List of American football players who died during their careers
This is a list of players of American football who died while still on a team roster. Included are players in professional and college football who have died of any cause. Players who ended their careers to join the military and died while in service are included. Each player is listed with the team to which he was assigned at the time of his death, rather than the team with which he spent most of his career. Players who were free agents at the time of their death are not listed.
Players who ended their careers to join the military
This table is only for players who ended their NFL career to join the military in a time of war, including players who were drafted into the military, and were killed in action.| Name | Age | Year died | Position | Team | Last year played | War served in |
| Mike Basca | 27 | 1944 | HB | Philadelphia Eagles | 1941 | World War II |
| Charlie Behan | 24 | 1945 | End | Detroit Lions | 1942 | World War II |
| Harry Benson | 34 | 1943 | G | Philadelphia Eagles | 1935 | World War II |
| Keith Birlem | 28 | 1943 | End | Washington Redskins | 1939 | World War II |
| Al Blozis | 26 | 1945 | OT | New York Giants | 1944 | World War II |
| Young Bussey | 27 | 1945 | QB | Chicago Bears | 1945 | World War II |
| Howard "Smiley" Johnson | 28 | 1945 | G | Green Bay Packers | 1941 | World War II |
| Bob Kalsu | 25 | 1970 | G | Buffalo Bills | 1968 | Vietnam War |
| Alex Ketzko | 25 | 1944 | T | Detroit Lions | 1943 | World War II |
| Jack Lummus | 29 | 1945 | End | New York Giants | 1937 | World War II |
| Don Steinbrunner | 35 | 1967 | T | Cleveland Browns | 1953 | Vietnam War |
| Len Supulski | 22 | 1943 | End | Philadelphia Eagles | 1942 | World War II |
| Pat Tillman | 27 | 2004 | S | Arizona Cardinals | 2001 | War in Afghanistan |
| Don Wemple | 27 | 1944 | End | Brooklyn Dodgers | 1941 | World War II |
| Chet Wetterlund | 26 | 1944 | HB | Detroit Lions | 1942 | World War II |
| Waddy Young | 28 | 1945 | End | Brooklyn Dodgers | 1940 | World War II |
Arena Football League
- Johnathan Goddard, 27, Colorado Crush, defensive end, motorcycle accident
- Al Lucas, 26, Los Angeles Avengers, defensive tackle, in-game neck injury
- Justin Skaggs, 28, Utah Blaze, quarterback, stage III oligodendroglioma brain cancer
- Johnie Kirton, 26, San Jose SaberCats, running back, methadone toxicity/unknown
- Julian Yearwood, 31, Bakersfield Blitz, fullback/linebacker, clogged arteries
- Chandler Williams, 27, Tampa Bay Storm, wide receiver, cardiac arrest
National Football League
| Name | Age | Position | Team | Cause of death | Year |
| Gaines Adams | 26 | DE | Chicago Bears | Cardiac arrest | 2010 |
| Jeff Alm | 25 | DT | Houston Oilers | Suicide | 1993 |
| Ralph Anderson | 24 | WR | Los Angeles Chargers | Diabetic reaction | 1960 |
| Eric Andolsek | 25 | OG | Detroit Lions | Car accident | 1992 |
| Troy Archer | 24 | DE | New York Giants | Car accident | 1979 |
| Brad Beckman | 24 | TE | Atlanta Falcons | Car accident | 1989 |
| Jovan Belcher | 25 | LB | Kansas City Chiefs | Suicide | 2012 |
| Leon Bender | 22 | DT | Oakland Raiders | Seizure | 1998 |
| Jerome Brown | 27 | DT | Philadelphia Eagles | Car accident | 1992 |
| Jerry Brown | 25 | LB | Dallas Cowboys | Car accident | 2012 |
| Frank Buncom | 29 | LB | Cincinnati Bengals | Blood clot | 1969 |
| Jeff Burkett | 26 | P | Chicago Cardinals | Plane crash | 1947 |
| Brandon Burlsworth | 22 | G | Indianapolis Colts | Car accident | 1999 |
| J.V. Cain | 28 | TE | St. Louis Cardinals | Heart attack | 1979 |
| Marcus Cassel | 23 | CB | Carolina Panthers | Car accident | 2006 |
| Rusty Chambers | 22 | LB | Miami Dolphins | Car accident | 1981 |
| Kirk Collins | 25 | CB | Los Angeles Rams | Esophageal cancer | 1984 |
| Marquis Cooper | 26 | LB | Oakland Raiders | Presumed dead from boating accident, body never found | 2009 |
| David Croudip | 30 | DB | Atlanta Falcons | Drug overdose | 1988 |
| Rodney Culver | 26 | RB | San Diego Chargers | Plane crash | 1996 |
| Shane Curry | 24 | DE | Indianapolis Colts | Homicide | 1992 |
