List of Michigan sports figures

Following is a list of major sports figures from Michigan:

Baseball

A-L

Jim Abbott, pitcher born with one hand who played for four MLB teams, threw no-hitter for Detroit Tigers (born in Southfield; raised in Flint)
Joe Altobelli, manager of 1983 World Series champion Baltimore Orioles (born in Detroit)
Billy Ashley, outfielder for Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox (born in Trenton)
Paul Assenmacher, pitcher for Cleveland Indians (born in Detroit, played for Aquinas College in Grand Rapids)
Steve Avery, pitcher for Atlanta Braves (born in Trenton)
Neal Ball, famed for first unassisted triple play in Major League baseball history (born in Grand Haven)
Anthony Bass, relief pitcher for Texas Rangers (born in Trenton)
Duane Below, pitcher for New York Mets (born in Britton)
Augie Bergamo, outfielder for St. Louis Cardinals in the 1940s (born in Detroit)
Neil Berry, infielder for Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox in 1950s (born in Kalamazoo)
Mike Bordick, infielder for Oakland A's (born in Marquette)
Dave Borkowski, relief pitcher for Houston Astros (born in Detroit)
Steve Boros, infielder, coach, manager for Oakland Athletics (1983–84) and San Diego Padres (1986) and farm system official (born in Flint)
Frank Bowerman, catcher for several teams (born in Romeo)
Bob Buhl, pitcher for Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies (born in Saginaw)
James D. Burns, first owner of Detroit Tigers (born in Springwells district of Detroit)
Greg Cadaret, relief pitcher for several teams (born in Detroit)
Count Campau, player and manager (born in Detroit)
Bill Campbell, pitcher for several MLB teams (born in Highland Park)
Dave Campbell, infielder and MLB broadcaster (born in Manistee)
Bernie Carbo, outfielder, famed for pinch-hit game-tying three-run homer in 1975 World Series for Cincinnati Reds (born in Detroit)
Eddie Cicotte, early 20th Century pitcher primarily with Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox (born in Springwells)
Terry Collins, manager for New York Mets (born in Midland)
Tim Crabtree, pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays (born in Jackson)
Roy Cullenbine, outfielder and first baseman (born in Nashville, Tennessee, raised in Detroit)
Kiki Cuyler, Hall of Fame outfielder for several teams (born in Harrisville)
Dave DeBusschere, pitcher for Chicago White Sox, also pro basketball player (born in Detroit)
Wish Egan, MLB player and scout (born in Evart)
Jim Essian, catcher and Chicago Cubs manager (born in Detroit)
Bill Fahey, player and coach (born in Detroit)
Carmen Fanzone, player for Chicago Cubs (born in Detroit)
Brad Fischer, bench coach for Pittsburgh Pirates (born in Blissfield)
Ira Flagstead, outfielder primarily with Boston Red Sox (born in Montague)
Jack Fournier, first baseman, 1924 American League home run leader and 1925 American League leader in walks (born in Au Sable)
Bill Freehan, five-time Gold Glove-winning catcher for Detroit Tigers (born in Detroit)
John Ganzel, first baseman and manager (born in Kalamazoo)
Brent Gates, infielder for several teams (born in Grand Rapids)
Charlie Gehringer (known as The Mechanical Man), second baseman Hall of Famer for Detroit Tigers (born in Fowlerville)
Chris Getz, second baseman for Kansas City Royals (born in Southfield; raised in Grosse Pointe)
Jay Gibbons, outfielder for Baltimore Orioles, batter at plate in film Wedding Crashers (born in Rochester)
Kirk Gibson, outfielder for Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers, manager of Arizona Diamondbacks (born in Pontiac; raised in Waterford)
Jim Gosger, outfielder for 1969 and 1973 champion New York Mets (born in Port Huron)
Ted Gray, All-Star pitcher for Detroit Tigers (born in Detroit)
Lenny Green, outfielder for several teams (born in Detroit)
Bobby Grich, four-time Gold Glove-winning second baseman for Baltimore Orioles and California Angels (born in Muskegon)
Jason Grilli, pitcher for Atlanta Braves (born in Royal Oak)
Steve Gromek, pitcher and member of National Polish-American Hall of Fame (born in Hamtramck)
Charlie Haeger, pitcher for Seattle Mariners (born in Livonia)
Jeff Hamilton, third baseman for Los Angeles Dodgers (born in Flint)
Charlie Hemphill, early 20th Century outfielder with New York Highlanders and Saint Louis Browns (born in Greenville)
Pat Hentgen, Cy Young Award-winning pitcher (born in Detroit)
Ray Herbert, pitcher and 1963 American League shutout leader (born in Detroit)
Don Hopkins, outfielder for Oakland A's (attended high school in Benton Harbor)
Steve Howe, relief pitcher, primarily with Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees (born in Pontiac)
Ken Howell, pitcher with Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies (born in Detroit)
Art Houtteman, All-Star pitcher for Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians (born in Detroit)
Clint Hurdle, outfielder for several MLB teams and manager for Pittsburgh Pirates (born in Big Rapids)
Derek Jeter, 14-time All-Star shortstop for New York Yankees (born in Pequannock, New Jersey; raised in Kalamazoo)
Alex Johnson, outfielder for California Angels (born in Arkansas, attended Northwestern High School in Detroit)
Jeff Jones, pitcher for Oakland A's, coach for the Detroit Tigers (born in Detroit)
Jim Kaat, three-time All-Star pitcher who played primarily for Minnesota Twins, sportscaster for MLB Network (born in Zeeland)
Scott Kamieniecki, pitcher primarily for New York Yankees (born in Mount Clemens)
Jim Kern, pitcher for several MLB teams (born in Gladwin)
Bill Killefer, early 20th Century catcher primarily for Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs (born in Bloomingdale)
Red Killefer, early 20th Century infielder for Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators and Cincinnati Reds (born in Bloomingdale)
Joe Koppe, infielder for Milwaukee Braves and Los Angeles Angels (born in Detroit)
Hobie Landrith, catcher for several MLB teams (born in Illinois, attended Northwestern High School in Detroit and Michigan State)
Charley Lau, catcher for Detroit Tigers and hitting coach for many Major League teams (born in Romulus)
Ron LeFlore, outfielder for Detroit Tigers and Montreal Expos, subject of the movie One in a Million (born in Detroit)
Dick Littlefield, MLB player of 1950s, traded for Jackie Robinson (born in Detroit)
Stan Lopata, two-time All-Star catcher (born in Delray district of Detroit)
Derek Lowe, pitcher for New York Yankees (born in Dearborn)

M-Z

Duke Maas, pitcher primarily with New York Yankees (born in Utica)
Larry MacPhail, Hall of Fame executive who introduced night game (at Crosley Field in Cincinnati), chief executive of Reds, Dodgers and Yankees (born in Cass City)
Mitch Maier, outfielder for Kansas City Royals (born in Petoskey)
Charlie Maxwell, left fielder and first baseman for Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, known as "Paw Paw" (born in Lawton)
John Mayberry, first baseman (born in Detroit)
John McHale, player, general manager and team president (born in Detroit)
John McHale, Jr., MLB executive (born in Detroit)
Nate McLouth, outfielder for Baltimore Orioles (born in Muskegon)
Cass Michaels, infielder for Chicago White Sox (born in Detroit)
Keith Miller, utility player for New York Mets and Kansas City Royals (born in Midland)
Jason Motte, pitcher for Chicago Cubs (born in Port Huron)
Frank Navin, owner of Detroit Tigers 1908-35 (born in Adrian)
Hal Newhouser Hall of Fame pitcher for Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians (born in Detroit)
Jim Northrup, outfielder primarily for Detroit Tigers (born in Breckenridge)
Frank Oberlin, early 20th Century pitcher for Boston Americans and Washington Senators (born in Elsie)
Fred Olmstead, early 20th Century pitcher for Chicago White Sox (born in Grand Rapids)
Scott Olsen, pitcher for Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals (born in Kalamazoo)
Frank Owen, pitcher with Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox (born in Ypsilanti)
Tom Paciorek, outfielder and first baseman for several major league teams (born in Detroit)
Dick Pole, pitcher for Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners and coach (born in Trout Creek)
Zach Putnam, pitcher for Chicago White Sox (born in Rochester)
J. J. Putz, relief pitcher for Arizona Diamondbacks (born in Trenton)
Phil Regan, pitcher for several MLB teams, manager and coach (born in Otsego)
Merv Rettenmund, hitting coach for San Diego Padres, player for several teams (born in Flint)
Ed Reulbach, early 20th Century pitcher for Chicago Cubs, best known for all-Chicago 1906 World Series (born in Detroit)
Chris Rusin, starting pitcher for Colorado Rockies (born in Detroit)
Chris Sabo, N.L. Rookie of the Year third baseman for Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles (born in Detroit)
Matt Shoemaker, pitcher for Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (born in Wyandotte)
Ted Simmons, catcher for several teams (born in Highland Park)
Jim Skaalen, hitting coach for Oakland A's (born in Holland)
John Smoltz, pitcher primarily for Atlanta Braves, 1996 Cy Young Award winner (born in Lansing)
Mike Squires, 1970s Chicago White Sox player (born in Kalamazoo)
Matt Thornton, relief pitcher for Washington Nationals (born in Three Rivers)
Tom Tresh, 1962 American League Rookie of the Year, infielder and outfielder primarily with New York Yankees (born in Detroit)
Steve Trout, pitcher primarily for Chicago Cubs (born in Detroit)
Maurice Van Robays, outfielder for Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1940s (born in Detroit)
Jason Varitek, catcher for Boston Red Sox (born in Rochester)
Bob Welch, pitcher for Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics, 1990 Cy Young Award winner (1990) (born in Detroit)
Casper Wells, outfielder for Seattle Mariners (born in Grand Rapids)
Lee Weyer, MLB umpire (born in Imlay City)
Rick Wise, pitcher primarily with Philadelphia Phillies (born in Jackson)
Tom Yawkey, Hall of Fame owner of Boston Red Sox; also AL Vice President (born in Detroit)
Curt Young, pitcher and coach for Oakland Athletics (born in Saginaw)
Kevin Young, first baseman in 1990s primarily for Pittsburgh Pirates (born in Alpena)

