COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Moment of Tragedy in Sports History
In March 1993, the Cleveland Indians faced an unimaginable tragedy. The morning after the tragic deaths of two of his relief pitchers in a boating accident, Mike Hargrove, then the Indians’ manager, arrived at the team’s spring-training facility around 6 a.m. to find the parking lot filled with players, all eager to come together in the wake of the shocking loss. Team leaders believed it was essential for everyone to be united after the deaths of Steve Olin and Tim Crews, pushing Hargrove into a position where he had to lead a team meeting.
“I had no idea what I was going to say or do. Where do you even begin?” Hargrove reflected. “I prayed silently, asking God to grant me the words to help us start the process of understanding and grieving.”
Gathering the players in the clubhouse, Hargrove arranged chairs in a large circle and took his place in the middle. “I began talking, and when I ran out of things to say or couldn’t continue, one of the players would stand up and share their thoughts. We did this for what felt like hours. It was a difficult experience, but ultimately, I think it was beneficial.”
Unfortunately, few professional athletes can truly comprehend the kind of grief the Columbus Blue Jackets have had to endure since the tragic night of August 29, when Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, were struck by a vehicle while cycling. The Blue Jackets are now facing the daunting challenge of navigating through the upcoming 2024-25 season while grappling with this profound loss.
However, the Blue Jackets are not alone in their struggle with tragedy so close to the start of a season. The 1993 crash that claimed the lives of Olin and Crews and left Bob Ojeda severely injured happened mere weeks before the season began. Similarly, in 2001, the Minnesota Vikings faced a devastating loss when Pro Bowl offensive tackle Korey Stringer succumbed to heatstroke on the second day of training camp, just days before their preseason opener.
Like the Gaudreaus’ untimely passing, the sudden deaths of Stringer, Olin, and Crews sent shockwaves through the sports community, and the effects are still felt within these organizations decades later. The Athletic spoke with players and coaches from those teams, exploring the challenges of returning to work, finding motivation amidst grief, and coping with overwhelming emotions.
“I was heartbroken for their families,” said Byron Chamberlain, a former Vikings tight end and teammate of Stringer. “I felt deep sadness for the players in Columbus. I truly understand the pain they’re experiencing.”
‘The Darkest Day’
March 22, 1993, would become an infamous day for Cleveland sports. Olin, Crews, and Ojeda had ventured out on their only day off during spring training to enjoy a day at Crews’ ranch on Little Lake Nellie, about 45 minutes away from their training facility in Winter Haven, Florida.
That evening, while driving the boat, Crews miscalculated the distance to a pier that extended 185 feet into the water. The boat collided violently with the pier, resulting in Olin’s instant death. Crews, whose blood-alcohol level was recorded above the legal limit, passed away several hours later in the hospital. Ojeda was left with severe head injuries, undergoing extensive treatment in the hospital.
Longtime Cleveland broadcaster Jim Donovan labeled it “the darkest day in Cleveland sports history.” Olin, coming off a season with 29 saves, was anticipated to be the team’s closer. Crews had just signed as a free agent from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The last time an active major leaguer had been killed was in 1979, when Thurman Munson of the New York Yankees perished in a plane crash. Hargrove recalled the somber atmosphere, stating, “We had around 50 or 60 players in camp, and seeing many of them in tears—these are grown men—was sobering. As manager, I was at a loss for words. It was a shocking moment.”
Carlos Baerga, then a star infielder for the team, now serves as a Spanish-language broadcaster for the Guardians. When he learned about the Gaudreau tragedy, it immediately brought back memories of the losses of Olin and Crews. He discussed it during his next broadcast.
“In professional sports, our jobs are unique,” Baerga said. “We become a family, spending more time together than we do with most people in our lives. The bonds run deep. I pray for their families and for the players and fans in Columbus.”
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Hargrove kept Olin and Crews’ lockers intact for several weeks, even traveling with their jerseys for road games. After some time, however, the team decided to remove the constant reminders of their loss, realizing it was best for their healing process.
The Indians finished the season with a 10-game deficit below .500 for the second consecutive year. “It was a tough time for us,” Baerga admitted. Sandy Alomar, an All-Star catcher for Cleveland who now serves as the first-base coach and catching instructor, reflected on the enduring impact of that season. “Even now, as we train in Goodyear, Arizona, I often think of my former teammates,” he said. “That season will forever be a difficult memory.”
In the wake of the tragedy, Hargrove made himself available for anyone who needed to talk. The team had a mental coach on staff who was initially brought in to assist with performance issues, but was redirected to help players with their grief. Hargrove relied heavily on veteran relievers Ted Power and Derek Lilliquist to guide the rest of the team through this painful period.
“It’s challenging to get back to work, truly,” Hargrove said. “But eventually, during workouts or games, it became a temporary escape from constantly thinking about the tragedy. For some, it was a relief to return to that environment.” The team made it their mission to honor Olin and Crews: “We played for Tim and Steve. We knew that’s what they would have wanted from us, and that gave us motivation.”
As Hargrove concluded his conversation with The Athletic, he offered his cell number to the Blue Jackets’ management or coaching staff, expressing a willingness to support them through their difficult journey. He was visibly emotional as he spoke. “Tell them if they need anything … I’ve been where they are,” he said.
