Dead and Gone: NFL Players That Left Us Too Soon

Derrick Thomas: LB, Kansas City

11 Sep 1994: Linebacker Derrick Thomas of the Kansas City Chiefs sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young during a game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won the game, 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Mike Powell /Allsport

Eric Turner: DB, Cleveland Browns

1 JAN 1995: CLEVELAND BROWN SAFETY ERIC TURNER CELEBRATES FOLLOWING THE BROWNS STOPPING OF NEW ENGLAND''S LAST ATTEMPT TO SCORE LATE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER DURING CLEVELAND''S 20-13 AFC WILD CARD VICTORY OVER THE PATRIOTS IN CLEVELAND. Mandatory Credit:

Don Rogers: S, Cleveland Browns

Fred Lane: RB, Carolina Panthers

19 Sep 1999: Fred Lane #32 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Jaguars defeated the Panthers 22-20. Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /Allsport

Walter Payton: RB, Chicago Bears

Reggie White: DE, Green Bay Packers

26 Jan 1997: Defensive lineman Reggie White of the Green Bay Packers closes in on New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe during Super Bowl XXXI at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Packers won the game, 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Stephen

Pat Tillman: S, Arizona Cardinals

Darrent Williams: Cornerback, Denver Broncos

DENVER - JANUARY 14: Cornerback Darrent Williams #27 of the Denver Broncos runs with the ball during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots on January 14, 2006 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Brian

Korey Stringer: OT, Minnesota Vikings

7 Dec 1997: Bryant Young #97 of the San Francisco 49ers runs around Korey Stringer #77 of the Minnesota Vikings during a game at 3Com Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers defeated the Vikings 28-17. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule Jr. /Allsport

Joe Delaney: RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Sean Taylor: S, Washington Redskins