List of Michigan sports figures

Following is a list of major sports figures from Michigan:

Baseball

A-L

• Jim Abbott, pitcher famously born with only one hand who played for four major league teams (born in Southfield; raised in Flint, Michigan)
• Billy Ashley outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox (born in Trenton)
• Paul Assenmacher, pitcher for the Cleveland Indians (born in Detroit, played for Aquinas College in Grand Rapids)
• Steve Avery, pitcher for the Atlanta Braves (born in Trenton)
• Neal Ball, early baseball famed for the first unassisted triple play in Major League baseball history (born in Grand Haven)
• Augie Bergamo, outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1940s (born in Detroit)
• Mike Bordick, infielder for the Oakland A's (born in Marquette)
• Dave Borkowski, Houston Astros relief pitch (born in Detroit)
• Steve Boros, infielder, coach, manager of the Oakland Athletics (1983-84) and the San Diego Padres (1986) and farm system official (born in Flint, Michigan)
• Frank Bowerman, early baseball catcher for several teams (born in Romeo, Michigan)
• Bob Buhl, pitcher for Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies (born in Saginaw)
• Greg Cadaret, relief pitcher for several teams (born in Detroit)
• Bill Campbell, pitcher for several teams (born in Highland Park)
• Bernie Carbo, outfielder most remembered for his pinch-hit game-tying three-run homer in the 1975 World Series for the Cincinnati Reds (born in Detroit)
• Eddie Cicotte, early 20th century pitcher primarily with the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox (born in Springwells)
• Tim Crabtree, pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays (born in Jackson)
• Kiki Cuyler, Hall of Fame outfielder for several major league teams (born in Harrisville)
• Jim Essian, catcher and Chicago Cubs manager (born in Detroit)
• Ira Flagstead, outfielder primarily with the Boston Red Sox (born in Montague)
• Jack Fournier, first baseman for several teams, 1924 American League home run leader and 1925 American League leader in walks (born in Au Sable)
• Bill Freehan, five-time Gold Glove-winning catcher for the Detroit Tigers (born in Detroit)
• Michy Harris, Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators and Cleveland Indians pitcher (born in New York, New York; moved to Farmington)
• John Ganzel, early baseball first baseman and manager (born in Kalamazoo)
• Brent Gates, infielder for several teams (born in Grand Rapids)
• Charlie Gehringer (known as 'The Mechanical Man), second baseman Hall of Famer for the Detroit Tigers (born in Fowlerville)
• Jay Gibbons, Baltimore Orioles outfielder and the batter at the plate in the movie Wedding Crashers (born in Rochester)
• Kirk Gibson, outfielder primarily for the Detroit Tigers (born in Pontiac; raised in Waterford)
• Ted Gray, pitcher for several teams (born in Detroit)
• Bobby Grich, four-time Gold Glove-winning second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles and California Angels (born in Muskegon)
• Steve Gromek, pitcher and member of the National Polish-American Hall of Fame (born in Hamtramck, Michigan)
• Jeff Hamilton, Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman (born in Flint)
• Charlie Hemphill, early 20th century outfielder primarily with the New York Highlanders and the Saint Louis Browns (born in Greenville)
• Pat Hentgen, Cy Young Award-winning pitcher (born in Detroit)
• Ray Herbert, pitcher and 1963 American League shutout leader (born in Detroit)* Don Hopkins[Oakland A's] [1970s][Benton Harbor]
• Derek Jeter, shortstop for the New York Yankees (born in Pequannock, New Jersey; raised in Kalamazoo)
• Bill Killefer, early 20th century catcher primarily for the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs (born in Bloomingdale)
• Red Killefer, early 20th century infielder for the Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators and Cincinnati Reds (born in Bloomingdale)
• Charley Lau, catcher for the Detroit Tigers and hitting coach for many Major League teams (born in Romulus)
• Ron LeFlore, outfielder for the Detroit Tigers and Montreal Expos; subject of the movie One in a Million (born in Detroit)
• Derek Lowe, pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers (born in Dearborn)

M-Z

• Larry MacPhail, Hall of Fame executive who introduced the night game (at Crosley Field in Cincinnati) and served as chief executive of the Reds, Dodgers and Yankees (born in Cass City)
• Charlie Maxwell, left fielder and first baseman primarily for the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers (born in Lawton)
• John Mayberry, first baseman for several major league teams (born in Detroit)
• Hal Newhouser Hall of Fame pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians (born in Detroit)
• Jim Northrup, outfielder primarily for the Detroit Tigers (born in Breckenridge)
• Frank Oberlin, early 20th century pitcher for the Boston Americans and Washington Senators (born in Elsie)
• Fred Olmstead, early 20th century pitcher for the Chicago White Sox (born in Grand Rapids)
• Frank Owen, pitcher with the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox (born in Ypsilanti)
• Tom Paciorek, outfielder and first baseman for several major league teams (born in Detroit)
• Dick Pole, pitcher for Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners and bench coach for the Chicago Cubs (born in Trout Creek)
• J. J. Putz, pitcher for the Seattle Mariners (born in Trenton)
• Phil Regan, pitcher for several major league teams (born in Otsego)
• Merv Rettenmund, San Diego Padres hitting coach and for 13 years outfielder/ third baseman/DH for Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres and California Angels (born in Flint)
• Ed Reulbach, early 20th century pitcher primarily for the Chicago Cubs most famous for his role in the all-Chicago 1906 World Series (born in Detroit)
• Chris Sabo, former N.L. Rookie for the Year third baseman Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles (born in Detroit)
• Ted Simmons, catcher for several major league teams (born in Highland Park)
• John Smoltz, pitcher primarily for the Atlanta Braves, 1996 Cy Young Award winner (born in Lansing)
• Mike Squires, 1970s Chicago White Sox player (born in Kalamazoo)
• Tom Tresh, 1962 American League Rookie-of-the-Year, shortstop, primarily with the New York Yankees (born in Detroit)
• Maurice Van Robays, outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1940s (born in Detroit)
• Jason Varitek, catcher for the Boston Red Sox (born in Rochester)
• Bob Welch, pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics Cy Young Award winner (1990), pitching coach for the 2001 World Series-winning Arizona Diamondbacks and best-selling author
• Tom Yawkey, Hall of Fame owner of the Boston Red Sox during their (failed) World Series in 1946, 1967, and 1975; also served as AL Vice-President (born in Detroit)
• Curt Young, pitcher primarily with the Oakland Athletics and presently pitching coach there (born in Saginaw
• Kevin Young, first baseman in the 1990s primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates (born in Alpena)