Basketball

B.J. Armstrong, point guard during Chicago Bulls dynasty of 1990s (born in Detroit)
Jamie Arnold, American-Israeli pro player (born in Oak Park)
Shane Battier, forward for Miami Heat (born in Birmingham)
Charlie Bell, shooting guard for Golden State Warriors (born in Flint)
Dave Bing, guard primarily for Detroit Pistons, founder of Bing Steel and Mayor of Detroit (born in Washington, D.C.; moved to Detroit)
Jim Boylen, assistant coach for Indiana Pacers (born in East Grand Rapids)
Mark Brisker, American-Israeli pro player
P. J. Brown, player for several NBA teams (born in Detroit)
Wilson Chandler, player for Denver Nuggets (born in Benton Harbor)
Mateen Cleaves, player for several NBA teams (born in Flint)
Fred Cofield, player for the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls (born in Ypsilanti)
Derrick Coleman, forward primarily with New Jersey Nets and Philadelphia 76ers (born in Alabama but raised in Detroit)
Jordan Crawford, player for Washington Wizards (born in Detroit)
Johnny Davis, assistant coach for Toronto Raptors (born in Detroit)
Dave DeBusschere, member of Basketball Hall of Fame, played with Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks; youngest head coach (at 24) in NBA history (born in Detroit)
Anna DeForge, WNBA player (born in Iron Mountain)
Derrick Dial, player for San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic (born in Detroit)
Chris Douglas-Roberts, shooting guard for Milwaukee Bucks (born in Detroit)
Howard Eisley, point guard, assistant coach for Los Angeles Clippers (born in Detroit)
James Enright, Basketball Hall of Fame referee, officiated NCAA tournaments (including Final Four and 1948 and 1952 Olympics (born in Sodus)
Katie Feenstra, WNBA center for Atlanta Dream, former Detroit Shock (born in Grand Rapids)
George Gervin, member of Basketball Hall of Fame; played for several NBA teams (born in Detroit)
Gail Goestenkors, coach, member of Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (born in Waterford, Michigan)
Draymond Green, small forward for Golden State Warriors (born in Saginaw)
Willie Green, shooting guard for Atlanta Hawks (born in Detroit)
Malik Hairston, shooting guard for San Antonio Spurs (born in Detroit)
Darvin Ham, player with Detroit Pistons and Philippine Basketball Association team, Talk N Text Phone Pals (born in Saginaw)
Manny Harris, shooting guard for Cleveland Cavaliers (born in Detroit)
Stan Heath, head coach for University of Arkansas Razorbacks (born in Detroit)
Al Horford, center and power forward for Atlanta Hawks (born in the Dominican Republic; moved to Grand Ledge)
Tom Izzo, head coach for Michigan State (born in Iron Mountain)
Magic Johnson, NCAA, NBA and Olympic champion, member of Basketball Hall of Fame, part-owner of Los Angeles Dodgers (born in Lansing)
Chris Kaman, center for Portland Trial Blazers (born in Grand Rapids)
Grant Long, player for several teams (born in Wayne)
John Long, guard for Detroit Pistons (born in Romulus)
Mark Macon, player for Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons (born in Saginaw)
Kenyon Martin, power forward Los Angeles Clippers (born in Saginaw)
JaVale McGee, center for Denver Nuggets (born in Flint)
Pamela McGee, player for USC national champions, Olympic gold medalist (born in Flint)
Kennedy McIntosh, NBA player (born in Detroit, raised in South Haven)
Pop McKale, athlete and coach, University of Arizona arena named for him (born in Lansing, Michigan)
Dan Majerle, guard with Phoenix Suns from 1988 to 2002 (born in Cadillac)
Terry Mills, NBA player for Detroit Pistons (born in Romulus)
Deanna Nolan, point guard for Detroit Shock (born in Flint)
Harlan Page, member of Basketball Hall of Fame, University of Chicago coach (born in Watervliet)
Morris Peterson, player with Oklahoma City Thunder (born in Flint)
William Reid, player, coach, athletic director for Colgate, NCAA executive, member of Basketball Hall of Fame (born in Detroit, raised in Adrian)
Glen Rice, forward for several NBA teams (born in Flint)
Jason Richardson, player for Orlando Magic (born in Saginaw)
Jalen Rose, guard for several NBA teams, analyst for ESPN; member of Michigan "Fab Five" (along with Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson) (born in Detroit)
Dan Roundfield, NBA player of 1970s and 1980s (born in Detroit)
Walker Russell, Jr., point guard with the Detroit Pistons (born in Pontiac)
Isiah Thomas, member of Basketball Hall of Fame, point guard for Detroit Pistons from 1981–1994, later president of New York Knicks (born in Chicago, lived in Bloomfield Hills)
Jay Vincent, NBA player and coach of Charlotte Bobcats (born in Kalamazoo)
Sam Vincent, guard for several NBA teams (born in Lansing)
Chet Walker, forward for Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls, member of Basketball Hall of Fame (from Benton Harbor)
Chris Webber, power forward for Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons (born in Detroit)
Robert Whaley, NBA player (born in Benton Harbor)

