Every year, many players join the National Football League from families rich in athletic tradition. Here is a sampling of draft prospects who had family members compete at either the collegiate or professional level in the world of sports.
THE QUARTERBACKS
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
JOHN SKELTON– Fordham…Uncle, JAVIER LOYA, is a limited partner in the Houston Texans franchise…Younger brother, Stephen, was the starting tight end as a junior at Fordham in 2009.
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
SAM BRADFORD – Oklahoma…Father, Kent Bradford, was an Oklahoma offensive lineman (1977-78).
JIMMY CLAUSEN– Notre Dame…Older brothers Rick and Casey both played quarterback at the University of Tennessee.
COLT MC COY – Texas…Father, Brad, was a safety at Abilene Christian and was roommates with Longhorn wide receiver JORDAN SHIPLEY's father, Bob…Brother, Case, has committed to play quarterback at Texas…Another brother, Chance, is a sophomore wide receiver at Abilene Christian…Grandfather, Burl, is a member of the Abilene Christian University Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions as an athlete and as the former women's basketball coach.
THE WIDE RECEIVERS
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
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GOLDEN TATE– Notre Dame…Father, GOLDEN TATE, JR., played wide receiver at Tennessee State and was a fifth-round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in the 1984 NFL draft as the 120th overall selection.
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KERRY MEIER – Kansas…Three older brothers have all played college football, including SHAD (Kansas State), Adam (Pittsburg State), and Dylan (Kansas State). Shad then spent five seasons in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans (2001-04) and New Orleans Saints (2005).
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OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
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ARRELIOUS BENN– Illinois…Older brother, Trulon Henry, played defensive back at the College of Dupage (2008-09).
DEZMON BRISCOE – Kansas…Father, Alvin, played football at Oklahoma State.
RILEY COOPER– Florida…Father, Larry, played baseball at Oklahoma State.
JACOBY FORD– Clemson…Brother, Davy, played running back at Florida State and scored on an 82-yard run vs. Clemson in 2000, the longest vs. a Tommy Bowden-coached Clemson team.
MARDY GILYARD– Cincinnati…Brother, Addison Morgan, played football at Western Illinois.
CARLTON MITCHELL **– South Florida…Father, Carl, played professional basketball in Europe…Mother, Angela, is a "cut-man" for professional boxer, Antonio Tarver.
JORDAN SHIPLEY – Texas…Father, Bob, and grandfather, Richard Felts, both played at Abilene Christian. Bob was roommates with Longhorn quarterback COLT MC COY's father, Brad…Uncle, Steven, is the second-leading receiver in Texas Christian history.
BLAIR WHITE – Michigan State…Mother, Vicki LeFevre, earned All-American swimming honors at Michigan State… Cousin, Jessica LeFevre, was a four-year starter on the Michigan State softball team.
THE TIGHT ENDS
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
ROB GRONKOWSKI – Arizona…Brother, DAN, currently plays tight end for the Detroit Lions following his four-year career at Maryland (2005-08)…Another brother, Chris, was a teammate of Dan's at Maryland before transferring to Arizona, where he played alongside Rob as an H-Back for the Wildcats (2008-09)…Another brother, Gordie, was selected in the 49th-round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft by the Los Angeles Angels…His great-grandfather, Ignatius, was a member of the 1924 U.S. Olympic cycling team in Paris.
MICKEY SHULER – Penn State…Father, MICKEY, SR., was a standout tight end for the Nittany Lions, from 1975-77. He was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 1978 NFL Draft and enjoyed a successful career with the Jets (1978-1989) and Philadelphia Eagles (1990-91).
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
DORIN DICKERSON – Pittsburgh…Father, Randy, played basketball at Kansas State and Lock Haven.
RICHARD DICKSON – Louisiana State…Father, Dick, attended Mississippi State, earning a football letter in 1976… Grandfather, Donald, was an offensive guard at Mississippi (1960-62).
GARRETT GRAHAM– Wisconsin…Father, Gordon, played for the West Virginia University soccer team.
DENNIS PITTA – Brigham Young…Father, Dennis, played middle linebacker for California from 1968-69.
THE RUNNING BACKS
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
TOBY GERHART – Stanford…Father, TODD, was an All-Conference running back at Cal State Fullerton (1981-84) before playing professional football for the Denver Gold of the United States Football League (USFL) from 1985-86 and appearing in camp with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings (1986) and Houston Oilers (1987)…Brother, Garth, is an offensive guard at Arizona State (2007-present).
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
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CLAY HARBOR** – Missouri State…Older brother, Cory, was a teammate and four-year letterman at Missouri State (2005-08).
JOE MC KNIGHT – Southern California…Sister, Johanna, was on the basketball (guard) and track (sprints and jumps) teams at the University of Richmond.
THE OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
JOHN JERRY– Mississippi…His brother, PERIA, was an All-SEC and All-American defensive tackle at Ole Miss (2004-08). He was selected in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons…Cousin, DWAYNE RUDD, was an All-American linebacker at Alabama (1994-96) and was selected in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft by Minnesota, playing for the Vikings (1997-2000), Cleveland (2001-02) and Tampa Bay (2003)…Another cousin, Derek Pegues, was an All-SEC defensive back at Mississippi State (2005-08)…Two more cousins, linebacker Eddie Strong (1998-2002) and running back Toward Sanford (1999-2002) also played at Ole Miss.
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
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ZANE BEADLES – Utah…Father, Brad, played baseball at Hutchinson Junior College…Stepmother, Jill, started at point guard for Concordia Lutheran, which qualified for the NAIA Final Four in 1993-94…Mother, Jamie Legerski, played basketball for Wyoming.
BRUCE CAMPBELL – Maryland…Father, Bruce, was a basketball star at Providence College in the 1970s. He was selected by the New Jersey Nets in the eighth round of the 1978 NBA Draft and is a member of the Providence Athletics Hall of Fame. He played professional hoops overseas.
JOHN ESTES – Hawaii…Cousin, Kahai LaCount, was a defensive lineman at Hawaii.
MIKE IUPATI – Idaho…Younger brother, Andrew, is currently a defensive tackle for the University of Oregon.
TED LARSEN – North Carolina State…Father, Robert, played defensive end at Wichita State (1972-76).
MAURKICE POUNCEY – Florida…Twin brother, Michael, was a teammate and fellow offensive lineman at Lakeland High School and the University of Florida.
RODGER SAFFOLD – Indiana…Father, Rodger, played football at the University of Iowa in the 1970s.
JARED VELDHEER – Hillsdale…Older brother, Aaron, played basketball at Hillsdale College.
ED WANG – Virginia Tech…Parents, Nancy and Robert, were both members of the Chinese Olympic track and field team in the 1970s.
THE DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
LINDSEY WITTEN – Connecticut…Older brother, DONTE WHITNER, started at strong safety for Ohio State and has played for the Buffalo Bills since he was selected by the club in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft (eighth overall).
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OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
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TYSON ALUALU – California…Became the fourth family member to play college football, joining uncle, Tupu (Hawaii), and cousins Ben (Arizona) and Tyrone (Laney College).
EVERSON GRIFFEN – Southern California…Cousin, Keegan Herring, played tailback at Arizona State.
GREG HARDY – Mississippi…Father, Greg, Sr., was a defensive end at Mississippi (1986-87).
LAMARR HOUSTON – Texas…Cousin, Stan Gill, was a tailback at Stanford (1985).
MIKE NEAL– Purdue…Father, Michael, played football at Weber State.
C.J. WILSON – East Carolina…Brother, Everett, played football at North Carolina A&T…Another brother, Amos, was a member of the New Mexico State football team.
THE LINEBACKERS
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
RODDRICK MUCKELROY – Texas… Cousin, JOE KING, was an offensive lineman at Oklahoma State (1988-90) and played in the National Football League with Cincinnati (1991), Cleveland (1991) and Tampa Bay (1992-93)…Brother, Kendrick, played linebacker at Kilgore Junior College.
BRANDON SPIKES – Florida…Cousin,TAKEO**, has played linebacker in the NFL for Cincinnati (1998-2002), Buffalo (2003-06), Philadelphia (2007) and San Francisco (2008-present) following his All-American career at Auburn University.
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
JOSH HULL – Penn State…Younger brother, Ethan, is a redshirt freshman offensive lineman for the Nittany Lions.
SEAN LEE – Penn State…Older brother, Conor, was the placekicker for the University of Pittsburgh from 2005-08 and was the 2008 Big East Football Scholar-Athlete-of-the-Year.
KOA MISI – Utah…Father, Sione, played football for Hawaii.
ERIC NORWOOD – South Carolina…Younger brother, Erin, is a defensive back at South Carolina State (2007-present).
SEAN WEATHERSPOON – Missouri…Cousin of former WNBA star, Teresa Weatherspoon.
THE DEFENSIVE BACKS
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
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MORGAN BURNETT – Georgia Tech…Cousin, BRUCE THORNTON, was a star defensive back at Georgia (1999-2003) before going on to play for the Dallas Cowboys (2004) and San Francisco 49ers (2005)…Older brother, Cam, also starred at Georgia, from 1998-2002.
