List of People From North Carolina - Sports and Athletics

Sports and Athletics

• Dustin Ackley (born 1988), second baseman for the Seattle Mariners (Winston-Salem)
• Sam Aiken (born 1980), wide receiver; Buffalo Bills (2003–07); New England Patriots (2008–10) (Warsaw)
• James Anderson (born 1983), linebacker for the Carolina Panthers (Roanoke Rapids)
• Darrell Armstrong (born 1968), former NBA point guard and current assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks (Gastonia)
• J. J. Arrington (born 1983), American football player (Rocky Mount)
• Scott Bankhead (born 1963), former MLB pitcher (Raleigh)
• Billy Ray Barnes (born 1935) American Football player (1957–66) Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, and Minnesota Vikings; selected three times for the Pro Bowl (Landis)
• Brian Barnes (born 1967), former MLB pitcher for the Montreal Expos, Cleveland Indians, and Los Angeles Dodgers (Roanoke Rapids)
• Henry Bibby (born 1949), former NBA point guard and current assistant coach for the Memphis Grizzlies (Franklinton)
• Stephen Bowen (born 1984), defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys (Holly Ridge)
• Hal Bradley (1913–1981), end in the NFL for the Washington Redskins and the Chicago Cardinals (Winston-Salem)
• Andre Brown (born 1986), fullback for the Washington Redskins (Greenville)
• Madison Bumgarner (born 1989), starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. Youngest pitcher ever to start a game and youngest pitcher ever to win a post season game for the SF Giants. (Granite Falls, South Caldwell High School)
• Crezdon Butler (born 1987), cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers (Asheville)
• Brian Canter (born 1987), professional bull rider on the Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series tour (Randleman)
• Bruce Carter (born 1988), linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys (Havelock)
• Joey Cheek (born 1979), Olympic gold medal winning speed skater. (Greensboro)
• Lonnie Chisenhall (born 1988), third baseman for the Cleveland Indians (Newport)
• Dwight Clark (born 1957), two-time All-Pro wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. Propelled the 49ers to their first Super Bowl appearance with a last-minute touchdown catch in the 1982 NFC Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys (Kinston)
• Jim Cleamons (born 1949), former NBA guard who played for the L.A. Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the New York Knicks. Currently is the assistant coach for the L.A. Lakers. (Lincolnton)
• Tony Cloninger (born 1940), MLB pitcher (Cherryville)
• Terrance Copper (born 1982), wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs (Washington)
• Alge Crumpler (born 1977), tight end for the New England Patriots. Selected twice for the All-Pro and selected four times for the Pro Bowl. (Greenville)
• Chris Culliver (born 1988), cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers (Garner)
• Kenwin Cummings (born 1986), linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys (Maxton)
• Aaron Curry (born 1986), linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks (Fayetteville)
• Stephen Curry (born 1988), player for the Golden State Warriors (Charlotte)
• Brad Daugherty (born 1965), former All-America basketball player for UNC-Chapel Hill and NBA player for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Subsequently a popular basketball television commentator for Raycom Media (Black Mountain)
• Walter Davis (born 1954), former basketball player for UNC-Chapel Hill and for the NBA's Phoenix Suns; six-time NBA All-Star (Pineville)
• Matt Dodge (born 1987), punter for the New York Giants (Morehead City)
• Dale Earnhardt Sr (1951–2001), renowned NASCAR driver nicknamed "The Intimidator" for his aggressive driving style. Winner of 76 NASCAR races, he was killed in a crash at the 2001 Daytona 500 (Kannapolis)
• Dale Earnhardt Jr (born 1974), championship-winning NASCAR driver and Protégé of his father, Dale Earnhardt Sr. (Kannapolis)
• Brad Edwards (born 1966) Safety, Washington Redskins, Lumberton, North Carolina two interceptions in Super Bowl XXVI
• Dannell Ellerbe (born 1985), linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens (Hamlet)
• Vince Evans (born 1955), Rose Bowl MVP 1977, long term NFL/USFL Quarterback-(Raiders, Bears)(Greensboro)
• Rick Ferrell (1905–1995), Baseball Hall of Fame catcher for Boston Red Sox Washington Senators and St Louis Browns (Durham)
