List of people from Hampton Roads, Virginia: Difference between revisions
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*[[Joe Smith (basketball player)|Joe Smith]] (b. 1975) – professional basketball player for the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] |
*[[Joe Smith (basketball player)|Joe Smith]] (b. 1975) – professional basketball player for the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] |
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*[[Keely Smith]] (b. 1932) – nightclub singer, wife and stage partner of [[Louis Prima]] |
*[[Keely Smith]] (b. 1932) – nightclub singer, wife and stage partner of [[Louis Prima]] |
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*[[Marcus stanley|Marcus Stanley]] (b. 1985) – minister |
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*[[Margaret Sullavan]] (1909–60) – actress and wife of [[Leland Hayward]] |
*[[Margaret Sullavan]] (1909–60) – actress and wife of [[Leland Hayward]] |
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*[[Chuck Swirsky]] – [[Chicago Bulls]] radio play-by-play announcer, previously with [[Toronto Raptors]] |
*[[Chuck Swirsky]] – [[Chicago Bulls]] radio play-by-play announcer, previously with [[Toronto Raptors]] |
Revision as of 20:43, 20 October 2016
This is a list of notable peoples that were either born in or have lived in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, United States.
Chesapeake
William Fuller (b. 1962) – professional football defensive end for the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears
- Ed Beard (b. 1939) – professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers
- Dré Bly (b. 1977) – professional football player with the Denver Broncos
- Randy Blythe (b. 1971) – vocalist and lyricist for groove metal band Lamb of God
- Michael Copon (b. 1982) – star of One Tree Hill and winner of VH1's But Can They Sing?
- Chris Crocker (b. 1980) – professional football player with the Atlanta Falcons
- Michael Cuddyer (b. 1979) – professional baseball right fielder for the New York Mets
- Kenny Easley (b. 1959) – professional football player with the Seattle Seahawks
- Jeff Falk – NASCAR driver
- DeAngelo Hall (b. 1983) – professional football cornerback for the Washington Redskins
- The Last Bison – indie folk group
- Ashton Lewis (b. 1972) – NASCAR driver
- Alonzo Mourning (b. 1970) – professional basketball player for the Miami Heat
- Darren Perry (b. 1968) – football player with the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jay Pharoah (b. 1987) – actor, comedian, cast member of Saturday Night Live
- Chris Richardson (b. 1984) – American Idol season 5 top 5 finalist
- Ricky Rudd (b. 1956) – professional NASCAR race car driver
- Josh Rupe (b. 1982) – professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers
- Elton Sawyer (b. 1959) – NASCAR driver
- Eric Stanley (b. 1991) – violinist and composer
- B. J. Upton (b. 1984) – professional baseball shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays; drafted #2 overall in 2002
- Justin Upton (b. 1987) – professional baseball player drafted #1 overall in 2005 by the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Adrienne Warren (b. 1987) – professional singer, actress and dancer. Portrays Lorrell Robinson in the 2010 National Tour of Dreamgirls; singer for Trans-Siberian Orchestra
- David Wright (b. 1982) – professional baseball starting third baseman for the New York Mets
- Terra (Cooley) Lowe (b. 1985) – professional softball (pitcher) player.
