- Jan 1 Billy Joe Patton, American golfer (Masters 1954 3rd; Walker Cup captain 1969), dies at 88
- Jan 4 Coen Moulijn, Dutch soccer winger (38 caps; Feyenoord 487 games, European Cup 1970), dies from a cerebral infarction at 73
- Jan 6 Uche Okafor, Nigerian footballer (b. 1967)
- Jan 7 Derek Gardner, British Formula 1 car designer (b. 1931)
- Jan 8 Thorbjørn Svenssen, Norwegian footballer (b. 1924)
- Jan 10 Cookie Gilchrist, American football fullback (AFL All Star 1962-65; AFL MVP 1962; CFL All Star 1956-60), dies of chronic traumatic encephalopathy at 75
- Jan 15 Nat Lofthouse, English Footballer (b. 1925)
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