• Perry Fewell (born 1962), defensive coordinator for the New York Giants (Gastonia)
• Phil Ford (born 1956), retired point guard who played with the Kansas City Kings, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks and Houston Rockets. Won the '78–'79 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Currently the assistant coach for the Charlotte Bobcats (Rocky Mount)
• Roman Gabriel (born 1940), All-America quarterback for NC State in the early 1960s. Also played professionally for the NFL's Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles, being named the NFL's MVP in 1969 (Wilmington)
• Omar Gaither (born 1984), linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles (Charlotte)
• Harry Gant (born 1940), former NASCAR driver, Mr. September(Taylorsville)
• David Garrard (born 1978), former East Carolina University football player, Current starting Quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars (Durham)
• Kenny Gattison (born 1964), former NBA player and current assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks (Wilmington)
• Alvin Gentry (born 1954), head coach for the Phoenix Suns (Shelby)
• Joe Gibbs (born 1940), Hall of Fame head coach for the Washington Redskins and owner of Joe Gibbs Racing; won Super Bowl in 1982, 1987, and 1991; won the NASCAR Cup Series Championship in 2000, 2002, and 2005 (Mocksville)
• Marcus Gilchrist (born 1988), cornerback for the San Diego Chargers (High Point)
• Mark Grace (born 1964), former Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star and Gold Glove Award winning first baseman; has the major league record for most hits (1,754) and doubles (364) in the decade of the 1990s.
• Jimmy Graham (born 1986), tight end for the New Orleans Saints (Goldsboro)
• Chris Hairston (born 1989), offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills (Winston-Salem)
• Josh Hamilton (born 1981), outfielder for the Texas Rangers (Raleigh)
• Dee Hardison (born 1956), former NFL defensive lineman, primarily for the Buffalo Bills and the New York Giants (Jacksonville)
• Matt Harrison (born 1985), pitcher for the Texas Rangers (Durham)
• William Hayes (born 1985), defensive end for the Tennessee Titans (High Point)
• Brendan Haywood (born 1979), center for the Dallas Mavericks (Greensboro)
• Andy Headen (born 1960), linebacker for the New York Giants from 1983–1988 (Asheboro)
• Madison Hedgecock (born 1981), former fullback for the St. Louis Rams and New York Giants. Selected All-Pro in 2008 (Winston-Salem)
• Sterling Hitchcock (born 1971), former MLB pitcher for the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres (Fayetteville)
• Greg Holland (born 1985), relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals (Morganton)
• Torry Holt (born 1976), former NC State and St. Louis Rams wide receiver (1999–2008); five-time NFL Pro Bowl participant (Gibsonville)
• Brad Hoover, NFL Football player for the Carolina Panthers, attended Western Carolina University
• Joe Horn (born 1972) (grew up in Fayetteville), Wide Receiver, Atlanta Falcons previously New Orleans Saints (born in Connecticut)
• Josh Howard (born 1980), small forward and shooting guard for the Utah Jazz (Winston-Salem)
• Jim "Catfish" Hunter (1946–1999), Major League Baseball pitcher, starting for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees in five World Series Championships during the 1970s. Also a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame (Hertford)
• Mark Ingram, Sr. (born 1965), former NFL wide receiver, primarily with the New York Giants (Gaston)
• John Isner (born 1985), professional tennis player (Greensboro)
• Bobby Jackson (born 1973), NBA player and assistant coach of Sacramento Kings (East Spencer)
• Dale Jarrett (born 1956), long-time NASCAR driver and winner of the 1999 NASCAR Championship (Conover)
• Ned Jarrett (born 1932), Former NASCAR driver, and two-time NASCAR champion. (Conover)
• Glenn Jarrett (born 1950), Former NASCAR driver. (Conover)
• Junior Johnson (born 1931), moonshiner who eluded capture by outrunning law enforcement on mountain roads; later an early superstar of NASCAR, and subject of a 1965 Esquire magazine article by Tom Wolfe. (Wilkes County)
• Marc Johnson (born 1970), professional skateboarder (Winston-Salem)
• Michael Jordan (born 1963), Retired NBA Basketball Player, Wilmington
• Sonny Jurgensen (born 1934), Hall of Fame quarterback for the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles; longtime color commentator for Redskins Radio. (Wilmington)
• Clyde King (1924–2010), MLB pitcher, coach, manager, general manager, and front office executive (Goldsboro)
• Mike LaValliere (born 1960), former MLB catcher who played with the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates. (Charlotte)
• Vonta Leach (born 1981), fullback for the Baltimore Ravens (Lumberton)
• Meadowlark Lemon (born 1935), basketball player for the Harlem Globetrotters; nicknamed the "Clown Prince" (Wilmington)
• Sugar Ray Leonard (born 1956), championship boxer and 1976 Olympic gold medal winner in boxing (Wilmington)
• Buck Leonard (1907–1997), Baseball Hall of Fame, first baseman Homestead Grays (Rocky Mount)
• Greg Little (born 1989), wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns (Durham)
• Sean Locklear (born 1981), offensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks (Lumberton)
• Calvin Lowry (born 1983), an American football safety. Lowry attended Penn State. He played for the Tennessee Titans and the Denver Broncos. (Fayetteville)
• Bob Mann (1924–2006), wide receiver for the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. First African-American player for both teams. Inducted to the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1988. (New Bern)
• Mohamed Massaquoi (born 1986), wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns (Charlotte)
• J. B. Mauney (born 1987), Professional Bull Rider on Built Ford Tough Series (Mooresville)
• Cameron Maybin (born 1987), center fielder for the San Diego Padres (Asheville)
• Eric Maynor (born 1987), point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder (Raeford)
• Robert "Bob" McAdoo (born 1951) Hall of Fame basketball player for UNC-Chapel Hill and the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers; led UNC-Chapel Hill to the 1971 NCAA Final Four; known for having "best jump shot for a big man;" currently Assistant Coach for the NBA Miami Heat,(Greensboro)
• Vince McMahon (born 1945) Chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment (Pinehurst)
• Nate McMillan (born 1964), retired guard for the Seattle SuperSonics. Currently is the head coach for the Portland Trail Blazers (Raleigh)
• David Merritt (born 1971), former NFL linebacker and current defensive backs coach for the New York Giants (Raleigh)
• Kevin Millwood (born 1974) pitcher for the Seattle Mariners (Gastonia)
• Wilmer Mizell (1930–1990) Major League Baseball pitcher and N.C. congressman
• Arthur Moats (born 1988), outside linebacker for the Buffalo Bills (Havelock)
• Brian Moehler (born 1971), starting pitcher for the Houston Astros (Rockingham)
• Scottie Montgomery (born 1978), former NFL wide receiver and current wide receivers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers (Shelby)
• Joe Morris (born 1960), former running back for the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns (Fort Bragg)
• Anthony Morrow (born 1985), basketball player for the New Jersey Nets (Charlotte)
• Hakeem Nicks (born 1988), wide receiver for the New York Giants (Charlotte)
• Willie Parker (born 1980) Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers Clinton, North Carolina "Fast Willie"
• Chris Paul (born 1985), three-time All-Star point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers. Won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2006. (Lewisville)
• Julius Peppers (born 1980), All-America football player and star basketball player for UNC-Chapel Hill; the only athlete in history to have played in both the NCAA Final Four and NFL Super Bowl; currently an All-Pro defensive end for the NFL's Chicago Bears (Bailey)
• Gaylord Perry (born 1938), MLB pitcher and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Also the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in both the American and National Leagues (Williamston)
• Greg Peterson (born 1984), Kenansville, NC, Defensive Tackle, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, named an All-American at North Carolina Central University
• Lee Petty (1914–2000), stock car driver, pioneer of NASCAR and three-time NASCAR champion in the 1950s; father of Richard Petty (Randleman)
• Richard Petty (born 1937), stock car driver and current holder of the NASCAR record for all-time victories at 200; son of Lee Petty (Randleman)
• Jennifer Pharr Davis, set record for quickest Appalachian Trail hike in 2011.
• Brandon Phillips (born 1981), second baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. Selected twice for the All-Star Game and won the Gold Glove Award three times. (Raleigh)
• Landon Powell (born 1982), catcher and first baseman for the Oakland A's (Raleigh)
• Jeff Reed (born 1979), placekicker for the Pittsburgh Steelers (Charlotte)
• Mary Reynolds (1921–1991), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (Gastonia)
• Brian Roberts (born 1977), MLB Baltimore Oriole's second baseman (Durham)
• Lee Rouson (born 1962), former running back for the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns (Elizabeth City)
• Kelvin Sampson (born 1955), assistant coach for the Houston Rockets (Laurinburg)
• Kyle Seager (born 1987), third baseman for the Seattle Mariners (Kannapolis)
• Razor Shines (born 1956), former first baseman for the Montreal Expos and current first base coach for the New York Mets (Durham)
• Enos Slaughter (1916–2002), right fielder and Baseball Hall of Famer who primarily played with the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees (Roxboro)
• Terrmel Sledge (born 1977), former MLB outfielder and current outfielder for the Yokohama BayStars (Fayetteville)
• D. J. Smith (born 1989), linebacker for the Green Bay Packers (Charlotte)
• Brandon Spikes (born 1987), linebacker for the New England Patriots (Shelby)
• Jerry Stackhouse (born 1974), former All-America basketball player for UNC-Chapel Hill and current player for the Atlanta Hawks, member of the NBA's 1996 All-Rookie team (Kinston)
• Melvin Stewart (born November 16, 1968), two-time Olympic gold medalist, swimming, inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame
• Hal Stowe (born 1937), former pitcher for the New York Yankees (Gastonia)
• Ryan Succop (born 1986), placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs (Hickory)
• Brett Swain (born 1986), wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers (Asheville)
• John Swofford (born 1948), Commissioner of the ACC since 1997 and former Athletic Director of UNC-Chapel Hill (North Wilkesboro)
• Brandon Tate (born 1987), wide receiver for the New England Patriots. Holds the NCAA career record for most combined yards (3,523) (Burlington)
• Ryan Taylor (born 1987), tight end for the Green Bay Packers (Winston-Salem)
• Cam Thomas (born 1986), defensive tackle for the San Diego Chargers (Eagle Springs)
• David Thompson (born 1954), NC State basketball legend, leading the team to the 1974 NCAA basketball championship over UCLA. Also, a four-time NBA All-Star and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame (Shelby)
• Leigh Torrence (born 1982), cornerback for the New Orleans Saints (Raleigh)
• Norv Turner (born 1952), head coach for the San Diego Chargers (Camp Lejeune)
• Hassan Whiteside (born 1989), power forward and center for the Sacramento Kings (Gastonia)

• Brian Vickers (born 1983), NASCAR driver (Thomasville)
• Fred Vinson (born 1971), former NBA player and current assistant coach for the New Orleans Hornets (Murfreesboro)
• Greg Warren (born 1981), long snapper for the Pittsburgh Steelers (Goldsboro)
• Josh Whitesell (born 1983), former MLB first baseman (Durham)
• Chris Wilcox (born 1982), power forward/center for the Boston Celtics (Raleigh)
• Hoyt Wilhelm (1923–2002), Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Baltimore Orioles Chicago White Sox and other teams (Huntersville)
• Damien Wilkins (born 1980), small forward and shooting guard for the Detroit Pistons (Washington)
• Brian Williams (born 1979), cornerback for the New York Giants (High Point)
• Buck Williams (born 1960), former NBA player for the New Jersey Nets, Portland Trail Blazers, and New York Knicks and current assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers. Won the 1982 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. (Rocky Mount)
• Mario Williams (born 1985), former NC State football player and the first ACC football player ever selected first overall in the NFL draft; currently plays defensive end for the Houston Texans (Richlands)
• Perry Williams (born 1961), former cornerback for the New York Giants (Hamlet)
• Roy Williams (born 1950), UNC-Chapel Hill men's basketball coach since 2003; led UNC-Chapel Hill to the 2005 & 2009 NCAA basketball national championship (Spruce Pine)
• C. J. Wilson (born 1987), defensive end for the Green Bay Packers (Belhaven)
• James Worthy (born 1961), basketball legend for UNC-Chapel Hill, named Most Valuable Player in the 1982 NCAA basketball championship game and winner of three NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers (Gastonia)
• Ryan Zimmerman (born 1984), All-Star third baseman for the Washington Nationals (Washington)
• Alex White, Cleveland Indians pitcher (Greenville)
• Johnny White (born 1988), running back for the Buffalo Bills (Asheville)
• John Donaldson, (KC Athletics)(Oakland A's)(Infielder) (Seattle Pilots 1970) Charlotte NC Born 1943
• Tommy Helms, Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds Infielder Charlotte NC
• Carter Capps, relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners