Mar 1 Dixie Dean, English soccer striker (16 caps; Everton), dies from a heart attack at 73 Mar 1 Emmett Ashford, American baseball umpire (first certified black umpire), dies from a heart attack at 65 Mar 12 Arthur Charles Dobson, British racing driver (b. 1914) Mar 15 Gerald Abrahams, English author (Teach Yourself Chess), dies at 72 Mar 18 Herman Griffith, West Indian cricket fast bowler (13 Tests; 44 wickets; best 6-103), dies at 86 Jesse Owens (1913-1980) Mar 31 American athlete (4 Olympic gold 100/200m, long jump, 4x100m relay 1936), dies of lung cancer at 66 Feb 1980 Deaths in Sport by Year Apr 1980 Famous Sports Stars Baseball Players Basketball Stars Boxers Footballers NFL Stars Tennis Champions