‘This Was Different. This Was Forever’
The Vikings’ situation was equally heartbreaking. Following an extensive overhaul of their offensive line, Stringer emerged as a vital leader at left tackle. He was in peak physical condition, pushing through early training camp practices despite the oppressive summer heat in Minnesota.
Stringer had struggled during the first two days of camp, and on the second day, he attempted to continue but ultimately needed to leave practice early to cool off in the air-conditioned trainer’s tent. It was in this tent that he lost consciousness. Many teammates witnessed him leave practice but were unaware of the grave situation. Stringer tragically passed away around 2 a.m., with teammates including Cris Carter, Daunte Culpepper, and Randy Moss gathered in the waiting area for a vigil.
“They woke us up at 5 in the morning to deliver the news,” Walsh recalled, one of the team’s locker-room leaders. “Our entire team was shaken. We felt lost, unsure of how to move forward.” Chamberlain reflected on the profound impact of their leader’s death: “When the leader is shaken, when he is lost, it overwhelms everyone.”
The Vikings organized a memorial service for Stringer in Mankato before his body was flown back to Warren, Ohio, for a private service with family and friends. “In the NFL, we are accustomed to saying goodbye to teammates,” Walsh noted. “It’s a part of the business. But this was different. This was forever.”
In the days that followed Stringer’s death, the team returned to practice, but the atmosphere was noticeably subdued. “It was eerily quiet,” Chamberlain observed. “After days of heat, the weather finally broke, adding to the somber feeling.”
On August 11, just ten days after Stringer’s tragic passing, the Vikings traveled to New Orleans for their preseason opener. “There were many players who were reluctant to board that plane,” Chamberlain recalled. “So many of us were close to Korey, and the mourning was still fresh. I can vividly remember Randy Moss coming out for that game, tears streaming down his face on the sidelines.”
The Vikings, who had previously reached the NFC Championship Game in two of the last three seasons, faced a dramatic decline, finishing the 2001 season with a dismal 5-11 record. “I don’t think we ever truly recovered from the loss,” Chamberlain admitted. The team honored Stringer by displaying his No. 77 on patches worn on their jerseys. His jersey remained in his locker throughout the season, and later, the team held a special night practice to retire his number into the club’s ring of honor.
“When you first hear the news, thoughts of football are distant,” Walsh said. “You focus on his family and the young son he left behind. It’s only when you return to practice that the reality of the football impact hits you.” The Vikings struggled to protect their quarterback, limiting their ability to utilize their offensive weapons effectively, serving as a constant reminder of what they had lost.
Chamberlain was asked for advice for the Blue Jackets players on how to cope with their grief in the upcoming weeks and months. He took a moment to consider his response. “I wish I didn’t have to draw from my own experience,” he began. “But I would encourage them to embrace their feelings of grief, whatever that may look like—crying, reflecting on Gaudreau, praying, or even feeling anger. Allow yourself to feel those emotions; don’t suppress them.”
“I would also urge everyone to seek help if needed,” he continued. “Don’t allow pride or ego to prevent you from reaching out. We may be tough professional athletes, but we are also vulnerable human beings with emotions, just like everyone else. Talk to each other and seek support from those who can help. It will only aid in the healing process.”
The Next Steps
Following the tragic news of Gaudreau’s death, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell and team captain Boone Jenner set aside their own grief to discuss the initial steps the organization should take. Ultimately, it was decided, largely based on Jenner’s urging, to bring all players back to Columbus as soon as possible. Much like the Indians and Vikings had done in the past, Jenner believed that the players needed to be together during this difficult time, not just for morning practices but to support one another as they grieved.
On Wednesday, Waddell and new head coach Dean Evason addressed the media, along with veteran players Zach Werenski, Sean Monahan, and Jenner. Training camp opened on Thursday, with the first preseason game scheduled for Monday in Buffalo, just three weeks ahead of the regular season.
“In the past few weeks, I won’t lie—hockey hasn’t been at the forefront of my mind,” Jenner admitted. “But being here together as a team as we begin camp, we’re feeling a renewed sense of excitement.” He acknowledged the reality of their situation: “What happened to John and Matt isn’t something that will simply vanish. It will be a part of us moving forward. We understand that we need to acknowledge our emotions and support each other through the inevitable tough days ahead.”
In honor of the Gaudreau brothers, the Blue Jackets announced plans to wear helmet stickers and patches on their jerseys featuring Johnny Gaudreau’s number, 13, throughout the season. Their first home game, set for October 15 against Minnesota, will be dedicated to honoring the memory of the Gaudreau brothers.
“While we have to focus on hockey, we won’t forget about Johnny and his family,” Waddell stated. “Everyone knows that Johnny would want us to continue playing. Meredith (Gaudreau’s widow) expressed that sentiment at the funeral, and we’re rallying behind that message.” He acknowledged the likelihood of dark days ahead: “But it’s our responsibility as management, in conjunction with Dean and the coaching staff, to navigate those challenges.”
(Photo of a banner honoring Korey Stringer in 2001: Elsa / Getty Images)