| Ernie Davis | 23 | RB | Cleveland Browns | Leukemia | 1963† |
| Joe Delaney | 24 | RB | Kansas City Chiefs | Drowned | 1983 |
| Terry Dillon | 22 | DB | Minnesota Vikings | Drowned | 1964 |
| Jim Duncan | 26 | CB | Baltimore Colts | Suicide | 1972 |
| Bo Farrington | 28 | TE | Chicago Bears | Car accident | 1964 |
| Don Fleming | 25 | S | Cleveland Browns | Accidental electrocution | 1963 |
| Willie Galimore | 29 | RB | Chicago Bears | Car accident | 1964 |
| Blenda Gay | 26 | DE | Philadelphia Eagles | Homicide | 1976 |
| Howard Glenn | 26 | OG | New York Titans | Neck injury | 1960 |
| Larry Gordon | 28 | LB | Miami Dolphins | Heart attack | 1983 |
| David Griggs | 28 | LB | San Diego Chargers | Car accident | 1995 |
| Roger Hagberg | 31 | TE | Oakland Raiders | Car accident | 1970 |
| Chris Henry | 26 | WR | Cincinnati Bengals | Road accident | 2009 |
| Thomas Herrion | 23 | G | San Francisco 49ers | Ischaemic heart disease | 2005 |
| Mack Lee Hill | 25 | FB | Kansas City Chiefs | Pulmonary embolism | 1965 |
| Marquise Hill | 24 | DE | New England Patriots | Drowned | 2007 |
| Chuck Hughes | 28 | WR | Detroit Lions | Cardiac arrest | 1971 |
| Edwin Jackson | 26 | LB | Indianapolis Colts | Car accident | 2018 |
| Stone Johnson | 23 | RB | Kansas City Chiefs | Neck injury | 1963†† |
| Mose Kelsch | 38 | K | Pittsburgh Pirates | Road accident | 1935 |
| Fred Lane | 24 | RB | Carolina Panthers | Homicide | 2000 |
| Bob Laraba | 28 | LB | San Diego Chargers | Car accident | 1962 |
| Eugene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb | 31 | DT | Pittsburgh Steelers | Drug overdose | 1963 |
| Stan Mauldin | 27 | T | Chicago Cardinals | Heart attack | 1948 |
| Kenny McKinley | 23 | WR | Denver Broncos | Suicide | 2010 |
| Bruce McLenna | 26 | FB | Kansas City Chiefs | Highway accident | 1968 |
| O.J. Murdock | 25 | WR | Tennessee Titans | Suicide | 2012 |
| Damien Nash | 24 | RB | Denver Broncos | Cardiac failure | 2007 |
| Ralph Norwood | 23 | OT | Atlanta Falcons | Car accident | 1989 |
| David Overstreet | 25 | RB | Miami Dolphins | Car accident | 1984 |
| Brian Piccolo | 26 | FB | Chicago Bears | Cancer | 1970 |
| Ron Rector | 24 | RB | Atlanta Falcons | Motorcycle accident | 1968 |
| Lucien Reeberg | 21 | OT | Detroit Lions | Heart attack | 1964 |
| Don Rogers | 23 | FS | Cleveland Browns | Drug overdose | 1986 |
| Corey Smith | 29 | DE | Detroit Lions | Hypothermia, boating accident | 2009 |
| Dave Sparks | 26 | DT | Washington Redskins | Heart attack | 1954 |
| Andy Spiva | 24 | LB | Atlanta Falcons | Road accident | 1979 |
| Korey Stringer | 27 | OT | Minnesota Vikings | Heat stroke | 2001 |
| Sean Taylor | 24 | FS | Washington Redskins | Homicide | 2007 |
| Derrick Thomas | 33 | LB | Kansas City Chiefs | Pulmonary embolism | 2000 |
| Stacey Toran | 27 | DB | Los Angeles Raiders | Car accident | 1989 |
| Eric Turner | 31 | S | Oakland Raiders | Stomach cancer | 2000 |
| Tray Walker | 23 | CB | Baltimore Ravens | Motorcycle accident | 2016 |
| Fred Washington | 23 | DT | Chicago Bears | Car accident | 1990 |
| Dave Waymer | 34 | S | Los Angeles Raiders | Heart attack | 1993 |
| Darrent Williams | 24 | CB | Denver Broncos | Homicide | 2007 |
† Davis was under contract when he died though did not play in a game due to his illness.
†† Johnson was injured in a pre-season game and did not play in a regular season game.
Canadian Football League
| Name | Age | Position | Team | Cause of death | Year |
| Mylan Hicks | 23 | DB | Calgary Stampeders | Homicide | 2016 |
| Joe McKnight | 28 | RB | Saskatchewan Roughriders | Homicide | 2016 |
| Derrell Robertson | 27 | DE | Las Vegas Posse | Automobile accident | 1994 |
| Adrian Robinson | 25 | LB | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | Suicide | 2015 |
| Ted Watkins | 27 | WR | Hamilton Tiger-Cats | Shot while robbing a liquor store | 1968 |
Robertson was notable for being posthumously selected in a dispersal draft by the Ottawa Rough Riders, as nobody in the CFL was aware of his death at the time of his drafting.
Continental Football League
- Glen Hepburn, 29, two-way end, Omaha Mustangs, injuries sustained during a game
XFL
- Donald Sellers, 26, WR, Las Vegas Outlaws, car accident
- Troy Stark, 28, OL, New York/New Jersey Hitmen, complications from surgery
College
| Player | Age | University | Position | Cause of death | Year |
| Larry Aaron III | 19 | Marshall University | Defensive lineman | Complications from stray gunshot wound that left him paralyzed from the waist-down. | 2018 |
| Rodney Abercrombie | 23 | California University of Pennsylvania | Defensive back | Injuries from jumping out of second-story window to escape armed assailant | 2003 |
| Keith Adams | 23 | Gettysburg College | Jeep accident | 2002 | |
| Shawn Afryl | 22 | Winona State University | Offensive lineman | Collapsed during offseason workout | 2014 |
| Ted Agu | 21 | University of California, Berkeley | Defensive end | Collapsed during training run | 2014 |
| Parker Alford | 22 | University of Texas at Austin | Tight end | Car accident | 1974 |
| Bill Allen | 18 | Central Missouri State College | Death during practice | 1965 | |
| Kyle Allen | 21 | Presbyterian College | Linebacker | Accidental acute alcohol intoxication | 2012 |
| Don Anderson | Gustavus Adolphus College | Team bus crash | 1938 | ||
| Chris Angeloff | 20 | University of Akron | Tight end | During game vs. Marshall University | 1975 |
| Antonio Atkins | Albany State University | Running Back | Shooting | 2006 | |
| Avery Atkins | 20 | University of Florida | Cornerback | Found dead in car | 2007 |
| Sal Aunese | 21 | University of Colorado | Quarterback | Stomach cancer | 1989 |
| Eraste Autin | 18 | University of Florida | Fullback | Heat stroke | 2001 |
| Marlin Barnes | 22 | University of Miami | Linebacker | Homicide | 1996 |
| Paul Becker | Caltech | Center | Skull fracture suffered in Caltech-La Verne College game | 1939 | |
| Todd Becker | 20 | University of Pittsburgh | Linebacker | Fall from third-story dormitory window | 1982 |
| George Behan | 21 | Georgetown University | Halfback | Broken vertebrae during game vs. Columbia A.C. | 1894 |
| Nick Bell | 20 | Mississippi State University | Defensive end | Brain cancer | 2010 |
| Vernon Belyea | Norwich University | Injuries suffered in game vs. Holy Cross | 1913 | ||
| Heath Benedict | 24 | Newberry College | Offensive tackle | Enlarged heart | 2008 |
| Vince Bernardo | 17 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | Offensive lineman | During drills | 2006 |
| Brook Berringer | 22 | University of Nebraska | Quarterback | Plane crash | 1996 |
| Kendall Berry | 22 | Florida International University | Running back | Homicide | 2010 |
| Preston Birdsong | 18 | Tennessee Tech | Defensive back | Heat illness | 2000 |
| Jason Bitsko | 21 | Kent State University | Center | Enlarged heart | 2014 |
| Jackie Blanding | 26 | Albany State University | Defensive lineman | Collapsed while running off-campus | 2003 |
| Dave Bliss | 20 | College of San Mateo | Head injury in game vs. Santa Monica City College | 1967 | |
| Thomas E. Bloom | 21 | Purdue University | Fullback | Car accident | 1963 |
| Michael Bochette | 20 | Cumberland University | Homicide | 2002 | |
| Douglas Boe | 21 | Princeton | Tailback | Head injury suffered in game 16 months earlier | 1968 |
| Austin Box | 22 | University of Oklahoma | Linebacker | Drug overdose | 2011 |
| Taylor Bradford | 21 | University of Memphis | Defensive tackle | Homicide | 2007 |
| Brandon Brown | 26 | Tabor College | Defensive lineman | Injuries from beating | 2012 |
| Michael Bruschini | 18 | University of Maine | Linebacker | Stabbing | 1984 |
| Greg Bryant | 21 | UAB | Running back | Homicide | 2016 |
| Alan Buder | 18 | University of Pennsylvania | Defensive tackle | Blood infection after leg injury in junior varsity game vs. Harvard | 1964 |
| Ben Bundy | 20 | Southwest Minnesota State University | Offensive lineman | Brain aneurysm | 2010 |
| Markel Byrd | 20 | University of New Mexico | Safety | Car accident | 2015 |
| Eugene Byrne | Army | In-game injuries vs. Harvard | 1909 | ||
| Derringer Cade | 20 | Northeast Missouri State University | During game vs. Southwest Baptist University | 1990 | |
| Chris Campbell | 21 | University of Miami | Linebacker | Car accident | 2002 |
| Archer Christian | 18 | University of Virginia | Halfback | In-game injuries vs. Georgetown | 1909 |
| Ed Christian | 20 | Auburn University | Offensive lineman | Homicide | 2012 |
| James Clark | 18 | Oklahoma State University | Defensive lineman | Suicide by hanging | 1985 |
| Sam Collins | 18 | Huntingdon College | Defensive lineman | Heatstroke | 2008 |
| Chris Cooper | 21 | University of New Mexico | Lineman | Cardiac arrest during workout | 1990 |
| Teddy Craft | 22 | Georgia Southern University | Wide receiver | Motorcycle accident | 2006 |
| Carl Dahlbeck | Purdue University | Locker room explosion | 1936 | ||
| Tony Danckert | 20 | Boston University | Linebacker | Reaction to anesthesia | 1976 |
| Mario Danelo | 21 | USC | Kicker | Fall from a cliff | 2007 |
| Devaughn Darling | 18 | Florida State University | Linebacker | Cardiac arrhythmia, possible sickle cell complications | 2001 |
| Michael DeGroote | 22 | Northern Arizona University | Tight end | Accidental firearm discharge during camping trip | 2015 |
| Joseph Delaney | Villanova University | Fullback | Car accident | 1932 | |
| Ray Dennison | 26 | Fort Lewis A&M | in-game death | 1955 | |
| Mike DeNiro | 20 | Texas A&M | Defensive End | Car Accident | 1970 |
| Bernd Diettrich | 21 | Simon Fraser University | Quarterback | Drowning as a result of heart failure | 2009 |
| Trent DiGiuro | 20 | University of Kentucky | Offensive guard | Homicide | 1994 |
| Doug Dilk | 21 | University of Evansville | Guard | Car accident | 1981 |
| Keeley Dorsey | 19 | University of South Florida | Running back | Long QT syndrome | 2007 |
| Kwane Doster | 21 | Vanderbilt University | Running back | Homicide | 2004 |
| Aaron Douglas | 21 | University of Alabama | Offensive tackle | Found dead in a house in Fernandina Beach, Florida | 2011 |
| Jahneil Douglas | 22 | University of Toledo | Defensive lineman | Shooting | 2020 |
| Todd Doxey | 19 | University of Oregon | Defensive back | Drowning | 2008 |
| Butch Duhe | 21 | Louisiana State University | Quarterback | Brain hemorrhage | 1970 |
| Tyrone Duplessis | 21 | Louisiana Tech | Running back | Heart attack | 2012 |
| Arthur Ehlers | University of Iowa | Brain hemorrhage suffered in freshman vs. varsity game | 1933 | ||
| Chris Emerson | 19 | University of Kansas | Fullback | Pulmonary embolism | 1982 |
| Nate Evans | 19 | College of William & Mary | Running Back | Homicide | 2019 |
| Brandon Fails | 18 | Texas A&M University | Blood clot in leg | 2002 | |
| Cody Fanning | 20 | Doane College | Fall from truck | 2012 | |
| Mitch Farney | 20 | University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa | Wide Receiver | Heart attack while playing pick up basketball | 2008 |
| Daniel Fitzwater | 20 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | Quarterback | Unknown causes | 2015 |
| Ben Flick | 19 | University of Cincinnati | Offensive lineman | Car accident | 2013 |
| Donald Foley | 19 | United States Naval Academy | Fullback | Spinal cord injury during practice | 1961 |
| Sam Foltz | 22 | University Of Nebraska | Punter | Car crash | 2016 |
| William Foster | 20 | Johnson C. Smith University | Guard | Internal injuries suffered when kicked in the stomach during practice | 1961 |
| Billy Gaines | 19 | University of Pittsburgh | Fall through church ceiling | 2003 | |
| Tommy McGannon | 20 | Purdue University | RB | Locker room explosion | 1936 |
| Richard Giardi | 22 | College of the Holy Cross | Accidental overdose of anesthesia | 1968 | |
| George Gipp | 25 | University of Notre Dame | Strep throat infection and pneumonia | 1920 | |
| James Glenn | 19 | Texas A&M University | Place kicker | Heart ailment before practice | 1991 |
| Cecil Gooding | 20 | University of Michigan | Guard | Typhoid | 1904 |
| Vernon Grant | 22 | Oklahoma State University | Car crash | 2005 | |
| Kenneth Gray | Oregon State University | Tackle | Traffic accident | 1981 | |
| Robert Grays Jr. | 19 | Midwestern State University | Cornerback | Neck injury during game vs. Texas A&M University-Kingsville | 2017 |
| Reggie Grob | 19 | University of Texas at Austin | Guard | Heat stroke during practice | 1962 |
| Michael Guliford | 19 | University of Florida | Motorcycle accident | 2007 | |
| Patrick Gullahorn | 19 | Vanderbilt | Offensive lineman | Fall from sixth-floor dorm window | 1997 |
| Jayson Gwinn | 20 | Ohio State University | Car accident | 1993 | |
| Brandon Hall | 19 | University of Minnesota | Homicide | 2002 | |
| Harold Hamm | Dartmouth College | Fullback | Lightning strike while fishing | 1928 | |
| Eddie Hanna | 24 | Colorado A&M | Halfback | Heart attack following game vs. Colorado College | 1949 |
| Andrew Harris | 22 | University of Montana | Defensive lineman | Suicide | 2019 |
| Lydell Hartford Jr. | 20 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Linebacker | Accidental shooting | 2013 |
| Edwin Hartman | 22 | Geneva College | Quarterback | Car accident | 1983 |
| Ron Hatchett | 21 | Doane College | Tackle | Ammonia gas leak from ruptured tank car | 1969 |
| Tyler Heintz | 19 | Kent State University | Offensive Line | Exertional Hyperthermia | 2017 |
| Zach Hemmila | 22 | University of Arizona | Offensive Line | Toxic drug interaction | 2016 |
| Danroy "DJ" Henry Jr. | 20 | Pace University | Wide receiver and defensive back | Police shooting | 2010 |
| Dibrell Hicks | Carson-Newman College | Shooting | 1927 | ||
| Brian Hiemer | 21 | University of Nebraska | Suicide | 1985 | |
| Tyler Hilinski | 21 | Washington State University | Quarterback | Suicide | 2018 |
| Edwin Hill | New York University | Halfback | Accidental shooting during a prank | 1929 | |
| Matthew Holland | 19 | Mayville State University | Tight end | Seizure | 2015 |
| Wilson Holloway | University of Tulsa | Defensive lineman | Hodgkin's lymphoma | 2011 | |
| Demetre Homer | 19 | Yale | Guard | Brain injury suffered in JV game | 1952 |
| Jasper Howard | 20 | University of Connecticut | Homicide | 2009 | |
| Earl Hundley | Georgetown College | Tackle | Heart attack during practice | 1962 | |
| Kordero Hunter | 21 | Central State University | Defensive back | Shooting | 2011 |
| James Hyde | 18 | Howard College | Following practice | 1965 | |
| Brandon Jackson | 20 | United States Military Academy | Defensive back | Car crash | 2016 |
| Jawan Jackson | 19 | Northern Illinois University | During conditioning drills | 2002 | |
| Solomon Jackson | 20 | State University of New York at Buffalo | Defensive end | Collapsed during off-season conditioning drills | 2016 |
| Chris Johnson | 22 | Duquesne University | Defensive back | Suicide; gunshot | 2015 |
| JeKelcy Johnson | 20 | Alcorn State University | Linebacker | Shooting | 2001 |
| Diondre Johnson | 19 | Missouri Southern State University | Tight end | Car crash | 2011 |
| Renard Johnson | 21 | Missouri Southern State University | Running back | Car crash | 2009 |
| Marcus Jones | 18 | Samford University | Heart ailment after practice | 1989 | |
| William Wayne Jones | 19 | Tennessee State University | Defensive back | Collapsed during a non-contact practice | 2012 |
| Keith Joseph Jr. | 18 | Mississippi State University | Defensive end | Killed in car accident along with father, who was a former Mississippi State football player | 2015 |
| Mike Karas | 23 | Geneva College | Quarterback | Car accident | 1958 |
| Mike Kelsey | SMU | Center | Heat prostration during practice | 1962 | |
| Kosta Karageorge | 22 | Ohio State | Defensive lineman | Suicide | 2014 |
| John Karkoska | 19 | Baylor University | Offensive lineman | During pre-game warmups | 1990 |
| John Kaczmarski | 18 | Utica College | Snowmobile accident | 2008 | |
| Brian Keller | 21 | Lafayette College | Tight end | Injuries sustained in single-vehicle car accident | 2015 |
| Chamoda Kennedy-Palmore | 19 | University of Cincinnati | Running back | Motorcycle accident | 2014 |
| Kelly Kent | 21 | Abilene Christian University | Running back | Heart attack during intramural basketball game | 1979 |
| Eddie Key III | 18 | Wayne State College | Defensive lineman | Pneumonia | 2014 |
| Kevin Keyes | 18 | Charleston Southern University | Running back | Shooting during a carjacking | 1998 |
| Allen Kidder | 22 | USC | Blood infection after human bite | 1936 | |
| Harry Knight | Drexel | Fullback | Crushed skull during practice game against Penn | 1894 | |
| Joey Kraemer | 19 | Eastern Kentucky University | Offensive lineman | Single vehicle accident | 2015 |
| Mitch Kramer | 21 | Thomas More College | Defensive back | ATV crash | 2015 |
| Charles Kyeremeh, Jr. | 20 | University of Maine | Running back | Motorcycle accident | 2011 |
| Anthony Lalum | 19 | University of Mary | Car accident | 2003 | |
| Andrew Lang | University of Pennsylvania | Neck fracture during game vs. Mercersberg Academy | 1922 | ||
| Robert Lewin | 20 | Baltimore Medical College | Tackle | Heart attack in game vs. Navy | 1903 |
| Josh Linthicum | 19 | Wabash College | During surgery | 2010 | |
| Nick Liotta | 22 | Villanova | Guard | Hanging in dorm | 1951 |
| Dale Lloyd | 19 | Rice University | Defensive back | During workout | 2006 |
| Ricky Lannetti | 19 | Lycoming College | Wide receiver | Staph infection | 2003 |
| Charles "Sonny" Lohr | 19 | University of Maryland | Center | Heat stroke | 1959 |
| David Lora | 21 | Middle Tennessee University | Homicide | 1989 | |
| Polo Manukainiu | 19 | Texas A&M | Defensive end | Car crash | 2013 |
| Sheldon Martin | 20 | Chaffey College | Wide receiver | Shot to death on freeway | 2014 |
| Sean Matti | 22 | Purdue University | Running back | Drowning in lake | 2011 |
| Bobby McBride | Wilkes College | Defensive back | Cerebral hemorrhage in game vs. Kings Point | 1972 | |
| Alexander "Tennessee" McClelland | Bluffton University | Bone cancer | 2011 | ||
| Michael McCrimmins | 19 | Missouri Southern State University | Defensive back | Car crash | 2011 |
| Corey McCullers | 19 | Troy University | Offensive lineman | Car accident | 2015 |
| Keffer McGee | 22 | Mississippi State University | Running back | Drowning in swimming pool | 1997 |
| Jay McGillis | 21 | Boston College | Linebacker | Cancer | 1992 |
| Stan McGuire | Oregon State | Lineman | Toboggan accident, struck by car | 1950 | |
| Will McKamey | 19 | United States Naval Academy | Running back | Collapsed at practice | 2014 |
| Jordan McNair | 19 | Maryland | Offensive lineman | Liver failure | 2018 |
| Tim McNerney | 21 | Washington & Jefferson | Running back | Homicide | 2012 |
| Ken McRoyal | 22 | University of Idaho | Wide receiver | Homicide | 2012 |
| Marquese Meadow | 18 | Morgan State University | Defensive lineman | Complications from heatstroke | 2014 |
| Ken Meenan | 26 | University of Illinois | Running back | Blood poisoning following motorcycle accident | 1934 |
| William "Bill" Mehl | 21 | Valparaiso University | Guard | In-game injury, resulting in streptococcal infection, vs. Manchester University | 1938 |
| Naeshall D. Menard | 20 | Louisiana State University | Center | Suicide | 1998 |
| Jarvis Midgett | 18 | University of Tampa | Tackle | Brain injury during workout drill | 1954 |
| Darius Minor | 18 | University of Maine | Defensive back | Acute aortic dissection | 2018 |
| Jakell Mitchell | 18 | Auburn University | Fullback | Homicide by shooting | 2014 |
| Kyndle Mongeon | 20 | Colgate University | Offensive tackle | Stabbing | 1993 |
| Parker Moore | 20 | Linfield College | Linebacker | Homicide | 2014 |
| Stanley Moore | Michigan College of Mines | Shooting | 1931 | ||
| Darris Morris | 21 | Catawba College | Linebacker | Shooting | 2002 |
| Kevin Morris | 20 | Antelope Valley College | Defensive back | Homicide | 2001 |
| Edward Morrissey | St. Ambrose College | Blood poisoning after in-game leg injury | 1913 | ||
| Martin Morrow | 21 | Morgan Park Jr. College | Cerebral hemorrhage | 1938 | |
| Meredith Morton | 19 | Rice | Guard | Car crash | 1969 |
| Chucky Mullins | 21 | University of Mississippi | Spinal cord injury after 1989 on-field collision | 1991 | |
| Rudolph Munk | West Virginia University | Halfback | Concussion after being kicked in the head during a game | 1910 | |
| Cornelius Murphy | Fordham University | Brain injury suffered in game vs. Bucknell | 1931 | ||
| Ruben Narcisse | 19 | University of Wyoming | Linebacker | Truck accident | 2010 |
| Derrick Nash | 20 | Central Michigan University | Defensive back | Acute lymphoblastic leukemia | 2015 |
| James Gamble Nippert | 23 | University of Cincinnati | Center | Spike wound suffered while playing vs. Miami | 1923 |
| Rishaul Nital | 22 | Alma College | Defensive lineman | Unknown medical complications | 2015 |
| Vince Njoku | 19 | Lenoir-Rhyne College | Running back | Drowned | 2014 |
| Malik Noshi | 22 | Northern Arizona University | Offensive lineman | Opioid overdose | 2019 |
| Carleton Oats Jr. | 18 | Utah State University | Collapsed during workout | 1987 | |
| Charles Ogbogu | 26 | Thomas More College | Linebacker | Cardiac arrest | 2003 |
| Idong Okon | 21 | University of Arkansas, Monticello | Offensive lineman | Asthma attack | 2015 |
| Aaron O'Neal | 19 | University of Missouri | Defensive back | Viral meningitis | 2005 |
| Markel Owens | 21 | Arkansas State University | Defensive lineman | Shot during home robbery | 2014 |
| Greg Page | 19 | University of Kentucky | Defensive end | Neck injury sustained in practice | 1967 |
| L.L. Paine | Cornell University | Internal injuries suffered in a scrimmage | 1910 | ||
| John Pappas | 20 | Boston University | Guard | Head injuries suffered in Boston University-Syracuse game | 1953 |
| Troy Pappas | 18 | Bates College | Wide receiver | Injuries from stairwell fall | 2012 |
| Nick Pasquale | 20 | UCLA | Wide receiver | Hit by a car | 2013 |
| Bryan Pata | 22 | University of Miami | Homicide | 2006 | |
| Ladarious Phillips | 20 | Auburn University | Fullback | Homicide | 2012 |
| Kovensky Pierre | 18 | Bethune-Cookman | Offensive lineman | Car accident | 2004 |
| Alfred Pimm | Amherst College | Halfback | Spinal injuries incurred during practice | 1926 | |
| Cole Pittman | 21 | University of Texas at Austin | Defensive tackle | Car crash | 2001 |
| Ereck Plancher | 19 | University of Central Florida | Heat stroke | 2008 | |
| Polie Poitier | 19 | University of Colorado Boulder | Defensive back | Collapsed during training run due to complications from sickle cell disease | 1974 |
| Greg Pratt | 20 | Auburn University | Fullback | Collapsed on practice field | 1983 |
| Gregory Pratt | 19 | Abilene Christian University | Pulmonary aspiration | 1980 | |
| Ted Presley | 22 | University of Kentucky | Cornerback | Shooting while playing Russian roulette | 1993 |
| Bob Priester | University of Mississippi | Defensive lineman | While running laps | 1965 | |
| Charles Prior | 22 | Lehigh University | Quarterback | Injuries suffered in game vs. West Virginia Wesleyan | 1925 |
| Michael Rakov | 20 | Williams College | Guard | Car accident | 1955 |
| Francis "Buzz" Randall | 20 | Oregon State | Center | Leukemia | 1958 |
| Demarius Reed | 20 | Eastern Michigan | Wide receiver | Homicide by gunshot | 2013 |
| Robert Reid | Centenary College of Louisiana | Homicide | 1925 | ||
| Mike Reily | 21 | Williams College | Center and middle linebacker | Hodgkin's disease | 1964 |
| Trey Rich | 26 | Belhaven University | Receiver | Struck by drunk motorist while riding bike | 2014 |
| Aaron Richardson | 18 | Bowling Green State University | Running back and cornerback | During practice | 2004 |
| Brandon Robinson | 20 | South Carolina State University | Linebacker/ defensive end | Homicide | 2014 |
| Osric Robinson | 21 | Old Dominion University | Linebacker | Car crash | 2008 |
| Joe Roth | 21 | University of California Berkeley | Quarterback | Melanoma | 1977 |
| Brandon Rouse | 20 | Clemson | Defensive tackle | Heart attack | 2000 |
| Rich Royster | 20 | Central Connecticut State University | Defensive tackle | Car accident | 2011 |
| Ja'Mine Rozzell | 18 | University of New Mexico | Fullback | Drowning in river | 1997 |
| Willie Ryles | 19 | University of Alabama | Defensive lineman | Blood clot | 1986 |
| Mike Sadler | 24 | Michigan State University | Punter | Car crash | 2016 |
| John "Button" Salmon | 22 | University of Arizona | Quarterback | Car crash | 1926 |
| Wesley Salonen | 23 | Montana School of Mines | Center | Neck fracture in game vs. Eastern Montana | 1951 |
| Daniel Schatz | 19 | University of Missouri | Quarterback | Car accident | 2010 |
| Allan Schafer | 17 | University of Wisconsin–Madison | Quarterback | Injuries sustained in a game vs. Iowa | 1944 |
| AJ Schlatter | 20 | Portland State Vikings football | Linebacker | Blood clot after tonsil surgery | 2016 |
| Garrett Schlichtemeier | 19 | Chadron State College | Wide receiver | Car accident | 2010 |
| Steve Schoenecker | 18 | Platteville State University | Heart attack at practice | 1969 | |
| Bryan Scott | Knox College | Tackle | Neck injury in game vs. Saint Louis University | 1915 | |
| George Scruggs | 19 | University of Alabama | Running back | Car accident | 1986 |
| Stephen Seard | 20 | Johnson C. Smith University | Seizure | 2009 | |
| Jay Seiler | 19 | University of Wisconsin–Madison | Defensive back | Brain injury during practice | 1979 |
| Ron Settles | 21 | California State University, Long Beach | Running back | Found hanging in jail cell | 1981 |
| Jeff Seymour | 20 | University of Tennessee | Defensive back | Cerebral aneurysm | 1994 |
| Zach Shaver | 18 | Tarleton State University | Defensive lineman | Head injury sustained during practice | 2010 |
| Alan Shaw | University of Connecticut | Linebacker | Died in hospital after undisclosed illness | 1974 | |
| Derek Sheely | 22 | Frostburg State University | Fullback | Brain injury from a helmet-to-helmet hit in practice | 2011 |
| Richard Brinsley Sheridan | United States Military Academy | End | Broke neck while a making tackle in the Army-Yale game | 1931 | |
| Scott Sinclair | 19 | University of South Carolina | Defensive end | Collapsed in locker room during practice | 1979 |
| Dwane Simmons | 23 | Washburn University | Defensive Back | Homicide by gunshot | 2019 |
| Matt Sklom | 18 | Ferris State University | linebacker | Heart failure during drills | 2002 |
| Ja'Quayvin Smalls | 20 | Western Carolina University | Defensive back | During workout | 2009 |
| Shannon Smith | 20 | University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa | Kicker | Drowning | 1997 |
| Claude Smithey | 23 | University of Arkansas | Tackle | Brain injury during game vs. Texas A&M | 1966 |
| Eric Sorey | 21 | University of Southern Mississippi | Fullback | Cardiac arrest following leg cramps | 1986 |
| Gabriel Soto | 21 | Lincoln University | Defensive back | Homicide by shooting | 2013 |
| Wayne Souza | 20 | University of Wisconsin-Madison | Flanker | Drowned while swimming in Lake Monona | 1979 |
| Brian Spruill | 17 | Bethany College | Defensive back | Fall through a window | 1984 |
| Dylan Steigers | 21 | Eastern Oregon University | Safety | Brain injury during scrimmage | 2010 |
| Freddie Joe Steinmark | 22 | University of Texas at Austin | Safety | Osteosarcoma | 1971 |
| Artie Steinmetz | 19 | University of Kentucky | Defensive tackle | Vehicular homicide | 1998 |
| Rodney Stowers | 20 | Mississippi State University | Nose guard | Pulmonary hemorrhage after in-game leg injury | 1991 |
| Sule Osagiede | 20 | Tulane University | Linebacker | Car accident | 2010 |
| Zach Swircyznski | 20 | Austin College | During pickup game of basketball | 2009 | |
| Parnell Sylvio | 20 | Indiana University Bloomington | Tailback | Stroke during practice | 1987 |
| Dale Taylor | Southern University | Linebacker | Cardiomyopathy during drills | 1998 | |
| Jack Tandy | 21 | San Francisco State University | Tackle | Neck injury during San Francisco State-Cal Poly game | 1940 |
| Bruce Tarver | Stanford University | Lineman | Car accident | 1933 | |
