Jan 19 Alphonse "Tuffy" Leemans, American NFL fullback (NY Giants), dies of a heart attack at 66 Jan 22 Ali Hassan Salameh [Abu Hassan], killed by car bomb; believed to have helped mastermind massacre of 1972 Munich Olympics athletes Dec 1978 Deaths in Sport by Year Feb 1979 Famous Sports Stars Baseball Players Basketball Stars Boxers Footballers NFL Stars Tennis Champions