Everyone has their one favorite athlete who inspired them with their talent, determination, and success. With hard work and perseverance, these sports legends taught us that we all have inner strength. But fans aren’t the only ones motivated by these athletes; they also have a lot of lessons to pass on to their children.
Many athletes have kids at some point in life, and some of them are little girls who grow up to become beautiful women. Many of these daughters inherited their athletic parents’ endurance, talent, and good looks. While some of these ladies stayed true to their sports legacy, others embarked on other careers. So, does the apple really fall far from the tree?
Check out your favorite sport legends’ daughters – all grown up.
Igor Larionov & Alyonka Larionov
Hockey fans all over the world know the name Igor Larionov aka “The Professor.” He was one of the first Russian athletes in the NHL and was involved in forcing the Soviet government to allow Soviet players to play abroad. He played center for the Vancouver Canucks and the Detroit Red Wings. Known for his strength and talent, he won three Stanley Cups and two Olympic gold medals.
As it turns out, his daughter Alyonka Larionov is proving to be just as popular. With a captivating essence, inspirational videos, and an “it” factor that you can’t ignore, she has an impressive following of her own.
Paul Gascoigne & Bianca Gascoigne
Some of the most legendary soccer stars call Great Britain home, and one of them is Paul Gascoigne. Also known as Gazza by the Brits, he is famous for being the most naturally talented English soccer-player of his time. He played for big teams, including Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, while representing his country on 57 different occasions.
His stunning daughter Bianca Gascoigne may not be a professional athlete like her father, but it comes as no surprise that she is a successful model and television producer. If you’re a fan of reality shows, you may recognize her from Love Island and Big Brother’s Big Mouth.
Mark Schlereth & Avery Schlereth
Mark Schlereth is a significant part of NFL history thanks to not only his career as an athlete but his broadcasting success that followed. Schlereth played guard for the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos for 12 seasons. Then, he worked for Fox Sports and ESPN as a football analyst.
The three-time Super Bowl champion passed down his talent genes to his children, but his daughter Avery Schlereth stands out the most. With millions of followers on all social media platforms, this influencer has her dad’s charm, endearing nature, and eyes.
Wayne Gretzky & Paulina Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky is widely considered the greatest hockey player of all time. Nicknamed “The Great One,” he is still the top scorer in the history of the NFL and holds various other records. This guy was such a legend that he is the only player to have his jersey number retired throughout the entire league.
But other than his success on the ice, Gretzky is a family man and a wonderful father. His beautiful daughter Paulina looks like she just walked out of a fashion magazine, so it only makes sense that she is a model. Other than strutting the catwalk, she is also a singer with a magnificent voice and dazzling stage presence.
Tony La Russa & Bianca La Russa
For ten seasons, Tony La Russa was playing in the MLB and then managed it for another 33 years. He is mainly known for the three World Series titles that he won as manager: one with the Oakland As and another two with the St. Louis Cardinals. He also earned four MLB Manager of the Year awards. If that wasn’t enough, this busy athlete was also an advisor for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
His love of sports seems to run in the family since his daughter Bianca inherited his athletic DNA. Bianca was an incredibly talented cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders. His enthusiasm and love for sport really came out in his daughter.
Mark Calcavecchia & Britney Calcavecchia
One of the biggest names in the world of professional golfing is Mark Calcavecchia. He is famous for making challenging shots and has even won 13 PGA Tours, including the 1989 Open Championship. At 60 years old, Calcavecchia is still active and even competes in the prestigious Champions Tour.
With an impressive career that has lasted over three decades, he had time to have a successful family life. His daughter Britney isn’t a professional athlete herself, but that doesn’t mean she’s not involved in the sports world. In fact, Britney was working as part of the Spring Training Crew with the Chicago White Sox and L.A. Dodgers.
Caitlyn Jenner & Kendall Jenner
Love them or hate them, the Kardashian-Jenner clan is one of the most famous families on the planet, dominating reality TV and social media platforms. But before becoming a reality star, Caitlyn Jenner was a legendary Olympic athlete who won various medals in a decathlon.
She also raised a few kids, including two incredibly successful and beautiful daughters, Kendall and Kylie. While Kylie is known for hip lip kits and raising a daughter of her own, Kendall spends more time in front of the spotlight. Forbes named Kendall the highest-paid model in the world in 2017.
Mark Schlereth & Alexandria Schlereth
It’s hard to get on the same list twice, but it doesn’t come as a surprise that the person to make it is Mark Schlereth. His daughter Avery used social media to pave her way to the top, but that’s not his only successful daughter. Alexandria is involved in the sports world and has worked as a reporter for Bar Fly on the Fox Sports channel.
Alexandria is just as stunning as her sister and even had a stint in Hollywood, starring in shows like Dakota Blue and Desire. This seems to be just the beginning for Alexandria. Her future is looking bright, so expect to see more of her.