Hampton
- Ronald Curry (b. 1979) – professional football player for the Oakland Raiders
- Steve Earle (b. 1955) – popular country-rock musician and songwriter
- Shaun Gayle (b. 1962) – professional football player with the San Diego Chargers
- Chris Hanburger (b. 1941) – popular Washington Redskins player in the 1970s
- Mike Husted (b. 1970) – former kicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders, and Washington Redskins
- Weldon Irvine (1943–2002) – musician
- Allen Iverson (b. 1975) – professional basketball player, point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers
- John P. Jumper (b. 1945) – former Chief of Staff of the US Air Force
- Jerod Mayo (b. 1986) – professional football player with the New England Patriots drafted 10th overall in 2008
- Francena McCorory (b. 1988) – member of 2012 gold medal Olympic women's 4x400 team
- Dwight Stephenson (b. 1957) – professional football player for the Miami Dolphins and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Dwight White (1949–2008) – defensive end on the Pittsburgh Steelers during their 1970s glory years
- Jimmy F. Williams (b. 1984) – professional football player with the Atlanta Falcons
- Steve Wilson – jazz musician, alto and soprano saxophones, flute; composer
- Roy "Future Man" Wooten (b. 1957) – musician
- Victor Wooten (b. 1964) – musician
Newport News
- Willie Armstead (b. 1952) – former professional football player in the Canadian Football League
- Pearl Bailey (1918–90) – Tony Award-winning actress and singer
- Antoine Bethea (b. 1984) – professional football strong safety for the San Francisco 49ers
- Larry Bethea (1956–87) – late professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys
- Darryl Blackstock (b. 1983) – professional football player for the Cincinnati Bengals
- Blind Blake (b. 1896–1934) – blues and ragtime musician (not officially confirmed he was born in Newport News)
- Blessid Union of Souls – popular recording artists
- Aaron Brooks (b. 1976) – former professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders; land developer
- Elton Brown (b. 1982) – former professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals
- Joyce Bulifant (b. 1937) – television actress
- Robert Cray (b. 1953) – blues guitarist
- Will Crutchfield (b. 1957) – opera conductor
- Ben Edwards (b. 1992) – American football player
- Frankie Faison (b. 1949) – film actor
- Ella Fitzgerald (1917–96) – jazz singer
- The Five Keys – popular soul and doo-wop act in the 1950s; featuring Newport News locals Ripley Ingram, Bernie West, Dickie Threat and Rudy West
- Johnny Gilbert (b. 1924) – announcer for the television quiz show Jeopardy!
- Marques Hagans (b. 1982) – NFL player
- Henry Jordan (1935–77) – former professional football player for the Green Bay Packers; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Richard Kelly (b. 1975) – film director and writer; films include Donnie Darko and Domino
- Leroy Keyes (b. 1947) – former professional football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles
- J. J. Lankes (1884–1960) – woodcut artist, lived for many years in the Hilton Village neighborhood
- Kwamie Lassiter (b. 1969) – former football safety for the Arizona Cardinals
- David Macklin (b. 1978) – professional football player for the Washington Redskins
- Michael Maguire (b. 1955) – Tony Award-winning actor
- Queen Esther Marrow (b. 1941) – soul and gospel singer
- Lightfoot Solomon Michaux (1885–1969) – evangelist, early radio and television pioneer
- J. Clyde Morris (1909-87) – first executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel; former city manager of the City of Warwick
- Hazel R. O'Leary (b. 1937) – former Secretary of Energy under President Bill Clinton and currently President of Fisk University
- Tommy Reamon (b. 1952) – former pro football player and coach
- Austin Roberts (b. 1945) – singer and songwriter
- Norm Snead (b. 1939) – former professional football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Jon St. John (b. 1960) — voice actor and singer, best known as the voice of Duke Nukem
- William Styron (1925–2006) – author of The Confessions of Nat Turner and Sophie's Choice
- Nick "The Goat" Thompson (b. 1981) – professional mixed martial arts fighter; Bodog Fight Welterweight Champion
- Mike Tomlin (b. 1972) – head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Al Toon (b. 1963) – former professional football player for the New York Jets
- Marcus Vick (b. 1984) – former NFL player, quarterback for Virginia Tech
