Florida is, for many people, a paradise. Amidst a tropical climate and the exotic perks that come with it, it’s amazing Floridians get anything done besides lounging in the sun. It’s also, surprisingly, a fertile ground for athletes, especially famous baseball players. As such, let’s meet the ten biggest sports stars from Florida. (For patriotic players, learn about great athletes who joined the military.)
To compile a list of the biggest sports stars from Florida, 24/7 Tempo consulted a range of sports websites and periodicals including the Sports Illustrated Vault and the Miami Herald. From there, we choose a range of athletes competing in different sports. After that, we consulted websites like Biography and Britannica for biographical information.
Emmitt Smith
- Hometown: Pensacola
Born Emmitt James Smith III, Emmitt Smith is a former American football player. A running back by trade, Smith played most of his fifteen-season career with the Dallas Cowboys. During that time, Smith was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and Super Bowl Champion three times over. What’s more, Smith is also the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.
After football, Smith pursued several ventures. One such project was starting the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities with his wife, which seeks to empower children to realize their full potential. Smith also went on to make media appearances, including becoming a studio analyst for “NFL Total Access” and winning the third season of “Dancing with the Stars.” For his career achievements, Smith was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010. (Discover the best sports movies based on true events.)
Andre Dawson
- Hometown: Miami
Another one of the biggest sports stars from Florida is professional baseball player Andre Dawson. Born Andre Nolan Dawson, Dawson spent most of his baseball career with the Montreal Expos and the Chicago Cubs. Not only was he Rookie of the Year in 1977, Dawson was an eight-time National League All-Star. He is also one of eight professional baseball players with at least three hundred home runs and three hundred stolen bases earned in his career.
After retiring from the game, Dawson took a job in the Florida Marlins front office, where he earned his first World Series ring. From there, he opened several businesses including the restaurant The Mahogany Grille in Miami Gardens and a funeral home. For his career achievements, Dawson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.
Wade Boggs
- Hometown: Tampa
Wade Boggs is a former professional baseball third baseman. He played much of his eighteen-season career with the Boston Red Sox but won the World Series with the New York Yankees. During his career, Boggs was a twelve-time All-Star as well as a two-time winner of the Golden Glove Award. He is also the twenty-third player in MLB history to reach three thousand hits.
After baseball, Boggs tasted both controversy and fame. He became embroiled in a scandal after an extra-martial affair leaked into the press, resulting in litigation, though the lawsuit was eventually settled out of court. Boggs also made appearances in several television shows including “The Simpsons,” “Seinfeld,” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” For his baseball achievements, Boggs was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.
Dwight Gooden
- Hometown: Tampa
One of the biggest sports stars from Florida is surely Dwight Gooden. Born Dwight Eugene Gooden, Gooden is a former baseball pitcher who spent sixteen seasons in the MLB. During that time, he was a four-time All-Star, World Series Champion twice, and recipient of the National League Cy Young Award.
After retiring from play, Gooden took a job in the New York Yankees front office. There, he acted as a middleman for free agent negotiations. Also known for legal troubles throughout his life, Gooden starred in the fifth season of “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.” For his baseball career, Gooden was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame. (Learn about famous athletes who have spent time in prison.)
Deion Sanders
- Hometown: Fort Myers
Born Deion Luwynn Sanders, Deion Sanders is a former professional football player, baseball player, and football coach. He played in the NFL for fourteen seasons. There, he was a six-time First-Team All-Pro, eight-time member of the Pro Bowl, and NFL Defensive Player of the Year. As a coach for the Jackson State Tigers, Sanders led the team to a 27-6 record. What’s more, Sanders played nine seasons in the MLB, making him the only athlete to appear in both the Super Bowl and World Series.
After sports, Sanders became a media correspondent for the NFL Network as well as appearing on many shows including “Celebrity Family Feud,” “Running Wild with Bear Grylls,” and “Undercover Boss.” Sanders also had a brief career as a rapper, with one of his songs ranking on the UK charts. He was inducted into both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Steve Carlton
- Hometown: Miami
Born Steven Norman Carlton, Steve Carlton is a former professional baseball player. As a left-handed pitcher, Carlton played for several teams during his long career. During that time, he was a ten-time All-Star, two-time World Series Champion, and four-time winner of the National League Cy Young Award.
After retiring from baseball, Carlton moved to Colorado where he maintains an orchard and one hundred and fifty fruit trees with his wife. Though a famous pitcher, he no longer follows baseball. Nevertheless, Carlton was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994. (Learn about famous athletes that have had gun trouble.)
Chris Evert
- Hometown: Boca Raton
Another one of the biggest sports stars from Florida is former tennis player Chris Evert. Born Christine Marie Evert, Evert was a World Number One tennis player. During her career, she won eighteen major single titles and holds the record for the most consecutive years winning at least one major title.
After retiring from tennis, Evert opened the Evert Tennis Academy with her brother in their hometown of Boca Raton. Besides that, she is a contributor to “Tennis” magazine, as well as an ESPN commentator for various Grand Slam tournaments. For her achievements, Evert was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Rowdy Gaines
- Hometown: Winter Haven
Born Ambrose “Rowdy” Gaines IV, Rowdy Gaines is a former competitive swimmer. During his career, Gaines was a three-time gold medalist in the freestyle competitions, as well as a member of the Olympic Hall of Fame. What’s more, Gaines set ten different world records in the early 1980s.
After retiring from swimming, Gaines began a career as a sports commentator. A swimming analyst for nearly every Olympic Games in the past thirty years, he has become a recognizable face on the television screen. Gaines is also the executive director of Rowdy’s Kidz, an organization that advocates for children across the country.
Nancy Hogshead-Makar
- Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa, but moved to Jacksonville as a child
Another one of the biggest sports stars from Florida is Nancy Hogshead-Makar. A professional swimmer, Hogshead-Makar was born in Iowa though she grew up in Florida. She competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics where she won three gold medals and one silver medal in freestyle and freestyle medley. After swimming, Hogshead-Makar went back to college, where she would earn her Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center.
This led to an illustrious career as a lawyer, where she mostly represented student-athletes in Title IX cases. Besides testifying in front of Congress multiple times, and serving on the boards of various legal organizations, she is currently CEO of Champion Women. This is an organization that advocates for equality and accountability in sports.
Tim Raines
- Hometown: Sanford
Another one of the biggest sports stars from Florida is former professional baseball player and coach Tim Raines. Born Timothy Raines Sr., Raines was a seven-time All-Star, three-time World Series Champion, and four-time National League stolen base leader.
After retiring from playing, Raines became a baseball coach with the Chicago White Sox as well as the Toronto Blue Jays organization. A baseball player with an incredible number of records, Raines was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017. (Explore the most talked-about scandals in sports history.)