Basketball

• Quacy Barnes, WNBA player and assistant coach at Eastern Illinois University (born in Benton Harbor)
• Shane Battier, player for the Memphis Grizzlies (born in Birmingham)
• Dave Bing, basketball player primarily for Detroit Pistons and founder of Bing Steel (born in Washington, D.C.; moved to Detroit)
• P. J. Brown, professional basketball player for several NBA teams (born in Detroit)
• Mateen Cleaves, basketball player for several NBA teams, currently with the Seattle SuperSonics (born in Flint)
• Fred Cofield, NBA player for the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls (born in Ypsilanti)
• Dave DeBusschere, professional basketball Hall of Fame member, played with the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks; also the youngest coach (at 24) in NBA history (born in Detroit)
• Anna DeForge, WNBA player (born in Iron Mountain)
• Derrick Dial, NBA player for the San Antonio Spurs,Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic (born in Detroit)
• Chris Douglas-Roberts, shooting guard for the New Jersey Nets (born in Detroit)
• James Enright, Basketball Hall of Fame referee, officiated NCAA tournaments (including Final Four playoffs) and the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics (born in Sodus)
• Katie Feenstra, WNBA Center Atlanta Dream, former Detroit Shock, born in Grand Rapids.
• George Gervin, Basketball Hall of Fame member; played for several teams (born in Detroit)
• Darvin Ham, player with the Detroit Pistons and the Philippine Basketball Association team Talk N Text Phone Pals (born in Saginaw)
• Stan Heath, head basketball coach for University of Arkansas Razorbacks (born in Detroit)
• Tom Izzo, men's basketball coach for Michigan State University Spartans (born in Iron Mountain)
• Magic Johnson, basketball Hall of Fame member and entrepreneur (born in Lansing)
• Chris Kaman, NBA player for the Los Angeles Clippers (born in Grand Rapids)
• Grant Long, NBA player for several teams ([born in Wayne)
• John Long, former NBA player for the Detroit Pistons ([[born in Romulus)
• Mark Macon, player for Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons (born in Saginaw)
• Dan Majerle, guard with the Phoenix Suns from 1988 to 2002. (born in Traverse City)
• Terry Mills, former NBA player for the Detroit Pistons (born in Romulus)
• Deanna Nolan, point guard for the Detroit Shock (born in Flint)
• Harlan Page, Basketball Hall of Fame University of Chicago coach (born in Watervliet)
• Morris Peterson, basketball player with the Toronto Raptors (born in Flint)
• Glen Rice, forward for several NBA teams (born in Flint)
• Jason Richardson, the only back to back dunk champion since Michael Jordan currently on the Charlotte Bobcats but also played for the Golden State Warriors (born in Saginaw)
• Dan Roundfield, NBA player of the 1970s and 1980s, known as "Dr. Rounds" (born in Detroit)
• Isiah Thomas, NBA point guard for the Detroit Pistons from 1981 until 1994 (born in Chicago, lived in Detroit).
• Chet Walker - NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls Benton Harbor)
• Robert Whaley - NBA basketball player (born in Benton Harbor)
• Chris Webber, power forward with the Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers and the Detroit Pistons (born in Detroit)
• Jay Vincent – former NBA player and head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats(born in Kalamazoo)
• Sam Vincent – retired American professional basketball player (born in Lansing, Michigan)

Boxing

• Stephen Thomas, boxer (born in Detroit, later moved to Waterford)
• Muhammed Ali, heavyweight champion and boxing legend (Born in Louisville, Kentucky, later moved to Berrien Springs)
• Tracy Byrd, female boxer (born in Flint)
• Eddie Futch, boxing trainer of nine world champion boxers (born in Hillsboro, Mississippi; raised in Detroit)
• Amy Hayes, boxing announcer and fashion model (born in Wyandotte)^{[citation needed]}
• Thomas Hearns (aka "The Hit Man" and Motor City Cobra), Welterweight champion (born in Memphis, Tennessee; moved to Detroit)
• Jackie Kallen, boxing's first female manager (born in Detroit)
• Stanley Ketchel (Stanilas Kiecal, aka "The Michigan Assassin"), Middleweight champion (born in Grand Rapids)
• George "Kid" Lavigne, World Lightweight champion of the 1890s (born in Bay City)
• Joe Louis, World Heavyweight champion boxer, considered the best boxer of all-time. (born in LaFayette, Alabama; moved to Detroit)
• Sugar Ray Robinson, first boxer to win a divisional world championship five times (born in Ailey, Georgia; raised in Detroit)
• Tarick Salmaci, Middleweight boxer (born in Dearborn)
• Emanuel Steward, boxing trainer (born in West Virginia; raised in Detroit)
• Pinklon Thomas, Heavyweight boxing champion (born in Pontiac)
• Ad Wolgast (aka, "The Michigan Wildcat"), early 20th century lightweight boxing champion (born in Cadillac)
• Floyd "Pretty Boy" Mayweather born in Grand Rapids