| Christian Taylor | 19 | Angelo State University | Defensive back | Shot by police during an incident at a car dealership | 2015 |
| Altee Tenpenny | 20 | Nicholls State university | Running back | Car accident | 2015 |
| Damon Terrell | 21 | University of Arizona | Tight end | Air embolism after removal of dialysis catheter | 1995 |
| Owen Thomas | 21 | University of Pennsylvania | Defensive end | Suicide | 2010 |
| Fred Thompson | 19 | Oregon State University | Defensive tackle | Cardiac arrhythmia | 2011 |
| William Tierney | 20 | Fordham University | Defensive back | Cardiac arrest prior to game vs. Lafayette | 1996 |
| Gary Tinsley | 22 | University of Minnesota | Linebacker | Enlarged heart | 2012 |
| Will Trevillion | 20 | Texas State University | Defensive lineman | Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy | 2016 |
| Jack Trice | 21 | Iowa State University | In-game internal injuries suffered playing vs. the University of Minnesota | 1923 | |
| Brian Truhn | 21 | Ithaca College | On bench during game vs. Brockport State | 1968 | |
| Bryce Turner | 19 | University of California | Cornerback | Unknown causes | 2019 |
| Nicholas Turner | 20 | Northwest Missouri State University | Defensive end | Unknown causes | 2016 |
| Joseph Tusan | 18 | East Central University | Defensive back | Thrown from a pickup bed in a hit-and-run incident | 2004 |
| Terrence Tusan | 22 | Howard University | Running back | Shooting | 2014 |
| Garrett Uekman | 19 | University of Arkansas | Tight end | Cardiac arrest | 2011 |
| McCollins Umeh | 18 | University of Arizona | Enlarged heart | 2004 | |
| Gaius Vaenuku | 18 | University of Utah | Defensive tackle | Car crash | 2013 |
| Jacob Valdiviezo | 19 | Lewis and Clark College | Wide receiver | Homicide | 2014 |
| Daniel Van Etten | West Virginia University | Car accident | 1998 | ||
| Rinaldo Villardi | 18 | Clemson | Motorcycle crash | 1950 | |
| Joseph Villavisencio | 22 | Texas A&M | Offensive lineman | Car crash | 2011 |
| Richard Von Albade Gammon | 17 | Georgia | Fullback | Concussion sustained during game vs. Virginia | 1897 |
| Robert Vorhies | 18 | Virginia Tech | Running back | Following punishment drill | 1980 |
| Chris Waddell | 18 | Northwestern State University | Offensive lineman | Collapsed during workout | 2004 |
| Brian Wagner | Emporia State University | Assault | 1999 | ||
| Scott Wehnes | 21 | Charleston Southern University | Defensive lineman | Collapsed while going to practice | 1998 |
| Pat Wheeler | North Texas State College | Neck injury during North Texas State-Texas Tech freshman game | 1961 | ||
| Rashidi Wheeler | 22 | Northwestern University | Defensive back | Heat stroke | 2001 |
| Ronnie White | University of Idaho | Car accident | 1945 | ||
| Thomas White | 19 | Southern Methodist University | Heart attack during practice | 1966 | |
| John Wightman | 21 | Marietta College | Neck fracture in sophomore vs. freshman game | 1930 | |
| Chad Wiley | 20 | North Carolina A&T State University | Heat stroke | 2008 | |
| Curtis Williams | 24 | University of Washington | Spinal cord injury suffered in a 2000 on-field collision | 2001 | |
| Hugh Martin Williams | 18 | Loyola | Kick to abdomen at practice | 1932 | |
| James Williams | 19 | Diablo Valley College | Defensive back | Seizure during drills | 2002 |
| Marcellis Williamson | 22 | Ohio University | Defensive lineman | Heart attack | 2011 |
| Earl Wilson | 24 | United States Naval Academy | Quarterback | Neck injury sustained in a game vs. Villanova University in 1909 | 1910 |
| Hoot Wilson | Howard College | Brain hemorrhage suffered in freshman vs. varsity game | 1933 | ||
| Ralph Wilson | Wabash College | Halfback | In-game injuries | 1910 | |
| Shannon Wright | 22 | University of Arkansas | Linebacker | Suicide by firearm | 1993 |
| Narles Yde-Lane | 18 | Caroll College | Suicide by firearm | 2004 | |
| Theodore York | Yale University | Guard | Pneumonia following in-game rib fractures vs. Army | 1912 | |
| John Zola | 20 | Lebanon Valley College | Blood clot on brain suffered during Lebanon Valley College-Drexel Tech game | 1961 | |
| Thomas Gilbert Graves | 21 | Quarterback | Broken neck during home game on Thanksgiving vs West Tennessee Normal School in Memphis | 1924 | |
| Marquis Brown | 21 | Duquesne University | Running Back | Fall from 16th floor of residence hall | 2018 |
Team vehicle and plane accidents
- Purdue: 14 members of football team were killed in a railroad collision.
- Northwestern Oklahoma A&M: 5 football players were killed in a head-on highway crash.
- Marshall: 37 members died in an airplane crash.
- Wichita State: most of the starting players and coaches, 31 in total, died in an airplane crash.
- Cal Poly Mustangs football team: 16 players and 6 others died in an airplane crash.
- Southwestern Oklahoma State: 4 football players were killed in a car accident.