List of sports-related people from Mississippi
Appearance
This list contains sportspersons, coaches, and other sports-related people who were born or lived in the U.S. state of Mississippi. For other groups, see List of people from Mississippi.
Baseball
[edit]- Frank Baker (born 1946), shortstop, (Meridian)
- Howard Battle (born 1972), third baseman, (Biloxi)
- Cool Papa Bell (1903–1991), center fielder, (Starkville)
- Don Blasingame (1932–2005), second baseman, (Corinth)
- Milt Bolling (1930–2013), shortstop, (Mississippi City)
- Josh Booty (born 1975), third baseman, (Starkville)
- Julio Borbon (born 1986), outfielder, (Starkville)
- Dennis Ray "Oil Can" Boyd (born 1959), pitcher, (Meridian)
- Chad Bradford (born 1974), pitcher, (Jackson)
- Jeff Branson (born 1967), infielder, (Waynesboro)
- Jeff Brantley (born 1963), pitcher and ESPN analyst, (Starkville)
- Adrian Brown (born 1974), center fielder, (McComb)
- Jamie Brown (born 1977), pitcher, (Meridian)
- Ellis Burks (born 1964), outfielder and designated hitter, (Vicksburg)
- Guy Bush (1901–1985), pitcher, (Aberdeen)
- Joey Butler (born 1986), outfielder, (Pascagoula)
- Louis Coleman (born 1986), relief pitcher, (Greenwood)
- Dewon Day (born 1980), relief pitcher, (Jackson)
- Dizzy Dean (1910–1974), pitcher, (Bond)
- Tommy Dean (born 1945), shortstop, (Iuka)
- Corey Dickerson (born 1989), outfielder
- Hayden Dunhurst (born 2000),catcher (Carriere)
- Bob Didier (born 1949), catcher, (Hattiesburg)
- Brian Dozier (born 1987), infielder, (Fulton)
- Jarrod Dyson (born 1984), outfielder, (McComb)
- David "Boo" Ferriss (1921–2016), pitcher, (Shaw)
- Curt Ford (born 1960), outfielder, (Jackson)
- Joey Gathright (born 1981), minor league outfielder, (Hattiesburg)
- Joe Gibbon (1935–2019), pitcher, (Hickory)
- Jake Gibbs (born 1938), catcher, (Grenada)
- Rod Gilbreath (born 1954), second baseman, (Laurel)
- Luther Hackman (born 1974), pitcher, (Columbus)
- Bill Hall (born 1979), third baseman, (Nettleton)
- Billy Hamilton (born 1990), center fielder, (Taylorsville)
- Mickey Harrington (1934–2017), pinch-runner, (Hattiesburg)
- Charlie Hayes (born 1965), third baseman, (Hattiesburg)
- Larry Herndon (born 1953), outfielder, (Sunflower)
- Jarrett Hoffpauir (born 1983), second baseman, (Natchez)
- Jonathan Holder (1993), relief pitcher, (Gulfport)
- TJ House (born 1989), pitcher, (Picayune)
- Dusty Hughes (born 1982), relief pitcher (Tupelo)
- Cleo James (born 1940), outfielder, (Clarksdale)
- Matt Lawton (born 1971), right fielder, (Gulfport)
- Brent Leach (born 1982), relief pitcher, (Flowood)
- Chet Lemon (born 1955), outfielder, (Jackson)
- Ronnie Lester (born 1959), player, assistant general manager, (Canton)
- Fred Lewis (born 1980), left fielder, (Hattiesburg)
- Jacob Lindgren (born 1993), pitcher, (Bay St. Louis)
- John Lindsey (born 1977), minor league first baseman, (Hattiesburg)
- Nook Logan (born 1979), center fielder, (Natchez)
- Barry Lyons (born 1960), catcher, (Biloxi)
- Paul Maholm (born 1982), starting pitcher, (Greenwood)
- Chris Maloney (born 1961), minor league player, manager, (Jackson)
- Brian Maxcy (born 1971), pitcher, (Amory)
- Allen McDill (born 1971), left-handed specialist pitcher, (Greenville)
- Matt Miller (born 1971), pitcher (2003–2007) (Greenwood)
- Bill Melton (born 1945), third baseman, (Gulfport)
- Dustan Mohr (born 1976), outfielder, (Hattiesburg)
- Tyler Moore (born 1987), first baseman and outfielder, (Brandon)
- Mitch Moreland (born 1985), first baseman and outfielder (Amory)
- Buddy Myer (1904–1974), second baseman, (Ellisville)
- Ryan Nye (born 1973), pitcher, (Biloxi)
- Roy Oswalt (born 1977), starting pitcher, (Weir)
- Dave Parker (born 1951), right fielder and designated hitter, (Jackson)
- Claude Passeau (1909–2003), pitcher, (Lucedale)
- Gary Rath (born 1973), starting pitcher, (Gulfport)
- Hunter Renfroe (born 1992), outfielder, (Crystal Springs
- Kevin Rogers (born 1968), pitcher, (Cleveland)
- Nate Rolison (born 1977), first baseman, (Petal)
- Reb Russell (1889–1973), pitcher, (Jackson)
- George Scott (1944–2013), first baseman, (Greenville)
- Kim Seaman, (born 1957), pitcher, (Pascagoula)
- Tony Sipp (born 1983), relief pitcher, (Moss Point)
- Matt Skrmetta (born 1972), pitcher, (Biloxi)
- Jason Smith (born 1977), infielder, (Meridian)
- Seth Smith (born 1982), outfielder, (Jackson)
- Justin Steele (born 1995), pitcher, (Lucedale)
- Blake Stein (born 1973), pitcher, (McComb)
- Craig Tatum (born 1983), catcher (Hattiesburg)
- Marcus Thames (born 1977), outfielder and first baseman, (Louisville)
- John Thomson (born 1973), starting pitcher, (Vicksburg)
- Matt Tolbert (born 1982), infielder, (born in McComb, raised in Woodville)
- Eddie "Scooter" Tucker (born 1966), catcher, (Greenville)
- Jermaine Van Buren (born 1980), relief pitcher, (Laurel)
- Chico Walker (born 1957), second base, (Jackson)
- Harry Walker (1916–1999), outfielder and manager, (Pascagoula)
- Skeeter Webb (1909–1986), infielder, (Meridian)
- Barry Wesson (born 1977), outfielder, (Tupelo)
- Frank White (born 1950), second baseman and coach, (Greenville)
- Eli Whiteside (born 1979), catcher, (New Albany)
- Dmitri Young (born 1973), first baseman, (Vicksburg)
- Tim Young (born 1973), relief pitcher, (Gulfport)
- Walter Young (1980–2015), first baseman, (Hattiesburg)
Basketball
[edit]- Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (born 1969), point guard, (Gulfport)
- Coolidge Ball (1951–2023), forward, (Indianola)
- Earl Barron (born 1981), center, (Clarksdale)
- Billy Ray Bates (born 1956), shooting guard, (Kosciusko)
- Jonathan Bender (born 1981), power forward, (Picayune)
- Travarus Bennett (born 1979), minor leagues, (Rosedale)
- Ruthie Bolton (born 1967), shooting guard, head coach (Lucedale)
- Melvin Booker (born 1972), point guard, (Pascagoula)
- Tom Bowens (born 1940), forward-center, (Okolona)
- Alonzo Bradley (born 1953), forward, (Utica)
- Rickey Brown (born 1958), forward-center, (Madison County)
- Shaq Buchanan (born 1997), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Cleveland Buckner (1938–2006), forward-center, (Yazoo City)
- Deondre Burns (born 1997), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Jackie Butler (born 1985), center, (McComb)
- Isaiah Canaan (born 1991), point guard, (Biloxi)
- Maurice Carter (born 1976), guard, (Jackson)
- Cornelius Cash (born 1952), forward, (Macon)
- Harvey Catchings (born 1951), center, (Jackson)
- Terry Catledge (born 1963), forward, (Houston)
- Van Chancellor (born 1943), women's coach, (Louisville)
- E.C. Coleman (born 1950), forward, (Flora)
- Joe Courtney (born 1969), power forward, (Jackson)
- Erick Dampier (born 1975), center, (New Hebron)
- Ollie Darden (born 1944), forward-center, (Aberdeen)
- Archie Dees (1936–2016), forward-center, (Ethel)
- Ronald Dupree (born 1981), small forward, (Biloxi)
- Keith Edmonson (born 1960), guard, (Gulfport)
- Monta Ellis (born 1985), point guard and shooting guard, (Jackson)
- Drew Eubanks (born 1997),Power forward/Center, (Starkville)
- Tim Floyd (born 1954), men's head coach, (Hattiesburg)
- Nell Fortner (born 1959), women's head coach, (Jackson)
- Jennifer Gillom (born 1964), WNBA player, Olympic gold medalist, coach, (Abbeville)
- Gerald Glass (born 1967), guard-forward, (Greenwood)
- Lancaster Gordon (born 1962), guard-forward, (Jackson)
- Litterial Green (born 1970), point guard, (Pascagoula)
- Kevin Griffin (born 1975), shooting guard/small forward
- Tang Hamilton (born 1978), forward, (Jackson)
- Ira Harge (born 1941), center, (Anguilla)
- Othella Harrington (born 1974), power forward, (Jackson)
