- May 1 Odilon Polleunis, Belgian soccer striker (22 caps; Sint-Truiden, RWD Molenbeek, KSK Tongerenborn), born in Sint-Truiden, Belgium (d. 2023)
- May 5 Andy Roxburgh, Scottish football player, coach and manager, born in Glasgow, Scotland
- May 5 Billie Moore, American Basketball HOF coach (NCAA National C'ship California State-Fullerton Titans 1970, UCLA Bruins 1978), born in Humansville, Missouri (d. 2022)
- May 9 Maurice Foster, West Indian cricket batsman (14 Tests, 1 x 100, HS 125; Jamaica), born in St. Mary, Jamaica
- May 10 Andrzej Badeński, Polish athlete (400 metres) (d. 2008)
- May 10 Bruce Raymond, British jockey, born in Hatfield
- May 11 Nancy Greene Raine OC OBC OD, Canadian alpine skier (Olympic gold giant slalom 1968; World C'ship gold giant slalom, combined 1968) and senator (BC), born in Ottawa, Ontario
- May 17 Johnny Warren, Australian Footballer (d. 2004)
- May 17 Rui Rodrigues, Portuguese soccer centre-back (12 caps; Académica, Benfica, Vitória Guimarães), born in Lourenço Marques, Portuguese Mozambique (d.2024)
- May 20 Deryck Murray, cricket wicket-keeper (West Indian 1963-80)
- May 22 Edgar Marín, Costa Rican soccer striker (32 caps; Saprissa, Oakland Clippers, Kansas City Spurs), born in Pueblo Nuevo, Costa Rica (d. 2023)
Tommy John (80 years old)
May 22 American baseball pitcher (Yankee/Dodger), born in Terre Haute, Indiana
- May 26 Erica Terpstra, Dutch swimmer (Olympic silver 4×100m medley relay, bronze 4×100m freestyle relay 1964) and politician (VVD), born in The Hague, Netherlands
- May 28 Liz Edgar, horse show jumper
- May 30 Francesco Rizzo, Italian soccer midfielder (2 caps; Cagliari, ACF Fiorentina, Bologna FC, Genoa CFC), born in Rovito, Italy (d. 2022)
Gale Sayers (1943-2020)
May 30 American College and Pro Football Hall of Fame halfback, 4X Pro Bowl, 2X NFL rushing leader (Chicago Bears), and source for the TV movie "Brian's Song", born in Wichita, Kansas [1]
- May 30 Leon Burtnett, American college football coach (Purdue University 1982-86; Big Ten Coach of the Year 1984), born in Fresno, California (d. 2021)
Joe Namath (80 years old)
May 31 American Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Super Bowl 1969; Super Bowl MVP 1969; Pro Bowl 1972; NY Jets), born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania
About May 1943
How Old? 80 years old
Generation: Silent Generation
Leap Year: No
Chinese Zodiac: Goat/Sheep
Star Signs: Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20), Gemini (May 21 - Jun 20)
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
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NFL Stars
Tennis Champions