- Michael Vick (b. 1980) – football quarterback
Norfolk
- Adam Anderson – driver of the Taz and Grave Digger Monster Trucks, and son of Monster Truck driver Dennis Anderson
- Grant Gustin know for his role on Fox's hit show Glee as Sebastian Smythe and for portraying Barry Allen on the Cw's The Flash
- Dennis Anderson – driver of the Grave Digger Monster Truck in the Monster Jam series
- Mason Andrews (1919–2006) – physician who delivered America's first in vitro baby; visionary leader of Norfolk's late 20th century renaissance
- Anhayla (b. 1988) – singer and songwriter
- Gordon Banks (b. 1955) – guitarist and music director for Marvin Gaye
- Al Barks (b. 1936) – Negro league baseball player
- Gary "U.S." Bonds (b. 1939) – singer and songwriter
- Plaxico Burress (b. 1977) – professional football wide receiver for the New York Jets
- William Harvey Carney (1840–1908) – African-American soldier of the American Civil War; Medal of Honor recipient for his part in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry's assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina
- Kam Chancellor (b. 1988) – professional football safety for the Seattle Seahawks
- Clarence Clemons – saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band
- Alex Cosmidis – Minor League baseball player and manager and Major League scout
- William Couper (1853–1942) – sculptor
- Colgate Whitehead Darden, Jr. (1897–1981) – U.S. Representative; Governor of Virginia; Chancellor of the College of William and Mary; third President of the University of Virginia
- Mike D'Orso (b. 1953) – author, journalist
- Charles "Lefty" Driesell (b. 1931) – basketball coach at Davidson College, the University of Maryland, College Park, James Madison University, and Georgia State University
- Rob Estes (b. 1963) – actor
- Samuel Face (1923–2001) – inventor
- Ryan Farish (b. 1974) – music composer, artist, publisher, and record executive of Rytone Entertainment
- William Fuller (b. 1962) – professional football defensive end for the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears
- Stephen Furst (b. 1954) – television actor
- Henry Howell (1920–97) – Independent Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
- Lawrence "LoJo" Johnson (b. 1974) – Olympic pole vaulter, silver medalist in 2000
- General Norman Johnson (b. 1943) – R&B musician
- Kishi Bashi (b. 1975) – indie rock violinist; solo musician; tour member of of Montreal and Regina Spektor
- Naomi Long Madgett (b. 1923) – poet
- Mae – indie rock band
- Thomas W. Moss, Jr. (b. 1928) – Democratic Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, 1992–2000
- Wayne Newton (b. 1942) – aka "Mr. Las Vegas"; singer and songwriter
- Tim Reid (b. 1944) – television actor, director, and film executive
- Jodi Rell (b. 1946) – Republican Governor of Connecticut, 2004–2011
- Joseph Jenkins Roberts (1809–76) – first President of Liberia
- Larry Sabato (b. 1952) – political pundit and professor at the University of Virginia
- Bob Saget (b. 1956) – actor and comedian, current host of 1 vs. 100; known for his role as Danny Tanner on the 1987–95 series Full House and as the original host of America's Funniest Home Videos
- Ed Schultz (b. 1954) – pundit and TV personality for MSNBC
- Deborah Shelton (b. 1948) – actress; Miss USA 1970, first runner-up in Miss Universe contest
- John Wesley Shipp (b. 1956) – television actor
- Bruce Smith (b. 1963) – Pro Football Hall of Fame player for the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins
- Joe Smith (b. 1975) – professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers
- Keely Smith (b. 1932) – nightclub singer, wife and stage partner of Louis Prima
- Marcus Stanley (b. 1985) – minister
- Margaret Sullavan (1909–60) – actress and wife of Leland Hayward
- Chuck Swirsky – Chicago Bulls radio play-by-play announcer, previously with Toronto Raptors
- Littleton Waller Tazewell (1774–1860) – U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator and Governor of Virginia
- Scott Travis (b. 1961) – drummer for rock band Judas Priest
- John Paul Vann (1924–72) – U.S. soldier and civilian active in Vietnam
- Marc Vann (b. 1954) – actor
- Brandon Vera (b. 1977) – mixed martial artist, currently signed to UFC
- Gene Vincent (1935–71) – rock-a-billy artist recorded the hit "Be-Bop-A-Lula"
- Ben Watson (b. 1980) – football player for the New England Patriots
- Ernie Watts (b. 1945) – composer, jazz saxophonist, and long-time touring member of The Rolling Stones
