List of people from Hampton Roads, Virginia

This is a list of notable peoples that were either born in or have lived in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, United States.

Chesapeake

• William Fuller (b. 1962) – professional football defensive end for the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears
• Ed Beard (b. 1939) – professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers
• Dré Bly (b. 1977) – professional football player with the Denver Broncos
• Randy Blythe (b. 1971) – vocalist and lyricist for groove metal band Lamb of God
• Michael Copon (b. 1982) – star of One Tree Hill and winner of VH1's But Can They Sing?
• Chris Crocker (b. 1980) – professional football player with the Atlanta Falcons
• Michael Cuddyer (b. 1979) – professional baseball right fielder for the New York Mets
• Kenny Easley (b. 1959) – professional football player with the Seattle Seahawks
• Jeff Falk – NASCAR driver
• DeAngelo Hall (b. 1983) – professional football cornerback for the Washington Redskins
• The Last Bison – indie folk group
• Ashton Lewis (b. 1972) – NASCAR driver
• Alonzo Mourning (b. 1970) – professional basketball player for the Miami Heat
• Darren Perry (b. 1968) – football player with the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Jay Pharoah (b. 1987) – actor, comedian, cast member of Saturday Night Live
• Chris Richardson (b. 1984) – American Idol season 5 top 5 finalist
• Ricky Rudd (b. 1956) – professional NASCAR race car driver
• Josh Rupe (b. 1982) – professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers
• Elton Sawyer (b. 1959) – NASCAR driver
• Eric Stanley (b. 1991) – violinist and composer
• B. J. Upton (b. 1984) – professional baseball shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays; drafted #2 overall in 2002
• Justin Upton (b. 1987) – professional baseball player drafted #1 overall in 2005 by the Arizona Diamondbacks
• Adrienne Warren (b. 1987) – professional singer, actress and dancer. Portrays Lorrell Robinson in the 2010 National Tour of Dreamgirls; singer for Trans-Siberian Orchestra
• David Wright (b. 1982) – professional baseball starting third baseman for the New York Mets
• Terra (Cooley) Lowe (b. 1985) – professional softball (pitcher) player.

Hampton

• Ronald Curry (b. 1979) – professional football player for the Oakland Raiders
• D.R.A.M. (b. 1988) - musician
• Steve Earle (b. 1955) – popular country-rock musician and songwriter
• Shaun Gayle (b. 1962) – professional football player with the San Diego Chargers
• Chris Hanburger (b. 1941) – popular Washington Redskins player in the 1970s
• Mike Husted (b. 1970) – former kicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders, and Washington Redskins
• Weldon Irvine (1943–2002) – musician
• Allen Iverson (b. 1975) – professional basketball player, point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers
• John P. Jumper (b. 1945) – former Chief of Staff of the US Air Force
• Jerod Mayo (b. 1986) – professional football player with the New England Patriots drafted 10th overall in 2008
• Francena McCorory (b. 1988) – member of 2012 gold medal Olympic women's 4x400 team
• Dwight Stephenson (b. 1957) – professional football player for the Miami Dolphins and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Tyrod Taylor (b.1989) – quarterback for the Buffalo Bills
• Dwight White (1949–2008) – defensive end on the Pittsburgh Steelers during their 1970s glory years
• Jimmy F. Williams (b. 1984) – professional football player with the Atlanta Falcons
• Steve Wilson – jazz musician, alto and soprano saxophones, flute; composer
• Roy "Future Man" Wooten (b. 1957) – musician
• Victor Wooten (b. 1964) – musician
• Dwight Hollier (b.1969) - professional football player with the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts

Newport News

• Willie Armstead (b. 1952) – former professional football player in the Canadian Football League
• Pearl Bailey (1918–90) – Tony Award-winning actress and singer
• Antoine Bethea (b. 1984) – professional football strong safety for the San Francisco 49ers
• Larry Bethea (1956–87) – late professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys
• Darryl Blackstock (b. 1983) – professional football player for the Cincinnati Bengals
• Blind Blake (b. 1896–1934) – blues and ragtime musician (not officially confirmed he was born in Newport News)
• Blessid Union of Souls – popular recording artists
• Aaron Brooks (b. 1976) – former professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders; land developer
• Elton Brown (b. 1982) – former professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals
• Joyce Bulifant (b. 1937) – television actress
• Robert Cray (b. 1953) – blues guitarist
• Will Crutchfield (b. 1957) – opera conductor
• Ben Edwards (b. 1992) – American football player
• Frankie Faison (b. 1949) – film actor
• Ella Fitzgerald (1917–96) – jazz singer
• The Five Keys – popular soul and doo-wop act in the 1950s; featuring Newport News locals Ripley Ingram, Bernie West, Dickie Threat and Rudy West
• Johnny Gilbert (b. 1924) – announcer for the television quiz show Jeopardy!
• Marques Hagans (b. 1982) – NFL player
• Henry Jordan (1935–77) – former professional football player for the Green Bay Packers; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Richard Kelly (b. 1975) – film director and writer; films include Donnie Darko and Domino
• Leroy Keyes (b. 1947) – former professional football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles
• J. J. Lankes (1884–1960) – woodcut artist, lived for many years in the Hilton Village neighborhood
• Kwamie Lassiter (b. 1969) – former football safety for the Arizona Cardinals
• David Macklin (b. 1978) – professional football player for the Washington Redskins
• Michael Maguire (b. 1955) – Tony Award-winning actor
• Queen Esther Marrow (b. 1941) – soul and gospel singer
• Lightfoot Solomon Michaux (1885–1969) – evangelist, early radio and television pioneer
• J. Clyde Morris (1909-87) – first executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel; former city manager of the City of Warwick
• Hazel R. O'Leary (b. 1937) – former Secretary of Energy under President Bill Clinton and currently President of Fisk University
• Tommy Reamon (b. 1952) – former pro football player and coach
• Austin Roberts (b. 1945) – singer and songwriter
• Norm Snead (b. 1939) – former professional football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles
• Jon St. John (b. 1960) — voice actor and singer, best known as the voice of Duke Nukem
• William Styron (1925–2006) – author of The Confessions of Nat Turner and Sophie's Choice
• Nick "The Goat" Thompson (b. 1981) – professional mixed martial arts fighter; Bodog Fight Welterweight Champion
• Mike Tomlin (b. 1972) – head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Al Toon (b. 1963) – former professional football player for the New York Jets
• Marcus Vick (b. 1984) – former NFL player, quarterback for Virginia Tech
• Michael Vick (b. 1980) – football quarterback

Norfolk

• Adam Anderson – driver of the Taz and Grave Digger Monster Trucks, and son of Monster Truck driver Dennis Anderson
• Grant Gustin know for his role on Fox's hit show Glee as Sebastian Smythe and for portraying Barry Allen on the Cw's The Flash
• Dennis Anderson – driver of the Grave Digger Monster Truck in the Monster Jam series
• Mason Andrews (1919–2006) – physician who delivered America's first in vitro baby; visionary leader of Norfolk's late 20th century renaissance
• Anhayla (b. 1988) – singer and songwriter
• Gordon Banks (b. 1955) – guitarist and music director for Marvin Gaye
• Al Barks (b. 1936) – Negro league baseball player
• Gary "U.S." Bonds (b. 1939) – singer and songwriter
• Plaxico Burress (b. 1977) – professional football wide receiver for the New York Jets
• William Harvey Carney (1840–1908) – African-American soldier of the American Civil War; Medal of Honor recipient for his part in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry's assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina
• Kam Chancellor (b. 1988) – professional football safety for the Seattle Seahawks
• Clarence Clemons – saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band
• Alex Cosmidis – Minor League baseball player and manager and Major League scout
• William Couper (1853–1942) – sculptor
• Colgate Whitehead Darden, Jr. (1897–1981) – U.S. Representative; Governor of Virginia; Chancellor of the College of William and Mary; third President of the University of Virginia
• Mike D'Orso (b. 1953) – author, journalist
• Charles "Lefty" Driesell (b. 1931) – basketball coach at Davidson College, the University of Maryland, College Park, James Madison University, and Georgia State University
• Rob Estes (b. 1963) – actor
• Samuel Face (1923–2001) – inventor
• Ryan Farish (b. 1974) – music composer, artist, publisher, and record executive of Rytone Entertainment
• William Fuller (b. 1962) – professional football defensive end for the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears
• Stephen Furst (b. 1954) – television actor
• Henry Howell (1920–97) – Independent Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
• Lawrence "LoJo" Johnson (b. 1974) – Olympic pole vaulter, silver medalist in 2000
• General Norman Johnson (b. 1943) – R&B musician
• Kishi Bashi (b. 1975) – indie rock violinist; solo musician; tour member of of Montreal and Regina Spektor
• Naomi Long Madgett (b. 1923) – poet
• Mae – indie rock band
• Thomas W. Moss, Jr. (b. 1928) – Democratic Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, 1992–2000
• Wayne Newton (b. 1942) – aka "Mr. Las Vegas"; singer and songwriter
• Tim Reid (b. 1944) – television actor, director, and film executive
• Jodi Rell (b. 1946) – Republican Governor of Connecticut, 2004–2011
• Joseph Jenkins Roberts (1809–76) – first President of Liberia
• Larry Sabato (b. 1952) – political pundit and professor at the University of Virginia
• Bob Saget (b. 1956) – actor and comedian, current host of 1 vs. 100; known for his role as Danny Tanner on the 1987–95 series Full House and as the original host of America's Funniest Home Videos
• Ed Schultz (b. 1954) – pundit and TV personality for MSNBC
• Deborah Shelton (b. 1948) – actress; Miss USA 1970, first runner-up in Miss Universe contest
• John Wesley Shipp (b. 1956) – television actor
• Bruce Smith (b. 1963) – Pro Football Hall of Fame player for the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins
• Joe Smith (b. 1975) – professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers
• Keely Smith (b. 1932) – nightclub singer, wife and stage partner of Louis Prima
• Margaret Sullavan (1909–60) – actress and wife of Leland Hayward
• Chuck Swirsky – Chicago Bulls radio play-by-play announcer, previously with Toronto Raptors
• Littleton Waller Tazewell (1774–1860) – U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator and Governor of Virginia
• Scott Travis (b. 1961) – drummer for rock band Judas Priest
• John Paul Vann (1924–72) – U.S. soldier and civilian active in Vietnam
• Marc Vann (b. 1954) – actor
• Brandon Vera (b. 1977) – mixed martial artist, currently signed to UFC
• Gene Vincent (1935–71) – rock-a-billy artist recorded the hit "Be-Bop-A-Lula"
• Ben Watson (b. 1980) – football player for the New England Patriots
• Ernie Watts (b. 1945) – composer, jazz saxophonist, and long-time touring member of The Rolling Stones
• Joe Weatherly (1922–64) – NASCAR driver
• Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker (b. 1964) – boxer; 1984 Olympic gold medalist, professional champion in four weight classes
• Thomas Wilkins (b. 1954) – orchestra conductor, music director of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra
• Patrick Wilson (b. 1973) – actor
• David Wright (b. 1982) – professional baseball player for the New York Mets^[1]

Portsmouth

• V. C. Andrews (1923–86) – mystery and horror writer
• Marty Brennaman (b. 1942) – sportscaster for the Cincinnati Reds
• Karen Briggs (b. 1963) – violinist
• Ruth Brown (1928–2006) – Grammy Award-winning singer and entertainer
• Bebe Buell (b. 1953) – fashion model, famous groupie and mother of Liv Tyler
• Mahlon Clark (1923–2007) – musician
• LaTasha Colander (b. 1976) – track and field sprint star, 2000 Olympic gold medalist (4 × 400 m)
• Jamin Elliott (b. 1979) – former NFL wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons
• Missy Elliott (b. 1971) – rapper
• Perry Ellis (1940–86) – fashion designer
• John Facenda (1913–84) – WCAU news anchor from 1948–1973; known as the "Voice of NFL Films" until his death in 1984
• Clifton C. Garvin (b. 1922) – President and CEO of Exxon
• Chandler Harper (1914–2004) – golfer
• Chad Hugo (b. 1974) – musician and producer in the Neptunes and N.E.R.D.
• Ben L. Jones (b. 1941) – actor and politician
• T. J. Jordan (b. 1986) – basketball player

Jacque Kendall, (b. 1960) -actress, educator; Joan Rivers Show, Unsolved Mysteries, Malcolm X, Bulworth, Simple Justice, Boomerang

• LaShawn Merritt (b. 1986) – 2008 Olympic gold medal winning sprinter
• George "Shadow" Morton (b. 1944) – record producer and songwriter
• Bismarck Myrick (b. 1940) – U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia, U.S. Ambassador to Lesotho
• Tommy Newsom (1929–2007) – musician featured in Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show band with Doc Severinsen
• Patton Oswalt (b. 1969) – comedian and television actor
• Ace Parker (b. 1912) – Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback; also played baseball with the Philadelphia Athletics
• William Russ (b. 1950) – actor
• Bill Schneider (b. 1944) – political commentator for CNN
• Wanda Sykes (b. 1964) – actress, comedian, and comedy writer
• Ted Thomas, Sr. (b. 1935) – Pentecostal preacher and pastor of the New Community Temple Church of God in Christ; General board member of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. denomination
• Mike Watt (b. 1957) – musician, founding member and bassist of SST hardcore punk band Minutemen; current bassist for recently reunited 60s band The Stooges
• Nicole Wray (b. 1980) – rapper and protégé of Missy Elliott

Suffolk

• James Avery (1955–2013) – actor best known for his portrayal of the patriarch and attorney (later judge) "Philip Banks", in the TV sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air^[2]
• Johnnie Barnes (b. 1968) – graduate of Hampton University; former football player for the San Diego Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Charlie Byrd (1925–99) – jazz guitarist
• Mills Edwin Godwin, Jr. (1914–99) – twice Governor of Virginia
• Lex Luger (b. 1991) – hip-hop music producer; produced tracks on Rick Ross's Teflon Don, Waka Flocka Flame's Flockaveli, Slim Thug's Tha Thug Show, and Kanye West and Jay-Z's Watch the Throne
• Joe Maphis (1921–86) – country music singer and songwriter
• Terrence Warren (b. 1969) – former NFL player and All-American sprinter at Hampton University

Virginia Beach

• Arsis – technical death metal group
• Corey Ashe (b. 1986) – professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
• Ken Barefoot – former NFL tight end for the Washington Redskins
• Wade Barrett (b. 1976) – professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
• Kyle "K-Dogg" Benham – Associate Producer of Elliot in the Morning
• BLACKstreet – R&B group
• Rudy Boesch (b. 1928) – third place finalist on Survivor: Borneo (first season)
• J. Evan Bonifant (b. 1985) – actor
• Maria Boren – contestant on The Apprentice 2
• Bill Bray (b. 1983) – graduate of Ocean Lakes High School; professional baseball player drafted in the 1st round 13th overall in the 2004 mlb draft by the Montreal Expos; currently playing for the Cincinnati Reds
• Paul "Cubby" Bryant (b. 1971) – national radio host
• Curtis Bush (b. 1962) – world champion kickboxer and actor
• Steve Cardenas (b.1974) – martial artist and retired actor best known for portraying Rocky DeSantos in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Power Rangers Zeo
• Charles Clark (b. 1987) – world-class athlete, sprinter
• Clipse – rap group
• Gabby Douglas (b. 1995) – Olympic gold-winning gymnast
• Ryan Farish (b. 1974) – music composer, artist, publisher, record executive of Rytone Entertainment
• John Fox (b. 1955) – Head Coach of the Chicago Bears
• Jason George (b. 1972) – television actor
• Tommy Griffiths (b. 1961) – radio broadcaster, WNOR's Tommy and the Bull, Tommy and Rumble, current host of WBIG morning show in Washington, D.C. and WVMA in Norfolk
• Percy Harvin (b. 1988) – former football player for the Seattle Seahawks
• Chad Hugo (b. 1974) – hip hop artist, member of duo The Neptunes
• Chyler Leigh (b. 1982) – actress, co-star of Not Another Teen Movie
• Evan Marriott (b. 1974) – reality television star on Joe Millionaire
• Ryan McGinness (b. 1972) – artist
• Scott McKenzie (b. 1939) – singer and songwriter
• Sean Murphy (b. 1984) – NASCAR driver
• Juice Newton (b. 1952) – pop and country singer
• Brandon Noble (b. 1974) – professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins
• Shomi Patwary (b. 1982) – director and designer
• Gerald P. Pulley (b. 1922) – naval photographer
• J.R. Reid (b. 1968) – former professional basketball player
• Mark Reynolds (b. 1983) – professional baseball player
• Teddy Riley (b. 1967) – musician and songwriter
• Pat Robertson (b. 1930) – founder of Regent University and The 700 Club
• Aaron Rouse (b. 1984) – professional football player for the Green Bay Packers
• Mark Ruffalo (b. 1967) – film and television actor
• Todd Schnitt (b. 1966) – syndicated radio shows, MJ Morning Show and Schnitt Show
• Grace Sherwood (1660–1740) – the so-called Witch of Pungo (now exonerated after 300 years)
• Danny Tidwell (b. 1984) – professional dancer and finalist on So You Think You Can Dance
• Kendra Todd (b. 1978) – winner of The Apprentice 3
• Travis Wall (b. 1987) – professional dancer and finalist on So You Think You Can Dance
• Pharrell Williams (b. 1973) – hip hop artist, member of record producing duo The Neptunes
• Ryan Zimmerman (b. 1984) – Graduate of Kellam High School; professional baseball player for the Washington Nationals
• Nay Nay (b. 1994) – hip hop artist and songwriter

Williamsburg

• Jimmy Fortune (b. 1955) – vocalist with the Statler Brothers
• Mel Gray (b. 1961), professional football player and member of NFL all decade team of 1990s
• Bruce Hornsby (b. 1954) – singer and songwriter
• Linda Lavin (b. 1937) – actress
• Seven Mary Three – alternative rock band
• Canaan Smith (b. 1984) – country music artist
• Ron Springs (b. 1956) – running back for the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Shawn Springs (b. 1975) – football player for the Washington Redskins
• Lawrence Taylor (b. 1959) – former professional football player for the New York Giants; professional wrestler; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
• George Wythe (1726–1806) – first professor of law at William and Mary; taught future presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, and future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall; signer of the Declaration of Independence

York County

• Terry Kirby (b. 1970) – professional football player for the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders
• Thomas Nelson, Jr. (1738–1789) – signer of the Declaration of Independence
• Bryan Randall (b. 1983) – 2005 ACC Football Player of the Year
• Chris Slade (b. 1971) – professional football player for the New England Patriots
• Wayne Kirby (b. 1964) – Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians

Sports

Soccer

• Corey Ashe (b. 1986) – professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
• Wade Barrett (b. 1976) – professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
• Roy Lassiter – Hampton Roads Mariner; Major League Soccer; USA National Team
• Jon Busch – Hampton Roads Mariner; Major League Soccer
• Darren Caskey – Hampton Roads Mariner; Tottenham Hotspur; Reading
• Trevor Francis – Hampton Roads Mariner; Birmingham City; Manchester City; Rangers; England National Team
• Cornelius Bernard Huggins – Hampton Roads Mariner; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National Team
• Shane McFaul – Hampton Roads Mariner; Republic of Ireland U21
• Darin Lewis – Hampton Roads Mariner; MLS New York MetroStars
• Jay Hoffman – Coached Hampton Roads Mariners; played professionally in the Canadian National Soccer League.

Baseball

• David Wright – third baseman for the New York Mets from Chesapeake; drafted in 2001 by the New York Mets in the 1st round (38th overall pick)
• Ryan Zimmerman – third baseman for the Washington Nationals from Virginia Beach; drafted in 2005 by the Washington Nationals in the 1st round (4th overall pick) out of UVirginia
• Justin Upton – right fielder for the San Diego Padres; from Chesapeake, first overall draft pick by the Diamondbacks in the 2005 draft
• Melvin Upton, Jr. – center fielder for the San Diego Padres; "Bossman Junior" Upton was drafted second overall in the 2002 Major League Baseball draft by Tampa Bay out of Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake, Virginia
• Michael Cuddyer – left fielder for the New York Mets from Chesapeake; drafted in 1997 amateur draft by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (9th pick)
• Mark Reynolds – third baseman/first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles from Virginia Beach; drafted in 2004 by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 16th round (476th overall)
• Bill Bray – graduate of Ocean Lakes High School; professional baseball player drafted in the 1st round 13th overall in the 2004 mlb draft by the Montreal Expos; currently playing for the Cincinnati Reds
• D. J. Dozier – Football / Baseball from Virginia Beach; Penn State All-American, first-round NFL draft 14th pick by Minnesota Vikings who also drafted by major league baseball by the Detroit Tigers in the 18th round in 1983 (459th overall).
• Josh Rupe – professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers
• Wayne Kirby – Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians
• Hank Foiles – From Norfolk. Claim to fame Major league All-Star in 1957; played for seven teams; He finished his career in 1964 with the expansion Los Angeles Angels.
• Alex Cosmidis – Minor League baseball player and manager and Major League scout
• Al Barks – Negro league baseball player
• Leon Ruffin – Longtime Negro Leagues catcher from Portsmouth. Born 1912 – Died 1970
• Ace Parker – Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback; also played baseball with the Philadelphia Athletics
• Dave Robertson – from Norfolk Norfolk. Born 1889 – Died 1970; Claim to fame Two-time National League home run leader; hit .500 in 1917 World Series. He hit .287 over nine seasons with the Giants, Cubs and Pirates. A product of Norfolk Academy, he played four sports at Wake Forest and N.C. State and managed the minor league Norfolk Tars for several years in the 1920s.

Basketball

• La'Keshia Frett – professional basketball player and coach
• Allen Iverson – guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and the Memphis Grizzlies; represented the US at the 2004 Summer Olympics, winning the bronze medal
• Alonzo Mourning – professional basketball player, played most of his 15-year NBA career for the Miami Heat
• Joe Smith – professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers
• J. R. Reid – former professional basketball player
• T. J. Jordan– basketball player
• Charles "Lefty" Driesell – basketball coach at Davidson College, the University of Maryland, College Park, James Madison University, and Georgia State University

Boxing

• Pernell Whitaker – several time World Boxing Champion

Football

• Xavier Adibi – linebacker with the Houston Texans
• James Anderson – Carolina Panthers linebacker and 88th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft
• Robert Banks – NFL linebacker, defensive end; chosen as national high school Player of the Year by the Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club in 1982; played five seasons in the NFL as a defensive end with the Houston Oilers and Cleveland Browns
• Darryl Blackstock – linebacker for the Oakland Raiders; also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Virginia Destroyers
• Dre Bly – cornerback for the St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers
• Aaron Brooks – graduated from Ferguson High School and the University of Virginia; NFL quarterback with the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders
• Macey Brooks – wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears
• Elton Brown – NFL offensive lineman of the Arizona Cardinals
• Plaxico Burress – wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and New York Jets
• Chris Crocker – Atlanta Falcons safety and 2003 20th pick, Cleveland Browns
• Ronald Curry – NFL receiver, USA national high school Player of the Year 1998
• Ras-I Dowling – New England Patriots cornerback 2011–present
• Deon Dyer – Miami Dolphins running back 2003–2004
• Chris Ellis – practice team member for the Pittsburgh Steelers
• William Fuller – defensive line Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Diego Chargers
• Shaun Gayle – captain of the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears football team
• Marques Hagans – NFL quarterback/receiver with the Washington Redskins
• DeAngelo Hall – Washington Redskins player and 8th pick in the 2004 NFL Draft
• Chris Hanburger – 9-time Pro Bowl linebacker for the Washington Redskins, elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011
• Dwight Hollier – linebacker for the Miami Dolphins
• Michael Husted – NFL kicker who played nine seasons in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and other teams
• Henry Jordan – former NFL player
• Kwamie Lassiter – former NFL free safety, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams
• David Macklin – NFL cornerback, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins
• Jerod Mayo – linebacker for the New England Patriots
• Darren Perry – Oakland Raiders coach and former NFL player for 9 seasons
• Bruce Smith – defensive end for Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins; inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, his first year of eligibility^[3]
• Norman Snead – former NFL player
• Dwight Stephenson – NFL; played center for the Miami Dolphins; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
• Darryl Tapp – Seattle Seahawks player and 63rd pick overall in the 2006 NFL Draft
• Lawrence Taylor – Hall of Fame linebacker for the New York Giants 1981–1993
• Tyrod Taylor – quarterback with the Buffalo Bills
• Shamarko Thomas – Pittsburgh Steelers safety and 111th pick overall in the 2013 NFL Draft; starred at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach
• Antoine Thompson – cornerback with the St. Louis Rams
• Mike Tomlin – graduate and former football player at Denbigh High School and the College of William and Mary; assistant coach at several colleges (including VMI and Arkansas State University); moved on to the NFL with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and later the Minnesota Vikings; named head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007; has taken the Steelers to two Super Bowls during his time in Pittsburgh, winning the franchise's sixth title in 2008 and losing to the Green Bay Packers in 2010
• Al Toon – former NFL wide receiver, New York Jets
• Marcus Vick – NFL player 2006–2007
• Michael Vick – six-season quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles; in the 2014 off-season Vick became a member of the New York Jets
• Jimmy F. Williams – from Hampton; played for Hampton High and transferred his senior year to Bethel; played at Virginia Tech; drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2006; released in 2008 following suspension due to arrest for possession of marijuana during the 2007 offseason; signed to a future contract by the San Francisco 49ers in 2009
• Antwoine Womack – drafted by New England Patriots in 2002, but spent the season on injured reserve and did not play due to continuing problems from his 2001 ankle injury; in 2003 the Patriots released him to the New York Giants, but he spent the season on the injured reserve list before being cut from the 2004 roster

Gymnastics

• Gabby Douglas (b. 1995) – Olympic gold-winning gymnast

Mixed martial arts

• Brandon Vera (b. 1977) – Light Heavyweight fighter in UFC

Track and field

• Francena McCorory – from Hampton (Bethel High) and Hampton University; won gold in the 2012 Olympics as part of the women's 4x400; placed 7th in the women's 400m individual

References

1. "David Wright: Bio & Stats." New York Mets. Retrieved on March 15, 2007.
2. Keepnews, Peter (January 1, 2014). "James Avery, 'Fresh Prince' Actor, Dies at 68". New York Times.
3. Class of 2009 announced, Official Site of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. http://www.profootballhof.com/enshrinement/story.jsp?story_id=3095. Retrieved February 1, 2009.