Throughout sporting history there has often been the phenomenon of sports stars that have come from the same family. It makes sense when you think about it, many children who grow up surrounded by sport will naturally go into the same profession as their parent and it is said that natural athletic ability is something that is passed on through DNA.
Whilst there have been many sports stars who have followed in the footsteps of other family members, ether have been some who have not only gone into the sports world but surpassed the successes of their siblings or parents. Let’s take a look then at some of the World’s most famous sporting families.
The Elways
The Elways are one of the most famous families in pro American Football that all started with grandfather Jack Elway who was an exciting college football prospect. After a career ending injury, Elway Snr went on to become one of the most respected college football coaches and had a hand in pushing the European football league throughout the 80s. What Jack couldn’t achieve because of injury, his son John would go on to do with the Denver Broncos as player and coach. Elway Jnr is considered one of the best quarterbacks to have played the game, picked a Super Bowl MVP award and even won back to back Super Bowls.
The Williams
The Williams sisters are truly a force of nature in the tennis world, they have racked up a massive 18 Grand Slams between them and are two of the most feared opponents in women’s tennis. Despite growing up in a tough situation their father Richard spent hours and hours with the sisters as they honed their craft and after Venus took the US Open by storm as a teenager in 1997, sister Serena came along for the party and the two have dominated women’s tennis ever since.
The Mannings
The Mannings are the considered as the royal family of the NFL World and after father Archie achieved great success at college and NFL level, his two sons came along and reinvented the game. Older brother Peyton is widely considered as the greatest quarterback the World has ever seen and younger brother Eli is not far behind him. Between the two brothers they have racked up 4 Super Bowl wins and broken records in both the league and for their respective franchises.
The Mayweathers
Floyd Mayweather Snr was a pretty handy boxer in his time boasting a record of 28-6, upon his retirement he became an even better coach and had 3 World Cahmpions under his charge, then his son came along. Floyd Jnr is considered one of the smartest boxers of all time and whilst he may not be a knockout specialist or pack his fights with entertainment, Mayweather takes the right fights at the right time and has a perfect 49-0 record as well as being one of the richest boxers who has ever competed thanks to his smart management.