- Joe Weatherly (1922–64) – NASCAR driver
- Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker (b. 1964) – boxer; 1984 Olympic gold medalist, professional champion in four weight classes
- Thomas Wilkins (b. 1954) – orchestra conductor, music director of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra
- Patrick Wilson (b. 1973) – actor
- David Wright (b. 1982) – professional baseball player for the New York Mets[1]
Portsmouth
- V. C. Andrews (1923–86) – mystery and horror writer
- Marty Brennaman (b. 1942) – sportscaster for the Cincinnati Reds
- Karen Briggs (b. 1963) – violinist
- Ruth Brown (1928–2006) – Grammy Award-winning singer and entertainer
- Bebe Buell (b. 1953) – fashion model, famous groupie and mother of Liv Tyler
- Mahlon Clark (1923–2007) – musician
- LaTasha Colander (b. 1976) – track and field sprint star, 2000 Olympic gold medalist (4 × 400 m)
- Jamin Elliott (b. 1979) – former NFL wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons
- Missy Elliott (b. 1971) – rapper
- Perry Ellis (1940–86) – fashion designer
- John Facenda (1913–84) – WCAU news anchor from 1948–1973; known as the "Voice of NFL Films" until his death in 1984
- Clifton C. Garvin (b. 1922) – President and CEO of Exxon
- Chandler Harper (1914–2004) – golfer
- Chad Hugo (b. 1974) – musician and producer in the Neptunes and N.E.R.D.
- Ben L. Jones (b. 1941) – actor and politician
- T. J. Jordan (b. 1986) – basketball player
Jacque Kendall, (b. 1960) -actress, educator; Joan Rivers Show, Unsolved Mysteries, Malcolm X, Bulworth, Simple Justice, Boomerang
- LaShawn Merritt (b. 1986) – 2008 Olympic gold medal winning sprinter
- George "Shadow" Morton (b. 1944) – record producer and songwriter
- Bismarck Myrick (b. 1940) – U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia, U.S. Ambassador to Lesotho
- Tommy Newsom (1929–2007) – musician featured in Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show band with Doc Severinsen
- Patton Oswalt (b. 1969) – comedian and television actor
- Ace Parker (b. 1912) – Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback; also played baseball with the Philadelphia Athletics
- William Russ (b. 1950) – actor
- Bill Schneider (b. 1944) – political commentator for CNN
- Wanda Sykes (b. 1964) – actress, comedian, and comedy writer
- Ted Thomas, Sr. (b. 1935) – Pentecostal preacher and pastor of the New Community Temple Church of God in Christ; General board member of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. denomination
- Mike Watt (b. 1957) – musician, founding member and bassist of SST hardcore punk band Minutemen; current bassist for recently reunited 60s band The Stooges
- Nicole Wray (b. 1980) – rapper and protégé of Missy Elliott
Suffolk
- James Avery (1955–2013) – actor best known for his portrayal of the patriarch and attorney (later judge) "Philip Banks", in the TV sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air[2]
- Johnnie Barnes (b. 1968) – graduate of Hampton University; former football player for the San Diego Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Charlie Byrd (1925–99) – jazz guitarist
- Mills Edwin Godwin, Jr. (1914–99) – twice Governor of Virginia
- Lex Luger (b. 1991) – hip-hop music producer; produced tracks on Rick Ross's Teflon Don, Waka Flocka Flame's Flockaveli, Slim Thug's Tha Thug Show, and Kanye West and Jay-Z's Watch the Throne
- Joe Maphis (1921–86) – country music singer and songwriter
- Terrence Warren (b. 1969) – former NFL player and All-American sprinter at Hampton University
Virginia Beach
- Arsis – technical death metal group
- Corey Ashe (b. 1986) – professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
- Ken Barefoot – former NFL tight end for the Washington Redskins
- Wade Barrett (b. 1976) – professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
- Kyle "K-Dogg" Benham – Associate Producer of Elliot in the Morning
- BLACKstreet – R&B group
- Rudy Boesch (b. 1928) – third place finalist on Survivor: Borneo (first season)
- J. Evan Bonifant (b. 1985) – actor
- Maria Boren – contestant on The Apprentice 2
- Bill Bray (b. 1983) – graduate of Ocean Lakes High School; professional baseball player drafted in the 1st round 13th overall in the 2004 mlb draft by the Montreal Expos; currently playing for the Cincinnati Reds
- Paul "Cubby" Bryant (b. 1971) – national radio host
- Curtis Bush (b. 1962) – world champion kickboxer and actor
- Steve Cardenas (b.1974) – martial artist and retired actor best known for portraying Rocky DeSantos in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Power Rangers Zeo
