10 Famous Father-Son Athletes

Buddy Ryan, Rex Ryan and Rob Ryan

This choice is a little different from the others. Not only does the father and son combination include two sons, but all three are coaches. Buddy Ryan has been a head coach and defensive coordinator for six different NFL teams. Rex Ryan is the head coach of the New York Jets. Rob Ryan is the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. As defensive coordinators and head coaches, the trio is famous for producing some of the best defenses in the league.

Ken Griffey, Sr., and Ken Griffey, Jr.

How many sons grow up playing baseball with their fathers? Ken Griffey, Jr. definitely learned from his dad and followed in his footsteps. Ken Griffey, Sr. played with the Cincinnati Reds and won three All-star MVPs in 1976, 1977, and 1980. His son, Ken Griffey, Jr. went on to make a name for himself in professional baseball winning a number of awards, including 10 Gold Glove awards, seven Silver Slugger awards and the American League MVP in 1997. He is famous for being voted 13 times to the All-Star game.

Tony Gwynn, Sr., and his son, Tony Gwynn, Jr.

Unlike the previous selection, it can be difficult for a son to live up to his father's legacy in sports. Tony Gwynn, Sr., and his son, Tony Gwynn, Jr., are examples of that. Although Tony Gwynn, Jr., is a successful baseball player in his own right, his father's legacy is much broader. Tony Sr. is a member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame. He had more than 200 hits in five seasons. Tony Jr. has been in the league for seven years and still has a way to go to live up to his father's memory. Tony Sr. died on June 16, 2014.

Bobby Hull and Brett Hull

There is probably no better father and son combination in the NHL than this father and son combo. Both were inducted in the into the NHL Hall of Fame ??? Bobby in 1983 and Brett in 2009. Both have had their jersey retired and have won the Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy.

Randy Couture and Ryan Couture

This boxing father and son duo are both amazing athletes and great mixed-martial artist fighters. Although Ryan is not built like his father, he displays similar tenancies in the ring. Randy Couture was a heavyweight, and has won a number of belts and championships. Ryan is a lightweight with an impressive 4-1 record and a bright future.

Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning

This is another father and son combination that includes a father and two sons that have been very successful in the NFL. Unlike the Ryan dynasty, all three Mannings have been quarterbacks. All three have been super successful quarterbacks, having been voted MVP and the sons have each won at least one Super Bowl.

Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and his sons Dale Jr. and Kerry

Dale Earnhardt Sr. is a NASCAR legend, winning 76 races and seven Winston Cups. His untimely death occurred in 2001 when he crashed during that year???s Daytona 500. His two sons, Dale Jr. and Kerry have yet to live up to their father's legacy, which is pretty tough to do. Dale Jr. has won more than a dozen NASCAR races. Kerry is not as famous, but has made a name for himself when he raced against his brother and father in the Pepsi 400 race in 2000.

Joe "Jellybean" Bryant and Kobe Bryant

Here is a father and son combination where the son is more famous than the dad. Joe Bryant was a forward and center in the NBA from 1975-1983. He played for three different NBA teams. He scored more than 5,000 points and 2,000 rebounds in his career. His son, Kobe, has only played for one team so far during his career: the Los Angeles Lakers. He was won multiple championships, been voted 14 times to the All-Star team, and won the NBA MVP award in 2008.

Ken Norton, Sr. and Ken Norton, Jr.

Here is a father and son duo that played in two different sports. Ken Norton Sr. was a professional boxer and Ken Norton Jr. was a prolific football player in the NFL. Ken Sr. is famous for defeating Muhammad Ali in 1978. Ken Jr. was a tough linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco Giants. He has been in three Pro Bowl teams and was an All-Pro twice. Ken Jr. also won three Super Bowl rings.

Calvin Hill and Grant Hill

Another example of a father and son duo playing in two different sports. Calvin Hill played professional football as a running back during the 1970s. His son, Grant Hill, is famous as a professional basketball player. Both Hills played for multiple teams during their careers and each won numerous awards and recognition for their outstanding skills.

Ken Williams and Kyle Williams

Another example of a son going a different direction in sports than what his father played. Maybe it takes the pressure off the son to achieve or match up to his father's success or maybe the son performs better or prefers a different sport. Whatever the case, Kyle Williams chose to play the football instead of baseball like his famous father did. Ken Sr. had a very successful baseball career and is a general manager of the Chicago White Sox. Kyle hasn't quite experienced the success of his father despite playing another sport.

Gill Byrd and Jairus Byrd

Jairus Byrd followed his dad's footsteps playing in the NFL. Both have played similar roles. Gill played cornerback and safety for the San Diego Chargers and Jairus played safety for the Buffalo Bills. Both had outstanding careers and making it on the All-Pro team.