- Lusia Harris (1955–2022), first female player in Hall of Fame, (Minter City)
- Antonio Harvey (born 1970), radio broadcaster, player, (Pascagoula)
- Spencer Haywood (born 1949), power forward/center, (Silver City)
- Ronnie Henderson (born 1974), shooting guard, led the SEC twice in scoring at LSU, (Gulfport)
- Jeanne Ruark Hoff, player for Stanford
- Eddie Hughes (born 1960), point guard, (Greenville)
- Lindsey Hunter (born 1970), point guard, (Utica)
- Leroy Hurd (born 1980), forward, (Pascagoula)
- Al Jefferson (born 1985), center/power forward, (Monticello)
- Clay Johnson (born 1956), guard, (Yazoo City)
- John Johnson (1947–2016), small forward, (Carthage)
- Trey Johnson (born 1984), shooting guard, (Jackson)
- Carolyn Jones-Young (born 1969), guard, Olympic bronze medalist, (Bay Springs)
- Randolph Keys (born 1966), guard-forward, (Collins)
- Danny Manning (born 1966), forward, (Hattiesburg)
- Ed Manning (1944–2011), forward, (Summit)
- Antonio McDyess (born 1974), power forward, (Quitman)
- Derrick McKey (born 1966), small forward and power forward, (Meridian)
- Leland Mitchell (1941–2013), guard, (Kiln)
- Matthew Mitchell (born 1970), women's head coach, (Louisville)
- Dyron Nix (born 1967), forward, (Meridian)
- Audie Norris (born 1960), center, (Jackson)
- Willie Norwood (born 1947), forward, (Carrollton)
- Travis Outlaw (born 1984), small forward and power forward, (Starkville)
- Murriel Page (born 1975), WNBA player, (Louin)
- Marckell Patterson (born 1979), shooting guard, (Eupora)
- Kenny Payne (born 1966), small forward, (Laurel)
- Armintie Price (born 1985), shooting guard, (Myrtle)
- Dolph Pulliam (born 1946), center, sportscaster, (West Point)
- Bob Quick (born 1946), guard-forward, (Thornton)
- Justin Reed (1982–2017), forward, (Jackson)
- James Robinson (born 1970), shooting guard, (Jackson)
- LaQuinton Ross (born 1991), player for Hapoel Eilat of Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Eugene Short (1953–2016), small forward, (Hattiesburg)
- Purvis Short (born 1957), small forward and shooting guard, (Hattiesburg)
- Larry Smith (born 1958), center-forward, (Rolling Fork)
- Charles Thomas (born 1986), player for Maccabi Rishon LeZion of Israeli Basketball Premier League
- Sedric Toney (born 1962), guard, (Columbus)
- Jarvis Varnado (born 1988), forward-center
- Victoria Vivians (born 1994), shooting guard
- Margaret Wade (1912–1995), player and coach, (Cleveland)
- Cornell Warner (born 1948), forward-center, (Jackson)
- Eric Washington (born 1974), guard-forward, (Pearl)
- Slick Watts (born 1951), guard, (Rolling Fork)
- Clarence Weatherspoon (born 1970), power forward, (Crawford)
- Dwayne Whitfield (born 1972), power forward, (Aberdeen)
- Tamika Whitmore (born 1977), forward, (Tupelo)
- Maurice "Mo" Williams (born 1982), point guard, (Jackson)
- George Wilson (1942–2023), center, (Meridian)
American football
[edit]- Cam Akers (born 1999), running back, (Clinton)
- Brian Alford (born 1975), wide receiver, (Crawford)
- Jake Allen (born 1985), wide receiver, (Laurel)
- Lance Alworth (born 1940), wide receiver, (Brookhaven)
- Jesse Anderson (born 1966), tight end, (West Point)
- Rashard Anderson (born 1977), cornerback, (Forest)
- Houston Antwine (1939–2011), defensive tackle, (Louise)
- Jason Armstead (born 1979), wide receiver (Canadian Football League), (Moss Point)
- Hank Autry (1947–2014), center, (Hattiesburg)
- Chris Avery (born 1975), fullback and linebacker (arena football), (Grenada)
- Vick Ballard (born 1990), running back, (Pascagoula)
- Jerome Barkum (born 1950), wide receiver/tight end, (Gulfport)
- Fred Barnett (born 1966), wide receiver, (Gunnison)
- Lem Barney (born 1945), cornerback, (Gulfport)
- Steve Baylark (born 1983), running back, (Aberdeen)
- Tony Bennett (born 1967), linebacker, (Alligator)
- Kenneth Bernich (born 1951), guard, (Biloxi)
- Damarius Bilbo (born 1982), football, (Moss Point)
- Earl Blair (1934–2004), halfback, (Pascagoula)
- George Blair (born 1938), AFL halfback, (Pascagoula)
- Josh Booty (born 1975), quarterback, (Starkville)
- Tim Bowens (born 1973), defensive tackle, (Okolona)
- Johnny Brewer (1937–2011), tight end/linebacker, (Vicksburg)
- Tramaine Brock (born 1988), defensive back, (Long Beach)
- A. J. Brown (born 1997), wide receiver, (Starkville)
- Allen Brown (1943–2020), tight end, (Natchez)
- C. C. Brown (born 1983), safety, (Greenwood)
- Nathan Brown (born 1986), quarterback, (Hattiesburg)
- Willie Brown (1940–2019), cornerback, (Yazoo City)
- Correll Buckhalter (born 1978), running back, (Collins)
- Eldra Buckley (born 1985), running back, (Charleston)
- Terrell Buckley (born 1971), cornerback, (Pascagoula)
- Derrick Burgess (born 1978), defensive end/linebacker, (Oxford)
- Chris Burkett (born 1962), wide receiver, (Laurel)
- Malcolm Butler (born 1990), cornerback, (Vicksburg)
- Jason Campbell (born 1981), quarterback, (Laurel)
- Steve Campbell (born 1966), head coach
- Cooper Carlisle (born 1977), offensive guard, (Greenville)
- Alex Carrington (born 1987), defensive lineman, (Tupelo)
- Chris Carson (born 1994), running back, (Biloxi)
- Perry Carter (born 1971), defensive back, (McComb)
- Kory Chapman (born 1980), running back, (Batesville)
- Don Churchwell (1936–2010), offensive tackle, (Leakesville)
- Billy Clay (born 1944), cornerback, (Oxford)
- Roderick (Rod) Coleman (born 1976), defensive tackle, (Vicksburg)
- Reggie Collier (born 1961), quarterback and wide receiver, (D'Iberville)
- Jalen Collins (born 1993), cornerback, (Southaven)
- Jamie Collins (born 1989), linebacker, (McCall Creek)
- Charlie Conerly (1921–1996), quarterback, (Clarksdale)
- Darion Conner (born 1967), NFL linebacker and Arena Football League player, convicted of vehicular homicide (Macon)
- Fred Cook (born 1952), defensive end, (Pascagoula)
- Logan Cooke (born 1995), NFL punter (Columbia)
- Johnie Cooks (1958–2023), linebacker, (Leland)
- Russell Copeland (born 1971), wide receiver, (Tupelo)
- Fletcher Cox (born 1990), defensive tackle, (Yazoo City)
- Bobby Crespino (1938–2013), tight end, (Duncan)
- Quinton Culberson (born 1985), linebacker, (Jackson)
- Doug Cunningham (1945–2015), running back, (Louisville)
- Roland Dale (1927–2012), end, (Magee)
- Erick Dampier (born 1975), NBA player (Jackson)
- Willie Daniel (1937–2015), defensive back, (New Albany)
- Demario Davis (born 1989), linebacker, (Brandon)
- Rod Davis (born 1981), linebacker, (Gulfport)
- Mike Dennis (born 1944), running back, (Philadelphia)
- Anthony Dixon (born 1987), running back, (Jackson)
- Kevin Dockery (born 1984), cornerback, (Hernando)
- Larry Dorsey (born 1953), wide receiver and high school coach, (Corinth)
- Jim Dunaway (1941–2018), defensive tackle, (Columbia)
- Marcus Dupree (born 1964), running back, (Philadelphia)
- Antuan Edwards (born 1977), safety, (Starkville)
- Mario Edwards (born 1975), cornerback, (Gautier)
- Carlos Emmons (born 1973), linebacker, (Greenwood)
- Mike Espy (born 1982), wide receiver, (Jackson)
- Kaleb Eulls (born 1991), defensive tackle, (Yazoo County)
- Major Everett (born 1960), running back, (New Hebron)
- Brett Favre (born 1969), quarterback, (Kiln)
- Jason Ferguson (born 1974), defensive tackle, (Nettleton)
- Damion Fletcher (born 1987), running back, (Biloxi)
- Leslie Frazier (born 1959), cornerback and safety/defensive coordinator, (Columbus)
- Steve Freeman (born 1953), defensive back, game official, (Oxford)
- C. J. Gaddis (born 1985), safety, (Hattiesburg)
- William Gaines (born 1971), defensive lineman, (Jackson)
- Jimmie Giles (born 1954), tight end, (Natchez)
- Robert Gillespie (born 1979), running back, (Hattiesburg)
- Chris Givens (born 1989), wide receiver, (Jackson)
- Tom Goode (1938–2015), offensive lineman, (West Point)
- Stephen Gostkowski (born 1984), placekicker, (Madison)
- Larry Grantham (1938–2017), linebacker, (Crystal Springs)
- Hugh Green (born 1959), linebacker, (Natchez)
- Louis Green (born 1979), linebacker, (Vicksburg)
- L. C. Greenwood (1946–2013), defensive end, (Canton)
- Jack Gregory (1944–2019), defensive end, (Okolona)
- Cedric Griffin (born 1982), cornerback, (Natchez)
- Glynn Griffing (born 1940), quarterback, (Bentonia)
- Justin Griffith (born 1980), fullback, (Magee)
- Quentin Groves (born 1984), defensive end, (Greenville)
- Michael Haddix (born 1961), running back, (Tippah County)
- Bobby Hamilton (born 1971), defensive end, (Columbia)
- Parys Haralson (born 1984), linebacker, (Flora)
- Larry Hardy (born 1956), tight end, (Mendenhall)
- Clarence Harmon (born 1955), running back, (Kosciusko)
- Anthony Harris (born 1981), defensive tackle (Mayersville)
- Larry Hart (born 1987), defensive end and outside linebacker, (Madison)
- Kevin Henry (born 1968), defensive lineman, (Mound Bayou)
- Mack Herron (1948–2015), running back, (Biloxi)
- Tyreek Hill (born 1994), wide receiver, (Biloxi)
- Roy Hilton (1943–2019), defensive end, (Hazlehurst)
- Stephen Hobbs (born 1965), wide receiver, (Mendenhall)
- Corey Holmes (born 1976), running back (Canadian football), (Greenville)
- Jaret Holmes (born 1976), placekicker, (Clinton)
- Lester Holmes (born 1969), offensive lineman, (Tylertown)
- Walter Holman (born 1959), running back, (Vaiden)
- Estus Hood (born 1955), cornerback, (Hattiesburg)
- Houston Hoover (born 1965), offensive lineman, (Yazoo City)
- Joe Horn (born 1972), wide receiver, (Tupelo)
- Derrick Hoskins (born 1970), cornerback, (Meridian)
- Gary Huff (born 1951), quarterback, (Natchez)
- Kent Hull (born 1960), offensive lineman, (Pontotoc)
- Don Hultz (born 1940), defensive lineman, (Moss Point)
- Terry Irvin (born 1954), defensive back (Canadian Football League), (Columbia)
- Brandon Jackson (born 1985), running back, (Horn Lake)
- Harold Jackson (born 1946), wide receiver, (Hattiesburg)
- Jarious Jackson (born 1977), quarterback/free safety (American and Canadian Football Leagues), (Tupelo)
- Kirby Jackson (born 1965), defensive back, (Sturgis)
- Tristan Jackson (born 1986), defensive back (Canadian football), (Beaumont)
- Sean James (born 1969), running back, (Meridian)
- Melvin Jenkins (born 1962), cornerback, (Jackson)
- M. D. Jennings (born 1988), strong safety, (Grenada)
- John Jerry (born 1986), offensive lineman, (Batesville)
- Peria Jerry (born 1984), defensive tackle, (Batesville)
- Antonio Johnson (born 1984), defensive tackle, (Leland)
- Dennis Johnson (born 1956), fullback, (Weir)
- Rory Johnson (born 1986), linebacker (American and Canadian Football Leagues), (Vicksburg)
- Spencer Johnson (born 1981), defensive end, (Waynesboro)
- Tom Johnson (born 1984), defensive tackle, (Moss Point)
- Chris Jones (born 1994), defensive tackle, (Houston)
- Chris Jones (born 1982), wide receiver, (Macon)
- Ronald Jones (born 1981), defensive lineman (Canadian Football League), (Gulfport)
- Reggie Kelly (born 1977), tight end, (Aberdeen)
- Tommy Kelly (born 1980), defensive tackle, (Jackson)
- Tyrone Keys (born 1960), defensive lineman, (Jackson)
- Ed Khayat (born 1935), defensive end, (Moss Point)
- Frank Kinard (1914–1985), offensive tackle, (Pelahatchie)
- Curt Knight (born 1943), placekicker, (Gulfport)
- Paul Lacoste (born 1974), linebacker, (Jackson)
- Roland Lakes (1939–2012), defensive lineman/defensive tackle, (Vicksburg)
- Maxie Lambright (1924–1980), player at Southern Mississippi; coach at Louisiana Tech (McComb)
