In an unprecedented moment for the NBA, LeBron James and his son, Bronny James, are on the verge of becoming the first father-son duo to share an NBA court. Should LeBron remain with the Los Angeles Lakers this year, fans may witness this historic milestone, following Bronny's recent draft-day selection.
Family ties run deep in professional sports, and the NFL is no exception. More than a dozen active NFL players have fathers who enjoyed remarkable careers on the gridiron. Among future prospects, there are already 16 names with direct connections to former NFL greats.
Sanders Legacy Continues
Shedeur Sanders, who transferred from Jackson State to Colorado, will now play under the guidance of his father, Deion Sanders. An eight-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Fame cornerback and return specialist, Deion Sanders continues to make a significant impact as Colorado's coach.
Warner Takes a New Path
E.J. Warner's journey sees him transferring from Temple to Rice. His father, Kurt Warner, is a celebrated name in NFL history, having won two MVP awards and leading the Rams to a Super Bowl championship at the close of the 1999 season.
Other Notable Transfers and Commitments
- Cole Pennington started three games for Marshall in 2023 as an injury replacement. His father, Chad Pennington, enjoyed a 12-year career with the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, earning the Comeback Player of the Year title twice.
- Henry Hasselbeck committed to UCLA after initially planning to attend Michigan State. His father, Matt Hasselbeck, led the Seattle Seahawks from 2001-2010, during which he made three Pro Bowl appearances.
- E.J. Smith transferred to Texas A&M from Stanford. He brings with him the legacy of his father, Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher and three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys.
Rising Stars in College Football
Antonio Gates Jr. made his college debut at Michigan State in 2023 as a redshirt freshman, echoing the success of his father, Antonio Gates, one of the most accomplished tight ends in NFL history with 116 touchdown catches.
Cristian Driver transitioned from a defensive back at Penn State to a wide receiver with Minnesota. His father, Donald Driver, is remembered for his 14-year career with the Green Bay Packers, during which he earned four Pro Bowl selections.
Mason Taylor has consistently performed at LSU with at least 35 catches in each of his first two seasons. His father, Jason Taylor, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017 after a 15-year career that included six Pro Bowl selections and a Defensive Player of the Year award.
Young Talent on the Horizon
Eden James, a powerhouse at Howard, has averaged more than five yards per carry in each of his first two college seasons. He follows in the footsteps of his father, Edgerrin James, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020 and ranks just outside the NFL's all-time top-10 rushing list.
Bryce Young has committed to Notre Dame, looking to build on the legacy of his father, Bryant Young, who spent 14 years with the San Francisco 49ers, winning a Super Bowl and earning four Pro Bowl nods.
Christian Harrison is making quite an impact in special teams during his college career at Tennessee, drawing inspiration from his father, Rodney Harrison, who won two Super Bowls over a 15-year career.
New Names to Watch
- Shilo Sanders has transferred from Jackson State to Colorado, joining his brother Shedeur under their father's guidance.
- Kennedy Urlacher is establishing himself at Notre Dame, following the path of his father, Brian Urlacher, an eight-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer.
- Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. is making waves as a highly regarded defensive back and return specialist at Alabama. His father, Dre Kirkpatrick, played ten seasons primarily with the Bengals.
- Willis McGahee IV is a top-ranked outside linebacker prospect at Nebraska, continuing the legacy of his father, who enjoyed an 11-season career as a running back.
- Devan Kennedy is a new name worth following at Iowa, with his father Jimmy Kennedy having been a 2003 first-round draft pick who played nine NFL seasons.
The passion for football clearly runs in the bloodlines, demonstrating that legacies in professional sports are often passed from one generation to the next. From the hallowed courts of the NBA to the fierce competition of the NFL and college football fields, these stories of familial ties add another layer of depth and intrigue to the world of sports.