First of all, Happy Father’s Day to all Father’s everywhere. I would like to wish my own Dad a Happy Father’s Day as well.

 

 

 

Most of us learn about sports through our fathers, therefore, it is no surprise that many athletes have followed in their fathers into the world of professional sports.

 

 

 

10. The Walton’s: Bill Walton was a great player who is a member of both the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Basketball hall of Fame. He won three straight college player of the year awards at UCLA and then went on to have a great NBA Career where he won two Championships. His son, Luke played basketball at the University of Arizona. He was drafted 32nd overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2003 NBA Draft and currently comes off of the bench for the Western Conference Champions.

 

 

 

9. The Boone’s: The Boone’s became the first family in major league baseball history to have players from three generations. Ray Boone was a 12 year infielder in the Major Leagues. Bob Boone was a major league catcher and later a manager for the Royals and the Reds. Bob’s sons Bret and Aaron also made it to the majors. Bret is a retired second baseman, while Aaron is currently a member on the Washington Nationals. Aaron is most known for his game-winning home-run in game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, where coincidentally his brother Bret was a guest broadcaster.

 

 

 

8. The Barry’s: Rick and Brent Barry are one of only two Father-son combinations in NBA history to both win a championship. Rick Barry won his ring in 1975 with the Warriors while his son Brent has received two with San Antonio.

 

7. The Howe’s: Gordie Howe “won six MVP awards and six scoring championships in 25 years with Detroit and left the game with 801 goals, 1,049 assists and 1,850 points – all NHL records. That is, until Wayne Gretzky came along.” His son Mark played in the NHL for 16 seasons and appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals 3 times with Pittsburgh and Detroit.

 

 

 

 

6. The Norton’s: Both father and son are known for giving out hits. However, they went about it in different ways. Ken Sr. was a boxer and won the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship in 1978. Norton Jr. was a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys where he won two Super Bowls. He then became a San Francisco 49er where he won another ring and became the first player to win three consecutive Super Bowls. He played in the NFL for 13 seasons and is currently the Linebacker Coach for the USC Trojans.

 

    

 

5. The Griffey’s: Griffey Senior was a three time all-star and two time World Series Champion. Griffey Junior has yet to win the rings but proved that he was a much better player than his father. He is number 6 on the all-time #### run list and is one of only 6 members in the 600 home-run club. He is a ten-time gold glove award winner, 13 time all-star, and won the MVP Award in 1997. The Griffey’s became the first father-son duo to play on the same team when they appeared together for the Mariners in 1990. On September 14, 1990 the Griffey’#### back to back home runs, a truly special and memorable moment for the father and son.

 

 

4. The Earnhardt’s: Dale Earnhardt was a true racing legend who had a career that lasted over two decades and amassed 76 wins. He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers. Tragically, “He was killed when his car crashed into the wall on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.” Earnhardt Junior has had early success in his career including a win at the 2004 Daytona 500.

 

 

 

3. The Ali’s: The only father/daughter combination to make the list. Muhammad Ali was voted Sportsman of the Century by Sports Illustrated. He is arguably the most famous athlete and has been called “The Greatest of All-Time.” Despite the enormous shoes to fill, Laila Ali has not disappointed. She is a perfect 24-0, with 21 wins by knockout.

 

 

 

2. The Bonds’: Bobby Bonds played 14 seasons in the MLB, went to three all-star games and became the first player in the history of the sport to hit 300 home runs and steal 400 bases. His son is now the only other player to accomplish this feat. Barry Bonds is a seven time national league MVP and is currently Major League Baseball’s all-time home run leader. (762)

 

 

 

1. The Manning’s: All three Manning’s were Heisman Trophy Finalists. Archie was drafted second overall while both his sons were drafted first overall. This is a family that exemplifies athletics abilities being passed from one generation to the next. Archie had a great career with a horrible New Orleans Saints team. He played 14 seasons and was named NFL MVP in 1978. Peyton is one of the most marketable players in the NFL. He is a two-time league MVP as well as Super Bowl MVP. Eli is the youngest of the Manning trio and still has many good years left in him. Last year he began to break out of his shell and shown the kind of talent that people had witnessed while watching him play at Ole Miss. His 2007-2008 season was capped when he led his New York Giants to a Super Bowl victory over the heavily favored New England Patriots. Eli was named the game’s MVP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*There was no place for it on the list, but a special Father’s Day moment that deserves to be mentioned came in 2004 when Ken Griffey Junior hit his 500th career home run on Father’s Day with his dad in attendance. He became the 6th youngest player to reach the 500 home run mark and became the first player to hit his 500th career home run in a Cincinnati Uniform. "It was a nice Father's Day present, but it's an easy way to get out of giving me something," Griffey Sr. joked.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Thanks to cbssports.com, askmen.com, espn.com, and usatoday.com for pictures, quotes, and statistics.

 

 

Me and my friends were having a discussion about which athlete we would like to trade lives with. Who do you guys think has the best life?

My top two are Tony Romo and Tony Parker. Tony Parker makes a strong case for himself because he is a key player on the defending NBA Champions and is married to Eva Longoria.

I think I lean towars Tony Romo because he is the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. Football is America's favorite sport and quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys is about as big as it gets. Tony is the quarterback of America's team, in a relationship with Jessica Simpson, and attempting to qualify for the U.S Open. Not a bad life in my opinion.

What do you guys think?

A-Rod? Jeter? Brady?