The 10 best father-son sports duos of all time showcase the remarkable legacy of athletic talent passed down through generations.
In the world of sports, many athletes have made their mark by following in their father’s footsteps. Some of the most celebrated figures in major North American sports are indeed the sons of former professional athletes.
However, the chance for father-son duos to play together on the same team is rare. A notable exception is LeBron James and his son, Bronny, who made headlines when they played together for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2024-25 season.
Here are the 10 best father-son duos in sports history.
The elder Long had a distinctive journey to the Hall of Fame, playing at Villanova just before its football program temporarily ceased operations. As he excelled, the Raiders selected him in the 1981 NFL Draft’s second round. He became one of the premier defensive linemen of the 1980s, earning eight Pro Bowl selections and helping the Raiders clinch Super Bowl XVIII.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Chris Long was the second overall pick in the 2008 Draft. He enjoyed a successful career with the Rams before capturing Super Bowl titles with the Patriots in 2016 and the Eagles in 2017. With a career total of 70 sacks, he became one of the few NFL players to win back-to-back Super Bowls with different teams, marking a historic milestone as the first father-son duo to achieve this feat.
Kyle Long, another talented member of the Long family, played as a guard. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, he was the Bears’ first-round pick and spent most of his career in Chicago. He faced the Eagles in the memorable “Double Doink” playoff game and later joined the Chiefs in 2021, although an injury prevented him from playing that season.
9. Cecil Fielder and Prince Fielder
Cecil and Prince Fielder rank among the most powerful father-son duos in MLB history. Cecil Fielder was an All-Star for the Tigers in the early 1990s, leading the American League in home runs for two consecutive seasons. He also became the first AL player since Babe Ruth to lead the league in RBIs for three straight years and later claimed a World Series title with the Yankees, finishing his career with 319 home runs and three All-Star selections.
Prince Fielder mirrored his father’s success, emerging as one of the top sluggers in the game during his time with the Brewers. He hit 50 home runs in his third season and later joined the Tigers, coming close to winning a World Series in 2012. A six-time All-Star, Prince made history as the first father-son duo to each hit at least 40 homers in a season, matching his father’s career total.
Before Klay Thompson became a key figure in the Warriors’ dynasty, his father played a significant role in the Lakers’ success during the 1980s. Thompson contributed to the team’s two championships, averaging over 10 points per game off the bench during those seasons. He was selected first overall by the Trail Blazers in the 1978 NBA Draft and had a solid eight-year career there before joining the Spurs in 1986.
Dell Curry, the father of two-time MVP Steph Curry, was one of the league’s early great 3-point shooters. Over his 16-year career, he made 40.2% of his shots from beyond the arc, winning Sixth Man of the Year in 1994 and ranking second on the Hornets’ all-time scoring list.
Steph Curry took his father’s shooting skills to unprecedented heights, transforming the game with his exceptional 3-point shooting. He has won two MVP awards and led the Warriors to four championships, setting the NBA record for all-time 3-pointers made in 2021, six months before earning his first Finals MVP.
The Earnhardt family stands out as two of NASCAR’s most legendary drivers. The elder Earnhardt participated in 676 Winston Cup races, winning 76 of them. His career tragically ended in a fatal crash during the 2001 Daytona 500, leading to his posthumous induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010.
Earnhardt Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, winning 26 Cup Series races, including two Daytona 500 titles (2004, 2014). With 260 top-10 finishes throughout his career, he earned a spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2021.
5. Bobby Bonds and Barry Bonds
Bobby Bonds made his mark in baseball history before his son Barry Bonds shattered records. Bobby, a three-time All-Star, became the second player to achieve 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases, finishing his career with 332 homers and 461 stolen bases.
Years later, Barry Bonds expanded on his father’s legacy with an illustrious career, winning five of his seven NL MVP awards during his 15 seasons with the Giants. He set multiple home run records, including hitting 73 in a single season in 2001 and finishing with 762 career home runs.
The Guerrero family has made a significant impact on Canadian baseball. The elder Guerrero, a four-time All-Star with the Expos, ranked in the NL’s top 10 for home runs multiple times during his eight seasons in Montreal. He won his first and only MVP award in 2004 while playing for the Angels, hitting 39 home runs that season.
His son, Guerrero Jr., has quickly established himself as one of MLB’s top power hitters, hitting 48 home runs in his third season in 2021. At just 25 years old, he has already made four consecutive All-Star appearances, suggesting that this father-son duo may continue to climb the ranks in baseball history.
3. Bobby Hull and Brett Hull
The Hull family is celebrated in NHL history for producing two of the greatest players in the sport. Bobby Hull was considered one of the best during his prime, leading the league in goals seven times and finishing with 610 goals, which ranked second all-time at his retirement. A two-time MVP, he also led the league in scoring on three occasions.
Brett Hull, the younger Hull, might have surpassed his father’s achievements. He scored 741 goals during his career, ranking fifth in league history. Brett won Stanley Cups with the Stars in 1999 and the Red Wings in 2002. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009, he joined his father as the first father-son duo in the Hall.
2. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr.
Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. made history as the first father-son duo to play together in Major League Baseball. Their combined 51 games together in the early 1990s marked a significant milestone. Before that, Griffey Sr. was instrumental in the Reds’ World Series victories in the 1970s, earning three All-Star selections during his career.
The younger Griffey is regarded as one of MLB’s all-time greats. He was a 13-time All-Star and an MVP winner, leading the American League in home runs four times. With 630 career home runs, he ranks seventh all-time and set a record for the highest Hall of Fame voting share in 2016.
1. Archie Manning and Peyton Manning, Eli Manning
The Manning family stands out as a remarkable lineage in NFL history, with three quarterbacks who achieved great success. Archie Manning, a two-time Pro Bowler, played primarily for the Saints and was known as one of the best passers of the 1970s.
Peyton Manning, the elder son, was the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, winning four MVP awards and leading the Colts to a Super Bowl victory in 2006. His illustrious career continued with the Broncos, where he added another MVP and Super Bowl title.
Eli Manning, the younger son, also made a name for himself, leading the Giants to two Super Bowl victories against the New England Patriots, solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s greats.
Honorable mentions:
- Sandy Alomar, Roberto Alomar and Sandy Alomar Jr.
- Deion Sanders, Shedeur Sanders and Shilo Sanders
- Doc Rivers and Austin Rivers
- Joe Bryant and Kobe Bryant
- Clay Matthews Jr., Clay Matthews III and Casey Matthews
- Ed McCaffrey and Christian McCaffrey
- Marvin Harrison and Marvin Harrison Jr.
- Peter Schmeichel and Kasper Schmeichel
- Tim Hardaway and Tim Hardaway Jr.
- Bill Walton and Luke Walton
- Bruce Matthews and Jake Matthews
- Richard Petty and Kyle Petty
- Calvin Hill and Grant Hill
- LeBron James and Bronny James
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