Boxing

Muhammad Ali, heavyweight champion and boxing legend (born in Louisville, Kentucky, lived in Berrien Springs)
Chris Byrd, former WBO and IBF heavyweight champion, nicknamed "Rapid Fire" (born in Flint)
Tracy Byrd, female boxer (born in Flint)
Andre Dirrell, super middleweight (born in Flint)
Anthony Dirrell, super middleweight (born in Flint)
Eddie Futch, trainer of nine world champions (born in Hillsboro, Mississippi; raised in Detroit)
Thomas Hearns (aka "The Hit Man" and "Motor City Cobra"), welterweight champion (born in Memphis, Tennessee; moved to Detroit)
Derrick Jefferson (aka "D-Train"), heavyweight, born in Oak Park
Jackie Kallen, boxing's first female manager (born in Detroit)
Stanley Ketchel (Stanilas Kiecal, aka "The Michigan Assassin"), middleweight champion (born in Grand Rapids)
George "Kid" Lavigne, world lightweight champion of 1890s (born in Bay City)
Joe Louis, world heavyweight champion for 12 years, considered by some the best boxer of all time (born in LaFayette, Alabama; moved to Detroit)
Floyd Mayweather, Jr., undefeated five-division champion (born in Grand Rapids)
Jeff Mayweather, junior-lightweight champion (born in Grand Rapids)
Roger Mayweather, lightweight champion (born in Grand Rapids)
Milton McCrory, welterweight champion (born in Detroit)
Steve McCrory, flyweight, Olympic gold medalist (born in Detroit)
Bronco McKart, light middleweight champion (born in Monroe)
Jimmy Paul, lightweight champion (born in Detroit)
Tommy Prendergast, lightweight champion 1904 (born in East Saginaw)
Sugar Ray Robinson, first boxer to win a divisional world championship five times (born in Ailey, Georgia; raised in Detroit)
Tarick Salmaci, middleweight (born in Dearborn)
Claressa Shields, first American woman to win Olympic gold medal in boxing, London 2012 (born in Flint)
Emanuel Steward, trainer of Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis and other champions (born in West Virginia; raised in Detroit)
Duane Thomas, light-heavyweight champion (born in Detroit)
Pinklon Thomas, heavyweight boxing champion (born in Pontiac)
Ad Wolgast (aka, "The Michigan Wildcat"), early 20th century lightweight champion (born in Cadillac)

Football

Anthony Adams, defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears (born in Detroit)
George Allen, Hall of Fame head coach (born in Detroit)
Hunk Anderson, guard and head coach for Notre Dame, player and head coach for Chicago Bears, coach of Detroit Lions (born in Calumet)
Jess Atkinson, former NFL placekicker (born in Ann Arbor)
Jason Babin, defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles (Paw Paw)
Jeff Backus, left tackle for the Detroit Lions (born in Midland)
Alan Ball, cornerback and safety for the Dallas Cowboys (born in Detroit)
Carl Banks, linebacker primarily with the New York Giants (born in Flint)
Joe Barksdale, offensive tackle for the St. Louis Rams (born in Detroit)
Terry Barr, halfback for the Detroit Lions 1957-65 (born in Grand Rapids)
Connor Barwin, linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles (born in Detroit)
Mike Bass, defensive back for the Washington Redskins (born in Ypsilanti)
Dan Bazuin, defensive end for the Houston Texans (born in McBain)
Joique Bell, running back for the Detroit Lions (born in Benton Harbor)
Ray Bentley, linebacker primarily with the Buffalo Bills, including their Super Bowl years (born in Grand Rapids)
Jerome Bettis ("The Bus"), Hall of Fame running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers (born in Detroit)
Earl Blaik, coach for United States Military Academy and Dartmouth College (born in Detroit)
Alfonso Boone, defensive end for the San Diego Chargers (born in Saginaw)
Omar Brown, free safety for the Baltimore Ravens (raised in Berkley)
Brandon Carr, cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys (born in Flint)
George Cartier, quarterback of first Notre Dame team, 1887 (born in Ludington)
Kirk Cousins, quarterback for the Washington Redskins (born in Holland)
Terry Crews, player for Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles (born in Flint)
Lional Dalton, former defensive tackle for several NFL teams (born in Detroit)
Kellen Davis, tight end for the Chicago Bears (born in Adrian)
Bob Devaney, coach for Nebraska, member of College Football Hall of Fame (born in Saginaw)
Dan Dierdorf, lineman, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame (born in Ohio, attended University of Michigan)
John DiGiorgio, linebacker for the Buffalo Bills (born in Shelby Township)
Gus Dorais, head coach of University of Detroit and Detroit Lions (born in Wisconsin, died in Birmingham)
T. J. Duckett, running back for the Seattle Seahawks (born in Kalamazoo)
Tony Dungy, coach, won Super Bowl XLI with Indianapolis Colts (born in Jackson)
Braylon Edwards, wide receiver for several NFL teams (born in Detroit)
Phil Emery, general manager of the Chicago Bears (born in Detroit, raised in Garden City)
Eric Fisher, offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs (born in Rochester)
Larry Foote, linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals (born in Detroit)
Bennie Fowler, wide receiver for the Denver Broncos (born in Beverly Hills)
Eric Fowler, wide receiver for the Detroit Lions (born in New Haven)
Zach Fulton, guard for the Kansas City Chiefs (born in Detroit)
Devin Funchess, wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers (born in Farmington Hills)
John "Frenchy" Fuqua, running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers (born in Detroit)
Antonio Gates, tight end for the San Diego Chargers (born in Detroit)
Eric Ghiaciuc, center for the Cincinnati Bengals (born in Oxford)
Vernon Gholston, defensive end for the New York Jets (born in Detroit)
John Gilmore, tight end for the New Orleans Saints (born in Marquette)
George Gipp (aka the "Gipper"), Notre Dame football player immortalized in film by Ronald Reagan) (born in Laurium)
Chris Godfrey, former NFL guard, primarily for the New York Giants (born in Detroit)
Ian Gold, linebacker for the Denver Broncos (born in Ann Arbor)
Brandon Graham, defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles (born in Detroit)
Jonas Gray, running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars (born in Pontiac)
Brock Gutierrez, NFL player, primarily for the Detroit Lions (from Charlotte)
Ra'Shede Hageman, defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons (born in Lansing)
Ali Haji-Sheikh, placekicker, primarily for the New York Giants (born in Ann Arbor)
Johnathan Hankins, defensive tackle for the New York Giants (born in Dearborn Heights)
Jim Harbaugh, head coach for the San Francisco 49ers and Michigan (raised in Ann Arbor)
John Harbaugh, head coach for the Baltimore Ravens (raised in Ann Arbor)
David Harris, linebacker for the New York Jets (born in Grand Rapids)
Jerome Harrison, running back for the Detroit Lions (born in Kalamazoo)
Courtney Hawkins, wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (born in Flint)
Jeff Heath, safety for the Dallas Cowboys (born in Lake Orion)
Drew Henson, quarterback with Dallas Cowboys and Rhein Fire of NFL Europe; (born in San Diego, California; raised in Brighton)
Todd Herremans, offensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles (born in Ravenna)
Bill Hewitt, Hall of Fame end for the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles (born in Bay City)
Rod Hill, NFL defensive back (born in Detroit)
Gary Hogeboom, NFL quarterback for several teams, contestant on reality TV show Survivor: Guatemala (born in Grand Haven)
Tommy Hughitt, NFL player and coach (raised in Escanaba)
Tory Humphrey, tight end for the New Orleans Saints (born in Saginaw)
Mark Ingram, Sr., wide receiver of the New York Giants (born in Flint)
Mark Ingram, Jr., 2009 Heisman trophy winner and running back for the New Orleans Saints (born in Flint)
Jon Jansen, left tackle for the Washington Redskins (born in Clawson)
Cullen Jenkins, defensive tackle for the New York Giants (born in Detroit)
Kris Jenkins, defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers (born in Ypsilanti)
Greg Jennings, wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins (born in Kalamazoo)
Pepper Johnson, former linebacker and current defensive line coach for the New England Patriots (born in Detroit)
Brad Jones, linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles (born in Lansing)
Jason Jones, defensive end for the Detroit Lions (born in Detroit)
Adam Kieft, offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals (from Rockford)
Paul Krause, NFL safety, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame (born in Flint)
Craig Krenzel, former quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals (born in Sterling Heights)
T. J. Lang, offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers (born in Ferndale)
Tim Lelito, offensive guard for the New Orleans Saints (born in Rochester)
Todd Lyght, cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams (attended school in Flint)
Jake Long, left tackle for the Miami Dolphins (born in Lapeer)
Dean Look, college and pro quarterback and NFL official (born in Lansing)
Gary Lowe, defensive back for Detroit Lions (born in Trenton)
Roy Manning, linebacker for the Buffalo Bills (born in Saginaw)
Steve Mariucci, head coach for San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions (born in Iron Mountain)
Keshawn Martin, wide receiver for the Houston Texans (born in Inkster)
Ruvell Martin, wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills (born in Muskegon)
Derrick Mason, wide receiver for the Houston Texans (born in Detroit)
Pete Metzelaars, former tight end who played primarily with the Buffalo Bills (born in Three Rivers)
Earl Morrall, quarterback primarily for the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins (born in Muskegon)
Craig Morton, quarterback for Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and New York Giants (born in Flint)
Howard Mudd, lineman, member of NFL 1960s All-Decade Team and NFL Hall of Fame (from Midland)
Muhsin Muhammad, wide receiver for the Chicago Bears (born in Lansing)
Shantee Orr, linebacker for the Cleveland Browns (born in Detroit)
Calvin Pace, linebacker for the New York Jets (born in Detroit)
Jereme Perry, cornerback for the Cleveland Browns (born in Saginaw)
Nick Perry, linebacker for the Green Bay Packers (born in Detroit)
Geoff Pope, former NFL cornerback (born in Detroit)
Karon Riley, defensive end for the Washington Redskins (born in Detroit)
Andre Rison, wide receiver for several teams (born in Flint)
Charles Rogers, second overall pick of the Detroit Lions, no longer in the league after drug violations and injuries (born in Saginaw)
Gene Ronzani, player for the Chicago Bears and head coach for the Green Bay Packers (born in Iron Mountain)
Jon Runyan, NFL offensive tackle (born in Flint)
Tony Scheffler, tight end for the Detroit Lions (born in Morenci)
Stuart Schweigert, safety for the United Football League's Omaha Nighthawks (born in Saginaw)
Bart Scott, linebacker for the New York Jets (born in Detroit)
Tim Shaw, linebacker for the Tennessee Titans (raised in Livonia)
Bill Sheridan, defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (born in Detroit)
Fritz Shurmur, assistant coach for five NFL teams (born in Wyandotte)
Pat Shurmur, defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, ex-head coach of Cleveland Browns (born in Ann Arbor)
Dion Sims, tight end for the Miami Dolphins (born in Detroit)
Dan Skuta, linebacker and fullback for the San Francisco 49ers (born in Burton)
Charlie Smith, tackle for the Canton Bulldogs (born in Lansing)
Mark Smolinski, running back for Baltimore Colts and New York Jets (born in Rogers City)
Jim Sorgi, quarterback for the New York Giants (born in Fraser)
Joe Staley, offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers (born in Rockford)
Drew Stanton, quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals (born in Lansing, raised in Okemos)
Barry Stokes, offensive lineman for several NFL teams, currently with the Detroit Lions (born in Flint)
Chester Taylor, running back for the Chicago Bears (born in River Rouge)
Devin Thomas, wide receiver for the Chicago Bears (born in Ann Arbor)
Torell Troup, nose tackle for the Buffalo Bills (born in Detroit)
Brad Van Pelt, linebacker for several NFL teams (born in Owosso)
Jared Veldheer, offensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals (born in Grand Rapids)
Kevin Vickerson, defensive tackle for the Denver Broncos (born in Detroit)
Gabe Watson, defensive tackle for the Arizona Cardinals (born in Detroit)
Dave Whitsell, defensive back for the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions (born in Shelby)
LaMarr Woodley, linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals (born in Saginaw)
Roger Zatkoff, linebacker for Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions (born in Hamtramck)
Frank Zombo, linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs formerly with the Green Bay Packers (born in Sterling Heights)

Ice hockey

Justin Abdelkader, forward for NHL's Detroit Red Wings (born in Muskegon)
Taffy Abel, member and flag-bearer of 1924 Winter Olympics team, NHL player (born in Sault Ste. Marie)
Jason Bacashihua, goalie for St. Louis Blues (born in Garden City)
Jim Ballantine, center for several NHL teams (born in Union Lake)
Jeff Blashill, head coach of the Detroit Red Wings (born in Detroit, raised in Sault Ste. Marie)
David Booth, winger for Florida Panthers (born in Washington)
Dan Bylsma, forward for several NHL teams (born in Grand Haven)
Jimmy Carson, player for several NHL teams (born in Southfield)
Shawn Chambers, defenseman for New Jersey Devils (born in Royal Oak)
Chris Conner, hockey player for Washington Capitals (born in Westland)
Jim Cummins, player for several NHL teams (born in Dearborn)
Danny DeKeyser, defenseman for Detroit Red Wings (born in Macomb)
Tim Gleason, defenseman for Carolina Hurricanes (from Clawson)
Luke Glendening, center for Detroit Red Wings (born in Grand Rapids)
Andy Greene, defenseman for New Jersey Devils (born in Trenton)
Matt Greene, defenseman for Los Angeles Kings (born in Grand Ledge)
Adam Hall, defenseman for New York Rangers (born in Kalamazoo)
Derian Hatcher, defenseman for Philadelphia Flyers (born in Sterling Heights)
Al Iafrate, defenseman for several NHL teams (born in Dearborn)
Ryan Kesler, player for Anaheim Ducks and in 2010 Winter Olympics (born in Livonia)
Nate Kiser, ECHL player for South Carolina Stingrays (born in Southgate)
Mike Knuble, NHL forward (from Kentwood)
Torey Krug, player for Boston Bruins (born in Royal Oak)
Pat LaFontaine, center for New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabers, New York Rangers and 1984 U.S. Olympic team (from Waterford)
Chad LaRose, player for Carolina Hurricanes (born in Fraser)
Dylan Larkin, center for Detroit Red Wings (born in Waterford)
Alec Martinez, player and two-time Stanley Cup champion for Los Angeles Kings (born in Rochester)
Andrew Miller, player for Edmonton Oilers and 2013 NCAA champion Yale (born in Bloomfield Hills)
Ryan Miller, goaltender for Vancouver Canucks and in 2010 Olympics (born in East Lansing)
Mike Modano, player for Dallas Stars, inductee in Hockey Hall of Fame (born in Westland)
Ken Morrow, defenseman for New York Islanders and Miracle on Ice gold medal team at 1980 Olympics (born in Flint)
David Moss, hockey player for Arizona Coyotes (born in Livonia)
Lee Norwood, defenseman for several NHL teams including the Detroit Red Wings (raised in Trenton)
Aaron Palushaj, hockey player (born in Livonia)
Craig Patrick, Hall of Fame center, coach and general manager (born in Detroit)
Brian Rafalski, defenseman for Detroit Red Wings and 2002, 2004 and 2006 Olympic teams (born in Dearborn)
Brian Rolston, player for several NHL teams and in 2002 Olympics (born in Flint)
Chris Tancill, hockey player (born in Livonia)
Matt Taormina, player for New Jersey Devils (born in Warren)
Tim Thomas, goaltender for 2011 Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins and in 2010 Winter Olympics (born in Flint)
John Vanbiesbrouck, goaltender for several NHL teams in the 1980s and 1990s (born in Detroit)
Don Waddell, defenseman, general manager of Atlanta Thrashers (born in Detroit)
Doug Weight, 2002 Olympics team silver medalist and winner of Stanley Cup with Carolina Hurricanes (born in Warren)
James Wisniewski, player for Anaheim Ducks (born in Canton)
Mike York, forward for New York Islanders and silver-medalist Team USA in 2002 Winter Olympics (born in Waterford)
John Ziegler, NHL President from 1977–1992 (born in Grosse Pointe)
Jason Zucker, left wing for Minnesota Wild (lived in Ann Arbor)

Motorcycle racing

Leo Anthony, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, dirt-bike champion of the 1930s and 1940s (born in Port Huron)
Ernie Beckman, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, three-time National American Motorcycle Association national winner in the 1950s (born in Battle Creek)
Ted Boody, Jr., Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, winner of 8 dirt-track national competitions, top-ten ranking from 1981–1986 (born in Lansing)
Doug Domokos, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, 1970s–1980s stunt motorcyclist nicknamed the "Wheelie King" whose wheelie of 145 miles (233 km) held the record for 8 years (born in Niles)
Randy Goss, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, 2-time National Grand Champion (born in Hartland)
Mike Hartwig, winner of 2 AMA 500 cc national competitions, top-ten ranking from 1973–1974, team member of the 1973 US Motocross des Nations team,(born in Hadley, Michigan)
Oscar Lenz, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, endurance motorcycle champion (born in Bay City)
Scott Parker, nine-time AMA Grand National Champion (from Flint)
Dot Robinson, women's motorcycle racing pioneer, co-founder of Motor Maids, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in Australia; settled in Saginaw, Michigan)
Earl Robinson, endurance motorcycle champion, husband of Dot Robinson, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in Saginaw)
Dal Smilie, American Motorcycle Association director for 35 years, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in Battle Creek)
Jay Springsteen, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, three-time AMA Grand National Champion (born in Flint)
Jeff Stanton, 6-time AMA Motocross and Supercross Champion, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in Coldwater)

