The greatest father-daughter duos in sports

In honor of Father’s Day on Sunday, let’s look back on some of the greatest father-daughter duos in sports.

John and Sloane Stephens

In 1988, running back John Stephens entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick of the New England Patriots. As a rookie, he earned his only Pro Bowl nomination and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, after he rushed for 1,168 yards and four touchdowns.

His production dipped from there. By 1993, he found himself on the Green Bay Packers for a season, then spent his final year in the league with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Stephens married former All-American college swimmer Sybil Smith, and they had a daughter, Sloane, born in 1993. Like her father, Sloane turned pro as an athlete, but tennis was her game.

John died in a car accident in 2009, and Sloane found out about his death while sitting in Arthur Ashe Stadium, home of the U.S. Open.

“I didn’t think I would ever be able to regroup here, at this place,” Sloane said to Sports Illustrated.

But in 2017, she won the U.S. Open at the age of 24.

Since her professional debut in 2007, Sloane has won six WTA singles titles, reached the final of the 2018 French Open (she fell to Simona Halep), and accomplished a career-best ranking of No. 3 in the world in 2018.

Valeri and Nastia Liukin

Russian gymnast Valeri Liukin enjoyed a brilliant career, as a 1988 Olympic champion in the team competition, as well as a gold medalist on the horizontal bar. He also won Olympic silver in the all-around competition and parallel bars, and became the first man to perform a triple back somersault during the 1987 European Championships in Moscow.  

Valeri married 1987 world champion rhythmic gymnast Anna Kotchneva, who gave birth to their daughter, Nastia, in 1989. In 1992, the family moved the United States, and Valeri co-founded World Olympic Gymnastics Academy, where he coached Nastia, as well as Carly Patterson and Madison Kocian.

Nastia became a five-time Olympic medalist, including the gold in the all-around competition at the 2008 Olympics. She’s also tied with Shannon Miller for the third-most world championship medals (nine) among U.S. gymnasts.

Nastia retired from the sport in 2012 and has worked in film and television since. She also competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2015 and 2018.

Karl Malone and Cheryl Ford

Dubbed “the Mailman” for his consistent delivery on the basketball court, Karl Malone dominated the NBA during his 18-year career. A two-time MVP and 14-time All-Star, Malone is considered one of the greatest power forwards in history. He made the playoffs every season he played but never won an NBA championship.

Malone can thank former Olympic teammate Michael Jordan — they won gold medals together in 1992 and 1996 — for standing in his way. Jordan and the Bulls defeated Malone and the Utah Jazz in back-to-back NBA Finals (1997 and 1998).

While Karl fell short of a ring, his daughter, Cheryl Ford, brought championship glory to her family.

After a standout career at Louisiana Tech, Cheryl was selected by the Detroit Shock with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 WNBA draft.

Playing forward, like her father, she earned WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2003, was named an All-Star in 2003 and from 2005-2007, and earned three WNBA titles with the Shock (2003, 2006, and 2008).

Kobe and Gianna “Gigi” Bryant

A five-time NBA champion and 18-time All-Star, Kobe Bryant lit up the basketball court during his 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. Regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Bryant’s competitive nature and unparalleled work ethic inspired many who came to know the man as “the Black Mamba.”

A father of four girls, Kobe instilled many of his values and his love for the game in his children, particularly Gianna, who excelled at basketball from a young age.

In January, the lives of Kobe and Gianna were cut short, along with seven others, during a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. As the world mourned, we learned more about the endearing father-daughter relationship Kobe and Gianna built.

Kobe helped coach and mentor Gianna, who played basketball for Mamba Sports Academy, which Kobe launched in 2018. Gianna aspired to play for the University of Connecticut and undoubtedly would have been a top recruit out of high school.

Kobe and Gianna were often seen sitting courtside at games and had an undeniable love and respect for one another. One can only imagine the greatness they would have accomplished if they were still here today.

Muhammad and Laila Ali

Muhammad Ali wasn’t just the best boxer of all time. He is one of most iconic sports figures in history, known simply as “the Greatest.”

The Olympic gold medalist, heavyweight champion, activist, and philanthropist made an indelible mark on the world, in and out of the boxing ring. His daughter, Laila, followed his path, when she became a professional boxer in 1999 — although, her dad didn’t love the idea.

Laila pushed right ahead, anyway, and commanded her father’s sport. During her eight-year boxing career, she held the WBC, WIBA, IWBF, and IBA female super middleweight titles, as well as the IWBF light heavyweight title.

In 2007, Laila announced her retirement and left the sweet ccience behind with a 24-0 record. Most recently, she appeared as a contestant on the Masked Singer, and just like her father, she continues to inspire the world with her confidence, commitment to excellence, and dedication to give back to the community.