Football

• Anthony Adams, defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears (born in Detroit)
• Jason Babin, defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles (born in Kalamazoo)
• Jeff Backus, left tackle for the Detroit Lions (born in Midland)
• Alan Ball, cornerback and safety for the Dallas Cowboys (born in Detroit)
• Dan Bazuin, Chicago Bears Defensive End (born in McBain, Michigan)
• Ray Bentley, linebacker primarily with the Buffalo Bills, including their Super Bowl years (born in Grand Rapids
• Jerome Bettis ("The Bus"), running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers (born in Detroit)
• Earl Blaik, coach for United States Military Academy and Dartmouth College (born in Detroit)
• Alfonso Boone, defensive end for the San Diego Chargers (born in Saginaw)
• Brandon Carr, cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs (born in Flint)
• Lional Dalton, defensive tackle for several NFL teams, currently with the Houston Texans (born in Detroit)
• John DiGiorgio, linebacker for the Buffalo Bills (born in Shelby Township, Michigan)
• T. J. Duckett, Seattle Seahawks Halfback (born in Kalamazoo)
• Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns Wide Receiver (born in Detroit)
• Larry Foote, Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker (born in Detroit)
• Eric Fowler, wide receiver for the Detroit Lions (born in New Haven)
• Antonio Gates, tight end for the San Diego Chargers (born in Detroit)
• Eric Ghiaciuc, center for the Cincinnati Bengals (born in Oxford)
• Vernon Gholston, linebacker for the New York Jets (born in Detroit)
• George Gipp, the "Gipper", Notre Dame football player immortalized in film by Ronald Reagan )(born in Laurium, Michigan)
• Ian Gold, Denver Broncos Linebacker (born in Ann Arbor)
• Brock Gutierrez, NFL player, primarily for the Detroit Lions (from Charlotte)
• David Harris, New York Jets Linebacker (born in Grand Rapids)
• Drew Henson, quarterback with Dallas Cowboys and Rhein Fire of NFL Europe; began as played baseball professionally (born in San Diego, California; raised in Brighton)
• Gary Hogeboom, NFL quarterback for several teams and contestant on the CBS reality TV show Survivor: Guatemala (born in Grand Haven)
• Tory Humphrey, tight end for the Green Bay Packers (born in Saginaw)
• Jon Jansen, Washington Redskins Left Tackle (born in Clawson)
• Cullen Jenkins, defensive tackle for the Green Bay Packers (born in Detroit)
• Kris Jenkins, defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers (born in Ypsilanti)
• Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers wide receiver (born in Kalamazoo)
• Brad Jones, linebacker for the Green Bay Packers (born in Lansing)
• Jason Jones, Tennessee Titans Defensive End (born in Detroit)
• Adam Kieft, offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals (from Rockford)
• Craig Krenzel, quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals (born in Sterling Heights)
• T. J. Lang, offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers (born in Ferndale)
• Jake Long, Miami Dolphins Left Tackle (born in Lapeer)
• Roy Manning, Buffalo Bills Linebacker (born in Saginaw)
• Steve Mariucci, head coach for San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions (born in Iron Mountain)
• Earl Morrall, quarterback primarily for the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins (born in Muskegon)
• Craig Morton, quarterback for Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and New York Giants (born in Flint)
• Muhsin Muhammad, Chicago Bears wide receiver (born in Lansing)
• Shantee Orr, Clevland Browns Linebacker (born in Detroit)
• Jereme Perry, Cleveland Browns cornerback (born in Saginaw)
• Karon Riley, defensive end for the Washington Redskins (born in Detroit)
• Andre Rison, Former NFL Wide Receiver who played for several teams (born in Flint)
• Charles Rogers, Number 2 overall pick of the Detroit Lions who is no longer in the league after drug violations and injuries (born in Saginaw)
• Jon Runyan, Philadelphia Eagles Right Tackle (born in Flint)
• Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos tight end (born in Morenci)
• Stuart Schweigert, Oakland Raiders Safety (born in Saginaw)
• Tim Shaw, linebacker for the Chicago Bears (raised in Livonia)
• Bill Sheridan, defensive coordinator for the New York Giants (born in Detroit)
• Joe Staley, San Francisco 49ers Offensive Tackle (born in Rockford)
• Barry Stokes, offensive lineman for several NFL teams, currently with the Detroit Lions (born in Flint)
• Chester Taylor, Minnesota Vikings Running Back (born in River Rouge, Michigan)
• Devin Thomas, Washington Redskins Wide Receiver (born in Ann Arbor)
• Brad Van Pelt, linebacker for several NFL teams (born in Owosso)
• Gabe Watson, Arizona Cardinals Defensive Tackle (born in Novi)
• LaMarr Woodley, Pittsburgh Steelers Linebacker (born in Saginaw)

Ice hockey

• Tim Gleason, Defenseman for the Carolina Hurricanes, Clawson, Michigan
• Jason Bacashihua, goalie for the Saint Louis Blues, born in Garden City)
• Jim Ballantine, NHL center for several teams (born in Union Lake)
• David Booth, winger for the Florida Panthers (born in Washington
• Dan Bylsma, forward for several NHL teams (born in Grand Haven)
• Jimmy Carson, player for several NHL teams (born in Southfield)
• Shawn Chambers, defenseman for the New Jersey Devils (born in Royal Oak)
• Jim Cummins, hockey player for several NHL teams (born in Dearborn)
• Adam Hall, defenseman for the New York Rangers (born in Kalamazoo, Michigan)
• Derian Hatcher, defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers (born in Sterling Heights)
• Eric Weaver, Buffalo Sabres starting goaltender(born in Troy)
• Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres goaltender(born in East Lansing)
• Mike Modano, captain of the Dallas Stars (born in Westland)
• Nate Kiser, ECHL player for the South Carolina Stingrays (born in Southgate)
• Ken Morrow, defenseman for the New York Islanders and member of the Miracle on Ice gold medal hockey team at the Lake Placid, New York 1980 Olympics (born in Flint)
• Lee Norwood, defenseman for several NHL teams including the Detroit Red Wings (raised in Trenton)
• Brian Rafalski, defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings and member of the 2002, 2004 and 2006 US Olympic team (born in Dearborn)
• Brian Rolston, hockey player for several NHL teams (born in Flint)
• Tim Thomas, goaltender for the Boston Bruins (born in Flint)
• John Vanbiesbrouck, goaltender for several NHL teams in the 1980s and 1990s (born in Detroit)
• Don Waddell, executive vice president and general manager of the Atlanta Thrashers and former ice hockey defenceman (born in Detroit)
• Doug Weight, 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics team silver medalist and hockey player for several NHL teams, winner of Stanley Cup with Carolina Hurricanes (born in Warren)
• Mike York, forward for the New York Islanders and member of the silver medal-winning Team USA in the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics (born in Waterford)
• Steve Yzerman, center and captain of the Detroit Red Wings from 1983 to 2006.
• John Ziegler, NHL President from 1977-1992 (born in Grosse Pointe)
• Mike Knuble, forward for several NHL teams. (Kentwood)
• Al Iafrate, 1984 US Olympic Hockey Team, NHL: Toronto, Boston, Washington, San Jose Defenseman(Livonia)

Motorcycle racing

• Leo Anthony., Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, dirt-bike champion of the 1930s and 1940s (born in Port Huron)
• Ernie Beckman, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, three-time National American Motorcycle Association national winner in the 1950s (born in Battle Creek)
• Ted Boody, Jr., Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, winner of 8 dirt-track national competitions, top-ten ranking from 1981-1986 (born in Lansing)
• Doug Domokos, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, 1970s-1980s stunt motorcyclist nicknamed the "Wheelie King" whose wheelie of 145 miles held the record for 8 years (born in Niles)
• Randy Goss, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, 2-time National Grand Champion (born in Hartland)
• Oscar Lenz, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, endurance motorcycle champion (born in Bay City)
• Dot Robinson, women's motorcycle racing pioneer, co-founder of Motor Maids,Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in Australia; settled in Saginaw, Michigan)
• Earl Robinson, endurance motorcycle champion, husband of Dot Robinson, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in Saginaw)
• Dal Smilie, American Motorcycle Association director for 35 years, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in Battle Creek)
• Jay Springsteen, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, three-time AMA Grand National Champion (born in Flint)
• Jeff Stanton, leader of the winning US team at the 1991 Motocross des Nations competition in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, team member of the 1989 and 1990 US Motocross des Nations teams, 6-time AMA Motocross and Supercross Champion, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in Coldwater)

