Gone too soon. A phrase often muttered among fans and broadcasters everywhere this year. With the deaths of Jose Fernandez and Arnold Palmer on Sept. 25, this trend of unexpected deaths in sports continued.

The most notable deaths among athletes were Muhammad Ali, Gordie Howe and Palmer, all legends. Although their deaths were tragic, all were 74 years old or older, and Ali had Parkinson’s disease, their passings were not completely unexpected. Deaths such as Fernandez’s, Tray Walker, Will Smith and Bryce Dejean-Jones’ were out of the blue.

Smith left home a wife and kids. Shot and killed in a “random act of rage” in the back, on the street. Jones was shot at 3 a.m. attempting to bust down a door he thought was his ex-girlfriend’s because he wanted to get in for his kid’s first birthday. One a senseless act of violence, another a sad mistake.

All four were younger than 35. Only Smith was not on an active roster. This type of event is unusual and demonstrated how sports draw communities together, even in sad situations. Coming together is what Miami had to do after Fernandez’ death.

As Miami Marlins’ second baseman Dee Gordon rounded third slowly, wearing Fernandez’s number 16 jersey, weeping profusely, the world was reminded that sports can be bigger than a game. When the team placed their hats on the mound with 16 on the sand after a win, not a dry eye was in sight in Miami.

On a New Orleans’ Friday night, the usual partying was at a low. Smith’s funeral was being held, and as his wife and kids looked on, a “love letter from Will” that Smith wrote in 2011 was read.

“When I die I don’t want people to cry. I lived a wonderful life. I was gifted with a great family, kids and wife,” Smith’s letter said. “…I don’t want you [his kids] to dictate your life based upon what society says. We all create our right and wrong.”

The deaths have a lasting impact, but the game moves on. That may be the cruelest thing about sports: the mourning period is minuscule. The day after their teammate died, the Marlins had to play a game. Imagine your best friend dying and then having to play a game the next day.

This was a unique year in many ways for sports, but sudden deaths of these young athletes cast a grim light. The mourning actions of their comrades, the media and coaches are inspiring in the way they treated these deaths, retiring numbers and creating memorials. Their lives were celebrated adequately, and they will never be forgotten.