List of Michigan sports figures

This is a list of athletes, coaches, managers and officials who were born or raised in the state of Michigan, categorized by their most prominent sport and alphabetized.

Baseball

A–L

• Jim Abbott, pitcher born with one hand who played for four MLB teams, threw no-hitter for New York Yankees (born in Southfield; raised in Flint)
• Bill Allington, manager of minor-league teams and women's baseball's Rockford Peaches (born in St. Clair County)
• Joe Altobelli, MLB player, manager of 1983 World Series champion Baltimore Orioles (born in Detroit)
• Billy Ashley, outfielder for Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox (born in Trenton)
• Grand Rapids
  )
• Steve Avery, pitcher for 1995 World Series champion Atlanta Braves (born in Trenton; raised in Taylor)
• Neal Ball, famed for first unassisted triple play in Major League Baseball history (born in Grand Haven)
• Anthony Bass, relief pitcher for Texas Rangers (born in Trenton)
• Duane Below, pitcher for New York Mets (born in Britton)
• Augie Bergamo, outfielder for St. Louis Cardinals in the 1940s (born in Detroit)
• Neil Berry, infielder for Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox in 1950s (born in Kalamazoo)
• Oakland A's (born in Marquette
  )
• Dave Borkowski, relief pitcher for Houston Astros (born in Detroit)
• farm system official (born in Flint
  )
• Frank Bowerman, catcher for several teams (born in Romeo)
• George Brunet, pitcher for nine teams (born in Houghton)
• Saginaw
  )
• James D. Burns, first owner of Detroit Tigers (born in Springwells district of Detroit)
• Greg Cadaret, relief pitcher for several teams (born in Detroit)
• Count Campau, player and manager (born in Detroit)
• Bill Campbell, pitcher for several MLB teams (born in Highland Park)
• Dave Campbell, infielder and MLB broadcaster (born in Manistee)
• Bernie Carbo, outfielder, famed for pinch-hit, game-tying, three-run homer in 1975 World Series for Cincinnati Reds (born in Detroit)
• Eddie Cicotte, early 20th Century pitcher primarily with Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox (born in Springwells)
• Terry Collins, manager for New York Mets (born in Midland)
• Josh Collmenter, relief pitcher for several MLB teams (born in Homer, Michigan)
• Tim Crabtree, pitcher for Toronto Blue Jays (born in Jackson)
• Todd Cruz, infielder for six MLB teams (born in Highland Park)
• Roy Cullenbine, outfielder and first baseman (born in Nashville, Tennessee, raised in Detroit)
• Chad Curtis, outfielder (raised in Middleville; taught in Lake Odessa)
• Hall of Fame outfielder for several teams (born in Harrisville
  )
• Ike Delock, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox (born in Highland Park)
• Dave DeBusschere, pitcher for Chicago White Sox, also pro basketball player (born in Detroit)
• Wish Egan, MLB player and scout (born in Evart)
• Jim Essian, catcher and Chicago Cubs manager (born in Detroit)
• Bill Fahey, player and coach (born in Detroit)
• Carmen Fanzone, player for Chicago Cubs (born in Detroit)
• Brad Fischer, bench coach for Pittsburgh Pirates (born in Blissfield)
• Ira Flagstead, outfielder primarily with Boston Red Sox (born in Montague)
• Jack Fournier, first baseman, 1924 American League home run leader, 1925 AL leader in walks (born in Au Sable)
• Gold Glove-winning catcher for Detroit Tigers
  (born in Detroit)
• John Ganzel, first baseman and manager (born in Kalamazoo)
• Brent Gates, infielder for several teams (born in Grand Rapids)
• Hall of Famer for Detroit Tigers (born in Fowlerville
  )
• Chris Getz, second baseman for Kansas City Royals (born in Southfield; raised in Grosse Pointe)
• Jay Gibbons, outfielder for Baltimore Orioles, batter at plate in film Wedding Crashers (born in Rochester)
• Waterford
  )
• Jim Gosger, outfielder for 1969 and 1973 champion New York Mets (born in Port Huron)
• Dolly Gray, early 20th Century pitcher (born in Houghton)
• Ted Gray, All-Star pitcher for Detroit Tigers (born in Detroit)
• Lenny Green, outfielder for several teams (born in Detroit)
• California Angels (born in Muskegon
  )
• Jason Grilli, pitcher for Texas Rangers (born in Royal Oak)
• National Polish-American Hall of Fame (born in Hamtramck
  )
• Charlie Haeger, pitcher for Seattle Mariners (born in Livonia)
• Jeff Hamilton, third baseman for Los Angeles Dodgers (born in Flint)
• Brad Havens, MLB pitcher for Minnesota Twins (born in Highland Park)
• Saint Louis Browns (born in Greenville
  )
• Pat Hentgen, Cy Young Award-winning pitcher (born in Detroit)
• Ray Herbert, pitcher and 1963 American League shutout leader (born in Detroit)
• Oakland A's (attended high school in Benton Harbor
  )
• Steve Howe, relief pitcher, primarily with Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees (born in Pontiac)
• Ken Howell, pitcher with Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies (born in Detroit)
• Cleveland Indians
  (born in Detroit)
• Clint Hurdle, outfielder for several MLB teams and manager for Pittsburgh Pirates (born in Big Rapids)
• Pequannock, New Jersey; raised in Kalamazoo
  )
• California Angels (born in Arkansas, attended Northwestern High School
  in Detroit)
• Oakland A's, coach for the Detroit Tigers
  (born in Detroit)
• Jim Kaat, three-time All-Star pitcher who played primarily for Minnesota Twins, sportscaster for MLB Network (born in Zeeland)
• Scott Kamieniecki, pitcher primarily for New York Yankees (born in Mount Clemens)
• Jim Kern, pitcher for several MLB teams (born in Gladwin)
• Bill Killefer, early 20th Century catcher primarily for Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs (born in Bloomingdale)
• Washington Senators and Cincinnati Reds (born in Bloomingdale
  )
• Maxine Kline, pitcher in All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (born in North Adams)
• Milwaukee Braves and Los Angeles Angels
  (born in Detroit)
• East Detroit
  )
• Bill Lajoie, general manager of 1984 World Series champion Detroit Tigers (born in Wyandotte)
• Hobie Landrith, catcher for several MLB teams (born in Illinois, attended Northwestern High School in Detroit and Michigan State)
• Charley Lau, catcher for Detroit Tigers and hitting coach for many Major League teams (born in Romulus)
• Ron LeFlore, outfielder for Detroit Tigers and Montreal Expos, subject of the movie One in a Million (born in Detroit)
• DJ LeMahieu, second baseman for New York Yankees (attended high school in Bloomfield Township)
• Dick Littlefield, MLB player of 1950s, traded for Jackie Robinson (born in Detroit)
• Stan Lopata, two-time All-Star catcher (born in Delray district of Detroit)
• Derek Lowe, two-time All-Star pitcher (born in Dearborn)

M–Z

• Duke Maas, pitcher primarily with New York Yankees (born in Utica)
• Hall of Fame executive who introduced night game (at Crosley Field in Cincinnati), chief executive of Reds, Dodgers and Yankees (born in Cass City
  )
• Mitch Maier, outfielder for Kansas City Royals (born in Petoskey)
• Roger Mason, pitcher for Detroit Tigers (born in Bellaire)
• Charlie Maxwell, left fielder and first baseman for Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers, known as "Paw Paw" (born in Lawton)
• John Mayberry, 2-time All-Star first baseman (born in Detroit)
• Steve McCatty, pitcher for Oakland Athletics (raised in Troy)
• John McHale, player, general manager and team president (born in Detroit)
• John McHale Jr., MLB executive (born in Detroit)
• Nate McLouth, outfielder for Baltimore Orioles (born in Muskegon)
• Cass Michaels, infielder for Chicago White Sox (born in Detroit)
• Ed Mierkowicz, outfielder for Detroit Tigers (born in Wyandotte)
• Keith Miller, utility player for New York Mets and Kansas City Royals (born in Midland)
• Jason Motte, pitcher for Chicago Cubs (born in Port Huron)
• Bill Nahorodny, catcher for Chicago White Sox (born in Hamtramck)
• Frank Navin, owner of Detroit Tigers 1908–35 (born in Adrian)
• Cleveland Indians
  (born in Detroit)
• Jim Northrup, outfielder primarily for Detroit Tigers (born in Breckenridge)
• Washington Senators (born in Elsie
  )
• Fred Olmstead, early 20th Century pitcher for Chicago White Sox (born in Grand Rapids)
• Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals (born in Kalamazoo
  )
• Ypsilanti
  )
• Tom Paciorek, outfielder and first baseman for several major league teams (born in Detroit)
• Trout Creek
  )
• Zach Putnam, pitcher for Chicago White Sox (born in Rochester)
• J. J. Putz, relief pitcher for Arizona Diamondbacks (born in Trenton)
• Earl Rapp, MLB pitcher, Pacific Coast League Hall of Famer (born in Corunna)
• Phil Regan, pitcher for several MLB teams, manager and coach (born in Otsego)
• Frank Reiber, catcher for Detroit Tigers (born in West Virginia, raised in Detroit)
• Merv Rettenmund, 3-time World Series champion outfielder and coach (born in Flint)
• Ed Reulbach, early 20th Century pitcher for Chicago Cubs, best known for all-Chicago 1906 World Series (born in Detroit)
• Dennis Ribant, pitcher for Detroit Tigers (born in Detroit)
• Vern Ruhle, pitcher for Detroit Tigers (born in Coleman)
• Chris Rusin, starting pitcher for Colorado Rockies (born in Detroit)
• Chris Sabo, N.L. Rookie of the Year third baseman for Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles (born in Detroit)
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (born in Wyandotte
  )
• Ted Simmons, 8-time All-Star catcher for several teams (born in Highland Park)
• Oakland A's (born in Holland
  )
• John Smoltz, Hall of Fame pitcher primarily for Atlanta Braves, 1996 Cy Young Award winner (born in Lansing)
• Jim Snyder, MLB player, coach and manager (born in Dearborn)
• Lary Sorensen, pitcher for seven MLB teams (born in Detroit)
• Mike Squires, 1970s Chicago White Sox player (born in Kalamazoo)
• Bill Stein, MLB infielder from 1972 to 1985 (born in Battle Creek)
• Matt Thornton, relief pitcher for Washington Nationals (born in Three Rivers)
• Tom Tresh, 1962 American League Rookie of the Year, infielder and outfielder primarily with New York Yankees (born in Detroit)
• Steve Trout, pitcher primarily for Chicago Cubs (born in Detroit)
• Maurice Van Robays, outfielder for Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1940s (born in Detroit)
• Jason Varitek, 3-time All-Star catcher for Boston Red Sox (born in Rochester)
• Bob Welch, pitcher for Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics, 1990 Cy Young Award winner (1990) (born in Detroit)
• Casper Wells, outfielder for Seattle Mariners (born in Grand Rapids)
• Lee Weyer, MLB umpire (born in Imlay City)
• Rick Wise, 2-time All-Star pitcher primarily with Philadelphia Phillies (born in Jackson)
• Connie Wisniewski, pitcher in All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (born in Detroit)
• Hall of Fame owner of Boston Red Sox; also AL
  Vice President (born in Detroit)
• Saginaw
  )
• Kevin Young, first baseman in 1990s primarily for Pittsburgh Pirates (born in Alpena)

Basketball

• B. J. Armstrong, point guard during Chicago Bulls dynasty of 1990s (born in Detroit)
• Jamie Arnold, American-Israeli pro player (born in Oak Park)
• Sam Balter (1909–1998), basketball player
• Shane Battier, forward for Miami Heat, 2-time NBA champion (born in Birmingham)
• Charlie Bell, shooting guard for Golden State Warriors (born in Flint)
• Bing Steel
  and Mayor of Detroit (born in Washington, D.C.; moved to Detroit)
• Marcus Bingham Jr. (born 2000), basketball player for Hapoel Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Devin Booker, shooting guard for Phoenix Suns (born in Grand Rapids)
• Don Boven, player and coach for Western Michigan (born in Kalamazoo)
• Jim Boylen, assistant coach for Indiana Pacers (born in East Grand Rapids)
• Mark Brisker, American-Israeli pro player
• P. J. Brown, player for several NBA teams (born in Detroit)
• Bill Buntin, first Detroit Pistons pick of 1965 NBA draft (born in Detroit)
• Franklin Cappon, head coach, Princeton and Michigan (born in Holland)
• Wilson Chandler, player for Denver Nuggets (born in Benton Harbor)
• Bill Chmielewski, 15th overall pick of 1974 NBA draft (born in Detroit)
• Archie Clark, player for University of Minnesota and NBA (lived in Ecorse)
• Mateen Cleaves, player for several NBA teams (born in Flint)
• Will Clyburn, professional basketball player, 2016 top scorer in the Israel Basketball Premier League, 2019 EuroLeague Final Four MVP (born in Detroit)
• Ypsilanti
  )
• New Jersey Nets and Philadelphia 76ers
  (born in Alabama but raised in Detroit)
• Jordan Crawford, player for Washington Wizards (born in Detroit)
• Johnny Davis, former NBA player and coach (born in Detroit)
• Basketball Hall of Fame, played with Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks
  ; youngest head coach (at 24) in NBA history (born in Detroit)
• Anna DeForge, WNBA player (born in Iron Mountain)
• Derrick Dial, player for San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic (born in Detroit)
• Chris Douglas-Roberts, shooting guard for Milwaukee Bucks (born in Detroit)
• Brian Dutcher, head coach for San Diego State (born in Alpena)
• Minnesota and Eastern Michigan (born in Alpena
  )
• Howard Eisley, point guard, assistant coach for Los Angeles Clippers (born in Detroit)
• Sodus
  )
• Katie Feenstra, WNBA center for Atlanta Dream, former Detroit Shock (born in Grand Rapids
  )
• Gus Ganakas, basketball coach of East Lansing High School state champions and Michigan State, broadcaster (born in New York, moved to Michigan)
• Derrick Gervin, NBA basketball player, 1995 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP (born in Detroit)
• Basketball Hall of Fame
  (born in Detroit)
• Waterford
  )
• Draymond Green, small forward for 2-time NBA champion Golden State Warriors (born in Saginaw)
• Willie Green, shooting guard for Atlanta Hawks (born in Detroit)
• Paul Griffin, center-forward for San Antonio Spurs (born in Shelby)
• Malik Hairston, shooting guard for San Antonio Spurs (born in Detroit)
• Shaler Halimon, 14th overall pick of 1968 NBA draft (attended high school in Romulus)
• Saginaw
  )
• Zach Hankins (born 1996), player for Hapoel Jerusalem of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Manny Harris, shooting guard for Cleveland Cavaliers (born in Detroit)
• Hall of Fame
  (attended high school in Detroit)
• Razorbacks
  (born in Detroit)
• Al Horford, NBA player for Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics (born in Dominican Republic; moved to Grand Ledge)
• Nate Huffman, professional basketball player, 2001 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP
• Basketball Hall of Fame (born in Iron Mountain
  )
• Lansing
  )
• Neil Johnson, NBA player for New York Knicks (born in Jackson)
• Chris Kaman, center for five NBA teams (born in Grand Rapids)
• 1979 NCAA champion
  Michigan State and NBA player (attended high school in Detroit)
• Danny Lewis (born 1970), American-English basketball player
• Grant Long, player for several teams (born in Wayne)
• John Long, guard for Detroit Pistons (born in Romulus
  )
• Israel Basketball Premier League
• Saginaw
  )
• Dan Majerle, guard for Phoenix Suns 1988–2002, 3-time All-Star (born in Cadillac)
• Devyn Marble (born 1992), basketball player for Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Kenyon Martin, power forward for five NBA teams (born in Saginaw)
• JaVale McGee, center for 2017 NBA champion Golden State Warriors (born in Flint)
• Pamela McGee, player for USC national champions, Olympic gold medalist (born in Flint)
• Kennedy McIntosh, NBA player (born in Detroit, raised in South Haven)
• Pop McKale, athlete and coach, University of Arizona arena named for him (born in Lansing)
• 1989 Michigan national champions, NBA player for Detroit Pistons (born in Romulus
  )
• Mark Montgomery, player for Michigan State, head coach at Northern Illinois (raised in Inkster)
• WNBA champion (born in Flint
  )
• Marcus Norris (born 1974), basketball player
• Basketball Hall of Fame, University of Chicago coach (born in Watervliet
  )
• Morris Peterson, player with Oklahoma City Thunder (born in Flint)
• Israeli Premier Basketball League
• Basketball Hall of Fame (born in Detroit, raised in Adrian
  )
• 1989 Michigan national champions, forward for several NBA teams (born in Flint
  )
• Jason Richardson, player for five NBA teams (born in Saginaw)
• Jalen Rose, guard for several NBA teams, analyst for ESPN; member of Michigan "Fab Five" (along with Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King and Ray Jackson) (born in Detroit)
• Dan Roundfield, player for four NBA teams, 3-time All-Star (born in Detroit)
• Campy Russell, NBA player with Cleveland Cavaliers (attended high school in Pontiac)
• Walker Russell, NBA player with Detroit Pistons (born in Pontiac)
• Walker Russell Jr., point guard with Detroit Pistons (born in Pontiac)
• _{Kulawnie Saunders}, guard with Grand Rapids Danger formerly ABA currently NABL League (born Minneapolis, lives in Grand Rapids)
• Ralph Simpson, 5-time ABA All-Star (born in Detroit)
• Mel Taube, head coach for Purdue (born in Detroit)
• Basketball Hall of Fame, point guard for Detroit Pistons from 1981 to 1994, NBA champion 1989, 1990; president of New York Knicks (born in Chicago, lived in Bloomfield Hills
  )
• Justin Tillman (born 1996), player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Rudy Tomjanovich, 5-time All-Star player, coach of Los Angeles Lakers, 1994 and 1995 NBA champion Houston Rockets (born in Hamtramck)
• Terry Tyler, NBA player for Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings (born in Detroit)
• Tyler Ulis, point guard for the Phoenix Suns (born in Southfield)
• 1989 NCAA champion Michigan and Los Angeles Clippers
  (born in Grand Rapids)
• Charlotte Bobcats (born in Kalamazoo
  )
• Sam Vincent, guard for several NBA teams (born in Lansing
  )
• Basketball Hall of Fame (from Benton Harbor
  )
• Terrence Watson (born 1987), American-Israeli basketball player for Hapoel Eilat of the Israeli Premier League
• Chris Webber, 5-time NBA All-Star power forward for Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons (born in Detroit)
• Nick Whitney, lead scoring player for the Lowest-Scoring Basketball Game in Michigan High School History. (born in Jackson)
• Robert Whaley, NBA player (born in Benton Harbor)
• James Young, NBA player; 2019-20 top scorer in the Israel Basketball Premier League (born in Flint)

Boxing

• Chris Byrd, former WBO and IBF heavyweight champion, nicknamed "Rapid Fire" (born in Flint)
• Tracy Byrd, female boxer (born in Flint)
• Charles Pierce Davey, pro and Olympic boxer, boxing official (born in Michigan, Michigan State)
• Andre Dirrell, super middleweight (born in Flint)
• Anthony Dirrell, super middleweight (born in Flint)
• Eddie Futch, trainer of nine world champions (born in Hillsboro, Mississippi; raised in Detroit)
• Thomas Hearns (aka "The Hit Man" and "Motor City Cobra"), welterweight champion (born in Memphis, Tennessee; moved to Detroit)
• Derrick Jefferson (aka "D-Train"), heavyweight (born in Oak Park)
• Jackie Kallen, boxing's first female manager (born in Detroit)
• Stanley Ketchel (Stanilas Kiecal, aka "The Michigan Assassin"), middleweight champion (born in Grand Rapids)
• George "Kid" Lavigne, world lightweight champion of 1890s (born in Bay City)
• Joe Louis, world heavyweight champion for 12 years, considered by some the best boxer of all time (born in LaFayette, Alabama; moved to Detroit)
• Buster Mathis Jr., heavyweight boxer (born in East Grand Rapids)
• Floyd Mayweather Jr., undefeated five-division champion (born in Grand Rapids)
• Jeff Mayweather, junior-lightweight champion (born in Grand Rapids)
• Roger Mayweather, lightweight champion (born in Grand Rapids)
• Milton McCrory, welterweight champion (born in Detroit)
• Steve McCrory, flyweight, Olympic gold medalist (born in Detroit)
• Bronco McKart, light middleweight champion (born in Monroe)
• Jimmy Paul, lightweight champion (born in Detroit)
• Sugar Ray Robinson, first boxer to win a divisional world championship five times (born in Ailey, Georgia; raised in Detroit)
• Tarick Salmaci, middleweight (born in Dearborn)
• London 2012 (born in Flint
  )
• Emanuel Steward, trainer of Thomas Hearns, Lennox Lewis and other champions (born in West Virginia; raised in Detroit)
• Duane Thomas, light-heavyweight champion (born in Detroit)
• Pinklon Thomas, heavyweight boxing champion (born in Pontiac)
• Frederick Wedge, boxer and clergyman (born in Mecosta County)
• Ad Wolgast (aka, "The Michigan Wildcat"), early 20th century lightweight champion (born in Cadillac)

Football

• Anthony Adams, defensive tackle for Chicago Bears (born in Detroit)
• Erik Affholter (born 1966), American football NFL wide receiver (born in Detroit)
• George Allen, Hall of Fame head coach (born in Detroit)
• Hunk Anderson, guard and head coach for Notre Dame, player and head coach for Chicago Bears, coach of Detroit Lions (born in Calumet
  )
• Fred Arbanas, tight end for Kansas City Chiefs (born in Detroit)
• Jess Atkinson, NFL placekicker (born in Ann Arbor)
• Jason Babin, defensive end for Philadelphia Eagles (Paw Paw)
• Jeff Backus, left tackle for Detroit Lions (born in Midland)
• Alan Ball, cornerback and safety for Dallas Cowboys (born in Detroit)
• Carl Banks, linebacker primarily with New York Giants (born in Flint)
• Joe Barksdale, offensive tackle for Oakland Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers (born in Detroit)
• Terry Barr, halfback for Detroit Lions 1957–65 (born in Grand Rapids)
• Connor Barwin, linebacker for Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles (born in Detroit)
• Washington Redskins (born in Ypsilanti
  )
• Dan Bazuin, defensive end for Houston Texans (born in McBain)
• Joique Bell, running back for Detroit Lions (born in Benton Harbor)
• Ray Bentley, linebacker primarily with Buffalo Bills, including their Super Bowl years (born in Grand Rapids.
• Jerome Bettis ("The Bus"), Hall of Fame running back for Pittsburgh Steelers (born in Detroit)
• Earl Blaik, coach for United States Military Academy and Dartmouth College (born in Detroit)
• Dan Boisture, coach for Eastern Michigan University (born in Detroit)
• Alfonso Boone, defensive end for San Diego Chargers (born in Saginaw)
• Tony Branoff, running back for University of Michigan (born in Flint)
• Chester Brewer, coach, athletic director, Michigan State and Missouri (born in Owosso)
• Omar Brown, free safety for Baltimore Ravens (raised in Berkley)
• Ed Budde, offensive lineman for Kansas City Chiefs (born in Highland Park)
• Mark Campbell, tight end for Michigan Wolverines, 10 years in NFL for Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, and New Orleans Saints (born in Clawson)
• Brandon Carr, cornerback for Baltimore Ravens (born in Flint)
• George Cartier, quarterback of first Notre Dame team, 1887 (born in Ludington)
• Lynn Chandnois, defensive back and All American at Michigan State, born in Flint
• Jack Conklin, offensive tackle for Cleveland Browns, (born in Plainwell)
• Kirk Cousins, quarterback for Minnesota Vikings (born in Holland)
• Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles (born in Flint
  )
• Dan Currie, linebacker for Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams (born in Detroit)
• Lional Dalton, defensive tackle for several NFL teams (born in Detroit)
• Carl Davis, defensive tackle for Baltimore Ravens (born in Detroit)
• Kellen Davis, tight end for Chicago Bears (born in Adrian)
• Bob Devaney, coach for Nebraska, member of College Football Hall of Fame (born in Saginaw)
• Dorne Dibble, wide receiver for Michigan State and 1957 NFL champion Detroit Lions (born in Adrian)
• Dan Dierdorf, lineman, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame (born in Ohio, attended University of Michigan)
• John DiGiorgio, linebacker for Buffalo Bills (born in Shelby Township)
• Gus Dorais, head coach of University of Detroit and Detroit Lions (born in Wisconsin, died in Birmingham)
• T. J. Duckett, running back for Seattle Seahawks (born in Kalamazoo)
• Tony Dungy, coach, won Super Bowl XLI with Indianapolis Colts (born in Jackson)
• Braylon Edwards, wide receiver for several NFL teams (born in Detroit)
• Phil Emery, general manager of Chicago Bears (born in Detroit, raised in Garden City)
• Eric Fisher, offensive tackle for Kansas City Chiefs (born in Rochester)
• Jake Fisher, offensive tackle for Cincinnati Bengals (born in Traverse City)
• Larry Foote, linebacker for Arizona Cardinals (born in Detroit)
• Bennie Fowler III, wide receiver for New York Giants (born in Beverly Hills
  )
• Eric Fowler, wide receiver for Detroit Lions (born in New Haven)
• Zach Fulton, guard for Kansas City Chiefs (born in Detroit)
• Devin Funchess, wide receiver for Carolina Panthers (born in Farmington Hills)
• John "Frenchy" Fuqua, running back for Pittsburgh Steelers (born in Detroit)
• Adam Gase, head coach of Miami Dolphins (born in Ypsilanti)
• Antonio Gates, tight end for San Diego Chargers (born in Detroit)
• Eric Ghiaciuc, center for Cincinnati Bengals (born in Oxford)
• Vernon Gholston, defensive end for New York Jets (born in Detroit)
• John Gilmore, tight end for New Orleans Saints (born in Marquette)
• George Gipp (aka the "Gipper"), Notre Dame football player immortalized in film by Ronald Reagan) (born in Laurium)
• Kevin Glenn, quarterback in Canadian Football League (born in Detroit)
• Chris Godfrey, former NFL guard, primarily for New York Giants (born in Detroit)
• Paul G. Goebel, college and pro player, Big Ten referee (born in Grand Rapids)
• Ian Gold, linebacker for Denver Broncos (born in Ann Arbor)
• Brandon Graham, defensive end for Philadelphia Eagles (born in Detroit
  )
• Jonas Gray, running back for Jacksonville Jaguars (born in Pontiac)
• Brock Gutierrez, NFL player, primarily for Detroit Lions (from Charlotte)
• Ra'Shede Hageman, defensive tackle for Atlanta Falcons (born in Lansing)
• Ali Haji-Sheikh, placekicker, primarily for New York Giants (born in Ann Arbor)
• Ty Hallock, Fullback, Tight End and Linebacker for Detroit Lions and 2 other teams (born in Grand Rapids)
• Johnathan Hankins, defensive tackle for New York Giants (born in Dearborn Heights)
• Mike Hankwitz, college player and coach (born in Ludington)
• Jim Harbaugh, head coach for San Francisco 49ers and Michigan (raised in Ann Arbor)
• John Harbaugh, head coach for Baltimore Ravens (raised in Ann Arbor)
• Grand Rapids
  )
• Jerome Harrison, running back for Detroit Lions (born in Kalamazoo)
• Courtney Hawkins, wide receiver for Tampa Bay Buccaneers (born in Flint)
• Jeff Heath, safety for Dallas Cowboys (born in Lake Orion)
• San Diego, California; raised in Brighton
  )
• Todd Herremans, offensive lineman for Philadelphia Eagles (born in Ravenna)
• end for Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles (born in Bay City
  )
• Rod Hill, NFL defensive back (born in Detroit)
• Gary Hogeboom, NFL quarterback, contestant Survivor: Guatemala (born in Grand Haven)
• Andre Holmes, a Wide Receiver currently plays for the denver broncos and born in Hillsdale, Michigan
• Tommy Hughitt, NFL player and coach (raised in Escanaba)
• Tory Humphrey, tight end for New Orleans Saints (born in Saginaw)
• Mark Ingram Sr., wide receiver of New York Giants (born in Flint)
• Heisman trophy winner and running back for New Orleans Saints (born in Flint
  )
• Jeff Janis, wide receiver for Green Bay Packers (born in Tawas City)
• Washington Redskins (born in Clawson
  )
• Cullen Jenkins, defensive tackle for New York Giants (born in Detroit)
• Kris Jenkins, defensive tackle for Carolina Panthers (born in Ypsilanti)
• Greg Jennings, wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins (born in Kalamazoo)
• Pepper Johnson, linebacker and defensive line coach for New England Patriots (born in Detroit)
• Ron Johnson, cornerback, 2-time Super Bowl champion with Pittsburgh Steelers (born in Detroit)
• Brad Jones, linebacker for Philadelphia Eagles (born in Lansing)
• Jason Jones, defensive end for Detroit Lions (born in Detroit)
• Adam Kieft, offensive tackle for Cincinnati Bengals (from Rockford)
• Paul Krause, NFL safety, member of Pro Football Hall of Fame (born in Flint)
• Craig Krenzel, quarterback for Cincinnati Bengals (born in Sterling Heights)
• T. J. Lang, offensive lineman for Green Bay Packers (born in Ferndale)
• Tim Lelito, offensive guard for New Orleans Saints (born in Rochester)
• Todd Lyght, cornerback for Los Angeles Rams (attended school in Flint)
• Jake Long, left tackle for Miami Dolphins (born in Lapeer)
• Dean Look, college and pro quarterback and NFL official (born in Lansing)
• Gary Lowe, defensive back for Detroit Lions (born in Trenton)
• Roy Manning, linebacker for Buffalo Bills (born in Saginaw)
• Chester Marcol, kicker for Green Bay Packers (born in Poland, attended school in Imlay City)
• Steve Mariucci, head coach of San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions (born in Iron Mountain)
• Keshawn Martin, wide receiver for Houston Texans (born in Inkster)
• Ruvell Martin, wide receiver for Buffalo Bills (born in Muskegon)
• Derrick Mason, wide receiver for Houston Texans (born in Detroit)
• Tony McGee, 14-season NFL defensive lineman (born in Battle Creek)
• Pete Metzelaars, tight end primarily with Buffalo Bills (born in Three Rivers)
• Jim Miller, Quarterback Chicago Bears (born in Grosse Pointe)
• Muskegon
  )
• Craig Morton, quarterback for Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and New York Giants (born in Flint)
• Don Morton, head coach, North Dakota State, Tulsa, Wisconsin (born in Flint)
• John Morton, NFL and CFL player, New York Jets offensive coordinator (born in Auburn Hills)
• Howard Mudd, lineman, member of NFL 1960s All-Decade Team and Pro Football Hall of Fame (from Midland)
• Muhsin Muhammad, wide receiver for Chicago Bears (born in Lansing)
• Sean Murphy-Bunting, Cornerback for Tampa Bay Buccaneers (born in Macomb Township)
• Matt Murphy (2002-2008), Tight End (born in Macomb Township)
• Harry Newman (1909–2000), All-Pro quarterback
• Shantee Orr, linebacker for Cleveland Browns (born in Detroit)
• Calvin Pace, linebacker for New York Jets (born in Detroit)
• Jereme Perry, cornerback for Cleveland Browns (born in Saginaw)
• Nick Perry, linebacker for Green Bay Packers (born in Detroit)
• Geoff Pope, NFL cornerback (born in Detroit)
• Washington Redskins
  (born in Detroit)
• Andre Rison, wide receiver for several teams (born in Flint)
• Charles Rogers, second overall pick of Detroit Lions (born in Saginaw)
• Gene Ronzani, player for Chicago Bears, head coach for Green Bay Packers (born in Iron Mountain)
• Jon Runyan, NFL offensive tackle (born in Flint
  )
• Tony Scheffler, tight end for Detroit Lions (born in Morenci)
• Saginaw
  )
• Bart Scott, linebacker for New York Jets (born in Detroit)
• Tim Shaw, linebacker for Tennessee Titans (raised in Livonia)
• Bill Sheridan, defensive coordinator for Tampa Bay Buccaneers (born in Detroit)
• Fritz Shurmur, assistant coach for five NFL teams (born in Wyandotte)
• Pat Shurmur, NFL defensive coordinator and head coach of Cleveland Browns (born in Ann Arbor)
• Dion Sims, tight end for Chicago Bears (born in Detroit)
• Dan Skuta, linebacker and fullback for San Francisco 49ers (born in Burton)
• Charlie Smith, tackle for Canton Bulldogs (born in Lansing
  )
• Baltimore Colts and New York Jets (born in Rogers City
  )
• Jim Sorgi, quarterback for Super Bowl XLI champion Indianapolis Colts (born in Fraser)
• Joe Staley, offensive tackle for San Francisco 49ers (born in Rockford)
• Lansing, raised in Okemos
  )
• Barry Stokes, offensive lineman for NFL teams, including Detroit Lions (born in Flint)
• Chester Taylor, running back for Chicago Bears (born in River Rouge)
• Devin Thomas, wide receiver for Chicago Bears (born in Ann Arbor)
• Tom Tracy, halfback for 1957 NFL champion Detroit Lions (born in Birmingham)
• Torell Troup, nose tackle for Buffalo Bills (born in Detroit)
• Brad Van Pelt, linebacker for several NFL teams (born in Owosso)
• Jared Veldheer, offensive tackle for Arizona Cardinals (born in Grand Rapids)
• Kevin Vickerson, defensive tackle for Denver Broncos (born in Detroit)
• TCU, Minnesota
  (born in Detroit)
• Gabe Watson, defensive tackle for Arizona Cardinals (born in Detroit)
• Khari Willis, safety for Indianapolis Colts (born in Jackson)
• Dave Whitsell, defensive back for Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions (born in Shelby)
• John Wojciechowski, Offensive tackle for the Chicago bears (born in Warren) went to Fitzgerald High school
• LaMarr Woodley, linebacker for Arizona Cardinals (born in Saginaw)
• Roger Zatkoff, linebacker for Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions (born in Hamtramck)
• Frank Zombo, linebacker for Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers (born in Sterling Heights)

Golf

• John Barnum, 3-time PGA Seniors' Championship winner (born in Grand Rapids)
• Mt. Pleasant
  )
• Walter Burkemo, winner of 1953 PGA Championship (born in Detroit)
• Donna Caponi, LPGA Tour player, 24-time winner, member of World Golf Hall of Fame (born in Detroit)
• Elaine Crosby, LPGA Tour player (born in Birmingham)
• Leo Diegel, two-time PGA Championship winner (born in Gratiot Township)
• Mike Donald, PGA Tour player, 1990 U.S. Open runner-up (born in Grand Rapids)
• Randy Erskine, 5-time Michigan Open champion (raised in Battle Creek)
• Mt. Pleasant
  )
• Walter Hagen, iconic golfer, 45-time winner, World Golf Hall of Fame (lived and died in Traverse City)
• Cindy Hill, U.S. Amateur champion and LPGA Tour player (born in South Haven)
• Dave Hill, 13-time PGA Tour winner (born in Jackson)
• Mike Hill, 18-time PGA Senior Tour winner (born in Jackson)
• Lon Hinkle, PGA Tour player (born in Flint)
• Meg Mallon, LPGA player, 2017 inductee in World Golf Hall of Fame (attended high school in Farmington Hills)
• Debbie Massey, LPGA player, 2-time Women's British Open champion (born in Grosse Pointe)
• Calvin Peete, PGA Tour player, 12-time winner, member of Ryder Cup team (born in Detroit)
• Mt. Pleasant
  )
• Mt. Pleasant
  )
• Jennifer Song, LPGA Tour player, U.S. Women's Amateur champion (born in Ann Arbor)
• Brian Stuard, PGA Tour player (born in Jackson)
• Kris Tamulis, LPGA Tour player (born in Lapeer)
• Tom Wargo, PGA Tour player (born in Marlette)
• Al Watrous, PGA Tour player and club pro (born in Yonkers, New York, moved to Bloomfield Hills)

Ice hockey

• Justin Abdelkader, forward for NHL's Detroit Red Wings (born in Muskegon)
• Taffy Abel, member and flag-bearer of 1924 Winter Olympics team, NHL player (born in Sault Ste. Marie)
• Jason Bacashihua, goalie for St. Louis Blues (born in Garden City)
• Jim Ballantine, center for several NHL teams (born in Union Lake)
• Jeff Blashill, head coach of the Detroit Red Wings (born in Detroit, raised in Sault Ste. Marie)
• Washington
  )
• Dan Bylsma, NHL forward and head coach of Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres (born in Grand Haven)
• Jimmy Carson, player for several NHL teams (born in Southfield)
• Shawn Chambers, defenseman for New Jersey Devils (born in Royal Oak)
• Chris Conner, hockey player for Washington Capitals (born in Westland)
• Jim Cummins, player for several NHL teams (born in Dearborn)
• Danny DeKeyser, defenseman for Detroit Red Wings (born in Macomb)
• Tim Gleason, defenseman for Carolina Hurricanes (from Clawson)
• Luke Glendening, center for Detroit Red Wings (born in Grand Rapids)
• Andy Greene, defenseman for New Jersey Devils (born in Trenton)
• Matt Greene, defenseman for Los Angeles Kings (born in Grand Ledge)
• Adam Hall, defenseman for New York Rangers (born in Kalamazoo)
• Derian Hatcher, defenseman for Philadelphia Flyers (born in Sterling Heights)
• Al Iafrate, defenseman for several NHL teams (born in Dearborn)
• Ryan Kesler, player for Anaheim Ducks and in 2010 Winter Olympics (born in Livonia)
• Nate Kiser, ECHL player for South Carolina Stingrays (born in Southgate)
• Mike Knuble, NHL forward (from Kentwood)
• Torey Krug, player for Boston Bruins (born in Royal Oak)
• Waterford
  )
• Chad LaRose, player for Carolina Hurricanes (born in Fraser)
• Dylan Larkin, center for Detroit Red Wings (born in Waterford)
• Alec Martinez, player and two-time Stanley Cup champion for Los Angeles Kings (born in Rochester)
• Andrew Miller, player for Edmonton Oilers and 2013 NCAA champion Yale (born in Bloomfield Hills)
• Ryan Miller, goaltender for Vancouver Canucks and in 2010 Olympics (born in East Lansing
  )
• Mike Modano, player for Dallas Stars, inductee in Hockey Hall of Fame (born in Westland)
• Ken Morrow, defenseman for New York Islanders and Miracle on Ice gold medal team at 1980 Olympics (born in Flint)
• David Moss, hockey player for Arizona Coyotes (born in Livonia)
• Tyler Motte, hockey player for Vancouver Canucks (born in St. Clair)
• Lee Norwood, defenseman for several NHL teams including the Detroit Red Wings (raised in Trenton)
• Aaron Palushaj, hockey player (born in Livonia)
• Craig Patrick, Hall of Fame center, coach and general manager (born in Detroit)
• Jeff Petry, defenseman for Montreal Canadiens (born in Ann Arbor)
• Brian Rafalski, defenseman for Detroit Red Wings and 2002, 2004 and 2006 Olympic teams (born in Dearborn)
• Brian Rolston, player for several NHL teams and in 2002 Olympics (born in Flint)
• Brian Rust, winner of Stanley Cup, forward for NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins (born in Pontiac)
• Chris Tancill, hockey player (born in Livonia)
• Matt Taormina, player for New Jersey Devils (born in Warren)
• Tim Thomas, goaltender for 2011 Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins and in 2010 Winter Olympics (born in Flint)
• John Vanbiesbrouck, goaltender for several NHL teams in the 1980s and 1990s (born in Detroit)
• Don Waddell, defenseman, general manager of Atlanta Thrashers (born in Detroit)
• Doug Weight, 2002 Olympics team silver medalist and winner of Stanley Cup with Carolina Hurricanes (born in Warren)
• James Wisniewski, player for Anaheim Ducks (born in Canton)
• Waterford
  )
• John Ziegler, NHL President from 1977 to 1992 (born in Grosse Pointe
  )
• Jason Zucker, left wing for Minnesota Wild (lived in Ann Arbor)

Motorcycle racing

• Leo Anthony, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, dirt-bike champion of the 1930s and 1940s (born in Port Huron)
• American Motorcycle Association national winner in the 1950s (born in Battle Creek
  )
• Ted Boody Jr., Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, winner of 8 dirt-track national competitions, top-ten ranking from 1981 to 1986 (born in Lansing)
• Doug Domokos, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, 1970s–1980s stunt motorcyclist nicknamed "Wheelie King" whose wheelie of 145 miles (233 km) held record for 8 years (born in Niles)
• Randy Goss, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, two-time National Grand Champion (born in Hartland)
• Hadley
  )
• Oscar Lenz, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, endurance motorcycle champion (born in Bay City)
• Scott Parker, nine-time AMA Grand National Champion, member of Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (from Flint)
• Dot Robinson, women's racing pioneer, co-founder of Motor Maids, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in Australia; settled in Saginaw
  )
• Earl Robinson, endurance motorcycle champion, husband of
  Saginaw
  )
• Battle Creek
  )
• Jay Springsteen, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee, three-time AMA Grand National Champion (born in Flint)
• Jeff Stanton, 6-time AMA Motocross and Supercross Champion, Motorcycle Hall of Fame inductee (born in Coldwater)

Olympics

• Avery Brundage, International Olympic Committee president 1952–72 (born in Detroit)
• Richard Callaghan, Olympic figure skating coach (lives in Detroit)
• Henry Carr, double gold medalist in track at Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
• hurdles at Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Farmington
  )
• 1912 Olympic Games
  (born in Detroit)
• Jim Cristy, swimmer, bronze medalist in Los Angeles 1932 Summer Olympics 1,500-meter freestyle (born in Detroit)
• Edward Crook Jr., gold medalist in middleweight boxing at Rome 1960 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
• Richard Dalley, figure skater, fifth place in ice dancing at Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics (born in Detroit)
• West Bloomfield
  )
• Dick Degener, gold medalist in diving at Berlin 1936 Summer Olympics (born in Birmingham
  )
• Brian Diemer, bronze medalist in steeplechase at Los Angeles 1984 Olympics (born in Grand Rapids)
• 2004 Olympics (born in Flint
  )
• Ken Doherty, decathlon bronze medalist in 1928 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
• Jeff Farrell, swimmer, two-time gold medalist at Rome 1960 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
• Carol Fox, figure skater, fifth place in ice dancing at Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics (born in Ypsilanti)
• Steve Fraser, gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling at Los Angeles 1984 Olympics (born in Hazel Park)
• Cynthia Goyette, swimmer, gold medalist in Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
• 2006 Olympics (born in Bay City
  )
• hurdles at Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics (born in Starkville, Mississippi; raised in Pontiac
  )
• Micki King, diver, Olympic gold medalist and 10-time national champion (born in Pontiac)
• Atlanta Olympics) (born in Jackson
  )
• 1998 Olympics (born in Trenton
  )
• Steve McCrory, gold medalist in flyweight boxing at Los Angeles 1984 Olympics (born in Detroit)
• Art McKinlay, rowing, silver medalist at Melbourne 1956 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
• John McKinlay, rowing, two-time Olympian, silver medalist at 1956 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
• Carly Piper, swimmer, member of gold medal-winning U.S. women's 4x200 freestyle relay at Athens 2004 Summer Olympics (born in Grosse Pointe)
• hurdles at London 1948 Summer Olympics (born in Essex Township
  )
• 2008 Beijing Olympics (born in Grand Rapids
  )
• Norbert Schemansky, only weightlifter to win four Olympic medals — 1948 silver; 1952 gold; 1960 bronze; and 1964 bronze—and 3-time world champion (born in Detroit; lived in Dearborn)
• Allison Schmitt, swimmer, four-time Olympian and eight-time Olympic medalist (raised in Canton)^[1][2]
• Clark Scholes, swimmer, Olympic gold medalist in 100 meter freestyle at Helsinki 1952 Summer Olympics
  (born in Detroit)
• Jackson Scholz, athlete, Olympic gold medalist in track and field in 1920 and 1924 (born in Buchanan)

• 1996 Atlanta Olympics swim relay (born in Livonia
  )
• Lindsay Tarpley, soccer player, member of gold-medal Athens 2004 Summer Olympics team (was attending Western Michigan) (born in Madison, Wisconsin, raised in Kalamazoo)
• Gary Tobian, diver, Olympic gold and two-time silver medalist (born in Detroit)
• Denver, Colorado
  ; raised in Detroit)
• Peter Vanderkaay, swimmer, member of gold medal-winning US men's 4x200 freestyle relay at Athens 2004 Summer Olympics (born in Rochester)
• Quincy Watts, track-and-field gold medalist at Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
• Mark Wells, member of Miracle on Ice gold medal hockey team at Lake Placid 1980 Olympics (born in Saint Claire Shores)
• Charlie White, ice dancer, Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics gold medalist (born in Royal Oak)
• Sharon Wichman, swimmer, Mexico City 1968 Summer Olympics gold medalist, 200 breaststroke (born in Detroit)
• Jordyn Wieber, artistic gymnast at London 2012 Summer Olympics (born in DeWitt)
• 1920 Olympic Games
  (born in Detroit)
• Lorenzo Wright, gold medalist in 440-meter relay at London 1948 Summer Olympics (born in Detroit)
• platform diving at Los Angeles 1984 Olympics (born in Jackson
  )
• Sheila Young, skater, first American to win three medals in winter games—bronze, silver, gold—at 1976 Olympics (born in Birmingham)

Professional wrestling

• Eric Bischoff, promoter and former World Championship Wrestling president (born in Detroit)
• Monty Brown, professional wrestler, originally a linebacker for the Buffalo Bills (born in Bridgeport)
• Ed Farhat (aka The Original Sheik), professional wrestler (born in Lansing
  )
• Jimmy Jacobs (Chris Scoville) professional wrestler (born in Grand Rapids)
• Kevin Nash, professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
• Rhino
  (Terry Gerin), professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
• Bob Roop, Greco-Roman wrestling participant at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics, turned pro as "The Gladiator" and "The Enforcer" (born in Blacksburg, Virginia; raised in East Lansing)
• Chris Sabin (aka Josh Harter), professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
• Sabu
  (Terry Brunk), professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
• Dan Severn, mixed martial artist and professional wrestler (born in Coldwater)
• Alex Shelley, professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
• Sgt. Slaughter (Robert Remus), professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
• Lou Thesz, professional wrestling pioneer and champion (born in Banat)
• George "The Animal" Steele, professional wrestler (born in Detroit)
• Rick Steiner, professional wrestler (born in Bay City)
• Scott Steiner, professional wrestler (born in Bay City)
• Rob Van Dam, professional wrestler (born in Battle Creek)
• Sosay (Jennifer E. Kaiser), professional wrestler (born in Plainwell, Michigan)

Soccer

• Jordan Gruber (born 1983), American-Israeli soccer player
• Los Angeles Galaxy (born in Birmingham
  )
• Kate Markgraf, NCAA, World Cup and two-time Olympic champion soccer player (born in Bloomfield Hills)

Tennis

• Jane "Peaches" Bartkowicz, tennis player, U.S. Open quarter-finalist (born in Hamtramck)
• Lisa Bonder, tennis player, ranked as high as 9th in the world (born in Beverly Hills, California, raised in Saline)
• Luke Jensen, tennis player, winner of 1993 French Open doubles (born in Grayling)
• Murphy Jensen, tennis player, winner of 1993 French Open doubles (born in Ludington)
• Mark Jaffe, tennis player, member of 1957 NCAA Michigan Team Championship, inducted into the Bay City Hall of Fame, born in Bay City
• Fred Kovaleski, tennis player. Member of 2 NCAA Championships at William and Mary, grew up in Hamtramck
• Aaron Krickstein, tennis player, ranked as high as 6th in world (born in Ann Arbor)
• Todd Martin, tennis player, US Open and Australian Open finalist, ranked as high as #4 in the world (born in Hinsdale, Illinois, raised in East Lansing)
• Susan Mascarin, tennis player, winner of girls' singles at 1980 US Open (born in Grosse Pointe Shores)
• Michael Russell, tennis player (born in Detroit)
• Serena Williams, tennis player, winner of dozens of Grand Slam titles, including 23 in singles; world's No. 1 ranking; winner of four Olympic gold medals (born in Saginaw)

Other sports

• Scott Baker, auto racer (born in Holland
  )
• Tom Bambard, NASCAR driver (born in South Lyon)
• Johnny Benson Jr., NASCAR driver (born in Grand Rapids)
• Grand Blanc
  )
• NCAA All-American (born in Edwardsburg
  )
• Bob Burman, auto racer, drove in first Indianapolis 500 (born in Imlay City)
• Allie Dragoo, professional cyclist, USA Cycling, Cervelo Pro Cycling (born in Grand Rapids
  )
• Frances Dodge, horsewoman, thoroughbred breeder and owner (born in Detroit)
• Tim Fedewa, NASCAR driver and spotter (born in Holt)
• Chris Grodzicki, kendo stick competitor 1999 World Games, Sega Dreamcast International Track & Field Champion (born in Livonia)
• Gordon Johncock, auto racer, two-time winner of Indianapolis 500 (born in Coldwater)
• Erik Jones, NASCAR driver, 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion (born in Byron)
• Jessica Joseph, ice dancer, silver and bronze medalist in 1998 and 2001 US Championships, respectively (born in Bloomfield Hills)
• NHRA sanctioned event in top fuel dragster (grew up in Mount Clemens
  )
• Ypsilanti
  )
• Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver with 34 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series, 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion (born in Rochester Hills)
• Byron Krieger (1920–2015), Olympic fencer
• Julie Krone, jockey, first woman to win Belmont Stakes, all-time leading female rider in victories (born in Benton Harbor)
• Iris Kyle, 10-time overall Ms. Olympia professional bodybuilder (born in Benton Harbor)
• Marion Ladewig, nine-time Bowler of the Year from 1950 to 1963, Women's International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame (born in Grand Rapids)
• Harry Melling, owner of Melling Automotive, NASCAR championship team owner of Melling Racing (lived in Jackson
  )
• Greg Meyer, distance runner, winner of 1983 Boston Marathon (born in Grand Rapids)
• Bill Muncey, hydroplane racing champion (born in Detroit)
• Lenda Murray, IFBB professional bodybuilder, multiple Ms. Olympia winner (born in Detroit)
• Colette Nelson, IFBB professional bodybuilder (born in Southfield)
• Benny Parsons, NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion, TV commentator (lived in Detroit)
• U. E. Patrick, aka "Pat" Patrick, co-founder of CART Indy car series, owner of Indy 500 winning Patrick Racing (resides in Jackson
  )
• Alpine skiing World Cup downhill skiing event, in 1975 for Canada (born in Ann Arbor
  )
• Isabel Dodge Sloane, owned Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont champion horses (born in Detroit)
• Herbert J. Thompson, thoroughbred trainer, 4-time Kentucky Derby winner (born in Detroit)
• Allen Tolmich, hurdler, world record setter, 4-time AAU
  national champion (born in Detroit)
• Kevin VanDam, professional bass angler, author of guide Secrets of a Champion, 2002 ESPN Outdoor Sportsman of the Year (born in Kalamazoo)
• Dave Walsh, gamer (born in Grand Rapids
  )
• Ken Westerfield, a Frisbee flying disc pioneer (born in Detroit)
• Bill Winfrey, trainer of Native Dancer, member of Racing Hall of Fame (born in Detroit)
• Garfield Wood, boat builder, 5-time Gold Cup hydroplane champion (born in Iowa, moved to Detroit)

References and further reading

• Gavrilovich, Peter and Bill McGraw (2000). The Detroit Almanac. Detroit Free Press.
  ISBN 0-937247-34-0
  .
• Gavrilovich, Peter and Bill McGraw (2006). The Detroit Almanac, 2nd edition. Detroit Free Press.
  ISBN 978-0-937247-48-8
  .