- Jan 2 Ludmila Formanová, Czech athlete (World C'ship gold 800m 1999), born in Čáslav, Czech Republic
- Jan 2 Tomáš Řepka, Czech soccer defender (46 caps; Sparta Prague, Fiorentina, West Ham United), born in Slavičín, Czech Republic
- Jan 3 Alessandro Petacchi, Italian road cyclist (Tour de France 2010; Giro d'Italia 2004; Vuelta a España 2005), born in La Spezia, Italy
- Jan 3 Stefan Ustorf, Kaufbeuren Ger, NHL right wing (Washington Capitals)
- Jan 6 Daniel Cordone, Argentine footballer, born in General Rodríguez Partido, Argentina
- Jan 6 Juan Roque, American football tackle (Detroit Lions), born in San Diego, California
- Jan 6 Marcus Crandell, CFL quarterback (Edmonton Eskimos), born in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Jan 6 Paul Grant, NBA center (Minn Timberwolves), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Jan 8 Arjan Blaauw, Dutch soccer player (FC Groningen), born in Stadskanaal, Netherlands
- Jan 9 Craig Wishart, Zimbabwean cricketer (Zimbabwe Test batsman vs South Africa 1995), born in Harare, Zimbabwe
- Jan 10 Davide Dionigi, Italian footballer, born in Modena, Italy
- Jan 10 Hollis Thomas, American football defensive tackle (Philadelphia Eagles), born in Abilene, Texas
- Jan 10 Steve Marlet, French footballer, born in Pithiviers, France
- Jan 11 Goran Lozanovski, Australian soccer midfielder (Olyroos, Olympics 1996)
- Jan 11 Jens Nowotny, German footballer, born in Malsch, Germany
- Jan 11 Rod Jones, American NFL guard (Cincinnati Bengals), born in Detroit, Michigan
- Jan 11 Warren Morris, American baseball infielder (Olympic bronze 1996), born in Alexandria, Louisiana
- Jan 12 Tor Arne Hetland, Norwegian cross-country skier, born in Stavanger, Norway
- Jan 13 Sergei Brylin, Russian ice hockey center (Stanley Cup 1995, 2000, 03 NJ Devils), born in Moscow, Russia
- Jan 14 Nancy Napolski-Johnson, American sports shooter (Olympic gold 10m air rifle 2000), born in Hinsdale, Idaho
- Jan 15 Mike Minter, American football safety (Carolina Panthers) and college coach (Campbell University 2013-23), born in Cleveland, Ohio
- Jan 15 Ray King, American MLB baseball pitcher, 1999-2008 (Milwaulkee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, and 6 other teams), born in Chicago, Illinois
- Jan 17 Derrick Mason, American football wide receiver (First-team All-Pro 2000; Pro Bowl 2000, 03; Tennessee Oilers/Titans), born in Detroit, Michigan
- Jan 17 Guillermo Mercedes, Dominican-American baseball infielder (Texas Rangers), born in La Romana, Dominican Republic
- Jan 17 Marcus Spriggs, American offensive tackle (Buffalo Bills), born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
- Jan 17 Yang Chen, Chinese footballer, born in Beijing, China
- Jan 19 Amaury Telemaco, Dominican baseball pitcher (Chicago Cubs), born in Higüey, Dominican Republic
- Jan 19 Gregory Playfair, Dutch football player (PSV), born in Paramaribo, Suriname
- Jan 19 Jaime Moreno, Bolivian footballer, born in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
- Jan 19 Tarik Oulida, Dutch football player (Ajax/Seville), born in Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Jan 19 Walter Jones, American football offensive tackle (Seattle Seahawks), born in Aliceville, Alabama
- Jan 20 Rae Carruth, American football wide receiver (Carolina Panthers), born in Sacramento, California
- Jan 21 Alex Sperafico, Brazilian racing driver
- Jan 21 Jerald Sowell, American football fullback (NY Jets), born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Jan 21 Jerry Wunsch, tackle (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
- Jan 21 Keith Hufnagel, American skateboarder (founded skate/clothing company HUF), born in New York City (d. 2020)
- Jan 21 Orpheus Roye, defensive end (Pittsburgh Steelers)
- Jan 22 Stephanie Rottier, Dutch tennis player (1995 semi Prague), born in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium
- Jan 23 Glen Chapple, English cricketer (Lancashire & England A pace bowler), born in Skipton, United Kingdom
- Jan 23 Yosvani Pérez, Cuban baseball player, born in Rodas, Cuba
- Jan 24 Tim Biakabutuka, American football running back (Carolina Panthers), born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Jan 27 Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Norwegian biathlete and coach, born in Drammen, Norway
- Jan 28 Jermaine Dye, American baseball outfielder (MLB All-Star 2000, 06; World Series MVP 2005 Chicago White Sox; Gold Glove Award 2000 KC Royals), born in Oakland, California
- Jan 28 Magglio Ordóñez, Venezuelan baseball outfielder (6 × MLB All-Star; AL batting champion 2007 Detroit Tigers; Chicago WS), born in Caracas, Venezuela
- Jan 28 Tony Delk, American basketball guard (NCAA C'ship, Final Four MVP 1996 Kentucky; Greek C'ship, Greek Cup, EuroLeague C'ship 2007 Panathinaikos), born in Covington, Tennessee
- Jan 30 Robert Rollins, English cricketer (big-hitting Essex wicketkeeper-batsman), born in London, England
- Jan 31 Ariel Pestano, Cuban baseball player, born in Cuba
- Jan 31 Bob Mulder, Dutch football player (Appingedam, FC Groningen), born in Delfzijl, Netherlands
- Jan 31 Lorenzo Styles, American football linebacker (Atlanta Falcons), born in Sharon, Pennsylvania
- Jan 31 Othella Harrington, American basketball forward (Houston Rockets), born in Jackson, Mississippi
- Jan 31 Pavi Sald, Finnish ice hockey defenseman (Finland, Olympics 1998)
About January 1974
How Old? 50 years old
Generation: Generation X
Leap Year: No
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions