We’ve all heard the clich “Live everyday as if it’s your last,” and sadly, it appears many professional athletes may have to do that sooner than expected.Whether it was former Arizona State and Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman getting killed in the line of fire in Afghanistan at 27, former San Diego Padre All Star Ken Caminiti dying of a heart attack at 41, former Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers great Reggie White dying at 43 of a heart condition or most recently 46-year-old Kirby Puckett suffering a stroke and dying the next day, shows anything can happen.

I remember as a child feeling as if many of my favorite athletes would live on and never die.

With the exception of White, there is on-going controversy surrounding the deaths of all of the athletes I’ve just mentioned.

Upon hearing of Tillman’s death, first reports were the enemy killed him, but just a month after that, “friendly fire” was the cause of his death. Now, just last week, the military said it would once again investigate Tillman’s death as a possible homicide.

I know it’s good to know the truth, but I say just let him rest in peace. Uncovering the true cause of death won’t bring him back, so let’s try focusing on the good things he did for his country rather than constantly bringing up the fact that he is dead.

Even more controversy followed the death of Caminiti, who admitted to using steroids months before his death.

I can see the reasoning behind looking at steroids as a cause, but once again what good will it do? I’m sure his family would rather leave his death as a heart attack rather than steroid use.

Finally there is the recent passing of Minnesota Twins great Puckett. Upon hearing he had a stroke, I was shocked, but I never expected he’d leave this earth, too.

I logged in to ESPN.com late last Monday night and was greeted with the headline “Puckett dead at 46.” It was then that I realized how quickly things can change in a person’s life.

Many critics are saying he was overweight and didn’t take care of himself, which is what led to his stroke. Sure he was overweight, but anyone at any time can have a stroke; it’s a fact of life.

These athletes and many more who passed early played instrumental roles in their sports.

I can still see images of Puckett hitting the game-winning home run against the Braves in game six of the 1991 World Series or robbing batters of home runs on a regular basis.

If there is one thing I’ve learned from this it’s never hold anything back because, much like these sports “icons,” we never know when it’s going to be our time.