Hank Aaron - is widely considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His most notable achievement was breaking the career home run record set by Babe Ruth. During his professional career, Aaron performed at a consistently high level for an extended period of time. He hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973, and is the only player to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least fifteen times. Aaron made the All-Star team every year from 1955 until 1975. Aaron holds the MLB records for the most career runs batted in (2,297) and the most career extra base hits (1,477). Hank Aaron is also in the top five for career hits with 3,771 (third) and runs with 2,174, which is tied for fourth with Babe Ruth. He is one of only four players to have at least seventeen seasons with 150 or more hits. He also is in second place in home runs (755) and at-bats (12,364), and in third place in games played (3,298). He was born in Mobile, AL in 1934.
Charles Barkley - He earned eleven NBA All-Star Game appearances and was named the All-Star MVP in 1991. In 1993, he was voted the league's Most Valuable Player and during the NBA's 50th anniversary, named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. He competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic games and won two gold medals as a member of the United States' Dream Team. In 2006, Barkley was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2000, he retired as the fourth player in NBA history to achieve 20,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 4,000 assists. He was born in Leeds, AL in 1963.
Mia Hamm - played many years as a forward for the United States women's national soccer team and was a founding member of the Washington Freedom. Hamm has scored more international goals in her career than any other player, male or female, in the history of U.S. soccer (158). She is the second most capped female player in soccer history behind Kristine Lilly, appearing in 275 international matches throughout her career. Hamm was named the women's FIFA World Player of the Year the first two times that award was given (in 2001 and 2002), and is listed as one of FIFA's 125 best living players (as chosen by Pelé). She retired from the sport in 2004, when she played her last game in the 2004 Fan Celebration Tour to commemorate the U.S. women's national team's victory in the 2004 Olympics. In 2007, her first year of eligibility, she was selected for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame by having 137 votes of the 141 ballots cast. Women's Professional Soccer features Hamm's silhouette in its logo. She was born in Selma, AL in 1972.
Evander Holyfield - He is a former World Undisputed Champion in both cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. After winning the bronze medal in the Light Heavyweight division at the 1984 Summer Olympics, he debuted as a professional at the age of 21. Holyfield moved to the cruiserweight division in 1985 and won his first title the following year, the WBA World Cruiserweight belt. He would then go on to win the Lineal, IBF and WBC titles, becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion. Holyfield moved up to Heavyweight in 1988, defeating Buster Douglas for the The Ring, WBA, WBC and IBF titles in 1990. Holyfield holds other notable victories over fighters such as; George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe, Ray Mercer, Mike Tyson (x2), Michael Moorer, John Ruiz, Michael Dokes and Hasim Rahman. Holyfield is the only 5-time World Heavyweight champion, winning the WBA, WBC and IBF titles in 1990, the WBA and IBF titles in 1993 and the WBA title in 1996 and 2000. Holyfield also won the WBF title in 2010. He was born in Atmore, AL in 1962
Bo Jackson - is a former baseball and football player. He was the first athlete to be named an All-Star in two major American sports, and also won the Heisman Trophy in 1985. In football, he played running back for the Los Angeles Raiders. In baseball, he played left field and designated hitter for the Kansas City Royals, the Chicago White Sox, and the California Angels. He also ran a 40-yard dash in a blistering 4.12 seconds (hand-timed), which is still the fastest verifiable 40-yard dash time ever recorded at any NFL Combine. A hip injury severely impaired his professional baseball career, and ended his NFL career. He was born in Bessemer, AL in 1962.
Craig Kimbrel - was drafted by the Braves in the third round of the 2008 draft, and was the 96th player chosen. Kimbrel made the roster in the 2011 season as the team's primary closer. On June 3, 2011 in a game versus the Mets, Kimbrel passed the record for most saves by a NL rookie before the All-Star break. He is the fastest Braves pitcher to reach 100 career strikeouts. On July 5, his 26th save matched Jonathan Papelbon's record for most saves by a rookie before the All-Star break. On July 7, Kimbrel's 27th save of the year against the Rockies broke Papelbon's record. Kimbrel was selected to the 2011 All Star Game during his first full season in the majors. On July 22, 2011 in a game versus the Reds, he broke the Braves rookie record for saves in a season (31). On August 9, 2011 in a game versus the Marlins, he tied the NL rookie record for saves in a season. He broke that record on August 17 in a game versus the Giants. On August 23, 2011, he recorded his 40th save, tying the rookie save record of Neftali Feliz. He subsequently broke this record with his 41st save on August 31. He was named the NL Rookie of the Month and MLB Delivery Man of the Month for August 2011. He was born in 1988 in Huntsville, AL
Carl Lewis - is an former track and field athlete, who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were gold. His career spanned from 1979 to 1996. He was a dominant sprinter and long jumper who topped the world rankings in the 100 m, 200 m and long jump events frequently from 1981 to the early 1990s, was named Athlete of the Year by Track and Field News in 1982, 1983 and 1984, and set world records in the 100 m, 4 x 100 m and 4 x 200 m relays. His world record in the indoor long jump has stood since 1984 and his 65 consecutive victories in the long jump achieved over a span of 10 years is one of the sport’s longest undefeated streaks. He was voted "Sportsman of the Century" by the International Olympic Committee and "Olympian of the Century" by Sports Illustrated. He was born in Birmingham, AL in 1961.
Willie Mays - is a retired baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year of eligibility. Many consider him to be the greatest all-around player of all time. Mays won two MVP awards and tied Stan Musial's record with 24 appearances in the All-Star Game. He ended his career with 660 home runs, third at the time of his retirement, and currently fourth all-time. He won a record-tying twelve Gold Gloves starting the year the award was introduced six seasons into his career. In 1999, he was elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Mays is one of five NL players to have eight consecutive 100-RBI seasons, along with Mel Ott, Sammy Sosa, Chipper Jones and Albert Pujols. Mays hit 50 or more home runs in both 1955 and 1965. This time span represents the longest stretch between 50 plus home run seasons for any player in Major League Baseball history. Ted Williams once said "They invented the All-Star Game for Willie Mays." He was born in Westfield, AL in 1931.
Willie McCovey - nicknamed "Mac", "Big Mac", and "Stretch", is a former Baseball first baseman. He played nineteen seasons for the San Francisco Giants, and three more for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, between 1959 and 1980. He batted and threw left-handed and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986. One of the most intimidating power hitters of his era, McCovey was called "the scariest hitter in baseball" by pitcher Bob Gibson, an assessment with which Reggie Jackson concurred. McCovey's powerful swing generated 521 home runs, 231 of which he hit in Candlestick Park, the most hit there by any player, and included a home run of Sept. 16, 1966 described as the longest ever hit in that stadium. He was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1938.
Jesse Owens - was an American track and field athlete who specialized in the sprints and the long jump. He participated in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany, where he achieved international fame by winning four gold medals: one each in the 100 meters, the 200 meters, the long jump, and as part of the 4x100 meter relay team. He was the most successful athlete at the 1936 Summer Olympics, a victory more poignant and often noted because Adolf Hitler had intended the 1936 games to showcase his Aryan ideals and prowess. He has the Jesse Owens Award accolade named after him in honor of his significant career. In 1976 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Gerald Ford. On March 28, 1990, Owens was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by President George H. W. Bush. He was born in Oakville, AL in 1913.
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Terrell Owens - is an wide receiver who is currently a free agent. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Owens has been one of the dominant receivers of his era. He holds or shares several NFL records, and features in the all-time top-5 in several receiving categories, including yards and touchdowns. As productive as he has been, Owens has been equally controversial, creating firestorms with almost every team he has played for as a professional. He was selected in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Popularly known by his initials, T.O., Owens is as renowned for his flamboyant touchdown celebrations and public persona as he is for his prodigious talent on the field. His actions on and off the field have led to many league fines, as well as frequent penalties for his team. He was born in Alexander City, AL in 1973.
Satchel Paige -was a baseball player whose pitching in the Negro leagues and in MLB made him a legend in his own lifetime. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971, the first player to be inducted from the Negro leagues. Paige was a right-handed pitcher and was the oldest rookie to play Major League Baseball at the age of 42. He played with the St. Louis Browns until age 47, and represented them in the Major League All-Star Game in 1952 and 1953. Paige began his professional career in 1926 with the Chattanooga White Sox of the Negro Southern League, and played his last professional game on June 21, 1966, for the Peninsula Grays of the Carolina League. He was born in Mobile, AL in 1906.
Philip Rivers - is an quarterback for the San Diego Chargers. He was one half of the Manning-Rivers draft trade which sent him to San Diego and the 1st overall pick, Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, to the New York Giants. Rivers' career passer rating of 95.9 is third-best all-time among NFL quarterbacks with at least 1,500 passing attempts, behind Aaron Rodgers and Steve Young. After starting Chargers quarterback Drew Brees went to the New Orleans Saints following the 2005 season, Rivers came off the bench to lead the Chargers to a 14-2 record in his first season as a starter. In 2007, he helped the Chargers win their first playoff game since 1994 after beating the Tennessee Titans in the wildcard round of the 2007 playoffs and eventually leading them to the AFC Championship game. He has a career total of 13 fourth quarter comebacks, his most recent being on September 11, 2011, when he led the Chargers to a 24-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings. He was born in Decatur, AL in 1981.
Ozzie Smith - is an former shortstop who played for the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals from 1978 to 1996. Nicknamed "The Wizard" for his defensive brilliance, Smith set major league records for career assists (8,375) and double plays (1,590) by a shortstop (the latter broken by Omar Vizquel), as well as the NL record with 2,511 career games at the position; won the NL Gold Glove Award for 13 consecutive seasons (1980–1992). A 15-time All-Star, he accumulated 2,460 hits and 580 stolen bases during his career, and won the NL Silver Slugger Award as the best-hitting shortstop in 1987. Upon joining the Cardinals, Smith helped the team win the 1982 World Series. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2002. He was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1954.
Bart Starr - is a former football player and coach. Wearing #15, he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971 and head coach from 1975 to 1983. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the first two Super Bowls and earned four Pro Bowl selections. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977. He won the league MVP award in 1966. He has the second-highest playoff passer rating (104.80, behind current Packer Aaron Rodgers' 112.6) of any quarterback in NFL history and a playoff record of 9–1. Starr's career completion percentage of 57.4 was an NFL best when he retired in 1972. Starr also held the Packers' franchise record for games-played (196) for 32 years, through the 2003 season. He was born in Montgomery, AL in 1934.
Ben Wallace - is an American basketball center for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA. He signed with the Washington Bullets (later Wizards) as an undrafted free agent in 1996. In his NBA career, Wallace has also played the power forward position and with the Washington Bullets/Wizards, Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers teams. He has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times, a record he shares with Dikembe Mutombo. In six seasons with the Pistons (2000-2006), Wallace made two NBA Finals appearances (2004 and 2005) and won a championship with the Pistons in 2004. Accolades include NBA Champion: 2004; 4× NBA All-Star; 4× NBA Defensive Player of the Year; 6× All-NBA Defensive Team; 5× All-NBA; 2× NBA regular-season leader, rebounds per game; NBA regular-season leader, blocks per game; 2× NBA regular-season leader, total rebounds; NBA regular-season leader, total defensive rebounds; 2× NBA regular-season leader, total offensive rebounds; NBA regular-season leader, total blocks. He was born in White Hall, AL in 1974.
Billy Williams - is an former baseball outfielder with the Chicago Cubs and the Oakland Athletics. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. For the Cubs, he never reached the post-season. He finally played in the post-season late in his career with the Athletics although he never played in a World Series. He began his major league career in 1959. Williams advanced quickly through the minor league ranks, joining the Cubs by the early 1960s. He was selected as the Rookie of the Year in 1961. Williams also set a NL record for consecutive games played with 1,117 between 1962-71 (eclipsed by Steve Garvey with 1,207). From 1961 to 1973, Williams annually hit at least twenty home runs and was responsible for eighty-four or more RBIs. Williams was better known for hitting than for defense, but he made crucial catches in two different no-hitters by Cubs pitchers: Ken Holtzman in 1969, and Milt Pappas in 1972. Williams enjoyed his finest season in 1972 at age 34, when he paced the league in batting average with a .333 mark, also posting a .606 slugging % while collecting 37 HRs and 122 RBI. After accumulating a lifetime .290 BA with 426 homers and 1475 RBI, Billy Williams was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987. Williams' number 26 was retired at Wrigley Field. His was the second number retired by the Cubs. In 1999, he was named as a finalist to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. He was born in Whistler, Alabama in 1938.
Other Notable Athletes include:
- George Foster
- Harvey Glance
- Kevin Greene
- Matt Cain (up and comer)
- DeMarcus Ware
- Deontay Wilder
- Roman Harper
- Walter Jones
- Larry Nelson
- Ozzie Newsome
- Jake Peavey
- Chuck Person
- Juan Pierre
- Theo Ratliff
- Alex Rios
- Joe Sewell
- Ken Stabler
- John Stallworth
- Don Sutton
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