Olympics

Avery Brundage, International Olympic Committee president 1952–72 (born in Detroit)
Richard Callaghan, Olympic figure skating coach (lives in Detroit)
Henry Carr, double gold medalist in track at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
Rex Cawley, gold medalist in the 400 meter hurdles at Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Farmington)
Edward Crook, Jr., gold medalist in middleweight boxing at the Rome 1960 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
Meryl Davis, gold medalist in ice dancing at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics (from West Bloomfield)
Dick Degener, gold medalist in diving at Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics (born in Birmingham)
Brian Lee Diemer, bronze medalist in steeplechase at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics (born in Grand Rapids)
Andre Dirrell, middleweight boxing bronze medalist at the Athens 2004 Olympics (born in Flint)
Steve Fraser, gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics (born in Hazel Park)
Cynthia Goyette, swimmer, gold medalist in 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
Alex Izykowski, speed skater, bronze medalist in 5,000 meter relay at Turin 2006 Olympics (born in Bay City)
Hayes Jones, gold medalist in the 110-meter hurdles at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Starkville, Mississippi; raised in Pontiac)
Micki King, diver, Olympic gold medalist and 10-time national champion (born in Pontiac)
Karch Kiraly, volleyball player three-time Olympic gold medalist, only person to win Olympic gold in both indoor volleyball (at both the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics and Seoul 1988 Olympics) and in beach volleyball (at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics) (born in Jackson)
Shelley Looney, member of the gold medal-winning women's hockey team at the Nagano 1998 Olympics (born in Trenton)
Steve McCrory, gold medalist in flyweight boxing at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics (born in Detroit)
Carly Piper, swimmer, member of the gold medal-winning U.S. women's 4x200 freestyle relay at the Athens 2004 Olympics (born in Grosse Pointe)
William Porter, Olympic gold medalist in 110 meter hurdles at London 1948 Summer Olympics (born in Essex Township)
Dathan Ritzenhein, Olympic marathon qualifier for 2008 Beijing Olympics (born in Grand Rapids)
Norbert Schemansky, only weightlifter to win four Olympic medals — 1948 silver; 1952 gold; 1960 bronze; and 1964 bronze—and 3-time world champion (born in Detroit; lives in Dearborn)
Clark Scholes, swimmer, Olympic gold medalist in 100 meter freestyle at the Helsinki 1952 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
Jackson Scholz, athlete, Olympic gold medalist in track and field in 1920 and 1924 (born in Buchanan)

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Sheila Taormina, four-time Olympian in three sports (swimming, triathlon, modern pentathlon), gold medalist in 1996 Atlanta Olympics swim relay (born in Livonia)
Lindsay Tarpley, soccer player, member of gold-medal Athens 2004 Olympics team, one of only two college students on team (was attending Western Michigan (born in Madison, Wisconsin, raised in Kalamazoo)
Eddie Tolan, double Olympic gold medalist in track in 100 and 200 meter sprint at the Los Angeles 1932 Summer Olympics, the first black athlete to win two Olympic golds (born in Denver, Colorado; raised in Detroit)
Peter Vanderkaay, swimmer, member of gold medal-winning US Men's 4x200 freestyle relay at the Athens 2004 Olympics (born in Rochester)
Quincy Watts, track-and-field gold medalist at 1992 Barcelona Olympics (born in Detroit)
Mark Wells, member of the Miracle on Ice gold medal hockey team at the Lake Placid, New York 1980 Olympics (born in Saint Claire Shores)
Charlie White, ice dancer, 2014 Winter Olympics gold medalist (born in Royal Oak)
Jordyn Wieber, artistic gymnast at the 2012 Summer Olympics (born in DeWitt)
Margaret Woodbridge, swimmer, gold medalist at 1920 Olympic Games (born in Detroit)
Lorenzo Wright, gold medalist in 440-meter relay at the London 1948 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
Wendy Wyland, bronze medalist in platform diving at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics (born in Jackson)
Sheila Young, skater, first American to win three medals in the winter games—a bronze, silver and gold—at the Innsbruck 1976 Winter Olympics (born in Birmingham)

Professional wrestling

Eric Bischoff, promoter and former World Championship Wrestling president (born in Detroit)
Monty Brown, professional wrestler, originally a linebacker for the Buffalo Bills (born in Bridgeport)
Ed Farhat (aka The Original Sheik), professional wrestler (born in Lansing)
Jimmy Jacobs (Chris Scoville) professional wrestler (born in Grand Rapids)
Kevin Nash, professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
Rhino (Terry Gerin), professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
Bob Roop, Greco-Roman wrestling participant at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics, turned pro as "The Gladiator" and "The Enforcer" (born in Blacksburg, Virginia; raised in East Lansing)
Chris Sabin (aka Josh Harter), professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
Sabu (Terry Brunk), professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
Dan Severn, mixed martial artist and professional wrestler (born in Coldwater)
Alex Shelley, professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
Sgt. Slaughter (Robert Remus), professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
Sosay (Jennifer Kaiser), professional wrestler, fitness model (born in Kalamazoo)
Tank (aka Tim Swan), professional wrestler (retired) (born in Lansing)
Lou Thesz, professional wrestling pioneer and champion (born in Benat)
George "The Animal" Steele, professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
Rick Steiner, professional wrestler (born in Bay City)
Scott Steiner, professional wrestler (born in Bay City)
Rob Van Dam, professional wrestler ( born in Battle Creek)