- Cameron Lawrence (born 1991), linebacker, (Coldwater)
- Donald Lee (born 1980), tight end, (Maben)
- Brad Leggett (born 1966), center, (Vicksburg)
- Alex Lincoln (born 1977), linebacker, (Meridian)
- Ken Lucas (born 1979), cornerback, (Cleveland)
- Milton Mack (born 1963), cornerback, (Jackson)
- Earsell Mackbee (1941–2009), cornerback, (Brookhaven)
- John Mangum (born 1967), defensive back, (Magee)
- Kris Mangum (born 1973), tight end, (Magee)
- Archie Manning (born 1949), quarterback, (Drew)
- Eli Manning (born 1981), quarterback, (Oxford)
- Aubrey Matthews (born 1962), wide receiver, (Pascagoula)
- Shane Matthews (born 1970), quarterback, (Pascagoula)
- Fred McAfee (born 1968), running back, (Philadelphia)
- Deuce McAllister (born 1978), running back, (Morton)
- Trumaine McBride (born 1985), cornerback, (Clarksdale)
- Dee McCann (born 1983), cornerback (American and Canadian Football Leagues), (Lucedale)
- Dexter McCleon (born 1973), safety, (Meridian)
- Sam McCullum (born 1952), wide receiver, (McComb)
- Ben McGee (born 1939), defensive end, (Starkville)
- Buford McGee (born 1960), running back, (Durant)
- Herb McMath (1954–2016), defensive tackle and defensive end, (Coahoma)
- Greg McMurtry (born 1967), wide receiver, (Jackson)
- Fred McNair (born 1968), quarterback, (Mount Olive)
- Steve McNair (1973–2009), quarterback, (Mount Olive)
- Freeman McNeil (born 1959), running back, (Jackson)
- Jerrold McRae ( born 1955),wide receiver,(Laurel)
- Quinton Meaders (born 1983), defensive back (Canadian Football League), (Tupelo)
- DK Metcalf (born 1997), wide receiver, (Oxford)
- Jim Miller (born 1957), punter, (Ripley)
- Romaro Miller (born 1978), quarterback, (Shannon)
- Freddie Milons (born 1980), wide receiver, (Starkville)
- Gardner Minshew (born 1996), quarterback, (Brandon)
- Jayme Mitchell (born 1984), defensive end, (Jackson)
- Frank Molden (1942–2023), defensive tackle, (Moss Point)
- Cleo Montgomery (born 1956), wide receiver, (Greenville)
- Wilbert Montgomery (born 1954), running back, (Greenville)
- Stevon Moore (born 1967), safety, (Wiggins)
- Melvin Morgan (born 1953), defensive back, (Gulfport)
- Eric Moulds (born 1973), wide receiver, (Lucedale)
- Michael Myers (born 1976), defensive tackle, (Vicksburg)
- John Nix (born 1976), defensive lineman (arena football), (Lucedale)
- Jerious Norwood (born 1983), running back, (Jackson)
- Kevin Norwood (born 1989), wide receiver, (Biloxi)
- Freddie Joe Nunn (born 1962), defensive end/linebacker, (Noxubee County)
- Michael Oher (born 1986), offensive tackle, (Oxford)
- Will Overstreet (born 1979), linebacker, (Jackson)
- Joe Owens (1946–2013), defensive end, (Columbia)
- Eddie Payton (born 1951), running back, (Columbia)
- Walter Payton (1954–1999), half back, (Columbia)
- Derek Pegues (born 1986), safety, (Batesville)
- Ray Perkins (1941–2020), wide receiver/coach (Petal)
- Marlo Perry (born 1972), linebacker, (Forest)
- Vernon Perry (born 1953), cornerback, (Jackson)
- Stephen Peterman (born 1982), offensive guard, (Gulfport)
- Danny Pierce (born 1948), running back, (Laurel)
- Lawrence Pillers (born 1952), defensive end, (Hazelhurst)
- Todd Pinkston (born 1977), wide receiver, (Forest)
- Clinton Portis (born 1981), running back, (Laurel)
- Jeff Posey (born 1975), linebacker, (Bassfield)
- Clyde Powers (born 1951), safety, (Pascagoula)
- Glover Quin (born 1986), cornerback, (McComb)
- Eddie Ray (born 1947), running back, (Vicksburg)
- Oscar Reed (born 1944), running back, (Jonestown)
- Johnny Rembert (born 1961), linebacker, (Hollandale)
- Will Renfro (1932–2010), offensive tackle, (Batesville)
- Jerry Rice (born 1962), wide receiver, (Starkville)
- Bobby Richards (born 1938), defensive linemen, (Columbus)
- Gloster Richardson (1942–2020), wide receiver, (Greenville)
- Willie Richardson (1939–2016), wide receiver, (Clarksdale)
- Stevan Ridley (born 1989), running back, (Natchez)
- Dwayne Rudd (born 1976), linebacker, (Batesville)
- Tyrone Rush (born 1971), running back, (Meridian)
- Jamarca Sanford (born 1985), safety, (Batesville)
- John Sawyer (born 1953), tight end, (Brookhaven)
- Cedric Scott (born 1977), defensive tackle (Canadian Football League), (Gulfport)
- Billy Shaw (born 1938), offensive guard, (Natchez)
- Harold Shaw (born 1974), fullback and occasional linebacker, (Magee)
- Derek Sherrod (born 1989), offensive tackle, (Caledonia)
- Billy Shields (born 1954), tackle, (Vicksburg)
- Kendall Simmons (born 1979), guard, (Ripley)
- Terrance Simmons (born 1976), defensive tackle, (Moss Point)
- Eugene Sims (born 1986), defensive end, (Mize)
- Jackie Slater (born 1954), offensive tackle, (Jackson)
- Aldon Smith (born 1989), outside linebacker, (Greenwood)
- Jackie Smith (born 1940), tight end, (Columbia)
- Jimmy Smith (born 1969), wide receiver, (Jackson)
- Noland Smith (born 1943), wide receiver/return specialist, (Jackson)
- Bradley Sowell (born 1989), offensive tackle, (Hernando)
- Armegis Spearman (born 1978), linebacker, (Oxford)
- Chris Spencer (born 1982), center, (Madison)
- Irving Spikes (born 1970), running back, (Ocean Springs)
- Billy Stacy (1936–2019), safety, (Drew)
- Thomas Strauthers (born 1961), defensive lineman, (Wesson)
- Diron Talbert (born 1944), defensive tackle, (Pascagoula)
- Don Talbert (born 1939), offensive tackle, (Louisville)
- Malcolm Taylor (born 1960), defensive end, (Crystal Springs)
- Daryl Terrell (born 1975), offensive lineman, (Vossburg)
- Fred Thomas (born 1973), cornerback, (Bruce)
- Norris Thomas (born 1954), cornerback, (Inverness)
- Sarah Thomas (born 1973), NFL official, (Pascagoula)
- Eric Tillman (born c. 1957), general manager of the Canadian Football League, (Jackson)
- Lewis Tillman (born 1966), running back, (Hazlehurst)
- Billy Tohill (1939–2000), head coach, (Batesville)
- Willie Totten (born 1962), head coach, (Leflore County)
- Deshea Townsend (born 1975), cornerback, (Batesville)
- Bill Triplett (born 1940), running back, (Shaw)
- Billy Truax (born 1943), tight end, (Gulfport)
- Jim Urbanek (1945–2009), defensive tackle, (Oxford)
- Gerald Vaughn (born 1970), defensive back (Canadian Football League), (Abbeville)
- Jim Walden (born c. 1938), head coach, (Aberdeen)
- Kenyatta Walker (born 1979), offensive tackle, (Meridian)
- Gavin Walls (born 1980), defensive end (Canadian Football League), (Ripley)
- Wesley Walls (born 1966), tight end, (Batesville)
- Tom Walters (born 1942), safety, (Petal)
- Chris Washington (born 1962), linebacker, (Jackson)
- Swayze Waters (born 1987), kicker, (Jackson)
- Kendell Watkins (born 1973), tight end, (Jackson)
- Willie West (born 1938), defensive back, (Lexington)
- Chris White (born 1983), guard, (Winona)
- Larry Whigham (born 1972), cornerback, (Hattiesburg)
- Ben Williams (1954–2020), defensive lineman, (Yazoo City)
- Grant Williams (born 1974), offensive tackle, (Hattiesburg)
- Greg Williams (born 1959), safety, (Greenville)
- John Williams (1945–2012), offensive lineman, (Jackson)
- Sammy Williams (born 1974), offensive tackle, (Magnolia)
- Odell Willis (born 1984), defensive lineman (American and Canadian Football Leagues), (Meridian)
- Damien Wilson (born 1993), linebacker, (Gloster)
- Sammy Winder (born 1959), running back, (Madison)
- Mike Withycombe (born 1964), guard, (Meridian)
- Otis Wonsley (born 1957), running back, (Pascagoula)
- Lee Woodruff (1909–1947), running back, (Batesville)
- Keith Woodside (born 1964), running back, (Natchez)
- Abe Woodson (1934–2014), cornerback/kick returner, (Jackson)
- Marv Woodson (born 1941), defensive back, (Hattiesburg)
- Floyd Womack (born 1978), offensive tackle, (Cleveland)