Muhammad Ali & Ali Laila
Unless you have been living under a rock for your entire life, there is no way you don’t know who Muhammad Ali is. As the leading and undisputed heavyweight champion of the 20th century, he is still considered the greatest boxer of all time. He solidified his position with his powerful presence in the ring, classy boxing style, and deadly combos that could knock anyone out.
His incredibly beautiful daughter Laila Ali followed in her daddy’s footsteps and held the female super middleweight and light heavyweight titles. She retired undefeated and is known as one of the best female boxers in the industry.
Mark Rypien & Angela Rypien
Mark Rypien was an incredibly talented quarterback in the NFL, famous for his two Super Bowl wins with the Washington Redskins. In 1992, he was named Super Bowl MVP and was also selected for two Pro Bowls.
His legacy inspired his gorgeous daughter Angela Rypien to embark on a sports career as well. That’s right; this girl became a football star in her own right. The Baltimore Sun even dubbed her “the most famous player in the Legends Football League.” Not too shabby.
Doug Flutie & Alexa Flutie
For 20 incredible years, Doug Flutie played for the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and the United States Football League as a quarterback. In 1984, he won the Heisman Trophy and made the Pro Ball Team during his time playing for the Buffalo Bills.
His stunning daughter Alexa Flutie is his biggest fan and was always cheering him on. In fact, she enjoyed rooting for him so much that she used the athletic genes her dad gave her and became and professional cheerleader for the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers! She is now a professional choreographer and cheerleading coach.
Valeri Liukin & Nastia Liukin
Valeri Liukin is a big name in the gymnastics world. Throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, the iconic Olympian set an incredible, unbeatable medal-winning streak. This legend even had a gymnastics move named after him. Unrivaled for years, he finally met his match: his daughter Natasha.
If you don’t know, Natasha Liukin is a five-time Olympic medalist, who won one gold, three silver, and one bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She has since retired and now hosts the Nastia Liukin Cup, an annual artistic gymnastics competition. Considering her mom was also a gymnastics champion, talent definitely runs in her blood.
Gerald Wilkins & Jasmyn Wilkins
Gerald Wilkins was a 13-year NBA player known for his strong stature and prodigious skill. He played on plenty of teams but is mostly remembered for being the second-leading scorer (after Patrick Ewing) on the New York Knicks back in the ‘80s.
Other than being a remarkable basketball player, he is also a father. His beautiful daughter, Jasmyn “Jazz” Wilkins, was a high school basketball star. Then, she became a professional model and beauty pageant competitor. In 2012, Jazz was named Miss Georgia, and later that same year she was crowned Miss USA runner-up.
Brett Favre & Brittany Favre-Mallion
Brett Favre rose to fame while playing in the NFL for 20 seasons as a quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. He was given the NFL MVP title three times, and, in 1997, he was crowned Super Bowl Champion, leaving behind a legacy that not many people can match.
But one of his biggest life accomplishments had nothing to do with his career. He is most proud of raising his wonderful daughter Brittany Favre-Mallion. Instead of following in her dad’s sports footsteps, she pursued a legal career after graduating from Loyola University’s College of Law.
Mike Woodson & Mariah Woodson
Mike Woodson played for several NBA teams, but the peak of his career occurred in 1983, when he averaged 18 points a game during his playoff run with the Kings. These days, he still spends his time in the industry, but instead of playing, he is coaching the Atlanta Hawks.
Incidentally, he passed on his love of sports to both of his daughters, Alexis and Mariah. They both went on to become volleyball stars in college, and Mariah earned All-State and All-Senior team affirmations for her amazing success at Georgia Tech University.
Prakash Padukone & Deepika Padukone
Prakash Padukone is an ex-badminton player who ranked number one back in 1980 and became the first Indian to ever win the All-England Open Badminton Championship. Although he has an outstanding sports legacy, he would rather brag about his private life.
He is the proud father of Deepika Padukone, one of the most popular Bollywood stars. Deepika has starred in over 20 films and produced various successful Hollywood movies, including xXx: Return of Xander Cage. She is now one of the highest-paid actresses in India, and in 2018 she made it to Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Judy Trammell & Cassie Trammell
Back in the 1990s, Judy Trammell came to fame as one of the greatest cheerleaders on the planet. When she cheered for the Dallas Cowboys, she amazed fans and colleagues with her style, talent, and signature moves. She now works as the head choreographer for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
She passed on her talented DNA to her beautiful daughter Cassie Trammell, who clearly got her mom’s good looks. Instilled with the same poise, passion, and spirit, she is also a cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys! It looks like she is following her mom’s exact footsteps.
Deion Sanders & Deiondra Sanders
If there is one person who truly embodies the word athlete, it’s Deion Sanders. Not only did he spend 14 seasons in the NFL, but he won Super Bowls for both the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. He also spent nine seasons in the MLB, becoming the only player to be featured in the Super Bowl and World Series.
The two-time Super Bowl champion continues his legacy through his stunning daughter, Deiondra. Although she isn’t winning Super Bowls, she is a success in her own right. She has become a real social media sensation and a powerful influencer, gaining more followers every day.
Glenn Carano & Gina Carano
Glenn Carano showed immense talent, passion, and skill in his short-lived NFL career. After playing quarterback on the Dallas Cowboys for seven seasons, he ventured into hospitality and opened his own hotel. With all his professional success, he passed down his athletic genes to his daughter Gina Carano.
If you don’t know, Gina gained success of her own as an MMA fighter and helped pave the way for other female fighters to shine. She has also found success in other areas, such as acting. She has appeared in popular movies like Deadpool and Extraction.
Phillippi Sparks & Jordin Sparks
Back in the day, Phillippi Sparks was a huge name in NFL and played cornerback for the New York Giants as well as the Dallas Cowboys. However, his daughter Jordin really made the family name skyrocket after winning the reality TV singing competition show American Idol.
This was just the start for Jordin. It didn’t take her long to conquer the music world with her amazing vocals and self-titled debut album. The record went platinum and paved the way for a wonderful career that includes five studio albums and two Grammy nominations.
Art Rooney Sr. & Kate Mara
Although he is an incredibly successful boxer, Art Rooney Sr. is better known as the founding father of the famous Pittsburgh Steelers. Often referred to as “The Chief,” he became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But in recent years, his granddaughter Kate Mara is the one in the spotlight.
You may recognize Mara as a very sought-after actress in Hollywood. She has been praised for her acting talent and well as her charismatic charm. She was featured in plenty of blockbusters over the years, including 127 Hours, Fantastic Four, and The Martian.
John Force & Courtney Force
It’s always fascinating to watch children who share the same passion and interests as their celebrity parents. Well, that’s the case when it comes to John and Courtney Force, who proved that talent truly does run in their family. If you haven’t heard of him, John Force is one of the biggest names in drag racing history.
He won 16 NHRA Funny Car Championships. After retiring, he passed the torch down to his gorgeous daughter Courtney Force, who drove the Traxxas Ford Mustang on her dad’s team before retiring in 2019. Courtney now holds the record for the most Funny Car wins by a female driver in NHRA history.
Wade Phillips & Tracy Phillips
Wade Phillips is one of the biggest coaching names in the football world. He managed to retire with a percentage of .546. He helped lead teams like the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, and Dallas Cowboys while serving as a defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams at the same time.
His daughter Tracy Phillips isn’t exactly involved in the sports world, but she shares the same star quality and talent that her father possesses. As an aspiring Hollywood actress, Tracy has already appeared in several big movies, such as 500 Days of Summer and Water for Elephants.
Terry Bradshaw & Rachel Bradshaw
Terry Bradshaw is a four-time Super Bowl champion from his time playing quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After he retired, he stayed involved in the industry, becoming a sports analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday. If that wasn’t enough, he also has five music albums and a few movies to his name.
It’s not easy to live up to such a legend, but his daughter Rachel Bradshaw is certainly on the right track. She is a magnificent recording artist and part of the group The Stella James Band. She has also dabbled in acting and snagged several notable roles, including in the popular musical drama Nashville.
Norv Turner & Stephanie Turner
For 34 seasons, Norv Turner served as a coach for teams like the Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and the Dallas Cowboys. He is now considered to be one of the best offensive minds in NFL history. Among his numerous records and accolades, he has two Super Bowls to his name.
His daughter Stephanie Turner has some big shoes to fill, but she’s not scared. So far, she is doing an incredible job. She managed to find success and make a name for herself as an actress, appearing in shows like Bones, 7th Heaven, Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), and Dirt.
Mark Gastineau & Brittny Gastineau
During the 1980s, Mark Gastineau reached his heights as a defensive end for the New York Jets. A five-time Pro-Bowler, he was widely considered one of the fastest pass rushers of his generation. As it turns out, the only thing that beat his legendary skills on the field were his parenting skills at home.
Mark is the proud father of Brittny Gastineau. If you’ve never heard of the supermodel, you will definitely recognize her since she was the face of popular brands such as L’Oreal. She also appeared on magazine covers like Steppin’ Out, Hamptons, and Lucire. If that wasn’t enough, she was also part of several reality shows, including Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Urban Meyer & Nicki Meyer
If you are a big sports fan, you definitely know the name Urban Meyer. He is widely known as one of the best coaches in the history of football. He won numerous trophies, including three national championships, before he retired in 2018 to focus on his health.
His daughter Nicki seems to have the same athleticism and determination as her dad since she also pursued a career in sports, becoming a formidable volleyball player at Florida Gulf Coast University. Nicki is open about her positive relationship with her dad and how proud she is to be part of an athletic family.
