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NFL Tragedies Trivia Quiz

An all multiple choice quiz about some NFL players whose career ended too quickly. If you're a NFL fan, you'll recognize these players. Good luck! :-)

A multiple-choice quiz by JuniorTheJaws. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
JuniorTheJaws

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
212,903

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
2101

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 67 (5/10), Guest 140 (7/10), Guest 75 (5/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which 1978 Patriots receiver was hit in a preseason game by Oakland's Jack Tatum, and the hit left him paralyzed to never walk again? Hint

Dick Bass

Darryl Stingley

Ben Steele

Jack Snow

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which Chicago Bear was diagnosed with cancer after the 1969 season, then died the following summer? Hint

Gale Sayers

Jerry Ball

Dick Bass

Brian Piccolo

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which Cleveland Brown defensive back was lost to a cocaine overdose just prior to the 1986 season? Hint

Don Rogers

Rodney Hampton

John Riggins

Don Hasselbeck

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which 1991 Lions offensive lineman in his third NFL season, had a career-ending injury which left him paralyzed? Hint

Nate Allenson

Mike Utley

Robert Atkinson

Steve Boehler

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Question 5 of 10

5. After playing in a reserve role for the Bears in 1958, which 1960 Los Angeles Charger receiver died late in the year as a result from a diabetes attack in only his second pro season? Hint

Johnny Morris

Warren Wells

Lionel Taylor

Ralph Anderson

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which Houston Oiler defensive lineman committed suicide in 1993? Hint

Jeff Alm

Leon Lett

Dave Butz

Jack Youngblood

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which fourth-season New York Jet defensive end in 1992, had his career end by being paralyzed in a late-season game? Hint

Dennis Byrd

Terry Wendt

Don Kindt

Deacon Jones

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which Philadelphia Eagle defensive tackle was killed in a car accident in 1992? Hint

Jim Weatherall

Charlie Garner

Jerome Brown

Mike Garrett

9. This Heisman Trophy running back from Syracuse was drafted by the Washington Redskins before the 1962 season. He was then traded to the Cleveland Browns for Bobby Mitchell. He died of leukemia and never played an NFL down. Who was he? Hint

Charlie Waters

Ernie Davis

Marion Barber

Joe Marconi

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Question 10 of 10

10. I was the AFC Rookie of the Year in 1981, and rushed for 1121 yards with the Chiefs. I died in 1983 while trying to save three children from drowning. Who am I? Hint

Gary Barbaro

Leo Sanford

Joe Delaney

Steve Sewell

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 27 2024 : Guest 67: 5/10
Oct 17 2024 : Guest 140: 7/10
Sep 07 2024 : Guest 75: 5/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which 1978 Patriots receiver was hit in a preseason game by Oakland's Jack Tatum, and the hit left him paralyzed to never walk again?

Answer: Darryl Stingley

Darryl had five seasons under his belt with New England, and was the Patriots leading receiver in 1977 with 39 catches.

2. Which Chicago Bear was diagnosed with cancer after the 1969 season, then died the following summer?

Answer: Brian Piccolo

Piccolo played in only four seasons in the NFL, but all were along side of the great Gale Sayers of the Bears. Brian's life was well depicted in the movie, "Brian's Song", starring James Caan and Billy Dee Williams.

3. Which Cleveland Brown defensive back was lost to a cocaine overdose just prior to the 1986 season?

Answer: Don Rogers

Rogers was a first round pick in the 1984 draft from UCLA. He had played for only two seasons in the NFL.

4. Which 1991 Lions offensive lineman in his third NFL season, had a career-ending injury which left him paralyzed?

Answer: Mike Utley

Mike joined the Detroit Lions in 1989 along with the great Barry Sanders. Utley opened many holes for the star running back.

5. After playing in a reserve role for the Bears in 1958, which 1960 Los Angeles Charger receiver died late in the year as a result from a diabetes attack in only his second pro season?

Answer: Ralph Anderson

Anderson caught 44 passes for 614 yards and five touchdowns in the 1960 season. Most of his receptions were via quarterback Jack Kemp.

6. Which Houston Oiler defensive lineman committed suicide in 1993?

Answer: Jeff Alm

Alm was in his fourth season with the Oilers after being selected 41st in the second round of the 1990 draft from Notre Dame. Alm was in an accident on a Texas highway in December 1993 which killed his passenger and close friend. Police determined that drugs were involved with the crash. Alm was overcome with grief and took his own life.

7. Which fourth-season New York Jet defensive end in 1992, had his career end by being paralyzed in a late-season game?

Answer: Dennis Byrd

The defensive end from Tulsa was a second round, number 42 overall pick in the 1989 draft.

8. Which Philadelphia Eagle defensive tackle was killed in a car accident in 1992?

Answer: Jerome Brown

Brown was drafted from Miami. He was in his fifth season and had just come off two straight all-pro seasons.

Answer: Ernie Davis

Ernie was the first African-American Heisman Trophy winner in history.

10. I was the AFC Rookie of the Year in 1981, and rushed for 1121 yards with the Chiefs. I died in 1983 while trying to save three children from drowning. Who am I?

Answer: Joe Delaney

The tragedy happened in Monroe, Louisiana. Delaney had only played two seasons.

Source: Author JuniorTheJaws

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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