I am curious if a professional athlete in any sport, anywhere in the world, has ever been struck by lightning during a game.
“curious if a professional athlete in any sport, anywhere in the world, has ever been struck by lightning during a game.”
If anyone pro golfers.
Well I googled that question.
Yes, athletes have been struck by lightning during games, with tragic fatalities and injuries reported in various sports, including soccer and baseball. Notable incidents include the death of a Peruvian soccer player in 2024, a group of four women’s soccer players in Colombia in 2025, and the survival of Cleveland Indians pitcher Ray Caldwell after being struck in 1919.
Recent Tragedies
Peru, 2024:
.
A lightning strike during a soccer match killed a player and injured several others. The game had been suspended due to a thunderstorm, but lightning struck the field as players were leaving.
Colombia, 2025:
.
Four women’s soccer players died after being struck by lightning while sheltering under a tree during a storm that interrupted their match.
Historical Incident
Ray Caldwell (MLB, 1919): Cleveland Indians pitcher Ray Caldwell was struck by lightning during a game. He was knocked unconscious but revived and was able to finish the game, though the incident caused panic in the stadium.
Other Incidents
Colombia, 2025:
.
In a separate incident from the one that killed the four women, another male player in the same Colombian match later died after being injured by lightning.
Brazil, 2024:
.
A 21-year-old soccer player in Brazil was also killed by a lightning strike on the pitch.
(I am curious if a professional athlete in any sport, anywhere in the world, has ever been struck by lightning during a game.)
Absolutely! Golfer Lee Trevino is one. Four women’s soccer players were killed back in February. There’s others
I know of at least one pitcher in a baseball game who was struck and killed on the mound but I don’t think it was in a pro game. If I recall correctly it was in a little league match. Very sad.
A bit off topic but in the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans 80+ people were killed in the worst crash in the history of motor racing. They kept racing and didn’t halt the race because they didn’t want to clog the roads for ambulances and rescue crews for the injured.
Video
Footballer dies after hit by lightning in Indonesia
https://rumble.com/v4cxvr0-footballer-dies-after-being-stuck-by-lightning-in-indonesia.html
Simon John Mariani, 28, was struck by lightning on July 8, 2025, during a competition at the Ballyowen Golf Course in New Jersey and died several days later.
“I am curious if a professional athlete in any sport, anywhere in the world, has ever been struck by lightning during a game.”
Saw a high school pitcher in Parker, Arizona get hit with a fatal bolt of lightning just as he was winding up his pitch back in the 70s. It was shown on the local news channel from Phoenix. Just saw dust kick up and his long hair fly up.
NUTSCAR has been doing this Lightning Storm thing since last Season. 1 ZOT within 18 or so miles of the Track (IIRC) and it’s put on hold until 30 minutes pass with no new zots and then the Fans are allowed back in the stands and they get things going again.
So DEAL WITH IT nfl spectators.
It’s ALL ABOUT THE LAWYER AND LAWSUITS !!!
I am curious if a professional athlete in any sport, anywhere in the world, has ever been struck by lightning during a game.
Yes, they have. Over 100 years ago.
According to the unbelievable stat line, on that date 101 years prior, Roy Caldwell was struck by lightning in the final inning of his Indians debut. Despite being knocked unconscious, he was revived and completed the game.
His first start on the mound for the Indians came on August 24, 1919. That day, against the Philadelphia Athletics, Caldwell allowed only 1 run and 4 hits through 8 2/3 innings.
With two outs in the top of the ninth inning, the unexpected occurred. Although the exact details are disputed, it is fact that a bolt of lightning hit somewhere within League Park, the home of the Indians at that time, and Caldwell was knocked unconscious. “A bolt came hurtling from the sky and smashed into the ground near the pitcher’s mound,” wrote Indians historian Franklin Lewis. “A direct hit would have killed any mortal. Caldwell was struck, a glancing blow fortunately. He was flattened and knocked unconscious for five minutes.”
Others on the field also felt the impact of the strike. Catcher Steve O’Neill’s cap and mask were knocked off. Athletics third base coach Harry Davis‘ hat was knocked off. Numerous others on the field reported feeling numbness. However, Caldwell received the brunt of it, being knocked to the ground. Everyone feared that he was dead.
However, after five minutes, Caldwell woke up, and he insisted on finishing the game. He got the final out, a ground ball to third base, for the complete game win in his memorable Cleveland debut. After the game, he reported having a burn mark on his chest. Besides that, there was no lasting impact from the lightning strike.
https://oddsportsstories.com/2020/08/26/ray-caldwell-the-pitcher-that-was-struck-by-lightning/
Golfer Lee Trevino, 1975
Golfer Simon Mariani, this past July - he died
Many little league baseball players have been struck by lightning over the years....
Pro golfers have been.
There are a couple of YouTube videos showing soccer players apparently affected by close lighting strikes.
Also, I recall Lee Trevino, a pro golfer surviving being struck by lightning.
Yes. His name is Lee Trevino.