1999
Photograph By Getty Images
Bears legend Walter Payton, the NFL's rushing leader at the time, died of bile duct cancer at age 45 on Nov. 1, 1999. "Sweetness" disclosed earlier in the year that he was suffering from primary sclerosing cholangitis and needed a liver transplant. Elton Brand, the No. 1 overall pick, shared NBA Rookie of the Year with Steve Francis, averaging 20.1 points and 10 rebounds a game ...
