Athletes and Sports Stars Born in 1961

Birthdays 1 - 200 of 262

Mark Messier (63 years old)

Jan 18 Canadian NHL Center (Edmonton, NY Rangers), born in Edmonton, Alberta

Jan 18 Peter Beardsley, English footballer, born in Hexham, United Kingdom
Jan 23 Fausto Gresini, Italian Grand Prix motorcycle racer (125cc World C'ship 1985, 87) and team manager (Aprilia Racing, Gresini MotoGP), born in Imola, Italy (d. 2021)
Jan 23 Trey Junkin, American football tight end (Arizona Cardinals), born in Conway, Arkansas
Jan 24 William Van Dijck, Belgian athlete, born in Leuven, Belgium

Jan 26 Canadian ice hockey HOF center (Stanley Cup 1984, 85, 87, 88; Hart Memorial Trophy [MVP] 1980–87, 89; Art Ross Trophy [scoring champion] 1981–87, 90, 91, 94; Edmonton Oilers, LA Kings), born in Brantford, Ontario

Jan 27 Jean-Paul Banos, Lavelanet France, Canada sabre (Olympic 9/10-88, 92, 96)
Jan 30 Ranjit Madurasinghe, Sri Lankan cricketer (3 Tests for Sri Lanka 1988-92), born in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka
Feb 1 Jim Pace, American auto racer (24 Hours of Daytona 1996), born in Monticello, Mississippi (d. 2020)
Feb 1 Volker Fried, German field hockey player (Olympic gold 1992; silver 1984, 88; 290 caps), born in Osnabrück, Niedersachsen, Germany
Feb 3 Jay Adams, American skateboarder (Z-Boys; Skateboarding HOF), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2014)
Feb 4 Denis Savard, Canadian NHL centre (Chicago Blackhawks) named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players' in history, born in Pointe Gatineau, Canada
Feb 5 Savvas Kofidis, Greek footballer and manager, born in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Feb 6 Bill Lester, American racing driver, born in Washington, D.C.
Feb 9 John Kruk, American baseball utility (MLB All-Star 1991–1993; Philadelphia Phillies), born in Charleston, West Virginia
Feb 10 David Ward, British cricketer (prolific Surrey batsman), born in Croydon, United Kingdom
Feb 10 Eva Pfaff, German tennis player (Australian Open doubles 1982 runner-up), born in Königstein im Taunus, Germany
Feb 11 Mary Docter, American 3000m speed skater (Olympics 1980, 84, 88, 92), born in Madison, Wisconsin
Feb 16 Brett Brown, American basketball head coach (Philadelphia 76ers 2013-19; Australian men's national team), born in South Portland, Maine
Feb 17 Guy McIntyre, American football guard (Super Bowl 1984, 88, 89 SF 49ers; 5 × Pro Bowl; All-Pro 1992; Philadelphia Eagles), born in Thomasville, Georgia
Feb 18 Alycia Moulton, American tennis player, born in Sacramento, California
Feb 19 Andy Wallace, English auto racer (24 Hours of Le Mans 1988; 24 Hours of Daytona 1990, 97, 99; 12 Hours of Sebring 1992, 93), born in Oxford, England
Feb 19 Justin Fashanu, English soccer forward (first openly gay pro footballer; first black footballer to command £1 million transfer fee), born in London, England (d. 1998)
Feb 20 Steve Lundquist, US swimmer (Olympics 2 gold-1984)
Feb 21 Bertha Faye, American wrestler (d. 2001)
Feb 21 Yobes Ondieki, Kenyan 10K runner (world record)
Feb 22 Mike Morris, American NFL center (Minnesota Vikings), born in Centerville, Iowa
Feb 25 Davey Allison, American auto racer (Daytona 500 1992), born in Hollywood, Florida (d. 1993)

James Worthy (63 years old)

Feb 27 American NBA forward (LA Lakers, 1988 Playoff MVP), born in Gastonia, North Carolina

Feb 28 Barry McGuigan, Irish boxer, born in Clones, Ireland
Feb 28 Eric Bachelart, Belgian racing driver
Mar 1 Mike Rozier, American College Football Hall of Fame halfback (Heisman Trophy 1983, Nebraska; Pro Bowl 1987, 88, Houston Oilers), born in Camden, New Jersey
Mar 3 Perry McCarthy, English racing driver, born in Stepney, London
Mar 3 Vyachselav Ivanenko, Russian race walker (Olympic gold 50k 1988), born in Kemerovo, Russia, USSR

Ray Mancini (63 years old)

Mar 4 American boxer (WBA lightweight title 1982-84), born in Youngstown, Ohio

Mar 5 Zeke Mowatt, NFL tight end (NY Giants)
Mar 8 Larry Murphy, Scarborough, NHL defenseman (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Mar 9 Mike Leach, American college football coach (Texas Tech 2000-09, Washington State University 2012-19, Mississippi State 2020-22), born in Susanville, California (d. 2022)
Mar 10 Bobby Petrino, American football coach
Mar 10 Jesse Sapolu, Samoan NFL guard (SF 49ers), born in Apia, Samoa
Mar 10 Mitch Gaylord, American gymnast (Olympics 1984), actor (American Anthem), born in Van Nuys, California
Mar 10 Pam Oliver, American sportscaster, born in Dallas, Texas
Mar 13 Cor Lems, Dutch soccer player (ADO The Hague/Dordrecht '90), born in Rotterdam, Netherlansds
Mar 14 Greg Anderson, American NHRA stock car driver, born in Duluth, Minnesota
Mar 15 Craig Ludwig, American NHL defenseman (Dallas Stars), born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Mar 15 Terry Cummings, American NBA forward (Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers), born in Chicago, Illinois
Mar 16 Mel Gray, NFL wide receiver/kick returner (Houston/Tennessee Oilers)
Mar 18 Kevan James, English cricket all-rounder (4 wickets/4 balls + 103 Hampshire v India 1996), born in Lambeth, England
Mar 19 Jos Lansink, Dutch-Belgian equestrian
Mar 20 Jesper Olsen, Danish footballer, born in Faxe, Denmark
Mar 20 Kathy Baker-Guadagnino, American golfer (US Open 1985), born in Albany, New York
Mar 21 Lothar Matthäus, German footballer
Mar 24 Dean Jones, Australian cricket batsman and broadcaster (52 Tests @ 46.55; 164 ODIs; Victoria), born in Coburg, Australia (d. 2020)
Mar 24 Jim Gallagher Jr, American golfer (PGA C'ship 1992 runner-up), born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Mar 25 Mark Brooks, American golfer (PGA Championship 1996), born in Fort Worth, Texas
Mar 27 Ellery Hanley, British rugby league player, born in Leeds
Mar 27 Tony Rominger, Swiss road racing cyclist, born in Vejle, Denmark
Mar 28 Byron Scott, American NBA guard (Vancouver Grizzlies), born in Ogden, Utah
Mar 29 Gary Brabham, Australian auto racer, (British Formula 3000 C'ship 1989; 12 Hours of Sebring 1991), born in London, England
Mar 30 Doug Wickenheiser, Canadian ice hockey player (d. 1999)
Mar 31 Ron Brown, American athlete (Olympic gold 4 x 100m 1984), born in Los Angeles, California
Apr 1 Jim Jeffcoat, American NFL defensive end (Super Bowl 1992, 93 Dallas Cowboys) and coach (Dallas Cowboys DL 1998-2004), born in Long Branch, New Jersey
Apr 1 Sergio Scariolo, Italian basketball coach (NBA: assistant Toronto Raptors; head coach Spain; World Cup gold 2019), born in Brescia, Italy
Apr 7 Pascal Olmeta, French footballer
Apr 9 Kirk McCaskill, Canadian MLB pitcher (Chicago White Sox), born in Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada
Apr 12 Julius Kariuki, Kenyan 3K steeplechaser (Olympic gold 1988), born in Nyahururu, Kenya
Apr 15 Tiina Lillak, Finnish javelin thrower (Olympic silver 1984), born in Helsinki, Finland
Apr 17 Boomer Esiason, American NFL quarterback (NY Jets, Cincinnati Bengals), born in East Islip, New York
Apr 17 Norman Cowans, Jamaican cricketer (England fast bowler in 19 Tests 1982-85), born in St. Mary, Jamaica
Apr 19 Richard Phelps, British pentathlete (Olympic bronze 1988), born in Gloucester, England

Don Mattingly (62 years old)

Apr 20 American MLB 1st baseman (6 x MLB All-Star; AL MVP 1985; 9 x Gold Glove; 3 x Silver Slugger; AL batting champion 1984; NY Yankees) and manager (LA Dodgers, Miami Marlins), born in Evansville, Indiana

Apr 22 Jeff Hostetler, NFL quarterback (NY Giants, Raiders, Redskins/1990 Super Bowl)
Apr 22 Jimmy Key, Huntsville Alabama, pitcher (Blue Jays, NY Yanks, Orioles)
Apr 24 Roger Mayweather, American boxer, (WBA & lineal super featherweight titles 1983-84, WBC light welterweight 1987-89; IBO light welterweight; IBO welterweight 1994-95), born in Grand Rapids, Michigan (d. 2020)
Apr 25 Agneta Andersson, Swedish sprint canoer (Olympic gold K-1 500 1984, K-2 500 1984, 96; World C'ship gold K-2 500 1993), born in Karlskoga, Sweden (d. 2023)
Apr 26 Al Lawrence, Jamaican 4X100m relayer (Olympic silver 1984), born in Jamaica
Apr 26 Nancy Scranton, American golfer (du Maurier Classic 1991), born in Centralia, Illinois
Apr 28 Cathy Gerring, American golfer (Solheim Cup 1990), born in Fort Wayne, Indiana

Isiah Thomas (62 years old)

Apr 30 American NBA point guard (Detroit Pistons; 1990 NBA playoff MVP), born in Chicago, Illinois

May 1 Charlie O'Brien, American MLB catcher (pioneered hockey style catcher's mask; World Series 1995 Atlanta Braves), born in Tulsa, Oklahoma
May 1 Steven Cauthen, American Hall of Fame jockey (Triple Crown 1978-Affirmed, Epsom Derby 1985, 87; Ascot Gold Cup 1984, 87), born in Covington, Kentucky
May 2 Peter Doohan, Australian professional tennis player, born in Newcastle, NSW (d. 2017)
May 3 Steve McClaren, English football manager, born in Fulford, York, England
May 4 Luis Herrera, Colombian cyclist (Vuelta a España General classification 1987; Tour de France mountains classification 1985, 87; Giro d'Italia mountains classification 1989), born in Fusagasugá, Colombia
May 10 Blyth Tait, New Zealand equestrian (Olympic gold Individual eventing 1996, bronze 1992), born in Whangārei, New Zealand
May 10 Randy Cunneyworth, Canadian ice hockey left wing (Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers) and coach (Atlanta Thrashers, Montreal Canadiens), born in Etobicoke, Ontario
May 12 Thomas Dooley, American soccer midfielder (81 caps; FC Homburg, 1. FC Kaiserslautern), born in Bechhofen, Germany

Dennis Rodman (62 years old)

May 13 American NBA forward (Chicago Bulls), born in Trenton, New Jersey

May 14 Alain Vigneault, Canadian NHL ice hockey coach, since 1997 (New York Rangers, 2013-18; Philadelphia Flyers, 2019-present; and two other teams), born in Quebec City, Quebec
May 20 Vaughn Jefferis, New Zealand equestrian rider (World C'ship gold 1994, 98; Olympic bronze 1996), born in Huntly, New Zealand
May 23 Dave Babych, Edmonton, NHL defenseman (Vancouver Canucks)
May 23 Kevin Romine, baseball player
May 26 Stephen Pate, American golfer (6 PGA Tour titles, US Open 1988, US Masters 1990 3rd), born in Ventura, California
May 27 Jill Sterkel, American swimmer (Olympic gold, 1976 & 1984; bronze, 1988), born in Hacienda Heights, California
May 27 John Lugbill, Wauseon Ohio, US canoeist/kayaker (Olympic-92)
Jun 1 John Huston, American golfer (US Masters 1990 3rd, 7 PGA Tour titles), born in Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Paul Coffey (62 years old)

Jun 1 Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame defenceman (Norris Trophy 1984–85, 1985–86, 1994–95; 14 x NHL All Star; Stanley Cup 1984, 85, 87-Edmonton, 1991-Pittsburgh), born in Weston, Ontario

Jun 1 Werner Günthör, Swiss athlete (World C'ship gold, shot put 1987, 91, 93; Olympic bronze 1988), born in Uttwil, Switzerland
Jun 2 Kerry Junna-Saxby, Australian 10k walker (Olympics-15th-1992, 96)
Jun 3 César Zabala, Paraguayan soccer defender (49 caps; Cerro Porteño), born in Luque, Paraguay (d. 2020)
Jun 3 Kevin Arnott, Zimbabwean cricketer (batsman, 101* v NZ 1992)
Jun 3 Peter Vidmar, American gymnast (Olympic gold pommel horse, team; silver all-round 1984), born in Los Angeles, California
Jun 5 Ramesh Krishnan, Indian tennis star (Davis Cup 1987), born in Chennai, India
Jun 6 Aldo Costa, Italian engineer and the Engineering Director of the Mercedes Formula One team, born in Parma, Italy
Jun 6 Bill Bates, American football safety (Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII, XXX; Pro Bowl 1984; Dallas Cowboys), born in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Jun 8 Kevin Gross, American baseball pitcher (Texas Rangers), born in Downey, California
Jun 12 Rod Latham, New Zealand cricketer (NZ opening batsman), born in Christchurch, New Zealand
Jun 14 Sam Perkins, American NBA forward and center (Seattle Supersonics), born in Brooklyn, New York
Jun 15 Dave McAuley, Northern Irish boxer
Jun 16 Robbie Kerr, Australian cricketer (Queensland opener 2 Tests for Australia 1985)
Jun 18 Andrés Galarraga, Venezuelan baseball infielder (5 × MLB All-Star; Gold Glove Award 1989, 90; NL batting champion 1993 Colorado Rockies, Montreal Expos), born in Caracas, Venezuela
Jun 20 Gary Varsho, baseball player
Jun 20 Karin Enke, German speed skater (3 Olympic gold 1980, 84), born in Dresden, Germany
Jun 22 Stephen Batchelor, British Olympic hockey player, born in Beare Green, Surrey
Jun 23 LaSalle Thompson, NBA forward/center (Philadelphia 76ers)
Jun 24 Bernie Nicholls, Canadian NHL center, 1981-99 (Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, and 4 other teams), born in Haliburton, Ontario
Jun 24 Natalya Shaposhnikova, Soviet artistic gymnast (Olympic gold 1980), born in Rostov-on-Don, USSR

Greg LeMond (62 years old)

Jun 26 American road cyclist (Tour de France 1986, 89, 90; World C'ship gold road race 1983, 89), born in Lakewood, California

Jun 28 Jay Schroeder, NFL quarterback (Wash Redskins, LA Raiders), born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jun 28 Jeff Malone, American basketball guard (NBA All-Star 1986, 87; Utah Jazz, Washington Bullets), born in Mobile, Alabama
Jun 30 Karolyn Kirby, American beach volleyball player (Goodwill-gold-94), born in Brookline, Massachusetts

Carl Lewis (62 years old)

Jul 1 American sprinter and long jumper (9 Olympic gold 1984, 88, 92, 96), born in Birmingham, Alabama

Jul 1 Malcolm Elliott, British road cyclist (Tour of Britain 1988), born in Sheffield, England
Jul 4 Connie Paraskevin-Young, American sprint cyclist (Olymp-br-88, 92, 96), born in Detroit, Michigan
Jul 5 Zlatko Saračević, Croatian handball player (145 caps Yugoslavia, 75 Croatia; Olympic gold 1996 Croatia), born in Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina (d. 2021)
Jul 6 Benita Fitzgerald-Brown, American 100m hurdler (Olympic gold 1984), born in Warrenton, Virginia
Jul 13 Anders Jarryd, Lidkoping Sweden, tennis star
Jul 13 Stelios Manolas, Greek soccer defender (71 caps; AEK Athens 447 games) and manager (Niki Volos, AEK Athens), born in Naxos, Greece
Jul 19 Maria Filatova, Soviet gymnast (Olympic 1976, 80 Gold), born in Leninsk-Kuznetsky, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia
Jul 21 Don Wilson, American CFL football linebacker, 1987-98 (Edmonton Eskimos; Toronto Argonauts, British Columbia Lions), born in Washington, DC
Jul 21 Henry Ellard, American NFL wide receiver (Washington Redskins), born in Fresno, California
Jul 22 Calvin Fish, English racing driver
Jul 24 Kerry Dixon, English footballer, 1979-97, and manager, born in Luton, England
Jul 26 Dimitris Saravakos, Greek footballer (Panathinaikos F.C), born in Athens, Greece
Jul 26 Yolanda Chen, Russian triple jumper (indoor record), born in Moscow, Russia
Jul 27 Ed Orgeron, American College football coach (NCAA National C'ship 2019, Louisiana State University), born in Larose, Louisiana
Jul 28 Alexander Kurlovitch, Soviet weightlifter, born in Grodno, Soviet Union
Jul 30 Reggie Roby, American football punter (3 × Pro Bowl; All-Pro 1984, 94; NFL 1980s All-Decade Team; Miami Dolphins), born in Waterloo, Iowa (d. 2005)
Jul 31 Chris Hinton, American NFL guard (Indianapolis Colts), born in Chicago, Illinois
Aug 1 Andrew Nicholson, New Zealand equestrian (World C'ship gold team eventing 1990; Olympics silver 1992, bronze 1996, 2012), born in Te Awamutu, New Zealand
Aug 1 Brad Faxon Jr, American golfer (8 PGA Tour titles), born in Oceanport, New Jersey
Aug 1 Danny Blind, Dutch soccer star (Sparta/Ajax), born in Vlissingen, Netherlands
Aug 1 Mike Watkinson, English cricketer (England off-spinner all-rounder v WI 1995), born in Westhoughton, Lancashire
Aug 2 Ed West, American NFL tight end (Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons), born in Colbert County, Alabama
Aug 3 Ken Wark, Australian field hockey fullback (Olympic 4th/silver-88, 92, 96), born in Sydney, Australia
Aug 5 Athula Samarasekera, Sri Lankan cricketer and coach (Sri Lankan batsman), born in Galle, Sri Lanka
Aug 5 Tommy Møller Nielsen, Danish soccer manager (B1909, Viborg FF, HB Køge) and scout (Manchester United 2016-23), born in Odense, Denmark (d. 2023)
Aug 6 Earl Winfield, CFL receiver (Hamilton Tiger Cats)
Aug 6 Mary Lou, Daniels Chicago lL, tennis star
Aug 7 Walter Swinburn, English jockey (Epsom Derby 1981, 86, 95; Irish Derby 1983, 86; Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe 1983), born in Oxford, England (d. 2016)
Aug 7 Yelena Davydova, Russian gymnast (Olympic gold USSR All-round, Team 1980), coach (Canadian Women's Artistic Team 2012) and international judge (Rio Olympics 2016), born in Voronezh, Russia
Aug 8 Bruce Matthews, American NFL guard/center (Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans), born in Raleigh, North Carolina
Aug 9 Brad Gilbert, American tennis player and coach, born in Oakland, California
Aug 11 Craig Ehlo, American NBA basketball guard (Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, and 2 other teams), born in Lubbock, Texas
Aug 12 Mark Priest, New Zealand cricketer
Aug 13 (Hubertina) "Bettine" Vriesekoop, Dutch table tennis star (European Championships gold 1982, 92), journalist, and author, born in Hazerswoude, Netherlands
Aug 13 Neil Mallender, English cricketer (England pace bowler in two Tests 1992), born in Kirk Sandall, Yorkshire
Aug 14 Eddie Gilbert, American wrestler, born in Lexington, Tennessee (d. 1995)
Aug 15 Gary Kubiak, American football coach
Aug 16 Christian Okoye, Nigerian-American football player known as the "Nigerian Nightmare" (Kansas City Chiefs), born in Enugu, Nigeria
Aug 17 Jamie Macoun, Canadian NHL defenceman (Toronto Maple Leafs), born in Newmarket, Ontario
Aug 21 Danny Sheaffer, American MLB catcher (St Louis Cardinals), born in Jacksonville, Florida
Aug 21 Lance Earl Deal, American hammer thrower (Olympic silver 1996), born in Riverton, Wyoming
Aug 21 V. B. Chandrasekhar, Indian cricketer, born in Chennai, India
Aug 24 Ingrid Berghmans, Belgian judoka (8 times Belgian Sportswoman of the Year), born in Beringen, Belgium
Aug 26 Jeff Parrett, American pitcher (St Louis Cardinals), born in Indianapolis, Indiana
Sep 2 Carlos Valderrama, Colombian footballer, born in Santa Marta, Colombia
Sep 2 Jeff Russell, American MLB pitcher (Texas Rangers), born in Cincinnati, Ohio
Sep 4 Rizwan-uz-Zaman, Pakistani cricket all-rounder (11 Tests, 3 x 50, 4 wickets; Pakistan International Airlines, Karachi Whites, Karachi Blues), born in Karachi, Pakistan
Sep 9 Jim Corsi, American baseball pitcher (Oakland A's), born in Newtonville, Massachusetts
Sep 12 Christiane Jolissaint, Swiss tennis star, born in Vevey, Switzerland

Dan Marino (62 years old)

Sep 15 American College/Pro Football HOF quarterback (Uni of Pittsburgh; 9 x Pro Bowl; NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year 1984; 3 x First Team All Pro; Miami Dolphins), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Sep 16 Mark Parent, American baseball catcher (Detroit Tigers), born in Ashland, Oregon
Sep 17 Steve Clifford, American basketball head coach (Orlando Magic 2018-19; Charlotte Hornets 2013-18), born in Island Falls, Maine
Sep 20 Erwin Koeman, Dutch soccer player (PSV, FC Groningen), born in Zaandam, Netherlands
Sep 22 Dot Richardson, American softball infielder (Olympic gold 1996), born in Orlando, Florida
Sep 22 Vince Coleman, American MLB outfielder, 1985-97, NL Rookie of the Year, 6X NL stolen base leader, 2X All-Star (St. Louis Cardinals; New York Mets, and 4 other teams), born in Jacksonville, Florida
Sep 24 Allen Bestwick, American Nascar broadcaster, born in Newport, Rhode Island
Sep 25 Tim Zoehrer, Australian cricketer (Aussie keeper, & occasional WA leggie), born in Armadale, Australia
Sep 28 Anne White, American tennis player (famously wares spandex Wimbledon 1985), born in Charleston, West Virginia
Sep 28 Ed Vosberg, American pitcher (Texas Rangers), born in Tucson, Arizona
Sep 28 Yordanka Donkova, Bulgarian 100m hurdler (world record)
Sep 30 Chandrakant Pandit, Indian cricket wicket-keeper (late 80's)
Sep 30 Eric van de Poele, Belgian racing driver
Sep 30 Jorge Ricardo, Brazilian jockey (Brazilian Champion jockey 1982-2006; highest tally winning rider in thoroughbred racing), born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Oct 1 Corrie van Zyl, South African cricket all-rounder, coach, administrator (RSA coach 2010-11), born in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State
Oct 4 Mike Sharperson, American baseball infielder (MLB All Star 1992; World Series 1988, 95), born in Orangeburg, South Carolina (d. 1996)
Oct 5 David Kirk, New Zealand rugby union footballer
Oct 5 Derek Stirling, New Zealand cricket fast bowler (6 Tests, 13 wickets; Central Districts, Wellington), born in Upper Hutt, New Zealand (d. 2023)
Oct 6 Kathrin Dörre, East German marathoner (Olympic bronze 1988)
Oct 7 Tony Sparano, American football coach (Miami Dolphins 2008-11; Oakland Raiders 2014), born in West Haven, Connecticut (d. 2018)
Oct 9 Arlene Boxall, Zimbabwean field hockey player (Olympic gold 1980)