Olympics

• Dathan Ritzenhein, 2008 Olympic Marathon Qualifier in [Marathon] at Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics (born in Grand Rapids)
• Avery Brundage, International Olympic Committee Chair 1952-72 (born in Detroit)
• Richard Callahan, Olympic figure skating coach (lives in Detroit)
• Henry Carr, double gold medalist in track at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
• Rex Cawley, gold medalist in the 400 meter hurdles -- Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Farmington)
• Edward Crook, Jr., gold medalist in middleweight boxing at the Rome 1960 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
• Dick Degener, gold medalist in diving Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics (born in Birmingham)
• Brian Lee Diemer, bronze medalist in steeplechase at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics (born in Grand Rapids)
• Andre Dirrell, middleweight boxing bronze medalist at the Athens 2004 Olympics (born in Flint, Michigan)
• Steve Fraser, gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics (born in Hazel Park)
• Alex Izykowski, bronze medalist in 5000 meter relay ice skating at Turin 2006 Olympics (born in Bay City)
• Hayes Jones, gold medalist in the 110-meter hurdles at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Starkville, Mississippi; raised in Pontiac)
• Karch Kiraly, three time Olympic gold medalist and the only person to win Olympic gold medal in both indoor volleyball (at both the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics and Seoul 1988 Olympics) and in beach volleyball (at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics) (born in Jackson, Michigan)
• Shelly Looney, member of the gold medal-winning women's hockey team at the Nagano 1998 Olympics (born in Trenton)
• Steve McCrory, gold medalist for flyweight boxing at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics (born in Detroit)
• Carley Piper, member of the gold medal-winning US Women's 4x200 Swimming Freestyle Relay at the Athens 2004 Olympics (born in Grosse Pointe)
• William Porter, Olympic gold medalist in 110 meter hurdles -- London 1948 Summer Olympics (born in Essex Township)
• Norbert Schemansky, the only weightlifter to win four Olympic medals -- 1948 silver; 1952 gold; 1960 bronze; and 1964 bronze (born in Detroit; resident of Grosse Pointe Farms
• Clark Scholes, Olympic gold medalist in 100 meter freestyle swimming at the Helsinki 1952 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
• Lindsay Tarpley, soccer player and member of the gold-medal winning Athens 2004 Olympics team, one of only two college students on the team (she was attending Western Michigan University (born in Madison, Wisconsin, raised in Kalamazoo)
• Eddie Tolan, double Olympic gold medalist in track in both the 100 and 200 meter sprint at the Los Angeles 1932 Summer Olympics, and the first black athlete to win two Olympic gold medals (born in Denver, Colorado; raised in Detroit)
• Peter Vanderkaay, member of the gold medal-winning US Men's 4x200 swimming Freestyle Relay at the Athens 2004 Olympics (born in Rochester)
• Mark Wells, member of the Miracle on Ice gold medal hockey team at the Lake Placid, New York 1980 Olympics (born in Saint Claire Shores)
• Lorenzo Wright, gold medalist in 440-meter relay at the London 1948 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
• Wendy Wyland, bronze medalist in platform diving at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics (born in Jackson)
• Sheila Young, skater and first American to win three medals in the winter games -- a bronze, silver and gold -- at the Innsbruck 1976 Winter Olympics (born in Birmingham)

Professional wrestling

• Eric Bischoff, wrestling promoter and former World Championship Wrestling president (born in Detroit)
• Monty Brown, professional wrestler who originally began as a football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills (born in Bridgeport)
• Ed Farhat aka The original Sheik, professional wrestler (born in Lansing)
• Kevin Nash, professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
• Rhino aka Terry Gerin, professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
• Bob Roop, Greco-Roman wrestling participant at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics turned professional wrestler under such names as "The Gladiator" and "The Enforcer" (born in Blacksburg, Virginia; raised in East Lansing)
• Chris Sabin, (aka Josh Harter ) professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
• Sabu, (real name Terry Brunk), professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
• Jimmy Jacobs, (aka Chris Scoville ) professional wrestler (born in Grand Rapids)
• Alex Shelley, professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
• Tank,(aka Tim Swan ) ,professional wrestler (retired)born in Lansing
• Lou Thesz, professional wrestling legend (born in Benat)
• Rob Van Dam, professional wrestling legend ( born in Battle Creek)

