Following in her father’s footsteps: The biggest family dynasties in sports

Legacy can be difficult. When your name carries weight in every area, the expectations that come with it can be overwhelming. But in sport it’s a different kind of pressure. It’s not just about living up to the name on your jersey, it’s also about building on the greatness you inherited.

A handful of fathers and sons have managed to reach or even exceed this impossible limit. They are dynasties that span decades and create highlights that transcend eras. These families have defined what it means to build a legacy that will be talked about for generations.

The Griffeys

Ken Griffey Sr. was a respected player long before he shared the field with his son. As a central cog in the Cincinnati Reds’ Big Red Machine, he helped secure back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. His career was a model of consistency: He had a .296 batting average and 2,100 hits and three All-Star selections. At his peak in 1976, Griffey Sr. posted a .336 batting average that season, just shy of the National League title.

It was his son, Ken Griffey Jr., who took over the family legacy and turned it into a phenomenon. By the time he retired, “The Kid” was one of baseball’s all-time greats with 630 home runs, 2,781 hits and 1,836 RBIs in 22 seasons. Known for his smooth swing and excellent defense in the midfield, Junior has exceeded all expectations. He won 10 Gold Gloves and was a 13-time All-Star, adding an AL in 1997 MVP caps his Hall of Fame resume.

But Griffey Jr. was more than just numbers. He was Cool. The backwards hat, effortless swing and infectious love of the game made him a hero to a generation of fans. He was the icon of baseball, with his own Nike shoe and even a video game. He brought baseball a swagger it desperately needed, and his influence extended beyond the diamond.

The iconic moment came in 1990 when both Griffeys played for the Seattle Mariners.

They did that in a September 14th matchup with the Anaheim Angels The most unforgettable father-son moment in sports history by hitting back-to-back home runs. To start the first inning, Griffey Sr. struck out a 0-out–2 pitch over the left field fence for a two-run homer. Four pitches later, Junior fired off an opposing field bomb of his own. It remains the only time in MLB history that a father and son have hit back-to-back home runs.

The moment perfectly encapsulated what the Griffeys represented: shared greatness, family heritage and pure joy of the game. Together they had over 4,900 hits and 782 home runs, but there was nothing better that night in Anaheim.

The hulls

In ice hockey, few names are as synonymous with goals as Hull. Bobby Hull, known as “Golden Jet,” was one of the National Hockey League’s first true superstars. With his breathtaking slapshot and unmatched speed, Hull revolutionized the game during his time with the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring 610 career goals and twice winning the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP. He led the NHL in points three times and was the NHL’s top scorer seven times.

His son Brett Hull took over his father’s legacy and took it even further. Brett, known as “Golden Brett,” was a goalscoring machine like his father. Over his 19-year career, Hull scored 741 goals, ranking fifth on the all-time list. His greatest season was 1990–91, when he scored 86 goals, the third-most goals ever in a single season, earning him his own Hart Trophy.

The Hulls are still the only father-son duo to both win the NHL’s MVP award. Despite playing in different eras and bringing their own unique styles to the ice, they combined to score more than 1,350 goals, cementing their family name as one of the greatest in the game.

The Mannings

The Manning family legacy in the NFL begins with Archie Manning. Archie was drafted second overall in 1971 and spent most of his career with the New Orleans Saints, suffering losing records in each of his 13 seasons. His ability to get out of his often poorly protected pocket earned him two Pro Bowl selections in 1978 and 1979. Perhaps Archie’s most impressive achievement, however, is the football dynasty he created, which saw two of his sons surpass his own achievements.

Peyton Manning, Archie’s middle son, rewrote the record books. Peyton was drafted first overall by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998, won an NFL-record five MVP awards, led two franchises to Super Bowl victories and retired after 17 seasons as one of the most decorated passers in league history Retirement. His mastery of the offense earned him the nickname “the Sheriff,” and his career earned him 539 touchdowns and 71,940 passing yards making him one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

Eli Manning, also a first overall pick, made a name for himself in high-pressure situations. Although he wasn’t as dominant as his older brother in the regular season, Eli’s legacy was left in the postseason. He led the New York Giants to two improbable Super Bowl victories, both against the dynasty New England Patriots, and earned Super Bowl MVP honors in each game. His iconic pass to David Tyree in Super Bowl XLII, known as the “Helmet Catch,” became one of the most memorable moments in NFL history. Manning finished his career with 57,023 passing yards and a legacy as one of the most accomplished players in Giants history.

And the Manning saga isn’t over yet. Arch Manning, Archie’s grandson and the next in line, currently plays quarterback at Texas, carrying on the family’s legacy and hopefully setting the stage for another generation of Manning quarterbacks.