Nick Saban & Kristen Saban
After a brief stint playing in the NFL, Nick Saban realized his real destiny was coaching, eventually becoming the greatest coach in the history of college football. He led numerous college programs to success and is currently doing the same with the University of Alabama, making the Crimson Tide the best team in the NCAA.
But he is the only one in his family who loves a good old football game. His daughter Kristen Saban is a huge sports fan and is particularly passionate about football. In addition to her dad’s love of sports, she inherited his big heart. She is involved in a number of charity foundations across the country. Kristen also served on the board of Nick’s Kids foundation.
Mike Mayock & Leigh Mayock
Mike Mayock is a familiar name in the NFL, considering he has been part of the league for over forty years. He was on teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants before switching into analyst and executive roles after retirement. He is now the general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders.
His daughter Leigh Mayock inherited her dad’s love of sports and is on the way to overshadow him. She now works as a talent producer at Fox Sports Radio and is an extremely successful influencer on social media. It looks like she also inherited his star-power!
Troy Aikman & Jordan Aikman
You probably recognize the name Troy Aikman. An NFL quarterback and a Dallas Cowboys icon, he played for the franchise for 12 seasons, winning three Super Bowls, receiving one Super Bowl MVP and six Pro Bowl nods.
Even though he is known as one of the greatest players of his generation, his best accomplishment was raising two beautiful girls. Jordan Aikman takes after her dad and has a successful career in the industry; she plays midfield and defense for the Episcopal School of Dallas lacrosse team. That’s not bad.
Michael Jordan & Jasmine Jordan
If there is an athlete who needs no introduction, it’s Michael Jordan. He is considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time and has earned numerous achievements and awards (in addition to his brief baseball career and acting stint). Other than being a sports icon, Jordan is a loving father of five.
His daughter Jasmine made a name for herself in the industry. Although she is not a basketball star like her dad, she has been working as a sports executive. Other than her talent, her good looks helped make her a successful influencer on social media.
Ric Flair & Charlotte Flair
Here is a true sports family dynasty if you’re looking for one. Ric Flair is one of the biggest names in the industry when it comes to wrestling. With a long career spanning over 40 years, he was crowned champion a whopping 16 times and is now signed to the WWE on a legend’s contract. I didn’t even know that was a thing.
Not many people can get close to the wrestling great, but his daughter Charlotte is an exception. Charlotte stuck to the family business and is adding her own style to the legacy. She is a four-time Raw Women’s champion, a record-breaking five-time SmackDown Women’s champion, and landed the nickname “The Queen.”
Dwayne Johnson & Simone Johnson
If you don’t know the name Dwayne Johnson, you certainly know him as “The Rock.” For eight years, the actor wrestled for the WWF and WWE, becoming one of the biggest sports names in the process. It seems like everything he touches turns to gold. It didn’t take him long to take over Hollywood and become one of the highest-paid actors in showbiz.
Now, his legacy is in the hands of his beautiful daughter, Simone Johnson. She spent years training with the WWE Performance Centre and recently announced that she joined the official roster for the promotion.
John McEnroe & Emily McEnroe
With his powerful serve, shot-making artistry, and confrontational on-court behavior, John McEnroe quickly made a name for himself in the tennis world. I mean, he’s a seven-time Grand Slam champion and currently holds the record for the most combined titles. It’s hard to compete with such a legend, but his daughter Emily McEnroe is certainly trying.
She is an aspiring actress who has participated in several fascinating projects in recent years. Although her career started off on the right foot, she has big dreams to become a famous movie star. As it turns out, the bright lights of Hollywood aren’t new to the family. Her mom is Oscar-winning starlet Tatum O’Neal.
Julius Erving & Alexandra Stevenson
You likely know Julius Erving as “Dr. J.” He is known for his incredible basketball skills and has become a legend in the sport, inspiring fans with his acrobatic, high-flying dunks. Before his retirement in 1987, he won various ABA championships and one NBA title.
Despite being a public figure, there was one thing he managed to keep out of the public eye: his daughter Alexandra Stevenson. Despite her distanced relationship with her dad, Alexandria used her athletic DNA to become a professional tennis player. The father-daughter duo has a wonderful relationship nowadays.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson & Elisa Johnson
Earvin “Magic” Johnson is widely considered the greatest point guard of all time and one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA. The 6’9” athlete brought the “Showtime” Los Angeles Lakers to five NBA championships. He was also a three-time NBA Finals MVP and a twelve-time NBA All-Star, but who’s counting?
His daughter Elisa Johnson isn’t an athlete, but that didn’t stop her from becoming a star. Not only has she modeled for some major brands, but she was also featured in a number of TV and reality shows, such as EJNYC, hosted by her brother E.J. She is also big on social media, where she has millions of followers.