Famous Athletes With More Than 5 Kids

Famous Athletes With More Than 5 Kids

Famous athletes often live a double life – one that revolves around sports and one that revolves around family. Their life in sports is well-documented as the public bears witness to every little detail of their playing career. It’s talked about, admired, analyzed, and even speculated upon. 

With that said, their life outside of sports receives little attention and often gets overshadowed by the fame and glory. Sure, social media has made it much easier to follow your favorite athletes, but there are still a lot of famous athletes that fall under the radar and maintain a private lifestyle.

That’s why it might surprise us when we learn little bits and pieces of an athlete’s life outside of sports – especially in regards to how many children they have. Some famous athletes have more than others – and some have even more than that – so prepare to be amazed. 

RELATED: 25 Athletes and Their Kids

Which Famous Athletes Have More Than 5 Kids?

Famous Athletes With More Than 5 Kids
via Mike Tyson’s Instagram (@miketyson)

There’s nothing easy about having children, but there’s a little extra pressure on famous athletes with the entire world watching your every move. And while some people think having one child is more than enough, there are some famous athletes that have fathered more than five children. 

Some famous athletes have more than five kids with one woman, while other famous athletes have multiple baby mama’s. Some are happily married to the mother of their children, while others have moved on. Everyone has their own story and it’s one most people won’t see. 

You’ll recognize a majority of the names we’re about to list and they might even be your favorite player, but you’ll likely be shocked to learn how many children they have – especially since some go into the double digits. Don’t worry, we’re going to break it all down for you below. 

20. Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis is a former NFL player and current Hall of Famer that has fathered six children with four different women. He has two daughters – Diaymon and Kaitlin – and four sons – Ray Lewis III, Rayshaan, Rayshad, and Ralin. All three of his sons play football, but none in the NFL yet. 

Lewis was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the 26th overall pick in 1996. He spent his entire 17-year playing career with the team and is regarded as one of the greatest linebackers of all-time. He holds the record for most career solo tackles (1,568) and combined tackles (2,059). 

19. Kenny Anderson

Kenny Anderson is a former NBA player and one-time NBA All-Star that has fathered seven children with four different women. The 51-year-old is currently married to his wife, Natasha Anderson, and they’re raising one of his sons, Kenny Anderson Jr., and her daughter. 

Anderson was drafted by the New Jersey Nets with the second overall pick in 1991. He spent 14 years in the NBA, but struggled to stay with one team for a long time. He never lived up to his draft status and was playing overseas by the end of his career, which eventually came in 2006.

18. Shawn Kemp

Shawn Kemp is a former NBA player and six-time All-Star that has fathered seven children with six different women – including two sons that played college basketball. Shawn Kemp Jr. played for the University of Washington and Jamon Kemp played for Southeastern Louisiana University.

Kemp was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics with the 17th overall pick in 1989. He spent the first eight years of his career with the team before enjoying stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Orlando Magic. He averaged 14.6 points per game in 1,051 games. 

17. Kurt Warner

Kurt Warner is a former NFL player and current Hall of Famer who has fathered seven children – Kade, Elijah, Sierra Rose, Sienna Rae, Jada Jo, Zachary, and Jesse Jo – with his wife Brenda Carney Meoni. Kurt Warner adopted Zachary and Jesse Jo from Brenda’s past relationship. 

Warner was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994, but didn’t make the team and had to wait four years before making his first NFL appearance. He would go on to play 12 seasons in the NFL, winning two MVP awards and a Super Bowl championship. 

16. Dan Marino

Dan Marino is a former NFL player and current Hall of Fame football player that has fathered seven children with two women. He has six children with his wife, Claire D. Veazey, and one child with a former CBS employee Donna Savattere that was kept private until recently. 

Marino was drafted by the Miami Dolphins with the 27th overall pick in 1983. He spent his entire 17-year career with the team, leading them to a 147-93 record and throwing for 61,361 yards, 420 touchdowns, and 252 interceptions. He’s a one-time MVP and nine-time Pro Bowler. 

15. Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson

Chad ‘’Ochocinco’ Johnson is a former NFL player and six-time Pro Bowler that has fathered eight children with seven different women. He and his fiancée, Sharelle Rosado, welcomed their first child together in early January 2022 – Chad’s eighth child and Sharelle’s fourth child. 

Johnson was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals early in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He spent 11 years in the NFL, 10 with the Bengals and one season with the Patriots before retiring in 2011. He finished his career with 766 receptions, 11,059 yards, and 67 touchdowns.

14. Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen is a former NBA player and current Hall of Fame basketball player that has fathered eight children with four different women. Two of his kids, Antron and Tyler, have passed away. Antron passed away in 2021 and Tyler passed away nine days after birth in 1994.

Pippen was drafted fifth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1987, but was traded to the Chicago Bulls where he formed a dynasty with Michael Jordan. He’s a seven-time All-Star, six-time NBA champion, one-time steals champ, and 10-time All-Defensive player. 

13. Charles Rogers

Charles Rogers is a former NFL player and one of the biggest busts in NFL Draft history that fathered eight children with four different women before dying of liver failure in 2019. Two of his children were born while Rogers was still in high school. He had a long history of legal issues.

Rogers was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the second overall pick in 2003. He was widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver in the draft, but only had 22 catches for 243 yards and three touchdowns his rookie year. He struggled to keep up and was out of the league by 2006. 

12. Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson is a former professional boxer and one of the greatest of all-time that has fathered eight children with four women. One of his daughters passed away tragically at the age of four and he considers one of his ex’s children, Gena, as his own. He’s married to Lakiha Spicer. 

Tyson finished his professional boxing career with a 50-6-2 record in 58 bouts – 44 of which ended in a knockout. He’s a two-time WBC heavyweight champion, two-time WBA heavyweight champion, one-time IBF heavyweight champion, and one-time The Ring heavyweight champion.

11. Vladimir Guerrero

Vladimir Guerrero is a former MLB player and current Hall of Fame baseball player that has fathered eight children with five women. One of his children, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., plays for the Toronto Blue Jays and he has three more sons that could make it to the MLB someday. 

Guerrero was signed by the Montreal Expos as a free agent in 1993 and made his MLB debut in 1996. He also had successful stints with the Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, and Texas Rangers. He hit 449 home runs in his career, was an MVP, and a Home Run Derby champion. 

10. Willie Anderson

Willie Anderson is a former NBA player and 1988-89 All-Rookie that has fathered nine children with seven different women. Despite earning millions throughout his playing career, Anderson struggled to keep up with child support payments and was frequently in debt to the IRS. 

Anderson was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs with the 10th overall pick in 1988. He had an amazing rookie season with 18.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. Unfortunately, his career hit a downward spiral and he was never the same since. 

9. Philip Rivers

Philip Rivers is a former NFL quarterback and likely future Hall of Famer that has fathered nine children with his wife, Tiffany Rivers. The two were high school sweethearts that married in 2001 and have been together ever since. They might not stop at seven daughters and two sons. 

Rivers was drafted by the New York Giants, but was traded to the San Diego Chargers on draft day. He spent the next 16 years with the Chargers before finishing his career with one lone season in Indianapolis. He finished with 63,440 yards, 421 touchdowns, and 134 wins. 

8. Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali is a former professional boxer and one of the greatest of all-time that has fathered nine children – seven daughters and two sons – with five different women. Several other people have come forward as his son or daughter, but those claims have been denied. 

Ali, who was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., finished his professional boxing career with a 56-5 record – 37 of those wins coming by way of knockout. One of his daughters, Laila Ali, had an incredible career in boxing and finished with a perfect 24-0 record – 21 wins by knockout. 

7. Jason Caffey

https://twitter.com/NBARewind90s/status/1403944282268979201

Jason Caffey is a former NBA player and two-time NBA champion that has fathered 10 children with eight different women. Despite making over $34 million in his playing career, he has struggled to keep up with child support payments and has a history of filing for bankruptcy. 

Caffey was drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 20th overall pick in 1995 and won two titles with the team – thanks to Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, and Scottie Pippen. He then spent two and a half seasons with the Warriors and three seasons with the Bucks before retiring.

6. Willis McGahee

Willis McGahee is a former NFL player and two-time Pro Bowler that has fathered 10 children with nine different women. The last child was born in August 2014 and while there haven’t been any reports of any children since, who knows just how many the former running back has. 

McGahee was drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the 23rd overall pick in 2003. He had a productive 10-year career that included four seasons above 1,000 rushing yards and two seasons above 12 rushing touchdowns. He also won the 2004 PFWA Comeback Player of the Year award. 

5. Travis Henry

Speaking of former running backs drafted by the Buffalo Bills, Travis Henry was drafted by the team in the second round of the 2001 draft – two years before McGahee entered the league. Henry has fathered at least 11 children with 10 different women – he had nine kids by 2009. 

At one point, Henry owed as much as $170,000 per year in child support payments. Despite making several millions during his seven-year career in the NFL, he constantly complained of being broke and child support was a large reason why. He retired from football in 2007. 

4. Evander Holyfield

Evander Holyfield is a former professional boxer and one of the greatest of all-time that has fathered 11 children with six different women. Two of his children have embarked on careers as an athlete – Elijah Holyfield is in the NFL and Evan Holyfield is a boxer, just like his father. 

Holyfield is one of the all-time greats as the only boxer to win the undisputed championship in two different divisions – doing so in the cruiserweight division in the 1980s and the heavyweight division in the 1990s. He’s also well-known for having part of his ear bitten off by Mike Tyson.

3. George Foreman

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsGJaVdBV4f/

George Foreman is a former professional boxer and television personality that fathered 12 children – five sons and seven daughters (two of which were adopted). All five of his sons are named George for simplicity – George II, George III, George IV, George V, and George VI. 

Foreman finished his professional boxing career with a 76-5 record, 68 of those wins coming by way of knockout. He’s one of the all-time greats inside the ring, but made even more money as the face of the George Foreman Grill – which has earned him hundreds of millions of dollars. 

2. Calvin Murphy

Calvin Murphy is a former NBA player and current Hall of Fame basketball player that has fathered 14 children with nine different women. Although he has been at the center of several controversies regarding his children, he has never been charged with any crime or wrongdoing.

Murphy was drafted in the second round by the San Diego Rockets in 1970 and spent his entire 13-year career with the team. During that time, he averaged 17.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.5 steals in 1,002 games. He scored 25.2 points during the 1977-78 season.

1. Antonio Cromartie

Antonio Cromartie is a former NFL player and four-time Pro Bowler that has fathered 14 children with eight different women. He has been reported as paying over $300,000 in annual child support for eight of his children – the other six children were with his wife, Terricka Cason. 

Cromartie was drafted 19th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2006 NFL Draft. He spent 11 years in the NFL and played in 162 games, recording 417 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries, 117 passes defensed, 31 interceptions, and 5 touchdowns during that time. 

Which Famous Athletes Have Famous Children?

It’s clear that some famous athletes aren’t scared to add to their family tree, but very few famous athletes have children that follow in their footsteps and enjoy their taste of fame. Don’t get me wrong, it definitely happens from time to time, but not as much as you’d think. 

One famous athlete in particular has seen their child open the door to greatness with the sudden emergence of Trinity Rodman. The 19-year-old daughter of Dennis Rodman recently signed the biggest contract in NWSL history just a year after being drafted with the No. 1 overall pick.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 20 Girl Soccer Players Your Kids Should Look Up To

We also can’t wait to see Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, enter the NBA – which is bound to happen in a few years – and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s daughter, Simone Johnson, make her way into the WWE. There’s a lot to look forward to in the future, for sure!

25 Great Sports Names for Your Child

If you’re married to a die-hard sports fan and plan on starting a family with them, you better be prepared for all the sports names they’ll bring up when naming your baby. Chances are your significant other is going to want to name the baby after their favorite sports team or player. 

It’s the ultimate sign of respect to the player or team your child is being named after, but it also represents a deeper meaning for the mother, father, or both. Since most of us idolize athletes growing up and treat them like role models, they indirectly play an enormous role in our lives. 

Don’t worry if you’re not a sports fan. There are a ton of unique, creative, and beautiful sports names out there that would appeal to anyone, not just sports fans. In fact, we’re going to share with you some of our favorite sports names that you should consider with your next child. 

RELATED: 20 Athlete Children Who Took After Their Parents

Popular Sports Names for Your Newborn

25 Great Sports Names for Your Child
B Calkins / Shutterstock

Naming a child isn’t easy. There are a lot of factors that go into the process and it’s important that both the parents agree to a suitable name. While you want to be unique, you also want the name to strike a deeper meaning with you, your loved one, and your family as a collective. 

What makes the process even more complex is you’re not just thinking of one name. Instead, you’re thinking of two names – the first name and the middle name. And while the meaning behind each name is important, making the name sound good is equally as important. 

Whether you’re trying to think of a first name or middle name, we’re going to list out some of our favorite sports names to consider for your next child. Some of them are girl names, some of them are boy names, and some of them are unisex names. Without further ado, let’s jump in!

25. LeBron

When you hear the name, only one athlete comes to mind – LeBron James. He’s one of the greatest basketball players and one of the most influential athletes of all-time. James is an 18-time All-Star, four-time NBA champion, four-time MVP, and four-time Finals MVP. If you want to bless your little king with greatness, naming him LeBron will certainly do the trick. 

24. Emma

The name Emma is derived from the Old German word erman, which means ‘whole’ or ‘universal.’ It’s a name that has become popular among tennis fans after Emma Raducanu overcame extreme odds to win the 2021 US Open. Of course, this name could also be popular among WWE fans that followed Emma (Tenille Averil Dashwood) in the ring. 

23. Simone

Simone has origins in both French (meaning ‘to be heard’) and Hebrew (meaning ‘one who hears’). If you’re a Simone Biles fan, which most of us are, then this might be the perfect name for your little girl. She recently got engaged, so it’s the perfect time to honor her. Of course, you can’t forget about Simone Johnson, a wrestler and the daughter of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson

22. Chloe

Chloe is a beautiful name that is sometimes spelled Chloë, Chlöe, or Chloé. It has Greek origins and means ‘blooming’ or ‘fertility.’ You’ve likely seen this name on the television a lot in recent weeks with Chloe Kim bringing home a gold medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics. It’s also a popular name among swimmers thanks to Chloe Sutton and Chloe McCardel

21. Alex

Alex is a gender-neutral name that will appeal to a number of different sports fans. Just think about Alex Rodriguez in baseball, Alex English in basketball, and Alex Morgan in soccer. You can even do a different iteration of the name, like Alexander Ovechkin in hockey. Although not necessarily an athlete, Alex Ferguson is another name that might appeal to soccer fans. 

20. Jordan

The name Jordan is a Hebrew word that means ‘to flow down’ or ‘descend.’ It’s a popular first name and last name in the sports community. Just think about Michael Jordan and DeAndre Jordan in the NBA, Cameron Jordan and Jordan Poyer in the NFL, Eddie Jordan in racing, and Jordan Spieth in golf. Who knows, maybe your son or daughter will be next!

19. Gordie

There’s only one athlete we could be talking about when we mention the name Gordie and that’s Gordie Howe. He’s a Hall of Fame hockey player that spent 25 years in the NBA and won four championships in that time. Gordie is a fun name that screams personality. It’s fun to say and almost sounds like a nickname, which adds to the fun and exciting nature of the name. 

18. Victoria

The name Victoria is of Latin origin and translates to ‘victory,’ which is the perfect name for your sports child. A famous athlete that comes to mind is Victoria Azarenka, who has won 21 career singles titles on the WTA, including back-to-back Australian Open wins in 2012 and 2013. Other athletes include Victoria Crawford, Victoria Dunlap, and Victoria Hayward

17. Apolo

The name Apolo could also be spelled Apollo, after the Greek god of light, truth, and prophecy. This is another name where we could only be thinking about one athlete, in particular. Apolo Ohno is a former Olympic speed skater and currently the most decorated American at the Winter Olympics with two gold medals, two silver medals, and four bronze medals. 

16. Steffi

Steffi is a variation of the name Stephanie and is largely of German origin, meaning ‘garland’ or ‘crown.’ Steffi Graf is the athlete that first comes to mind, one of the greatest female tennis players of all-time. There are also plenty of other athletes with the name Steffi, including Steffi Jacob (skeleton), Steffi Jones (football), Steffi Kräker (gymnast), and Steffi Sieger (luge). 

15. Dana

Dana is a name that can be used for both girls and boys. It has several origins, including Hebrew (meaning ‘god is my judge’), Sanskrit and Pali (meaning ‘generosity’), and Romanian and Czech (from the name Daniela). If you’re a fan of the UFC, Dana White is the current president. Dana Vollmer is a former swimmer and Dana Barros is a former NBA player.

14. Ezekiel

Ezekiel is always a popular name among baby boys. It’s a beautiful name that has heavy religious roots and means ‘God will strengthen’ in Hebrew. Ezekiel Elliott is the most popular athlete with this name today, but other athletes throughout history include Ezekiel Kemboi (former Kenyan Olympic athlete) and Ezekiel Henty (a current Nigerian footballer).

13. Hope

Hope is such a peaceful, relaxing, and enchanting name to call your new baby girl. It’s a sign of good things to come, but can also honor one of your favorite athletes – especially if you’re a football (soccer) fan. Hope Solo, Hope Akpan, and Hope Powell either had or have careers in football. You also can’t forget about Hope Munro, an Australian field hockey player. 

12. Cy

I personally love the name Cy for a baby boy. It’s simple and basic, but unique and interesting at the same time. It’s a Greek name that means ‘lord’ or ‘lordly.’ It’ll likely appeal to baseball fans the most, especially those that love a good pitching duel. Cy Young is a former pitcher and the Cy Young award is given to the best MLB pitchers in each league every year. 

11. Naomi

Naomi is a name of Hebrew origin that means ‘gentle’ or ‘beautiful,’ but it’s also derived from the Japanese words nao (honest) and mi (beauty). You might be interested in this name if you’re a fan of Naomi Osaki, which most people are. She’s one of the most respected and influential female tennis players on tour today. She’s a gentle human being with a wonderful heart. 

10. Evander

Evander is a masculine name that should only be given to the next ‘badass.’ It’s a Scottish name that means ‘bow warrior’ or ‘strong man.’ There are two athletes that come to mind right away, including current NHL player Evander Kane (who isn’t afraid to throw a punch) and the only two-division undisputed boxing champion in boxing history, Evander Holyfield

9. Usain

Usain is a popular name in the sports community, but it’s one you won’t see often in the world today. It’s an Arabic name that means ‘beautiful’ or ‘good.’ The name was popularized by Usain Bolt, the fastest man to ever walk this planet. The retired Jamaican sprinter is an 11-time World Champion and has eight Olympic gold medals – including multiple golds in three consecutive games.

8. Laila

Laila is a name that has both Hebrew and Arabic origins that translate to ‘night’ or ‘dark.’ The most famous athlete with this name is Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali. She forged her own career in boxing, going 24-0 between 1999 and 2007. It can also be spelled Laela, Laelah, Layla, Laylah, Leila, Leilah, Leela, Leighla, Lejla, Leyla, or Leylah. 

7. Cassius

Speaking of Muhammad Ali, did you know his birth name was Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.? He changed his name to Muhammad Ali after converting to Islam. The name Cassius is a Latin name that means ‘empty,’ ‘hollow,’ or ‘vain.’ Other athletes with the name include Cassius Stanley and Cassius Winston – both of whom are current American basketball players. 

6. Gennady

Staying in the world of boxing, let’s move our attention to another dominating figure in the community – Gennady Golovkin. He has a record of 41-1-1 in boxing that held the unified WBA, WBC, IBF, and IBO middleweight titles between 2014 and 2018. If you’re interested in naming your baby boy Gennady, it’s a Russian name that translates to ‘noble’ or ‘generous.’ 

5. Lolo

Not many athletes have been named Lolo and even the most famous one only uses it as a nickname. Lolo Jones, born Lori Susan Jones, is an American bobsledder and hurdler. She’s one of the few athletes to appear in both the Summer and Winter Olympics. Other athletes with the name include Lolo Lui (rugby), Lolo Waka (rugby), and Lolo Sainz (basketball). 

4. Trinity

Trinity is a name you’ve likely seen all over the headlines recently. Trinity Rodman, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, recently made her debut with the US women’s national soccer team. The debut came not long after she signed the largest contract in NWSL history, which came a year after being drafted first overall. She’s the next big star in women’s soccer. 

3. Thierry

If you’re looking for a unique, French-inspired name for your baby boy, then look no further than Thierry. It’s a French name that means ‘ruler of the people.’ Soccer fans are well-aware of this name thanks to the likes of Thierry Henry, one of the greatest French soccer players of all-time. You also can’t forget about former NFL player John Thierry, who played nine seasons in the league.

2. Giancarlo

Giancarlo is a beautiful and unique name with Italian origins that means ‘John Carlos.’ It’s one of the most common names in Italy and is a shortened version of ‘Giovanni Carlo.’ There are literally hundreds of athletes that have represented the name well, but the one that’s most relevant today is Giancarlo Stanton, an outfielder currently playing for the New York Yankees. 

1. Althea

The final name on our list of popular sports names is Althea. This is one you likely don’t see often, which is why we recommend it so much. It’s an Old English name that means ‘healer’ or ‘wholesome.’ The name was popularized by Althea Gibson, the first African American to win a Grand Slam in tennis. She would go on to win 11 Grand Slams in her career – five singles, five doubles, and one mixed doubles. 

Which Sports Names Are Your Favorite? 

There’s no right or wrong answer when trying to determine your child’s name, so long as you and your partner agree on a name that fits your baby boy or girl the best. While it doesn’t necessarily have to be something sports related, it’s a great place to draw some inspiration.

Just make sure you look up the meaning of whatever name you end up choosing. It’s always good to know what it is, that way you can avoid setting your child up for ridicule in the future. The last thing you want to do is give your child a name that translates to something inappropriate. 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 20 Girl Soccer Players Your Kids Should Look Up To

No matter what name you settle on, we wish you and your family the ultimate success moving forward. We know how frustrating the baby-naming process can be, but it’s 100% worth it in the end. Don’t worry, if you plan on having another child, you’ll get to start the process all over again!

About At The Buzzer

At The Buzzer, or ATB is the place for those who love sports, life, family, community, and so much more. We are far from the run-of-the-mill 24/7 sports news websites. We not only bring you what’s happening in the world of sports in terms of trades and breaking news, but we also bring you the news that goes on behind the scenes, like big life moments, and so much more. So take a minute and read one of our articles, we promise you won't regret it.