It should come as no surprise that many children of pro athletes go on to become pro athletes themselves. In addition to inheriting such qualities as strength, speed, and height, many get the drive to train hard and absorb the love of the game from their parents.
Often, brothers will be cut from the same cloth as well. Sibling rivalry can push gifted athletes to work hard and become professional-quality players. There are numerous instances of brothers playing pro sports — sometimes for the same team.
Family members playing together can make for great human interest stories in sports. Ken Griffey Jr. and his father, Ken Griffey Sr. once hit back-to-back home runs while playing with the Seattle Mariners. Maurice Richard won five Stanley Cups with his little brother Henri as players with the Montreal Canadiens in the 1950s.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed media sources, including the Sports Reference family of sites, to determine the greatest families in professional sports history.
Click here to see the greatest families in sports history.
Source: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images
1. The Alomar Family
> Family members: Roberto, Sandy, Sandy Jr.
> Sport known for: Baseball
> Accomplishments: 19x All-Star, 11x Gold Glove, 4x Silver Slugger, 2x World Series, 1x Hall of Famer
Altogether, the Alomar family played 52 seasons in the Majors. The best family member was Roberto. He made the Hall of Fame after 12 All-Star game appearances, 10 Gold Gloves, and two World Series titles with the Toronto Blue Jays.
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Source: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images
2. The Alou Family
> Family members: Felipe, Jesus, Matty, Moises
> Sport known for: Baseball
> Accomplishments: 11x All-Star, 2x Silver Slugger, 4x World Series, 1x Manager of the Year, 1x Batting title
Three Alou brothers, Felipe, Jesus, and Matty, all played in the big leagues during the 1960s and 1970s. Felipe’s son, Moises, went on to have a great career of his own, playing 17 seasons, making six All-Star teams, and winning the 1997 World Series with the Florida Marlins.
Source: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images
3. The Barber Family
> Family members: Tiki, Ronde
> Sport known for: Football
> Accomplishments: 8x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl
Twins Tiki and Ronde Barber each had their own path to NFL success. Tiki played running back for the New York Giants, making it to three Pro Bowls in the last three seasons of his career. Ronde made it to five Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams in his 16 seasons as a safety with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also won the Super Bowl in 2003.
Source: Wikimedia Commons / Getty Images
4. The Barry Family
> Family members: Rick, Brent, Jon, Drew
> Sport known for: Basketball
> Accomplishments: 12x All-Star, 1x Hall of Famer, 3x NBA Champion,
Rick Barry is one of the most decorated basketball players of all time. He made 12 All-Star teams in the NBA and ABA and won a championship with the 1975 Golden State Warriors. None of his sons — Brent, Drew, and Jon — could match his accomplishments, as none ever made a single All-Star team. However, Brent won two NBA titles with the San Antonio Spurs.
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Source: Otto Greule / Allsport / Getty Images
5. The Bonds Family
> Family members: Barry, Bobby
> Sport known for: Baseball
> Accomplishments: 17x All-Star, 7x MVP, 11x Gold Glove, 12x Silver Slugger
Bobby Bonds was an outstanding baseball player, winning three Gold Gloves and making three All-Star teams in the 1970s. His son, Barry, was an even better player. The younger Bonds won seven MVPs and hit a record 762 career home runs. As if that family tree wasn’t accomplished enough, Barry Bonds is also cousins with five-time World Series champion Reggie Jackson.
Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images
6. The Curry Family
> Family members: Dell, Stephen, Seth
> Sport known for: Basketball
> Accomplishments: 5x All-Star, 2x MVP, 3x NBA Champion
Even though his father was a long time NBA player, Steph Curry wasn’t highly recruited out of high school. Still, Steph has developed into arguably the greatest shooter in NBA history, winning two MVP awards and leading the Golden State Warriors to three NBA titles — and more could be coming. His younger brother, Seth, is also in the NBA, having played with six teams in his five seasons.
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Source: Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons
7. The DiMaggio Family
> Family members: Joe, Dom, Vince
> Sport known for: Baseball
> Accomplishments: 22x All-Star, 3x MVP, 9x World Series, 1x Hall of Famer
Joe DiMaggio is a baseball legend. He won nine World Series rings and three MVPs with the Yankees from 1936 to 1951. But his brothers were also good players in their own right. The eldest brother, Vince, was named an All-Star twice for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the youngest brother, Dom, made seven All-Star teams in his 11 seasons with the Boston Red Sox. Joe and Dom may have racked up even more accolades, but both missed three seasons serving in the military during World War II.
Source: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images
8. The Ertz Family
> Family members: Zach, Julie
> Sport known for: Football, Soccer
> Accomplishments: 1x Pro Bowl, 1x Super Bowl, 1x World Cup
The Ertzes are unique on this list, as they are the only ones who chose to be family. Zach, then a tight end for Stanford University, met Julie in 2012, when she was a soccer player for nearby Santa Clara University. They married in 2017. Zach had a breakout 2017 season, making the Pro Bowl and helping the Philadelphia Eagles win their first Super Bowl. Julie is a key player of the dominant U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. She was the 2017 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year and helped the USWNT win the 2015 FIFA World Cup.
Source: Andy Lyons / Getty Images
9. The Gasol Family
> Family members: Marc, Pau
> Sport known for: Basketball
> Accomplishments: 9x All-Star, 2x NBA Champion, 1x Defensive Player of the Year
The Gasol brothers from Barcelona, Spain, are two of the best big men in the NBA. Pau, the older brother, is a gifted scorer. He’s made six All-Star teams and helped the Los Angeles Lakers win back-to-back NBA titles in 2009 and 2010. Younger brother Marc is a three-time All-Star who is noted for his defense — he won the 2012-2013 Defensive Player of the Year award.
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Source: Ken Levine / Allsport / Getty Images
10. The Griffey Family
> Family members: Ken, Ken Jr.
> Sport known for: Baseball
> Accomplishments: 16x All-Star, 1x MVP, 10x Gold Glove, 7x Silver Slugger, 2x World Series, 1x Hall of Famer
Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. both played for the Seattle Mariners during the 1990 and 1991 seasons, even hitting back-to-back home runs in a game once. At that point, senior was wrapping up a 19-year career, in which he won two World Series and made three All-Star teams. Junior was just getting going. He would eventually be named the 1997 AL MVP, make 13 All-Star teams, and become a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Source: Jamie Squire / Getty Images
11. The Harbaugh Family
> Family members: John, Jim
> Sport known for: Football
> Accomplishments: 1x Pro Bowl, 1x Super Bowl
Many siblings have intense rivalries, but few have ever competed like the Harbaugh brothers. John and Jim squared off as head coaches in Super Bowl XLVII in 2013. John’s Baltimore Ravens beat Jim’s San Francisco 49ers 34-31. Unlike John, Jim played in the NFL. He was a quarterback for 14 seasons, making one Pro Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts. John has stayed on with the Ravens, while Jim now coaches the Wolverines at the University of Michigan.
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Source: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
12. The Howe Family
> Family members: Gordie, Vic, Marty, Mark
> Sport known for: Hockey
> Accomplishments: 24x All-Star, 2x Hall of Famer, 4x Stanley Cup, 6x Hart Trophy, 6x Ross Trophy
Gordie Howe, a 21-time All-Star in the WHA and NHL, played into his 50s, racking up four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings. Howe was around so long, he was able to play with his sons, Mark and Marty, on the Whalers franchise. Marty played in the WHA and NHL for 12 seasons. Mark played for more than 20 years and made it to the Hall of Fame, just like his dad. Gordie’s brother, Vic, had a brief career with the New York Rangers.
Source: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images
13. The Hull Family
> Family members: Bobby, Brett, Dennis
> Sport known for: Hockey
> Accomplishments: 16x All-Star, 2x Hall of Famer, 3x Stanley Cup, 3x Hart Trophy, 3x Ross Trophy
The odds of a pro athlete getting into the Hall of Fame are very slim. But having two members of the same family is practically unheard of. But that’s exactly what father and son duo Bobby and Brett Hull did. The two combined for 15 All-Star teams, three Stanley Cups, and three Hart Trophies, given to the league’s most valuable player. Bobby’s brother, Dennis, was also a solid pro player, making one All-Star team in his 14 seasons.
Source: Patrick Smith / Getty Images
14. The Long Family
> Family members: Howie, Chris, Kyle
> Sport known for: Football
> Accomplishments: 1x Hall of Famer, 11x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 3x Super Bowl
Howie Long was a dominant defensive lineman for the Raiders franchise in the 1980s and 1990s. He made eight Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams and was a member of the Super Bowl XVIII championship team. Son Chris followed in his father’s footsteps, playing on the defensive line. He won two consecutive Super Bowls — one as a Patriot and one as an Eagle. Chris’ brother, Kyle, plays offensive line. Kyle made the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons as a Chicago Bear.
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Source: Astrid Stawiarz / Getty Images
15. The Manning Family
> Family members: Peyton, Eli, Archie
> Sport known for: Football
> Accomplishments: 20x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, 5x MVP, 4x Super Bowl
The New Orleans Saints were one of the worst franchises in the NFL. One of the lone bright spots was QB Archie Manning, who made two Pro Bowls. His sons would go on to be much better. Both Peyton and Eli were drafted first overall. Elder Peyton earned a record five NFL MVPs, made 14 Pro Bowls, and won two Super Bowls. Younger Eli has made four Pro Bowls and won two championships with the New York Giants.
Source: Getty Images
16. The Martinez Family
> Family members: Pedro, Ramon
> Sport known for: Baseball
> Accomplishments: 9x All-Star, 1x World Series, 1x Hall of Famer
Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Ramon Martinez seemed to be the best baseball player in the family, and there were not high expectations for little brother Pedro’s career. Ramon was an All-Star pitcher at 22, but he struggled to maintain success. Pedro developed into an all-time great pitcher, putting together a decade-long stretch of dominance. From 1996 to 2006, he won three Cy Young Awards, made eight All-Star teams, and won a World Series. He would go on to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
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Source: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images
17. The Matthews Family
> Family members: Bruce, Jake, Clay I, Clay II, Clay III, Casey, Kevin
> Sport known for: Football
> Accomplishments: 1x Hall of Famer, 24x Pro Bowl, 8x All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl
Clay Matthews I played for just four seasons in the 1950s with the San Francisco 49ers, but he would go on to establish an impressive NFL dynasty. Two of his sons, Bruce and Clay Jr., would also make it to the NFL. Bruce was inducted to the Hall of Fame after making 14 Pro Bowls. Clay Jr. made it to four Pro Bowls. The dynasty continues with grandsons Clay III, Kevin, Casey, and Jake. So far, Clay III is the only champion in the Matthews family, winning a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers.
Source: Cindy Ord / Getty Images for SiriusXM
18. The McCourty Family
> Family members: Devin, Jason
> Sport known for: Football
> Accomplishments: 2x Pro Bowl, 2x Super Bowl
Twins Devin and Jason McCourty played college football at Rutgers together. Both are defensive backs, but Devin was more highly touted. A 2010 first round draft pick by the Patriots, Devin has made two Pro Bowls and won two titles in New England. Jason was a sixth-rounder and played in Tennessee for much of his career. For the first time in 2018, the twins are on the same team, playing for the Patriots.
Source: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images
19. The Molina Family
> Family members: Bengie, Jose, Yadier
> Sport known for: Baseball
> Accomplishments: 9x All-Star, 11x Gold Glove, 1x Silver Slugger, 5x World Series
Each member of the Molina family — all of whom play catcher — has been lucky enough to win the World Series. Older brother Bengie played 13 seasons. He won two Gold Gloves and a World Series with the Angels. Middle brother Jose never had any individual honors, but he was on the 2002 championship Angels teams with Bengie. He also won the 2009 World Series with the Yankees. The best Molina by far is the youngest, Yadier. He is a nine-time All-Star with nine Gold Gloves and two World Series rings, all as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.
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Source: Wikimedia Commons
20. The Richard Family
> Family members: Henri, Maurice
> Sport known for: Hockey
> Accomplishments: 18x All-Star, 2x Hall of Famer, 19x Stanley Cup, 1x Hart Trophy
Brothers Maurice and Henri Richard hoisted the Stanley Cup together five times as members of their hometown team, the Montreal Canadiens. The brothers were 15 years apart in age, so Henri’s first five seasons — 1955-56 through 1959-1960 — were the last of Maurice’s career. Maurice, known as Rocket, made 14 All-Star teams and won eight Stanley Cups in total. Henri was named an All-Star four times and won 11 Cups. Both were inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Source: Rich Lam / Getty Images
21. The Sedin Family
> Family members: Daniel, Henrik
> Sport known for: Hockey
> Accomplishments: 4x All-Star, 1x Hart Trophy, 2x Ross Trophy
The Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik, played their entire 17-year careers together. Daniel was drafted second overall in the 1999 NHL draft, and Henrik was drafted third — both by the Vancouver Canucks. The Swedish twins remained in Vancouver their entire careers. Both made two All-Star teams, but Henrik won the only Hart Trophy between the pair in 2010.
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Source: Christopher Polk / Getty Images
22. The Sharpe Family
> Family members: Sterling, Shannon
> Sport known for: Football
> Accomplishments: 1x Hall of Famer, 13x Pro Bowl, 7x All-Pro, 3x Super Bowl
Sterling and Shannon Sharpe were two of the best pass-catchers in the NFL while they were playing. Sterling was a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro before a neck injury forced him to retire early. Shannon made eight Pro Bowls, four All-Pro teams, and won three Super Bowls — two with the Denver Broncos and one with the Baltimore Ravens.
Source: Mike Stobe / Getty Images for the NHL
23. The Staal Family
> Family members: Eric, Marc, Jordan
> Sport known for: Hockey
> Accomplishments: 1x All-Star, 2x Stanley Cup
The Staal brothers, Eric, Jordan, and Marc, are all in the midst of long NHL careers. Eric is the oldest and the only All-Star among them. He was an All-Star in the 2005-2006 season, the same year he won a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes. Middle brother Marc has played for the Rangers since 2007. Jordan, the youngest, won the 2009 Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Source: Bruce Bennett / Getty Image
24. The Sutter Family
> Family members: Brent, Brandon, Brian, Brett, Brody, Darryl, Duane, Lukas, Rich, Ron
> Sport known for: Hockey
> Accomplishments: 6x Stanley Cup
For more than 40 years, the surname “Sutter” has been a mainstay on the backs of NHL sweaters. Brothers Brent, Brian, Darryl, Duane, Rich, and Ron all made it to the NHL in the 1970s and 1980s. Though many Sutters have played pro hockey, none has ever been All-Star. The New York Times wrote that “not one of them is naturally gifted… But no one outworks them.” Several second-generation Sutters have also made it to the NHL.
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Source: Charley Gallay / Getty Images for Opus Bank
25. The Thompson Family
> Family members: Mychal, Klay, Mychel
> Sport known for: Basketball
> Accomplishments: 4x All-Star, 5x NBA Champion
Mychal Thompson was first overall pick in the 1978 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. He was a solid player for 12 seasons and eventually won two consecutive NBA Championships in 1987 and 1988 as a member of the “Showtime” Lakers. His son, Klay, was drafted 11th overall but has already become much more successful. Klay is a great shooter and made four consecutive All-Star teams while winning three titles as a member of the Golden State Warriors. His brother, Mychel, played briefly for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Source: Edwin Martinez / Wikimedia Commons
26. The Williams Family
> Family members: Venus, Serena
> Sport known for: Tennis
> Accomplishments: 121x Singles title, 30x Grand Slam, 8x Gold medal
Since turning professional as teenagers, the Williams sisters have taken the tennis world by storm. Venus has won seven Grand Slam titles and 49 singles titles in her career. Serena has emerged as an even more successful player, winning 72 singles titles and 23 Grand Slams — one behind Margaret Court for the most any female tennis player has won. Both have also won four Olympic Gold medals.
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