- Jan 1 Hans-Joachim Stuck, German auto racer (24 Hours of Le Mans 1986-87, 96; 24 Hours of Nürburgring 1970, 98, 2004; World Sportscar C'ship 1985), born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
- Jan 4 Barbara Ann Cochran, American slalom skier (Olympic gold 1972), born in Claremont, New Hampshire
- Jan 5 Steve Arnold, English footballer, born in Willesden, London
- Jan 6 Don Gullett, American MLB baseball pitcher, 1970-78 (3 x World Series Champion - Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees), born in Lynn, Kentucky (d. 2024)
- Jan 11 Willie Maddren, English soccer defender (Middlesborough 293 games) and manager (Middlesborough 1984-86), born in Billingham, England (d. 2000)
- Jan 12 Bill Madlock, American MLB baseball third baseman, 3X All-Star, 4X NL Batting Title (Chicago Cubs; Pittsburgh Pirates and 4 other teams), born in Memphis, Tennessee
- Jan 12 Drew Pearson, American Pro Football HOF wide receiver (Super Bowl 1977; Pro Bowl, First-team All-Pro 1974, 76, 77; Dallas Cowboys), born in South River, New Jersey
- Jan 14 Gil Pak Jong, North Korean judoka (Olympic-1976)
- Jan 17 Rolando Thoeni, Italian slalom (Olympic bronze 1972), born in Trafoi
- Jan 17 Yury Zaitsev, Russian weightlifter (Olympic gold USSR 110kg 1976), born in Pobedino, Sakhalin Oblast, Russia (d. 2022)
- Jan 18 Bob Latchford, English footballer, born in Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Jan 22 Ondrej Nepela, Slovak figure skater (Olympic gold men's singles 1972; World C'ships gold 1971, 72, 73), born in Bratislava, Slovakia (d. 1989)
- Jan 23 Margaret Johnson Bailes, American 4x100 runner (Olympic gold 1968), born in The Bronx, New York
- Jan 23 Michael R. Matz, American horse trainer & equestrian (Olympic silver 1996), born in Collegeville, Pennsylvania
- Jan 25 Hans-Jürgen Dörner, German soccer defender (96 caps; Dynamo Dresden 400 games) and manager (Werder Bremen), born in Görlitz, Germany (d. 2022)
- Jan 26 Jarmila Kratochvilova, Czech athlete (World C'ship gold 400/800m 1983; Olympic silver 400m 1980), born in Golčův Jeníkov, Czech Republic
- Jan 29 Andy Roberts, West Indian cricket fast bowler (47 Tests, 202 wickets, BB 7/54; Hampshire CCC, Leeward Islands, Leicestershire CCC), born in Urlings Village, Antigua
- Jan 30 Trevor Laughlin, Australian cricketer (Australian all-rounder 1978-79), born in Nyah West, Australia
- Jan 31 Juan de Dios Castillo, Mexican soccer coach (Copa Centroamericana 2011 Honduras; El Salvador), born in Mexico City (d. 2014)
About January 1951
How Old? 73 years old
Generation: Baby Boomer
Leap Year: No
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions