early athletic background foreshadowed the role sports would later play in his business career.

In 1958, at just 20 years old, Snyder founded Freezer Queen, a frozen‑food company that became a major employer and a household name in Buffalo and beyond . His entrepreneurial drive continued in 1964, when he purchased 500 acres in Genesee County and began developing what would become Darien Lake, transforming it over two decades into one of New York’s premier amusement parks before selling it in 1983 .

In 1971, Snyder purchased the Buffalo Braves, an NBA expansion franchise entering the league for the 1970–71 season . As principal owner, he oversaw the team during its formative years, bringing professional basketball to Buffalo at a time when the city’s sports identity was rapidly evolving.

Despite his efforts, Snyder faced steep competition from the newly formed Buffalo Sabres of the NHL and from local college basketball programs, which resisted sharing the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium and limited the Braves’ access to prime home dates . In 1977, unable to overcome these obstacles, Snyder sold the franchise.

The Braves later relocated—first to San Diego, then to Los Angeles, where the team continues today as the Los Angeles Clippers .

Snyder’s influence extended far beyond sports. He was a builder of businesses, entertainment venues, and community landmarks. His ventures created jobs, shaped regional culture, and contributed to Buffalo’s economic growth for more than half a century.

Condolences to his family and friends and may he Rest in Peace.

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Donald Arvid “Don” Nelson, one of the most innovative coaches in NBA history and a five‑time NBA champion as a player, passed away on August 9, 2026, at the age of 86 . Widely regarded as a basketball visionary, Nelson’s career spanned nearly five decades and left an enduring imprint on the sport.

Born on May 15, 1940, in Muskegon, Michigan , Nelson grew up on his family’s farm near Sherrard, Illinois. He starred at Rock Island High School before playing at the University of Iowa (1959–1962), where he earned Third‑Team All‑American honors in 1962 .

Nelson was selected in the 3rd round of the 1962 NBA Draft by the Chicago Zephyrs . After stints with the Zephyrs and the Los Angeles Lakers, he joined the Boston Celtics in 1965, where he became one of the league’s most reliable forwards. Across 14 NBA seasons (1962–1976), Nelson won five NBA championships with Boston (1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976) . His jersey No. 19 was retired by the Celtics in 1978 in recognition of his contributions to the franchise .
Nelson finished his playing career with 10,898 points, 5,192 rebounds, and 1,526 assists .

Nelson transitioned immediately into coaching in 1976, beginning as an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks before becoming their head coach later that year . Over the next 34 years, he led:

Milwaukee Bucks (1976–1987)

Golden State Warriors (1988–1995, 2006–2010)

New York Knicks (1995–1996)

Dallas Mavericks (1997–2005)

Nelson was celebrated for his inventive, fast‑paced style known as “Nellie Ball,” which emphasized spacing, speed, and unconventional lineups. He is widely credited with pioneering the point‑forward concept, now a staple of modern basketball strategy . He earned three NBA Coach of the Year awards (1983, 1985, 1992) and coached two NBA All‑Star Games .

On April 7, 2010, Nelson became the winningest coach in NBA history, surpassing Lenny Wilkens with his 1,333rd victory; he finished with a career record of 1,335–1,063 (.557) . He held the all‑time wins record until 2022.

Nelson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012 .

He is remembered as a brilliant strategist, a fearless innovator, and a beloved figure across multiple franchises. His impact continues to echo through the modern game.

Condolences to his family and friends and may he Rest in Peace.

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Rick Galbos, a versatile running back whose career spanned Ohio State’s powerhouse teams and multiple seasons in the Canadian Football League, passed away as announced on August 8th at the age of 75 . Known for his intelligence, toughness, and adaptability, Galbos left a lasting mark on every level of football he touched.

Born on July 21, 1951, Galbos grew up in Mentor, Ohio . At Mentor High School, he was a multi‑sport athlete, competing in track, swimming, and football . As a senior quarterback, he led Mentor to an undefeated season and a No. 2 ranking in the state, passing and rushing for 900 yards in each category—a remarkable dual‑threat performance for the era .

His high school excellence was later honored with induction into the News-Herald High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 .

Galbos played four seasons for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he transitioned from quarterback to running back and eventually became the team’s starting wingback as both a junior and senior . He also served as a team captain, reflecting the leadership and reliability that defined his career.

He finished his collegiate tenure with:

859 rushing yards on 197 carries

4 rushing touchdowns

21 receptions for 293 yards

1 receiving touchdown

Galbos was part of the 1970 Ohio State national championship team, adding a major accolade to his college legacy.

Galbos was selected by the Washington Redskins in the 9th round of the 1973 NFL Draft (218th overall) , but chose instead to sign with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL. Before his rookie season began, he was traded to the Calgary Stampeders .

From 1973 to 1977, Galbos played for Calgary, serving initially as a blocking back for star runner Willie Burden . His versatility made him valuable in both the running and passing game.

In 1977, he was traded to the Montreal Alouettes, where he became part of the team that won the Grey Cup that season—a career highlight and a defining moment in his CFL journey .

His CFL career totals include:

277 rushing attempts

1,244 rushing yards

3 rushing touchdowns

172 receptions

2,016 receiving yards

8 receiving touchdowns

After the 1977 season, Galbos signed with the Washington Redskins, but a hamstring injury in training camp prevented him from returning to the NFL field.

Condolences to his family and friends and may he Rest in Peace.

Sourced using Wikipedia and MSN.