Fathers and sons often share a special bond when it comes to sports. This is especially true when it comes to father and son athletes. Whether sons follow in their famous father's footsteps, or choose to leave a mark on a different sport, athleticism and drive run in families. From the Thompsons to the Mannings, there's no shortage of father-son athlete duos in professional sports. Read on for info on your favorite father-son athletic dynasties, and have your say on who's the best by voting.
Professional Athlete Father and Son Dynasties,
Bobby and Brett Hull
Bobby Hull has a spot on the Mount Rushmore of the NHL. He's one of the best players the league has ever seen. As such, his son Brett had high expectations to live up to. While Brett isn't one of the best ever, both he and his father have earned their spots in the Hall of Fame.
Klay and Mychal Thompson
A former big man for the Trail Blazers and Lakers, Mychal Thompson has two sons who became professional athletes. Klay Thompson, one of the Splash Brothers on the Golden State Warriors team that set records in 2016, is one of the best NBA players of his generation. Trayce Thompson, Klay's brother, plays outfield for the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup.
The Mannings
Eli and Peyton are the most famous pieces of the Manning dynasty, but their father was an accomplished football player in his own right. Archie Manning doesn't have any Super Bowl rings, but the former New Orleans Saints quarterback has an impressive career stat sheet - he threw for 23,911 yards including 125 TDs. But then, Peyton holds 21 NFL records, including most passing yards, most passing TDs, and most TDs in a single season.
Cecil and Prince Fielder
The Fielders aren't known for their fielding prowess. Instead, they're two of the most notorious sluggers in the history of the MLB. Cecil and Prince are the only father and son pairing to each hit for 50 or more homers in a single season. They also co-starred in a McDonald's commercial decades ago.
Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr.
The Griffeys are a remarkable father-son duo. Unlike most duos, who play decades apart, this father and son played on the same team for two seasons. The Seattle Mariners were home to both Junior and Senior in the early '90s. During that time, they became the first father-son duo to hit back-to-back home runs.
The Boones
The Boone family wasn't content with being a father-son dynasty; their family greatness spans three generations. Ray Boone was a shortstop in the MLB throughout the 50s. His son, Bob Boone, was an all-star catcher in the '70s and '80s, as well as a manager. Bob Boone's two sons, Bret and Aaron, were both MLB all-stars as well.
Lee and Richard Petty
Lee Petty was an impressive stock car racer in his own right. Then his son came around and earned the nickname 'The King.' Richard Petty is considered one of the best, if not the best, NASCAR driver of all time. His name is also frequently dropped in country songs, a testament to the lasting Petty legacy.
Dell and Stephen Curry
Steph Curry is the best player in the NBA in 2016, but he isn't the first Curry to leave his mark on the game. His father, Dell Curry, was a 3-point phenomnom long before it was cool.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jr.
The story of Earnhardt father-son dynasty is marred by tragedy. Dale Earnhardt Sr. was one of the greatest NASCAR racers in history. In 2001, he was killed instantly in a crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500. His death resulted in sweeping safety changes in the sport and made it a much safer place for other drivers. One of those other drivers was his son, who carried on his father's legacy in glorious fashion.
Calvin and Grant Hill
Grant Hill decided not to follow directly in the footsteps of his father, Calvin, an accomplished running back who played nearly two decades in the NFL. Instead, Grant took his talents to the NBA, where he was a seven time all-star. Unfortuanely, the later years of his career were marred by injury.