Tennis

Jane "Peaches" Bartkowicz, tennis player, U.S. Open quarter-finalist (born in Hamtramck)
Lisa Bonder, tennis player, ranked as high as 9th in the world (born in Beverly Hills, California, raised in Saline)
Luke Jensen, tennis player, winner of 1993 French Open doubles (born in Grayling)
Murphy Jensen, tennis player, winner of 1993 French Open doubles (born in Ludington)
Aaron Krickstein, tennis player, ranked as high as 6th in world (born in Ann Arbor)
Todd Martin, tennis player, US Open and Australian Open finalist, ranked as high as #4 in the world (born in Hinsdale, Illinois, raised in East Lansing)
Susan Mascarin, tennis player, winner of the 1980 US Open (born in Detroit)
Michael Russell, tennis player (born in Detroit)
Serena Williams, tennis player, winner of 35 Grand Slam titles, including 20 in singles; world's No. 1 ranking; winner of four Olympic gold medals (born in Saginaw)

Other sports

Scott Baker, auto racer (born in Holland)
Tom Bambard, NASCAR driver (born in South Lyon)
Johnny Benson, NASCAR driver (born in Grand Rapids)
Pam Bristol Brady, Triple Crown-winning badminton player (born in Flint; moved to Grand Blanc)
Becky Breisch, 2005 USA Outdoors discus throw champion and 8-time NCAA All-American (born in Edwardsburg)
Walter Burkemo, professional golfer who won the 1953 PGA Championship (born in Detroit)
Donna Caponi, professional golfer in World Golf Hall of Fame (born in Detroit)
Leo Diegel, professional golfer, two-time PGA Championship winner (born in Gratiot Township)
Frances Dodge, horsewoman, thoroughbred breeder and owner (born in Detroit)
Tim Fedewa, NASCAR driver and spotter (born in Holt)
Cindy Hill, golfer, U.S. Amateur champion, two-time LPGA Tour winner (born in South Haven)
Dave Hill, 13-time winner on PGA Tour (born in Jackson)
Mike Hill, 18-time winner on Senior PGA Tour (born in Jackson)
Lon Hinkle, professional golfer (born in Flint)
Gordon Johncock, auto racer, two-time winner of Indianapolis 500 (born in Coldwater)
Jessica Joseph, ice dancer, silver and bronze medalist in 1998 and 2001 US Championships, respectively (born in Bloomfield Hills)
Connie Kalitta, drag racer, first driver to hit 200 mph (320 km/h) at a NHRA sanctioned event in top fuel dragster (grew up in Mount Clemens)
Doug Kalitta, auto racer, 1994 USAC National Sprint Car champion (born in Ypsilanti)
Brad Keselowski, NASCAR Nationwide Series driver (born in Rochester Hills)
Julie Krone, jockey, first woman to win the Belmont Stakes, all-time leading female rider in victories (born in Benton Harbor)
Iris Kyle, 10-time overall Ms. Olympia professional bodybuilder (born in Benton Harbor)
Marion Ladewig, bowler, nine-time Bowler of the Year from 1950–1963, first Superior Performance inductee into the Women's International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame (born in Grand Rapids)
Alexi Lalas, US National Soccer Hall of Fame player, general manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy (born in Birmingham)
Meg Mallon, professional golfer (attended high school in Farmington Hills)
Harry Melling, owner of Melling Automotive, NASCAR championship team owner of Melling Racing (lived in Jackson)
Lenda Murray, IFBB professional bodybuilder, multiple Ms. Olympia winner (born in Detroit)
Colette Nelson, IFBB professional bodybuilder (born in Southfield)
Benny Parsons, NASCAR Winston Cup (now Nextel Cup) champion, TV commentator (lived in Detroit)
U. E. Patrick, aka "Pat" Patrick, co-founder of CART Indy car series, owner of Indy 500 winning Patrick Racing (resides in Jackson)
Ken Read, Alpine skier, first North American to win an Alpine skiing World Cup downhill skiing event, in 1975 for Canada (born in Ann Arbor)
Kelly Robbins, professional golfer (born in Mt. Pleasant)
Allen Tolmich, hurdler (born in Detroit)
Kevin VanDam, professional bass angler, author of guide Secrets of a Champion, 2002 ESPN Outdoor Sportsman of the Year (born in Kalamazoo)
Dave Walsh, gamer (born in Grand Rapids)
Tom Wargo, professional golfer (born in Marlette)
Al Watrous, professional golfer and club pro (born in Yonkers, New York, moved to Bloomfield Hills)
Ken Westerfield, a Frisbee flying disc pioneer (born in Detroit)
Garfield Wood, boat builder, 5-time Gold Cup hydroplane champion (born in Iowa, moved to Detroit)

References and further reading

Gavrilovich, Peter and Bill McGraw (2000). The Detroit Almanac. Detroit Free Press. ISBN 0-937247-34-0.
Gavrilovich, Peter and Bill McGraw (2006). The Detroit Almanac, 2nd edition. Detroit Free Press. ISBN 978-0-937247-48-8.