To this day, Chuck Hughes, a wide receiver for the 1971 Detroit Lions, is the only NFL player to die on the field of play. Hughes suffered a fatal heart attack during a game against the Chicago Bears at Tiger Stadium on October 24 of that year.
In a sport as brutal as football, it's amazing that we've only had one fatality in NFL history. The Lions honored Hughes by retiring his #85 (the original Ocho Cinco?) and also named the "Most Improved Lion" award in his name. (Do the Lions ever improve?)
MLB
In baseball's long history, no player has ever died on the field. Ray Chapman, a shortstop for Cleveland, was the closest -- he died the day after being struck in the head by Yankees pitcher Carl Mays during a game in 1920. Helmets were not required until 30 years later.
NHL
The NHL death history is similar to MLB -- no one ever died on the ice. Two players -- Bill Masterston and Howie Morenz - died after incidents on the ice. Masterton is actually listed as the only player in NHL history to be killed as a direct result of an on-ice incident during a game.
Playing for the Minnesota North Stars, Masterson was checked and fell backwards on the ice, sustaining a massive brain hemorrhage. He died two days later. The NHL's Bill Masterson Trophy is named in his honor. The trophy is awarded for dedication, sportsmanship, and perseverance.
Howie Morenz died a couple months after sustaining a broken leg in a game while playing for Montreal.
NBA
No player has ever died on the court or as the result of a game injury.
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