George Best Cause of Death Explained: Liver Failure, Infection, and Legacy
By Alexander Ross
Best entered Cromwell Hospital on October 3, 2005, displaying flu-like symptoms. Doctors immediately identified a severe kidney infection. For an average patient, targeted intravenous antibiotics might have resolved the issue within days. Best, however, was running on borrowed biological time.
His kidneys ceased filtering toxins efficiently. Bacteria entered his bloodstream, prompting a severe lung infection that quickly progressed to acute respiratory distress. By late October, clinical team leader Dr. Roger Williams moved Best into the intensive care unit (ICU).
The crisis deepened in mid-November when Best developed severe internal bleeding throughout his gastrointestinal tract. He required mechanical ventilation and massive blood transfusions. His liver, already fragile, could no longer process clotting factors. Toxic metabolites accumulated in his bloodstream, damaging his heart, lungs, and central nervous system. On November 20, internal hemorrhaging accelerated. Doctors placed him on full life support. Five days later, following an irreversible decline across every vital indicator, doctors withdrew mechanical ventilation with the consent of his son, Calum Best, and close family members. He died at 12:55 GMT.
Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.