- Cornelius Wortham (born 1982), linebacker, (Calhoun City)
- K. J. Wright (born 1989), linebacker, (Olive Branch)
- Ellis Wyms (born 1979), defensive lineman, (Indianola)
Other sports
[edit]- Fletcher Abram (born 1950), Olympic handball player, (Cary)
- Trey Alexander (born 1983), professional soccer midfielder, (Meridian)
- Henry Armstrong (1912–1988), professional boxer, (Columbus)
- Lisa Aukland (born 1958), professional bodybuilder and powerlifter
- Earl W. Bascom (1906–1995), rodeo, (Columbia)
- Ralph Boston (1939–2023), Olympic long jumper, (Laurel)
- Tori Bowie (born 1990), Olympic and world champion sprinter, (Sand Hill)
- Devin Britton (born 1991), tennis player, (Jackson)
- Lee Calhoun (1933–1989), Olympic track athlete and college track coach, (Laurel)
- Shelby Cannon (born 1966), professional tennis player, (Hattiesburg)
- Commodore Cochran (1902–1969), Olympic track athlete
- Roy Cochran (1919–1981), Olympic track athlete, (Richton)
- Floyd Cummings (born 1949), heavyweight boxer
- Tony Dees (born 1963), Olympic hurdler, (Pascagoula)
- Craig Demmin (born 1971), soccer defender
- Ted DiBiase (born 1954), professional wrestler, (Clinton)
- Ted DiBiase Jr. (born 1982), professional wrestler, (Clinton)
- Brett DiBiase (born 1988), Professional wrestler, (Clinton)
- Barbara Ferrell (born 1947), Olympic track athlete, (Hattiesburg)
- Jim Gallagher Jr. (born 1961), professional golfer, (Greenwood)
- Bobby Hamilton (1957–2007), NASCAR driver, (Columbia)
- James Harris (1950–2020), professional wrestler. "Kamala The Ugandan Giant," (Senatobia)
- Otis Harris (born 1982), Olympic track and field athlete, (Edwards)
- Jimmy Hart (born 1944), professional wrestling manager, (Jackson)
- Josh Hayes (born 1975), professional motorcycle roadracer, (Gulfport)
- Floyd Heard (born 1966), track and field sprinter, (West Point)
- Leroy Jones (1950–2010), professional boxer, (Meridian)
- Sam Kendricks (born 1992), Olympic pole vaulter, (Oxford)
- Bianca Knight (born 1989), Olympic track and field athlete, (Ridgeland)
- Iris Kyle (born 1974), 10-time overall Ms. Olympia professional bodybuilder
- Justin Mapp (born 1984), professional soccer player, (Brandon)
- Cory McGee (born 1992), Olympian, track and field middle-distance runner, (Pass Christian)
- Kennedy McKinney (born 1966), professional boxer, (Hernando)
- Coby Miller (born 1976), track and field athlete, (Ackerman)
- Savante Stringfellow (born 1978), Olympic long jumper (Jackson)
- Mary Mills (born 1940), professional golfer, (Laurel)
- Larry Myricks (born 1956), Olympic long jumper, (Clinton)
- Terri O'Connell (born 1964), motorsports racer, (Corinth)
- Mathieu Olivier (born 1997), ice hockey player, (Biloxi)
- Cliff Pace (born 1980), professional fisherman, (Petal, Mississippi)
- Reed Pierce (born 1963), professional pool player, (Jackson)
- Brittney Reese (born 1986), Olympic long jumper, (Gulfport)
- Jeremiah Riggs (born 1982), professional wrestler (Vicksburg)
- Kevin Robertson (born 1959), Olympic water polo player, (Biloxi)
- Chris Shivers (born 1978), professional bull rider, (Natchez)
- Calvin Smith (born 1961), Olympic sprinter, (Bolton)
- Lake Speed (born 1948), NASCAR driver, (Jackson)
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (born 1987), stock car driver, (Olive Branch)
- Dallas Stewart (born 1959), thoroughbred horse trainer, (McComb)
- Ernie Terrell (1939–2014), former WBA heavyweight boxing champion, (Belzoni)
- Charles Walker (born 1934), checkers champion and minister, (Petal)
- Herb Washington (born 1951), sprinter/pinch runner, (Belzoni)
Broadcast media personalities
[edit]- Red Barber (1908–1992), sportscaster, (Columbus)
- Ron Franklin (1942–2022), ESPN sportscaster, (Jackson)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]