- Jan 1 Vladimir Kiselyov, Ukranian-Soviet athlete (Olympic gold, 1980- shot put), born in Myski, USSR (d. 2021)
- Jan 2 Lynne Cox, American long-distance open-water swimmer known for easing Cold War tensions by swimming from the US to the Soviet Union in 1987, born in Boston, Massachusetts
- Jan 5 Kevin Hastings, Australian rugby league footballer, born in Surry Hills, Australia
Nancy Lopez (67 years old)
Jan 6 American golfer (3 major titles, 48 LPGA Tour wins), born in Torrance, California
- Jan 7 Julian Solis, Puerto Rican boxer, born in Rio Pedras, Puerto Rico
- Jan 8 Dwight Clark, American football wide receiver ("The Catch" 1981 Super Bowl SF 49ers; First team All-Pro 1982; 2 × Pro Bowl) and executive (SF 49ers, Cleveland Browns), born in Kingston, North Carolina (d. 2018)
- Jan 11 Bryan Robson, English soccer midfielder and manager (90 caps; Manchester United, WBA, Middlesborough), born in Chester-le-Street, England
- Jan 11 Darryl Dawkins, American basketball center (Philadelphia 76ers, NJ Nets; NBA breaking a backboard rule), born in Orlando, Florida (d. 2015)
- Jan 13 Christina Seufert, Sacraento California, diver (Olympic bronze 1984)
Mark O'Meara (67 years old)
Jan 13 American golfer (US Masters, British Open 1988), born in Goldsboro, North Carolina
Mike Bossy (1957-2022)
Jan 22 Canadian Hockey HOF right wing (Stanley Cup 1980-83; Conn Smythe Trophy 1982; 7 x NHL All Star; NY Islanders), born in Montreal, Quebec
- Jan 24 Mark Eaton, American basketball center (NBA All-Star 1989; NBA Defensive Player of the Year 1985, 89; Utah Jazz), born in Westminster, California (d. 2021)
- Jan 25 Jeff Gossett, American football punter (First-team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, PFW Golden Toe Award 1991 Oakland Raiders), born in Charleston, Illinois
- Jan 26 Ashok Malhotra, Indian cricket batsman (7 Tests, 1 x 50, HS 72), born in Amritsar, India
- Jan 26 Shivlal Yadav, Indian cricket spin bowler (35 Tests, 102 wickets, BB 5/76; Hyderabad), born in Hyderabad, India
Nick Price (67 years old)
Jan 28 Zimbabwean golfer (PGA C'ship 1992, 94; British Open 1994), born in Durban, South Africa
Payne Stewart (1957-1999)
Jan 30 American golfer (US Open 1991, 99; PGA 1989), born in Springfield, Missouri
- Jan 31 Shirley Babashoff, American swimmer (Olympics-6 silver/2 gold-72, 76), born in Whittier, California
About January 1957
How Old? 67 years old
Generation: Baby Boomer
Leap Year: No
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions