# List of sports-related people from Mississippi

This list contains sportspersons, coaches, and other sports-related people who were born or lived in the U.S. state of Mississippi. For other groups, see List of people from Mississippi.

## Baseball

* Frank Baker (born 1946), shortstop, (Meridian)
* Howard Battle (born 1972), third baseman, (Biloxi)
* Cool Papa Bell (1903–1991), center fielder, (Starkville)
* Don Blasingame (1932–2005), second baseman, (Corinth)
* Milt Bolling (1930–2013), shortstop, (Mississippi City)
* Josh Booty (born 1975), third baseman, (Starkville)
* Julio Borbon (born 1986), outfielder, (Starkville)
* Dennis Ray "Oil Can" Boyd (born 1959), pitcher, (Meridian)
* Chad Bradford (born 1974), pitcher, (Jackson)
* Jeff Branson (born 1967), infielder, (Waynesboro)
* Jeff Brantley (born 1963), pitcher and ESPN analyst, (Starkville)
* Adrian Brown (born 1974), center fielder, (McComb)
* Jamie Brown (born 1977), pitcher, (Meridian)
* Ellis Burks (born 1964), outfielder and designated hitter, (Vicksburg)
* Guy Bush (1901–1985), pitcher, (Aberdeen)
* Joey Butler (born 1986), outfielder, (Pascagoula)
* Louis Coleman (born 1986), relief pitcher, (Greenwood)
* Dewon Day (born 1980), relief pitcher, (Jackson)
* Dizzy Dean (1910–1974), pitcher, (Bond)
* Tommy Dean (born 1945), shortstop, (Iuka)
* Corey Dickerson (born 1989), outfielder
* Hayden Dunhurst (born 2000),catcher (Carriere)
* Bob Didier (born 1949), catcher, (Hattiesburg)
* Brian Dozier (born 1987), infielder, (Fulton)
* Jarrod Dyson (born 1984), outfielder, (McComb)
* David "Boo" Ferriss (1921–2016), pitcher, (Shaw)
* Curt Ford (born 1960), outfielder, (Jackson)
* Joey Gathright (born 1981), minor league outfielder, (Hattiesburg)
* Joe Gibbon (1935–2019), pitcher, (Hickory)
* Jake Gibbs (born 1938), catcher, (Grenada)
* Rod Gilbreath (born 1954), second baseman, (Laurel)
* Luther Hackman (born 1974), pitcher, (Columbus)
* Bill Hall (born 1979), third baseman, (Nettleton)
* Billy Hamilton (born 1990), center fielder, (Taylorsville)
* Mickey Harrington (1934–2017), pinch-runner, (Hattiesburg)
* Charlie Hayes (born 1965), third baseman, (Hattiesburg)
* Larry Herndon (born 1953), outfielder, (Sunflower)
* Jarrett Hoffpauir (born 1983), second baseman, (Natchez)
* Jonathan Holder (1993), relief pitcher, (Gulfport)
* TJ House (born 1989), pitcher, (Picayune)
* Dusty Hughes (born 1982), relief pitcher (Tupelo)
* Cleo James (born 1940), outfielder, (Clarksdale)
* Matt Lawton (born 1971), right fielder, (Gulfport)
* Brent Leach (born 1982), relief pitcher, (Flowood)
* Chet Lemon (born 1955), outfielder, (Jackson)
* Ronnie Lester (born 1959), player, assistant general manager, (Canton)
* Fred Lewis (born 1980), left fielder, (Hattiesburg)
* Jacob Lindgren (born 1993), pitcher, (Bay St. Louis)
* John Lindsey (born 1977), minor league first baseman, (Hattiesburg)
* Nook Logan (born 1979), center fielder, (Natchez)
* Barry Lyons (born 1960), catcher, (Biloxi)
* Paul Maholm (born 1982), starting pitcher, (Greenwood)
* Chris Maloney (born 1961), minor league player, manager, (Jackson)
* Brian Maxcy (born 1971), pitcher, (Amory)
* Allen McDill (born 1971), left-handed specialist pitcher, (Greenville)
* Matt Miller (born 1971), pitcher (2003–2007) (Greenwood)
* Bill Melton (born 1945), third baseman, (Gulfport)
* Dustan Mohr (born 1976), outfielder, (Hattiesburg)
* Tyler Moore (born 1987), first baseman and outfielder, (Brandon)
* Mitch Moreland (born 1985), first baseman and outfielder (Amory)
* Buddy Myer (1904–1974), second baseman, (Ellisville)
* Ryan Nye (born 1973), pitcher, (Biloxi)
* Roy Oswalt (born 1977), starting pitcher, (Weir)
* Dave Parker (born 1951), right fielder and designated hitter, (Jackson)
* Claude Passeau (1909–2003), pitcher, (Lucedale)
* Gary Rath (born 1973), starting pitcher, (Gulfport)
* Hunter Renfroe (born 1992), outfielder, (Crystal Springs
* Kevin Rogers (born 1968), pitcher, (Cleveland)
* Nate Rolison (born 1977), first baseman, (Petal)
* Reb Russell (1889–1973), pitcher, (Jackson)
* George Scott (1944–2013), first baseman, (Greenville)
* Kim Seaman, (born 1957), pitcher, (Pascagoula)
* Tony Sipp (born 1983), relief pitcher, (Moss Point)
* Matt Skrmetta (born 1972), pitcher, (Biloxi)
* Jason Smith (born 1977), infielder, (Meridian)
* Seth Smith (born 1982), outfielder, (Jackson)
* Justin Steele (born 1995), pitcher, (Lucedale)
* Blake Stein (born 1973), pitcher, (McComb)
* Craig Tatum (born 1983), catcher (Hattiesburg)
* Marcus Thames (born 1977), outfielder and first baseman, (Louisville)
* John Thomson (born 1973), starting pitcher, (Vicksburg)
* Matt Tolbert (born 1982), infielder, (born in McComb, raised in Woodville)
* Eddie "Scooter" Tucker (born 1966), catcher, (Greenville)
* Jermaine Van Buren (born 1980), relief pitcher, (Laurel)
* Chico Walker (born 1957), second base, (Jackson)
* Harry Walker (1916–1999), outfielder and manager, (Pascagoula)
* Skeeter Webb (1909–1986), infielder, (Meridian)
* Barry Wesson (born 1977), outfielder, (Tupelo)
* Frank White (born 1950), second baseman and coach, (Greenville)
* Eli Whiteside (born 1979), catcher, (New Albany)
* Dmitri Young (born 1973), first baseman, (Vicksburg)
* Tim Young (born 1973), relief pitcher, (Gulfport)
* Walter Young (1980–2015), first baseman, (Hattiesburg)

## Basketball

* Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (born 1969), point guard, (Gulfport)
* Coolidge Ball (1951–2023), forward, (Indianola)
* Earl Barron (born 1981), center, (Clarksdale)
* Billy Ray Bates (born 1956), shooting guard, (Kosciusko)
* Jonathan Bender (born 1981), power forward, (Picayune)
* Travarus Bennett (born 1979), minor leagues, (Rosedale)
* Ruthie Bolton (born 1967), shooting guard, head coach (Lucedale)
* Melvin Booker (born 1972), point guard, (Pascagoula)
* Tom Bowens (born 1940), forward-center, (Okolona)
* Alonzo Bradley (born 1953), forward, (Utica)
* Rickey Brown (born 1958), forward-center, (Madison County)
* Shaq Buchanan (born 1997), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Cleveland Buckner (1938–2006), forward-center, (Yazoo City)
* Deondre Burns (born 1997), basketball player in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Jackie Butler (born 1985), center, (McComb)
* Isaiah Canaan (born 1991), point guard, (Biloxi)
* Maurice Carter (born 1976), guard, (Jackson)
* Cornelius Cash (born 1952), forward, (Macon)
* Harvey Catchings (born 1951), center, (Jackson)
* Terry Catledge (born 1963), forward, (Houston)
* Van Chancellor (born 1943), women's coach, (Louisville)
* E.C. Coleman (born 1950), forward, (Flora)
* Joe Courtney (born 1969), power forward, (Jackson)
* Erick Dampier (born 1975), center, (New Hebron)
* Ollie Darden (born 1944), forward-center, (Aberdeen)
* Archie Dees (1936–2016), forward-center, (Ethel)
* Ronald Dupree (born 1981), small forward, (Biloxi)
* Keith Edmonson (born 1960), guard, (Gulfport)
* Monta Ellis (born 1985), point guard and shooting guard, (Jackson)
* Drew Eubanks (born 1997),Power forward/Center, (Starkville)
* Tim Floyd (born 1954), men's head coach, (Hattiesburg)
* Nell Fortner (born 1959), women's head coach, (Jackson)
* Jennifer Gillom (born 1964), WNBA player, Olympic gold medalist, coach, (Abbeville)
* Gerald Glass (born 1967), guard-forward, (Greenwood)
* Lancaster Gordon (born 1962), guard-forward, (Jackson)
* Litterial Green (born 1970), point guard, (Pascagoula)
* Kevin Griffin (born 1975), shooting guard/small forward
* Tang Hamilton (born 1978), forward, (Jackson)
* Ira Harge (born 1941), center, (Anguilla)
* Othella Harrington (born 1974), power forward, (Jackson)
* Lusia Harris (1955–2022), first female player in Hall of Fame, (Minter City)
* Antonio Harvey (born 1970), radio broadcaster, player, (Pascagoula)
* Spencer Haywood (born 1949), power forward/center, (Silver City)
* Ronnie Henderson (born 1974), shooting guard, led the SEC twice in scoring at LSU, (Gulfport)
* Jeanne Ruark Hoff, player for Stanford
* Eddie Hughes (born 1960), point guard, (Greenville)
* Lindsey Hunter (born 1970), point guard, (Utica)
* Leroy Hurd (born 1980), forward, (Pascagoula)
* Al Jefferson (born 1985), center/power forward, (Monticello)
* Clay Johnson (born 1956), guard, (Yazoo City)
* John Johnson (1947–2016), small forward, (Carthage)
* Trey Johnson (born 1984), shooting guard, (Jackson)
* Carolyn Jones-Young (born 1969), guard, Olympic bronze medalist, (Bay Springs)
* Randolph Keys (born 1966), guard-forward, (Collins)
* Danny Manning (born 1966), forward, (Hattiesburg)
* Ed Manning (1944–2011), forward, (Summit)
* Antonio McDyess (born 1974), power forward, (Quitman)
* Derrick McKey (born 1966), small forward and power forward, (Meridian)
* Leland Mitchell (1941–2013), guard, (Kiln)
* Matthew Mitchell (born 1970), women's head coach, (Louisville)
* Dyron Nix (born 1967), forward, (Meridian)Victoria Vivians
* Audie Norris (born 1960), center, (Jackson)
* Willie Norwood (born 1947), forward, (Carrollton)
* Travis Outlaw (born 1984), small forward and power forward, (Starkville)
* Murriel Page (born 1975), WNBA player, (Louin)
* Marckell Patterson (born 1979), shooting guard, (Eupora)
* Kenny Payne (born 1966), small forward, (Laurel)
* Armintie Price (born 1985), shooting guard, (Myrtle)
* Dolph Pulliam (born 1946), center, sportscaster, (West Point)
* Bob Quick (born 1946), guard-forward, (Thornton)
* Justin Reed (1982–2017), forward, (Jackson)
* James Robinson (born 1970), shooting guard, (Jackson)
* LaQuinton Ross (born 1991), player for Hapoel Eilat of Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Eugene Short (1953–2016), small forward, (Hattiesburg)
* Purvis Short (born 1957), small forward and shooting guard, (Hattiesburg)
* Larry Smith (born 1958), center-forward, (Rolling Fork)
* Charles Thomas (born 1986), player for Maccabi Rishon LeZion of Israeli Basketball Premier League
* Sedric Toney (born 1962), guard, (Columbus)
* Jarvis Varnado (born 1988), forward-center
* Victoria Vivians (born 1994), shooting guard
* Margaret Wade (1912–1995), player and coach, (Cleveland)
* Cornell Warner (born 1948), forward-center, (Jackson)
* Eric Washington (born 1974), guard-forward, (Pearl)
* Slick Watts (born 1951), guard, (Rolling Fork)
* Clarence Weatherspoon (born 1970), power forward, (Crawford)
* Dwayne Whitfield (born 1972), power forward, (Aberdeen)
* Tamika Whitmore (born 1977), forward, (Tupelo)
* Maurice "Mo" Williams (born 1982), point guard, (Jackson)
* George Wilson (1942–2023), center, (Meridian)

## American football

* Cam Akers (born 1999), running back, (Clinton)
* Brian Alford (born 1975), wide receiver, (Crawford)
* Jake Allen (born 1985), wide receiver, (Laurel)
* Lance Alworth (born 1940), wide receiver, (Brookhaven)
* Jesse Anderson (born 1966), tight end, (West Point)
* Rashard Anderson (born 1977), cornerback, (Forest)
* Houston Antwine (1939–2011), defensive tackle, (Louise)
* Jason Armstead (born 1979), wide receiver (Canadian Football League), (Moss Point)
* Hank Autry (1947–2014), center, (Hattiesburg)
* Chris Avery (born 1975), fullback and linebacker (arena football), (Grenada)
* Vick Ballard (born 1990), running back, (Pascagoula)
* Jerome Barkum (born 1950), wide receiver/tight end, (Gulfport)
* Fred Barnett (born 1966), wide receiver, (Gunnison)
* Lem Barney (born 1945), cornerback, (Gulfport)
* Steve Baylark (born 1983), running back, (Aberdeen)
* Tony Bennett (born 1967), linebacker, (Alligator)
* Kenneth Bernich (born 1951), guard, (Biloxi)
* Damarius Bilbo (born 1982), football, (Moss Point)
* Earl Blair (1934–2004), halfback, (Pascagoula)
* George Blair (born 1938), AFL halfback, (Pascagoula)
* Josh Booty (born 1975), quarterback, (Starkville)
* Tim Bowens (born 1973), defensive tackle, (Okolona)
* Johnny Brewer (1937–2011), tight end/linebacker, (Vicksburg)
* Tramaine Brock (born 1988), defensive back, (Long Beach)
* A. J. Brown (born 1997), wide receiver, (Starkville)
* Allen Brown (1943–2020), tight end, (Natchez)
* C. C. Brown (born 1983), safety, (Greenwood)
* Nathan Brown (born 1986), quarterback, (Hattiesburg)
* Willie Brown (1940–2019), cornerback, (Yazoo City)
* Correll Buckhalter (born 1978), running back, (Collins)
* Eldra Buckley (born 1985), running back, (Charleston)
* Terrell Buckley (born 1971), cornerback, (Pascagoula)
* Derrick Burgess (born 1978), defensive end/linebacker, (Oxford)
* Chris Burkett (born 1962), wide receiver, (Laurel)
* Malcolm Butler (born 1990), cornerback, (Vicksburg)
* Jason Campbell (born 1981), quarterback, (Laurel)
* Steve Campbell (born 1966), head coach
* Cooper Carlisle (born 1977), offensive guard, (Greenville)
* Alex Carrington (born 1987), defensive lineman, (Tupelo)
* Chris Carson (born 1994), running back, (Biloxi)
* Perry Carter (born 1971), defensive back, (McComb)
* Kory Chapman (born 1980), running back, (Batesville)
* Don Churchwell (1936–2010), offensive tackle, (Leakesville)
* Billy Clay (born 1944), cornerback, (Oxford)
* Roderick (Rod) Coleman (born 1976), defensive tackle, (Vicksburg)
* Reggie Collier (born 1961), quarterback and wide receiver, (D'Iberville)
* Jalen Collins (born 1993), cornerback, (Southaven)
* Jamie Collins (born 1989), linebacker, (McCall Creek)
* Charlie Conerly (1921–1996), quarterback, (Clarksdale)
* Darion Conner (born 1967), NFL linebacker and Arena Football League player, convicted of vehicular homicide (Macon)
* Fred Cook (born 1952), defensive end, (Pascagoula)
* Logan Cooke (born 1995), NFL punter (Columbia)
* Johnie Cooks (1958–2023), linebacker, (Leland)
* Russell Copeland (born 1971), wide receiver, (Tupelo)
* Fletcher Cox (born 1990), defensive tackle, (Yazoo City)
* Bobby Crespino (1938–2013), tight end, (Duncan)
* Quinton Culberson (born 1985), linebacker, (Jackson)
* Doug Cunningham (1945–2015), running back, (Louisville)
* Roland Dale (1927–2012), end, (Magee)
* Erick Dampier (born 1975), NBA player (Jackson)
* Willie Daniel (1937–2015), defensive back, (New Albany)
* Demario Davis (born 1989), linebacker, (Brandon)
* Rod Davis (born 1981), linebacker, (Gulfport)
* Mike Dennis (born 1944), running back, (Philadelphia)
* Anthony Dixon (born 1987), running back, (Jackson)
* Kevin Dockery (born 1984), cornerback, (Hernando)
* Larry Dorsey (born 1953), wide receiver and high school coach, (Corinth)
* Jim Dunaway (1941–2018), defensive tackle, (Columbia)
* Marcus Dupree (born 1964), running back, (Philadelphia)
* Antuan Edwards (born 1977), safety, (Starkville)
* Mario Edwards (born 1975), cornerback, (Gautier)
* Carlos Emmons (born 1973), linebacker, (Greenwood)
* Mike Espy (born 1982), wide receiver, (Jackson)
* Kaleb Eulls (born 1991), defensive tackle, (Yazoo County)
* Major Everett (born 1960), running back, (New Hebron)
* Brett Favre (born 1969), quarterback, (Kiln)
* Jason Ferguson (born 1974), defensive tackle, (Nettleton)
* Damion Fletcher (born 1987), running back, (Biloxi)
* Leslie Frazier (born 1959), cornerback and safety/defensive coordinator, (Columbus)
* Steve Freeman (born 1953), defensive back, game official, (Oxford)
* C. J. Gaddis (born 1985), safety, (Hattiesburg)
* William Gaines (born 1971), defensive lineman, (Jackson)
* Jimmie Giles (born 1954), tight end, (Natchez)
* Robert Gillespie (born 1979), running back, (Hattiesburg)
* Chris Givens (born 1989), wide receiver, (Jackson)
* Tom Goode (1938–2015), offensive lineman, (West Point)
* Stephen Gostkowski (born 1984), placekicker, (Madison)
* Larry Grantham (1938–2017), linebacker, (Crystal Springs)
* Hugh Green (born 1959), linebacker, (Natchez)
* Louis Green (born 1979), linebacker, (Vicksburg)
* L. C. Greenwood (1946–2013), defensive end, (Canton)
* Jack Gregory (1944–2019), defensive end, (Okolona)
* Cedric Griffin (born 1982), cornerback, (Natchez)
* Glynn Griffing (born 1940), quarterback, (Bentonia)
* Justin Griffith (born 1980), fullback, (Magee)
* Quentin Groves (born 1984), defensive end, (Greenville)
* Michael Haddix (born 1961), running back, (Tippah County)
* Bobby Hamilton (born 1971), defensive end, (Columbia)
* Parys Haralson (born 1984), linebacker, (Flora)
* Larry Hardy (born 1956), tight end, (Mendenhall)
* Clarence Harmon (born 1955), running back, (Kosciusko)
* Anthony Harris (born 1981), defensive tackle (Mayersville)
* Larry Hart (born 1987), defensive end and outside linebacker, (Madison)
* Kevin Henry (born 1968), defensive lineman, (Mound Bayou)
* Mack Herron (1948–2015), running back, (Biloxi)
* Tyreek Hill (born 1994), wide receiver, (Biloxi)
* Roy Hilton (1943–2019), defensive end, (Hazlehurst)
* Stephen Hobbs (born 1965), wide receiver, (Mendenhall)
* Corey Holmes (born 1976), running back (Canadian football), (Greenville)
* Jaret Holmes (born 1976), placekicker, (Clinton)
* Lester Holmes (born 1969), offensive lineman, (Tylertown)
* Walter Holman (born 1959), running back, (Vaiden)
* Estus Hood (born 1955), cornerback, (Hattiesburg)
* Houston Hoover (born 1965), offensive lineman, (Yazoo City)
* Joe Horn (born 1972), wide receiver, (Tupelo)
* Derrick Hoskins (born 1970), cornerback, (Meridian)
* Gary Huff (born 1951), quarterback, (Natchez)
* Kent Hull (born 1960), offensive lineman, (Pontotoc)
* Don Hultz (born 1940), defensive lineman, (Moss Point)
* Terry Irvin (born 1954), defensive back (Canadian Football League), (Columbia)
* Brandon Jackson (born 1985), running back, (Horn Lake)
* Harold Jackson (born 1946), wide receiver, (Hattiesburg)
* Jarious Jackson (born 1977), quarterback/free safety (American and Canadian Football Leagues), (Tupelo)
* Kirby Jackson (born 1965), defensive back, (Sturgis)
* Tristan Jackson (born 1986), defensive back (Canadian football), (Beaumont)
* Sean James (born 1969), running back, (Meridian)
* Melvin Jenkins (born 1962), cornerback, (Jackson)
* M. D. Jennings (born 1988), strong safety, (Grenada)
* John Jerry (born 1986), offensive lineman, (Batesville)
* Peria Jerry (born 1984), defensive tackle, (Batesville)
* Antonio Johnson (born 1984), defensive tackle, (Leland)
* Dennis Johnson (born 1956), fullback, (Weir)
* Rory Johnson (born 1986), linebacker (American and Canadian Football Leagues), (Vicksburg)
* Spencer Johnson (born 1981), defensive end, (Waynesboro)
* Tom Johnson (born 1984), defensive tackle, (Moss Point)
* Chris Jones (born 1994), defensive tackle, (Houston)
* Chris Jones (born 1982), wide receiver, (Macon)
* Ronald Jones (born 1981), defensive lineman (Canadian Football League), (Gulfport)
* Reggie Kelly (born 1977), tight end, (Aberdeen)
* Tommy Kelly (born 1980), defensive tackle, (Jackson)
* Tyrone Keys (born 1960), defensive lineman, (Jackson)
* Ed Khayat (born 1935), defensive end, (Moss Point)
* Frank Kinard (1914–1985), offensive tackle, (Pelahatchie)
* Curt Knight (born 1943), placekicker, (Gulfport)
* Paul Lacoste (born 1974), linebacker, (Jackson)
* Roland Lakes (1939–2012), defensive lineman/defensive tackle, (Vicksburg)
* Maxie Lambright (1924–1980), player at Southern Mississippi; coach at Louisiana Tech (McComb)
* Cameron Lawrence (born 1991), linebacker, (Coldwater)
* Donald Lee (born 1980), tight end, (Maben)
* Brad Leggett (born 1966), center, (Vicksburg)
* Alex Lincoln (born 1977), linebacker, (Meridian)
* Ken Lucas (born 1979), cornerback, (Cleveland)
* Milton Mack (born 1963), cornerback, (Jackson)
* Earsell Mackbee (1941–2009), cornerback, (Brookhaven)
* John Mangum (born 1967), defensive back, (Magee)
* Kris Mangum (born 1973), tight end, (Magee)
* Archie Manning (born 1949), quarterback, (Drew)
* Eli Manning (born 1981), quarterback, (Oxford)
* Aubrey Matthews (born 1962), wide receiver, (Pascagoula)
* Shane Matthews (born 1970), quarterback, (Pascagoula)
* Fred McAfee (born 1968), running back, (Philadelphia)
* Deuce McAllister (born 1978), running back, (Morton)
* Trumaine McBride (born 1985), cornerback, (Clarksdale)
* Dee McCann (born 1983), cornerback (American and Canadian Football Leagues), (Lucedale)
* Dexter McCleon (born 1973), safety, (Meridian)
* Sam McCullum (born 1952), wide receiver, (McComb)
* Ben McGee (born 1939), defensive end, (Starkville)
* Buford McGee (born 1960), running back, (Durant)
* Herb McMath (1954–2016), defensive tackle and defensive end, (Coahoma)
* Greg McMurtry (born 1967), wide receiver, (Jackson)
* Fred McNair (born 1968), quarterback, (Mount Olive)
* Steve McNair (1973–2009), quarterback, (Mount Olive)
* Freeman McNeil (born 1959), running back, (Jackson)
* Jerrold McRae ( born 1955),wide receiver,(Laurel)
* Quinton Meaders (born 1983), defensive back (Canadian Football League), (Tupelo)
* DK Metcalf (born 1997), wide receiver, (Oxford)
* Jim Miller (born 1957), punter, (Ripley)
* Romaro Miller (born 1978), quarterback, (Shannon)
* Freddie Milons (born 1980), wide receiver, (Starkville)
* Gardner Minshew (born 1996), quarterback, (Brandon)
* Jayme Mitchell (born 1984), defensive end, (Jackson)
* Frank Molden (1942–2023), defensive tackle, (Moss Point)
* Cleo Montgomery (born 1956), wide receiver, (Greenville)
* Wilbert Montgomery (born 1954), running back, (Greenville)
* Stevon Moore (born 1967), safety, (Wiggins)
* Melvin Morgan (born 1953), defensive back, (Gulfport)
* Eric Moulds (born 1973), wide receiver, (Lucedale)
* Michael Myers (born 1976), defensive tackle, (Vicksburg)
* John Nix (born 1976), defensive lineman (arena football), (Lucedale)
* Jerious Norwood (born 1983), running back, (Jackson)
* Kevin Norwood (born 1989), wide receiver, (Biloxi)
* Freddie Joe Nunn (born 1962), defensive end/linebacker, (Noxubee County)
* Michael Oher (born 1986), offensive tackle, (Oxford)
* Will Overstreet (born 1979), linebacker, (Jackson)
* Joe Owens (1946–2013), defensive end, (Columbia)
* Eddie Payton (born 1951), running back, (Columbia)
* Walter Payton (1954–1999), half back, (Columbia)
* Derek Pegues (born 1986), safety, (Batesville)
* Ray Perkins (1941–2020), wide receiver/coach (Petal)
* Marlo Perry (born 1972), linebacker, (Forest)
* Vernon Perry (born 1953), cornerback, (Jackson)
* Stephen Peterman (born 1982), offensive guard, (Gulfport)
* Danny Pierce (born 1948), running back, (Laurel)
* Lawrence Pillers (born 1952), defensive end, (Hazelhurst)
* Todd Pinkston (born 1977), wide receiver, (Forest)
* Clinton Portis (born 1981), running back, (Laurel)
* Jeff Posey (born 1975), linebacker, (Bassfield)
* Clyde Powers (born 1951), safety, (Pascagoula)
* Glover Quin (born 1986), cornerback, (McComb)
* Eddie Ray (born 1947), running back, (Vicksburg)
* Oscar Reed (born 1944), running back, (Jonestown)
* Johnny Rembert (born 1961), linebacker, (Hollandale)
* Will Renfro (1932–2010), offensive tackle, (Batesville)
* Jerry Rice (born 1962), wide receiver, (Starkville)
* Bobby Richards (born 1938), defensive linemen, (Columbus)
* Gloster Richardson (1942–2020), wide receiver, (Greenville)
* Willie Richardson (1939–2016), wide receiver, (Clarksdale)
* Stevan Ridley (born 1989), running back, (Natchez)
* Dwayne Rudd (born 1976), linebacker, (Batesville)
* Tyrone Rush (born 1971), running back, (Meridian)
* Jamarca Sanford (born 1985), safety, (Batesville)
* John Sawyer (born 1953), tight end, (Brookhaven)
* Cedric Scott (born 1977), defensive tackle (Canadian Football League), (Gulfport)
* Billy Shaw (born 1938), offensive guard, (Natchez)
* Harold Shaw (born 1974), fullback and occasional linebacker, (Magee)
* Derek Sherrod (born 1989), offensive tackle, (Caledonia)
* Billy Shields (born 1954), tackle, (Vicksburg)
* Kendall Simmons (born 1979), guard, (Ripley)
* Terrance Simmons (born 1976), defensive tackle, (Moss Point)
* Eugene Sims (born 1986), defensive end, (Mize)
* Jackie Slater (born 1954), offensive tackle, (Jackson)
* Aldon Smith (born 1989), outside linebacker, (Greenwood)
* Jackie Smith (born 1940), tight end, (Columbia)
* Jimmy Smith (born 1969), wide receiver, (Jackson)
* Noland Smith (born 1943), wide receiver/return specialist, (Jackson)
* Bradley Sowell (born 1989), offensive tackle, (Hernando)
* Armegis Spearman (born 1978), linebacker, (Oxford)
* Chris Spencer (born 1982), center, (Madison)
* Irving Spikes (born 1970), running back, (Ocean Springs)
* Billy Stacy (1936–2019), safety, (Drew)
* Thomas Strauthers (born 1961), defensive lineman, (Wesson)
* Diron Talbert (born 1944), defensive tackle, (Pascagoula)
* Don Talbert (born 1939), offensive tackle, (Louisville)
* Malcolm Taylor (born 1960), defensive end, (Crystal Springs)
* Daryl Terrell (born 1975), offensive lineman, (Vossburg)
* Fred Thomas (born 1973), cornerback, (Bruce)
* Norris Thomas (born 1954), cornerback, (Inverness)
* Sarah Thomas (born 1973), NFL official, (Pascagoula)
* Eric Tillman (born c. 1957), general manager of the Canadian Football League, (Jackson)
* Lewis Tillman (born 1966), running back, (Hazlehurst)
* Billy Tohill (1939–2000), head coach, (Batesville)
* Willie Totten (born 1962), head coach, (Leflore County)
* Deshea Townsend (born 1975), cornerback, (Batesville)
* Bill Triplett (born 1940), running back, (Shaw)
* Billy Truax (born 1943), tight end, (Gulfport)
* Jim Urbanek (1945–2009), defensive tackle, (Oxford)
* Gerald Vaughn (born 1970), defensive back (Canadian Football League), (Abbeville)
* Jim Walden (born c. 1938), head coach, (Aberdeen)
* Kenyatta Walker (born 1979), offensive tackle, (Meridian)
* Gavin Walls (born 1980), defensive end (Canadian Football League), (Ripley)
* Wesley Walls (born 1966), tight end, (Batesville)
* Tom Walters (born 1942), safety, (Petal)
* Chris Washington (born 1962), linebacker, (Jackson)
* Swayze Waters (born 1987), kicker, (Jackson)
* Kendell Watkins (born 1973), tight end, (Jackson)
* Willie West (born 1938), defensive back, (Lexington)
* Chris White (born 1983), guard, (Winona)
* Larry Whigham (born 1972), cornerback, (Hattiesburg)
* Ben Williams (1954–2020), defensive lineman, (Yazoo City)
* Grant Williams (born 1974), offensive tackle, (Hattiesburg)
* Greg Williams (born 1959), safety, (Greenville)
* John Williams (1945–2012), offensive lineman, (Jackson)
* Sammy Williams (born 1974), offensive tackle, (Magnolia)
* Odell Willis (born 1984), defensive lineman (American and Canadian Football Leagues), (Meridian)
* Damien Wilson (born 1993), linebacker, (Gloster)
* Sammy Winder (born 1959), running back, (Madison)
* Mike Withycombe (born 1964), guard, (Meridian)
* Otis Wonsley (born 1957), running back, (Pascagoula)
* Lee Woodruff (1909–1947), running back, (Batesville)
* Keith Woodside (born 1964), running back, (Natchez)
* Abe Woodson (1934–2014), cornerback/kick returner, (Jackson)
* Marv Woodson (born 1941), defensive back, (Hattiesburg)
* Floyd Womack (born 1978), offensive tackle, (Cleveland)
* Cornelius Wortham (born 1982), linebacker, (Calhoun City)
* K. J. Wright (born 1989), linebacker, (Olive Branch)
* Ellis Wyms (born 1979), defensive lineman, (Indianola)

## Other sports

* Fletcher Abram (born 1950), Olympic handball player, (Cary)
* Trey Alexander (born 1983), professional soccer midfielder, (Meridian)
* Henry Armstrong (1912–1988), professional boxer, (Columbus)
* Lisa Aukland (born 1958), professional bodybuilder and powerlifter
* Earl W. Bascom (1906–1995), rodeo, (Columbia)
* Ralph Boston (1939–2023), Olympic long jumper, (Laurel)
* Tori Bowie (born 1990), Olympic and world champion sprinter, (Sand Hill)
* Devin Britton (born 1991), tennis player, (Jackson)
* Lee Calhoun (1933–1989), Olympic track athlete and college track coach, (Laurel)
* Shelby Cannon (born 1966), professional tennis player, (Hattiesburg)
* Commodore Cochran (1902–1969), Olympic track athlete
* Roy Cochran (1919–1981), Olympic track athlete, (Richton)
* Floyd Cummings (born 1949), heavyweight boxer
* Tony Dees (born 1963), Olympic hurdler, (Pascagoula)
* Craig Demmin (born 1971), soccer defender
* Ted DiBiase (born 1954), professional wrestler, (Clinton)
* Ted DiBiase Jr. (born 1982), professional wrestler, (Clinton)
* Brett DiBiase (born 1988), Professional wrestler, (Clinton)
* Barbara Ferrell (born 1947), Olympic track athlete, (Hattiesburg)
* Jim Gallagher Jr. (born 1961), professional golfer, (Greenwood)
* Bobby Hamilton (1957–2007), NASCAR driver, (Columbia)
* James Harris (1950–2020), professional wrestler. "Kamala The Ugandan Giant," (Senatobia)
* Otis Harris (born 1982), Olympic track and field athlete, (Edwards)
* Jimmy Hart (born 1944), professional wrestling manager, (Jackson)
* Josh Hayes (born 1975), professional motorcycle roadracer, (Gulfport)
* Floyd Heard (born 1966), track and field sprinter, (West Point)
* Leroy Jones (1950–2010), professional boxer, (Meridian)
* Sam Kendricks (born 1992), Olympic pole vaulter, (Oxford)
* Bianca Knight (born 1989), Olympic track and field athlete, (Ridgeland)
* Iris Kyle (born 1974), 10-time overall Ms. Olympia professional bodybuilder
* Justin Mapp (born 1984), professional soccer player, (Brandon)
* Cory McGee (born 1992), Olympian, track and field middle-distance runner, (Pass Christian)
* Kennedy McKinney (born 1966), professional boxer, (Hernando)
* Coby Miller (born 1976), track and field athlete, (Ackerman)
* Savante Stringfellow (born 1978), Olympic long jumper (Jackson)
* Mary Mills (born 1940), professional golfer, (Laurel)
* Larry Myricks (born 1956), Olympic long jumper, (Clinton)
* Terri O'Connell (born 1964), motorsports racer, (Corinth)
* Mathieu Olivier (born 1997), ice hockey player, (Biloxi)
* Cliff Pace (born 1980), professional fisherman, (Petal, Mississippi)
* Reed Pierce (born 1963), professional pool player, (Jackson)
* Brittney Reese (born 1986), Olympic long jumper, (Gulfport)
* Jeremiah Riggs (born 1982), professional wrestler (Vicksburg)
* Kevin Robertson (born 1959), Olympic water polo player, (Biloxi)
* Chris Shivers (born 1978), professional bull rider, (Natchez)
* Calvin Smith (born 1961), Olympic sprinter, (Bolton)
* Lake Speed (born 1948), NASCAR driver, (Jackson)
* Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (born 1987), stock car driver, (Olive Branch)
* Dallas Stewart (born 1959), thoroughbred horse trainer, (McComb)
* Ernie Terrell (1939–2014), former WBA heavyweight boxing champion, (Belzoni)
* Charles Walker (born 1934), checkers champion and minister, (Petal)
* Herb Washington (born 1951), sprinter/pinch runner, (Belzoni)

## Broadcast media personalities

* Red Barber (1908–1992), sportscaster, (Columbus)
* Ron Franklin (1942–2022), ESPN sportscaster, (Jackson)