- Dec 11 Arthur Lydiard, New Zealand running coach, dies at 87
- Dec 11 José Luis Cuciuffo, Argentinian soccer defender (21 caps; Vélez Sársfield, Boca Juniors, Nîmes Olympique), dies from gunshot wound in stomach while hunting at 43
- Dec 12 George Hunter, South African boxer (Olympic gold light heavyweight 1948), dies at 77
- Dec 13 Andre Rodgers, Bahamian baseball shortstop (first Bahamian to play in MLB; NY/SF Giants; Chicago Cubs), dies at 70
- Dec 14 Rod Kanehl, American baseball player, dies at 70
- Dec 16 Ted Abernathy, American baseball player (b. 1933)
- Dec 18 Vijay Hazare, Indian cricket batsman and captain (30 Tests, 7 x 100, HS 164no; Maharashtra, Central India, Baroda, Holkar), dies at 89
- Dec 22 Doug Ault, American baseball player (b. 1950)
- Dec 24 Johnny Oates, American MLB baseball catcher, 1970-81 (Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and 3 other teams), and manager, 1991-2001 (Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers), dies of brain cancer at 58
Reggie White (1961-2004)
Dec 26 American College-Pro Football HOF defensive end (Super Bowl XXXI Green Bay Packers; 8 × First-team All-Pro; 13 x Pro Bowl; NFL Defensive Player of the Year 1987, 98), dies of cardiac arrhythmia at 43
- Dec 29 Ken Burkhart, American baseball player (St. Louis Cardinals) and umpire, dies at 88
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions