Very few companies have the worldwide footprint Nike does. While the company’s logo can be found almost anywhere, its humble roots start in Oregon. The story goes that Phil Knight made shoes from a waffle maker in the back of his car. At different track and field events, he would sell his shoes to runners.
This business model worked well, but Nike was stuck being associated with running alone. The company truly took off when Michael Jordan signed with them to wear their shoes on the basketball court. The rest was all history after that deal went public. Based on the impact Nike has had on athletes, it would be irresponsible to not mention the top-notch brand when discussing the state of Oregon.
Tons of talented athletes were born in the heart of Oregon. This is thanks to the climate Oregon offers throughout the year. Football, basketball, baseball, ice skating, and track and field are sports that kids grow up playing in Oregon. Athletes like Danny Ainge built careers for themselves as players and executives. As a reminder, the Boston Celtics wouldn’t be what they are today without Ainge and his impact.
Tonya Harding, one of the most infamous athletes in history, grew up in Oregon before jetting off to the Olympics for ice skating. On the gridiron, Ndamukong Suh and Justin Herbert became the dominant athletes that society presently knows them as while growing up in Oregon. To read more about Oregon, click here for the 20 things Oregon is known for.
To compile this list of the most famous athletes from Oregon, 24/7 Tempo consulted outside sources. These include ESPN, NFL.com, and NBA.com.
Danny Ainge
- Sport: Basketball
- Position: Shooting Guard
Few people have had the same impact on a singular franchise the way Danny Ainge has had on the Boston Celtics. From 1981 to 1989, he helped the team win two championships and went to the All-Star Game in 1988. Ainge played for a couple more seasons after 1989, but eventually returned to the front office of the team. He guided them to the 2008 championship. He’s currently working for the Utah Jazz but he’s considered the architect behind the current iteration of the team.
Justin Herbert
- Sport: Football
- Position: Quarterback
There aren’t many quarterbacks in the NFL who have the same arm strength as Justin Herbert. Before exploding in popularity at the University of Oregon, Herbert grew up right down the road in Eugene. He’s been a perennial Pro Bowl quarterback ever since starting in the NFL. However, he’s still looking for his first deep playoff run. Having to go up against Patrick Mahomes twice per year has made it hard, but Herbert is looking to make it happen.
Steve Prefontaine
Steve Prefontaine #254 leads the field during the 3 mile race at the AAU Championships on 25th June 1971 at Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon, United States.(Photo by Tony Duffy/Getty Images)
- Sport: Track and Field
- Position: Runner
As far as track and field athletes go, Steve Prefontaine is one of the most impressive. He’s someone who helped Nike’s meteoric ascension into the hearts of track and field fans everywhere. He was also considered a media darling during the boom of running, which made his untimely death even more heartbreaking. Prefontaine only competed in one Olympic games before his death, leaving fans wondering what could have been. His death was the result of a car crash.
A.C. Green
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: A.C. Green attends the 23rd annual Harold & Carole Pump Foundation Gala at The Beverly Hilton on August 18, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
- Sport: Basketball
- Position: Power Forward
Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers during the “Showtime” era helped A.C. Green’s celebrity status grow. He was a vital player who became even more well-known for his commitment to waiting until marriage to have sex – unlike his teammates. Green was an All-Star player who helped the team win three NBA Championships. Green has also worked for different basketball organizations around the world, helping spread the word about the game he loves.
Ndamukong Suh
- Sport: Football
- Position: Defensive Tackle
Playing in the NFL means you have to have a level of ferocity beyond most of humanity. For a long period, Ndamukong Suh was considered one of the most dominant players in the league. While the average career is only around two years, Suh found a way to play for more than a decade. He was part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that won Super Bowl LV. Suh played in two other big games, one with the Philadelphia Eagles and one with the Los Angeles Rams.
Ashton Eaton
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 19: (BROADCAST - OUT) Decathlete, Ashton Eaton of the United States poses for a photo with a gold medal on the Today show set on Copacabana Beach on August 19, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
- Sport: Track and Field
- Position: Decathlete
Winning a challenging decathlon means you’re arguably one of the greatest all-around athletes in the world. Ashton Eaton did this twice in the Olympics. The first time was 2012 and the second was 2016. A decathlon consists of 10 events, with the winner gathering the most points after the events are finished. These include four running events, three throwing events, and three jumping events. There’s an easy argument for Eaton being labeled the best athlete in the world based on how great he was at everything.
Dale Murphy
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 17: Former Atlanta Braves player Dale Murphy throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Braves play the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Two of the National League Championship Series at Truist Park on October 17, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
- Sport: Baseball
- Position: Outfielder, Catcher, First Baseman
Surviving 17 grueling MLB seasons is exactly what Dale Murphy did from 1976 to 1993. The former outfielder played most of his career for the Atlanta Braves. While he never won a World Series with the team, he helped the young players first come up know what exactly it took to be a champion. The Braves had an amazing run in the 1990s, and Murphy played a large part in laying the foundation for the team.
Tonya Harding
- Sport: Ice Skating
- Position: Ice skater
Tonya Harding is an incredibly well-known athlete from Oregon. The former ice skater was highly thought of at one time, but that’s overshadowed by what her husband did. He attacked fellow figure skater Nancy Kerrigan before the Olympics in 1994. She was banned for life from skating, which made her lose her title in 1994. It’s important to leave a mark, but she should’ve made sure to do so ethically.
Harold Reynolds
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 01: MLB Network host Harold Reynolds looks on during Game Five of the World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers at Chase Field on November 01, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
- Sport: Baseball
- Position: Second Baseman
Harold Reynolds enjoyed a decade-long MLB career. During that time, he won three Gold Gloves and made two All-Star teams. But his television career has made him a legend in the baseball community. Few people can educate fans on the game like Reynolds, while also having fun. He currently works for MLB Network, the year-round baseball channel fans turn to. Reynolds has helped the game grow thanks to his baseball clinics and dedication to making kids want to play the sport.
Jacoby Ellsbury
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 17: Jacoby Ellsbury #22 of the New York Yankees reacts after scoring in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros during Game Four of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 17, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
- Sport: Baseball
- Position: Outfield
Making history is hard to do, but Jacoby Ellsbury did just that during his MLB career. Ellsbury was the first Native American of Navajo descent to play the sport professionally. His presence opened the door for countless other kids who wanted to be a baseball player like him. During his career, Ellsbury won two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox.
2011 was a great year for Ellsbury on an individual level. He won a Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger, played in the All-Star game, and won Comeback Player of the Year. For more sports-related content, click here to read about the 22 most iconic baseball quotes.