Tennis

• Aaron Krickstein, one-time # 6 ranked tennis player (born in Ann Arbor)
• Susan Mascarin tennis player, winner of the 1980 US Open (born in Detroit)
• Serena Williams, tennis player, winner of eight Grand Slam titles (born in Saginaw)
• Luke Jensen, tennis player, winner of 1993 French Open doubles (born in Grayling)
• Murphy Jensen, tennis player, winner of 1993 French Open doubles (born in Ludington)

Other sports

• Scott Baker, auto racer (born in Holland)
• Tom Bambard, NASCAR driver (born in South Lyon)
• Johnny Benson, NASCAR driver (born in Grand Rapids)
• Pam Bristol Brady, Triple Crown-winning badminton player (born in Flint; moved to Grand Blanc)
• Becky Breisch, 2005 USA Outdoors discus throw champion and 8-time NCAA All American (born in Edwardsburg)
• Walter Burkemo, professional golfer who won the 1953 PGA Championship (born in Detroit)
• Donna Caponi, professional golfer (born in Detroit)
• Tim Fedewa, NASCAR Driver and Spotter (born in Holt)
• Lon Hinkle, professional golfer (born in Flint)
• Gordon Johncock, auto racer (born in Coldwater)
• Jessica Joseph, ice dancer who was silver and bronze medalist in the 1998 and 2001 US Championships respectively (born in Bloomfield Hills)
• Connie Kalitta, Drag Racer, first driver to hit 200 mph at a NHRA Sanctioned Event in his Top Fuel Dragster (grew up in Mount Clemens)
• Doug Kalitta, auto racer 1994 USAC National Sprint Car Champion (born in Ypsilanti)
• Brad Keselowski, NASCAR Nationwide Series driver (born in Rochester Hills}
• Julie Krone, jockey and first woman to win the Belmont Stakes, all-time leading female rider by number of victories (born in Benton Harbor)
• Marion Ladewig, bowler, nine-time Bowler of the Year from 1950-1963, first Superior Performance inductee into the Women's International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame (born in Grand Rapids)
• Alexi Lalas, US National Soccer Hall of Fame soccer great and current general manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy (born in Birmingham)
• Harry Melling, Owner of Melling Automotive, and NASCAR championship team owner of Melling Racing (lived in Jackson, Michigan)
• Lenda Murray, bodybuilder and four-time Ms. Olympia winner (born in Detroit)
• Colette Nelson, bodybuilder (born in Southfield)
• Benny Parsons, NASCAR Winston Cup (now Nextel Cup) champion, TV announcer (lived in Detroit, where he worked at a gas station and drove cabs for his father)
• U. E. Patrick, aka "Pat" Patrick, co-founder of CART Indy car series, owner of Indy-500 winning Patrick Racing (resides and has business in Jackson, Michigan)
• Ken Read, Alpine skier, first North American to win an Alpine skiing World Cup Downhill skiing event -- in 1975 for Canada (born in Ann Arbor)
• Aleta Rzepecki Sill, bowler and first woman bowler to win over $1 million in a year (born in Dearborn])
• David Allen Sill, bowler and respected coach. Coached Aleta Rzepecki Sill to stardom. Inventor of Turbo Grips product, Switch Grip. (born in Detroit, Michigan)
• Michael Tomac, cyclist, bike maker and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductee (born in Owosso)
• Kevin Van Dam, professional bass angler, author of angling guide Secrets of a Champion, four time BASS Angler of the Year, and 2002 ESPN Outdoor Sportsman of the Year (born in Kalamazoo)
• Dave Walsh, aka "Walshy" Major League Gaming Halo 2 Professional, Captain of 2005 Halo 2 Champion 4v4 Team Final Boss (born in Grand Rapids)

References and further reading

• Gavrilovich, Peter and Bill McGraw (2000). The Detroit Almanac. Detroit Free Press. ISBN 0937247341. 
• Gavrilovich, Peter and Bill McGraw (2006). The Detroit Almanac, 2nd edition. Detroit Free Press. ISBN 9780937247488.