MYRON LEWIS – Vanderbilt…Brother, HANIK MILLIGAN, was a two-time All-Conference USA safety at Houston before being drafted in the sixth round (188th overall selection) by San Diego in 2003. He went on to play for the Chargers (2003-05), Arizona Cardinals (2006) and St. Louis Rams (2007). Hanik was named to the Pro Bowl as a special teams performer in 2005…Another brother, Hamin Milligan, attended Garden City Community College, winning NJCAA All-American honors before transferring to the University of Houston. He has played for five different teams in the Arena Football League: the San Jose SaberCats (2003), the Arizona Rattlers (2003-04), the Chicago Rush (2004), the Dallas Desperados (2005-06), and the Georgia Force (2007-09).
TAYLOR MAYS – Southern California…Father,STAFFORD**, was a defensive lineman at Washington (1978-79) and played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1980-86) and Minnesota Vikings (1987-88).
DEVIN MC COURTY – Rutgers…Twin brother, JASON, was a teammate and fellow cornerback at Saint Joseph's High School and Rutgers. Jason was selected in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.
WALTER MC FADDEN – Auburn…Brother, BRYANT, was an All-ACC cornerback at Florida State before being selected in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He signed with Arizona as a free agent in 2009.
DONOVAN WARREN – Michigan…Godfather is former Southern California All-American and All-Pro safety MARK CARRIER, who roamed the sidelines for the Chicago Bears (1990-96), Detroit Lions (1997-99) and Washington Redskins (2000). Carrier was an assistant coach at Arizona State University (2004-05) and the Baltimore Ravens (2006-09) before joining good friend Rex Ryan on his staff with the New York Jets (2010-present)…Uncle, CHUCKIE MILLER, a former standout at Polytechnic High, went on to star at UCLA before playing defensive back for the Indianapolis Colts (1988)…Father, Alvin, is a former receiver at New Mexico State (1987-1990), where he ranks eighth in school history with 130 receptions for 1,780 yards.
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OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
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NATE ALLEN – South Florida…Father, Jackie, played professional basketball in Europe.
JAVIER ARENAS – Alabama…Cousin, Gilbert Arenas, plays guard in the NBA for the Washington Wizards.
ERIC BERRY – Tennessee…Father, James, was a three-year starter, four-year letterman, and 1981 team captain for the Tennessee football team.
CHRIS COOK – Virginia…Cousin, Vic Hall (2005-08), was a teammate at Virginia and also played in the Cavs' secondary.
BRANDON GHEE** – Wake Forest…Older brother, Patrick, was a teammate and a safety at Wake Forest from 2002-06.
JOE HADEN – Florida…Brother, Josh, is a running back at Boston College…Another brother, Jordan, enrolled in January of 2010 to play football at Florida.
CHAD JONES – Louisiana State…Brother, RAHIM ALEM(given name was Alfred Marvin Jones, Jr.), was a teammate and defensive end for Louisiana State from 2005-09 and is a linebacker prospect for the 2010 NFL Draft…Father, Al, played football for Tulane, serving as a team captain for the Green Wave in 1978.
CHRIS MARAGOS – Wisconsin…Father, Nick, was a three-time All-Conference free safety at Northern Iowa (1974-76), becoming just the second player in school history to lead the team in interceptions during three seasons.
DARRELL STUCKEY – Kansas…Sister, Denae, is a guard for the Iowa State women's basketball team (2007-present).
EARL THOMAS – Texas…Uncle, Anthony, was a linebacker at Stephen F. Austin (1997-99).
T.J. WARD – Oregon…Younger brother, Terron, is a senior running back at De La Salle High School and has accepted an offer to play for Oregon State Beavers next year.
THE SPECIALISTS
FAMILY MEMBERS WITH NFL EXPERIENCE…
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ROBERT MALONE – Fresno State…Cousin, TOM, was an All-Pac 10 Conference punter at Southern Cal before spending the 2006-08 seasons on the New England Patriots practice squad. He recently joined his former coach, Pete Carroll, with the Seattle Seahawks.
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH COLLEGIATE OR PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE…
BRENT BOWDEN – Virginia Tech…Brother of former Florida State punter, Chris Hall (2003-06)…Younger brother, Grant, redshirted at Virginia Tech in 2009 and is expected to replace Brent as the Hokies' punter in 2010.
ZOLTAN MESKO – Michigan…Father, Michael, is a former professional bowler.
LEIGH TIFFIN – Alabama…His father, Van, handled kicking duties for Alabama from 1983-86 and ranks fourth in school history in scoring by a kicker (312 points). He is one of four kickers in Alabama history with 300 points, which includes Leigh (385), Phillip Doyle (339, 1987-1990) and Michael Proctor (326, 1992-95).