- Charles Clark (b. 1987) – world-class athlete, sprinter
- Clipse – rap group
- Gabby Douglas (b. 1995) – Olympic gold-winning gymnast
- Ryan Farish (b. 1974) – music composer, artist, publisher, record executive of Rytone Entertainment
- John Fox (b. 1955) – Head Coach of the Chicago Bears
- Jason George (b. 1972) – television actor
- Tommy Griffiths (b. 1961) – radio broadcaster, WNOR's Tommy and the Bull, Tommy and Rumble, current host of WBIG morning show in Washington, D.C. and WVMA in Norfolk
- Percy Harvin (b. 1988) – current football player for the Seattle Seahawks
- Chad Hugo (b. 1974) – hip hop artist, member of duo The Neptunes
- Chyler Leigh (b. 1982) – actress, co-star of Not Another Teen Movie
- Evan Marriott (b. 1974) – reality television star on Joe Millionaire
- Ryan McGinness (b. 1972) – artist
- Scott McKenzie (b. 1939) – singer and songwriter
- Sean Murphy (b. 1984) – NASCAR driver
- Juice Newton (b. 1952) – pop and country singer
- Brandon Noble (b. 1974) – professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins
- Shomi Patwary (b. 1982) – director and designer
- Gerald P. Pulley (b. 1922) – naval photographer
- J.R. Reid (b. 1968) – former professional basketball player
- Mark Reynolds (b. 1983) – professional baseball player
- Teddy Riley (b. 1967) – musician and songwriter
- Pat Robertson (b. 1930) – founder of Regent University and The 700 Club
- Aaron Rouse (b. 1984) – professional football player for the Green Bay Packers
- Mark Ruffalo (b. 1967) – film and television actor
- Todd Schnitt (b. 1966) – syndicated radio shows, MJ Morning Show and Schnitt Show
- Grace Sherwood (1660–1740) – the so-called Witch of Pungo (now exonerated after 300 years)
- Danny Tidwell (b. 1984) – professional dancer and finalist on So You Think You Can Dance
- Kendra Todd (b. 1978) – winner of The Apprentice 3
- Travis Wall (b. 1987) – professional dancer and finalist on So You Think You Can Dance
- Pharrell Williams (b. 1973) – hip hop artist, member of record producing duo The Neptunes
- Ryan Zimmerman (b. 1984) – Graduate of Kellam High School; professional baseball player for the Washington Nationals
- Nay Nay (b. 1994) – hip hop artist and songwriter
Williamsburg
- Jimmy Fortune (b. 1955) – vocalist with the Statler Brothers
- Mel Gray (b. 1961), professional football player and member of NFL all decade team of 1990s
- Bruce Hornsby (b. 1954) – singer and songwriter
- Linda Lavin (b. 1937) – actress
- Seven Mary Three – alternative rock band
- Canaan Smith (b. 1984) – country music artist
- Ron Springs (b. 1956) – running back for the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Shawn Springs (b. 1975) – football player for the Washington Redskins
- Lawrence Taylor (b. 1959) – former professional football player for the New York Giants; professional wrestler; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- George Wythe (1726–1806) – first professor of law at William and Mary; taught future presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, and future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall; signer of the Declaration of Independence
York County
- Terry Kirby (b. 1970) – professional football player for the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders
- Thomas Nelson, Jr. (1738–1789) – signer of the Declaration of Independence
- Bryan Randall (b. 1983) – 2005 ACC Football Player of the Year
- Chris Slade (b. 1971) – professional football player for the New England Patriots
- Wayne Kirby (b. 1964) – Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians
Sports
Soccer
- Corey Ashe (b. 1986) – professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
- Wade Barrett (b. 1976) – professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
- Roy Lassiter – Hampton Roads Mariner; Major League Soccer; USA National Team
- Jon Busch – Hampton Roads Mariner; Major League Soccer
- Darren Caskey – Hampton Roads Mariner; Tottenham Hotspur; Reading
- Trevor Francis – Hampton Roads Mariner; Birmingham City; Manchester City; Rangers; England National Team
- Cornelius Bernard Huggins – Hampton Roads Mariner; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National Team
- Shane McFaul – Hampton Roads Mariner; Republic of Ireland U21
- Darin Lewis – Hampton Roads Mariner; MLS New York MetroStars
- Jay Hoffman – Coached Hampton Roads Mariners; played professionally in the Canadian National Soccer League.
Baseball
- David Wright – third baseman for the New York Mets from Chesapeake; drafted in 2001 by the New York Mets in the 1st round (38th overall pick)
- Ryan Zimmerman – third baseman for the Washington Nationals from Virginia Beach; drafted in 2005 by the Washington Nationals in the 1st round (4th overall pick) out of UVirginia
- Justin Upton – right fielder for the San Diego Padres; from Chesapeake, first overall draft pick by the Diamondbacks in the 2005 draft
- Melvin Upton, Jr. – center fielder for the San Diego Padres; "Bossman Junior" Upton was drafted second overall in the 2002 Major League Baseball draft by Tampa Bay out of Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake, Virginia
- Michael Cuddyer – left fielder for the New York Mets from Chesapeake; drafted in 1997 amateur draft by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (9th pick)
- Mark Reynolds – third baseman/first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles from Virginia Beach; drafted in 2004 by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 16th round (476th overall)
- Bill Bray – graduate of Ocean Lakes High School; professional baseball player drafted in the 1st round 13th overall in the 2004 mlb draft by the Montreal Expos; currently playing for the Cincinnati Reds
- D. J. Dozier – Football / Baseball from Virginia Beach; Penn State All-American, first-round NFL draft 14th pick by Minnesota Vikings who also drafted by major league baseball by the Detroit Tigers in the 18th round in 1983 (459th overall).
- Josh Rupe – professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers
- Wayne Kirby – Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians
- Hank Foiles – From Norfolk. Claim to fame Major league All-Star in 1957; played for seven teams; He finished his career in 1964 with the expansion Los Angeles Angels.
- Alex Cosmidis – Minor League baseball player and manager and Major League scout
- Al Barks – Negro league baseball player
- Leon Ruffin – Longtime Negro Leagues catcher from Portsmouth. Born 1912 – Died 1970
- Ace Parker – Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback; also played baseball with the Philadelphia Athletics
- Dave Robertson – from Norfolk Norfolk. Born 1889 – Died 1970; Claim to fame Two-time National League home run leader; hit .500 in 1917 World Series. He hit .287 over nine seasons with the Giants, Cubs and Pirates. A product of Norfolk Academy, he played four sports at Wake Forest and N.C. State and managed the minor league Norfolk Tars for several years in the 1920s.
Basketball
- La'Keshia Frett – professional basketball player and coach
- Allen Iverson – guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and the Memphis Grizzlies; represented the US at the 2004 Summer Olympics, winning the bronze medal
- Alonzo Mourning – professional basketball player, played most of his 15-year NBA career for the Miami Heat
- Joe Smith – professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers
- J. R. Reid – former professional basketball player
- T. J. Jordan– basketball player
- Charles "Lefty" Driesell – basketball coach at Davidson College, the University of Maryland, College Park, James Madison University, and Georgia State University
Boxing
- Pernell Whitaker – several time World Boxing Champion
Football
- Xavier Adibi – linebacker with the Houston Texans
- James Anderson – Carolina Panthers linebacker and 88th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft
- Robert Banks – NFL linebacker, defensive end; chosen as national high school Player of the Year by the Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club in 1982; played five seasons in the NFL as a defensive end with the Houston Oilers and Cleveland Browns
- Darryl Blackstock – linebacker for the Oakland Raiders; also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Virginia Destroyers
- Dre Bly – cornerback for the St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers
- Aaron Brooks – graduated from Ferguson High School and the University of Virginia; NFL quarterback with the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders
- Macey Brooks – wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears
- Elton Brown – NFL offensive lineman of the Arizona Cardinals
- Plaxico Burress – wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and New York Jets
- Chris Crocker – Atlanta Falcons safety and 2003 20th pick, Cleveland Browns
- Ronald Curry – NFL receiver, USA national high school Player of the Year 1998
- Ras-I Dowling – New England Patriots cornerback 2011–present
- Deon Dyer – Miami Dolphins running back 2003–2004
- Chris Ellis – practice team member for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- William Fuller – defensive line Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Diego Chargers
- Shaun Gayle – captain of the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears football team
- Marques Hagans – NFL quarterback/receiver with the Washington Redskins
- DeAngelo Hall – Washington Redskins player and 8th pick in the 2004 NFL Draft
- Chris Hanburger – 9-time Pro Bowl linebacker for the Washington Redskins, elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011
- Dwight Hollier – linebacker for the Miami Dolphins
- Michael Husted – NFL kicker who played nine seasons in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and other teams
- Henry Jordan – former NFL player
- Kwamie Lassiter – former NFL free safety, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams
- David Macklin – NFL cornerback, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins
- Jerod Mayo – linebacker for the New England Patriots
- Darren Perry – Oakland Raiders coach and former NFL player for 9 seasons
- Bruce Smith – defensive end for Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins; inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, his first year of eligibility[3]
- Norman Snead – former NFL player
- Dwight Stephenson – NFL; played center for the Miami Dolphins; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Darryl Tapp – Seattle Seahawks player and 63rd pick overall in the 2006 NFL Draft
- Lawrence Taylor – Hall of Fame linebacker for the New York Giants 1981–1993
- Tyrod Taylor – quarterback with the Buffalo Bills
- Shamarko Thomas – Pittsburgh Steelers safety and 111th pick overall in the 2013 NFL Draft; starred at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach
- Antoine Thompson – cornerback with the St. Louis Rams
- Mike Tomlin – graduate and former football player at Denbigh High School and the College of William and Mary; assistant coach at several colleges (including VMI and Arkansas State University); moved on to the NFL with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and later the Minnesota Vikings; named head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007; has taken the Steelers to two Super Bowls during his time in Pittsburgh, winning the franchise's sixth title in 2008 and losing to the Green Bay Packers in 2010
- Al Toon – former NFL wide receiver, New York Jets
- Marcus Vick – NFL player 2006–2007
- Michael Vick – six-season quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles; in the 2014 off-season Vick became a member of the New York Jets
- Jimmy F. Williams – from Hampton; played for Hampton High and transferred his senior year to Bethel; played at Virginia Tech; drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2006; released in 2008 following suspension due to arrest for possession of marijuana during the 2007 offseason; signed to a future contract by the San Francisco 49ers in 2009
- Antwoine Womack – drafted by New England Patriots in 2002, but spent the season on injured reserve and did not play due to continuing problems from his 2001 ankle injury; in 2003 the Patriots released him to the New York Giants, but he spent the season on the injured reserve list before being cut from the 2004 roster
Gymnastics
- Gabby Douglas (b. 1995) – Olympic gold-winning gymnast
Mixed martial arts
- Brandon Vera (b. 1977) – Light Heavyweight fighter in UFC
Track and field
- Francena McCorory – from Hampton (Bethel High) and Hampton University; won gold in the 2012 Olympics as part of the women's 4x400; placed 7th in the women's 400m individual
References
- ^ "David Wright: Bio & Stats." New York Mets. Retrieved on March 15, 2007.
- ^ Keepnews, Peter (January 1, 2014). "James Avery, 'Fresh Prince' Actor, Dies at 68". New York Times.
- ^ Class of 2009 announced, Official Site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/story.jsp?story_id=3095. Retrieved February 1, 2009.