Notable sports deaths of 2010

“Dandy Don” played for the Dallas Cowboys before becoming a broadcaster. He infused “Monday Night Football” with humor for 12 seasons and was the “perfect foil” to Howard Cosell. Above, he interviews Dallas coach Tom Landry. He was 72. Full obituary

Notable sports deaths of 2010

Notable deaths of 2010

Notable film and television deaths of 2010

Notable political deaths of 2010  (Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images)

The UCLA basketball coach won 10 national titles during his 27-season tenure with the Bruins, making him one of the greatest coaches in sports history. He also created the “Pyramid of Success” motivational program. He was 99. Full obituary

Notable deaths of 2010

Notable sports deaths of 2010  (George Wilhelm / Los Angeles Times)

Blanda’s football career spanned four decades. He almost single-handedly won five consecutive games for the Oakland Raiders. He also played for the Chicago Bears, Baltimore Colts and Houston Oilers. He was 83. Full obituary

Notable deaths of 2010

Notable film and television deaths of 2010

Notable sports deaths of 2010

Notable political deaths of 2010  (Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Bol was a 7-foot-6 curiosity when he was drafted in 1985 by the then-Washington Bullets. He played in the NBA for 10 seasons specializing in shot-blocking, breaking a record in his rookie season. He sent millions of dollars to his native Sudan. He was 47. Full obituary

Notable deaths of 2010

Notable film and television deaths of 2010

Notable sports deaths of 2010

Notable political deaths of 2010  (Peter Martell / AFP / Getty Images )

He spent 14 seasons as an NFL head coach, five with St. Louis and nine with San Diego. His famed “Air Coryell” offense led the league in passing yardage every season from 1978 through 1983. He was 85. Full obituary

Notable deaths of 2010

Notable film and television deaths of 2010

Notable sports deaths of 2010

Notable political deaths of 2010  (Robert Lachman / Los Angeles Times)

The New York Giant’s home run, known as the “shot heard around the world,” gave the team the National League championship over the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951 and led broadcaster Russ Hodges to repeatedly yell, “The Giants win the pennant!” He was 86. Full obituary  (Associated Press)

The former all-pro linebacker for the Rams first led Riverside International Raceway and then oversaw development of Auto Club Speedway as venues for NASCAR. He was 79. Full obituary

Notable deaths of 2010

Notable film and television deaths of 2010

Notable sports deaths of 2010

Notable political deaths of 2010  (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)