It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Houston.
After all, we’re based here! But we also love our city because it’s got a ton of things going for it—one of which is Samir Becic. It’s been almost 4 years since HFR founder Samir Becic was named “Fitness Czar” for the City of Houston! What better way to celebrate the anniversary than with a series of healthy living recommendations for Houstonians?
Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed Samir with the official title on November 1st, 2018 following 16 years of Samir’s dedicated service (starting with Mayor Lee Brown in 2002) to make the city a healthier and fitter place to live. In honor of our founder and his tireless work to make the city a healthier place to live for the past 20 years (as a volunteer and 4 years as “Fitness Czar”), we’ve decided to share some of our favorite healthy Houston recommendations- to see all of our top picks, click here.
If you’re from Houston, you know that sports are a huge deal here. Whether it’s the Astros, Rockets, or Texans, there’s always something to cheer for.
But what about when it comes to our hometown athletes? We put together a list of some of the most famous athletes who were born or raised in Houston and its surrounding areas.
You may be surprised by just how many of these athletes are from Houston!
Simone Biles
Sport: Gymnastics
Birthday: March 14, 1997
High School: Home School
Accomplishments: Most decorated Female Gymnast ever (as of 2022, holds 32 World/Olympic medals), Holds the record for most Gymnastics Gold Medals won in a single Olympics
Michael Strahan
Sport: Football
Birthday: November 21, 1971
High School: Westbury High School
Accomplishments: Won the Superbowl, NFL Defensive player of the year (2001), had his number (92) retired with the New York Giants. Holds the record for most sacks in a season (22.5, tied with J.J. Watt). Current host of Good Morning America.
Deandre Jordan
Sport: basketball
Birthday: July 21, 1988
High School: Christian Life Center Academy
Accomplishment: Jordan is a three-time All-NBA and two-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. He has twice led the league in rebounding and was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in 2017. As of February 2022, Jordan holds the NBA record for highest career field goal percentage at 67.31 percent.
Vince Young
Sport: Football
Birthday: May 18,1983
Accomplishments: In his rookie season, Vince Young was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the AFC Pro Bowl team as a reserve. Young earned his second Pro Bowl selection and was named Sporting News NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2009.
The Undertaker
Sport: Wrestler
Birthday: March 24, 1965
Accomplishments: The Undertaker won the WWE Championship 4 times, the World Heavyweight Championship 3 times, the Hardcore Championship once and the World Tag Team Championship 7 times. He also won the Royal Rumble match in 2007.
A.J. Foyt
Sport: Race Car Driver
Birthday: January 16, 1935
Accomplishments: Foyt is the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500 (which he won four times), the Daytona 500, the 24 Hours of Daytona, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Foyt also won the International Race of Champions all-star racing series in 1976 and 1977.
Simone Manuel
Sport: Swimming
Birthday: August 2, 1996
High School: Stephen F. Austin High School
Accomplishments: Became the first black woman to earn an individual Gold Medal in swimming after winning the 100 meter freestyle, and winning silver in the 50-meter freestyle and the 4×100 freestyle relay, at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Mike Singletary
Sport: Football
Birthday: October 9, 1958
Accomplishments: Mike was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press in 1985 and 1988. In addition he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995 and to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. In 1999, he was ranked number 56 on The Sporting News’ list of the 100 Greatest Football Players
Cat Osterman
Sport: Softball
Birthday: April 16, 1983 Accomplishments: Osterman led the University of Texas to three Women’s College World Series appearances in 2003, 2005 and 2006. She also became the only softball individual to win USA Softball’s National Player of the Year honors three times after earning the honor each of those seasons.
Diana Lopez
Can’t believe it’s been 10 years 😱 #Beijjng2008 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/vP48TVohGY
— Diana Lopez (@dianalopez25) August 8, 2018
Sport: Olympic Taekwondo competitor
Birthday: January 7, 1984 Accomplishments: She represented the United States at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where she won a bronze medal. In 2008 Diana won the USA Taekwondo Female Athlete of the Year and USA Today Olympic Athlete of the Week. In 2005 and 2006 she won USA Taekwondo Female Athlete of the Year.
Trey Hopkins
Sport: Football
Birthday: July 6, 1992
High School: North Shore High School
Accomplishments:
Bryce Deadmon
Sport: Track and Field
Birthday: March 26, 1997
High School: Ridge Point High School
Accomplishments: In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was named 8th fastest man. Won a Bronze and Gold medal in the Men’s relay 4 x 400 and mixed 4 x 400 relay respectively.
Tamyra Mensah-Stock
Sport: Wrestling
Birthday: October 11, 1992
High School: Morton Ranch High School
Accomplishments: First Black Woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal in wrestling, and the second American Female to win gold.
Jake Matthews
Sport: Football
Birthday: February 11. 1992
High School: Elkins High School
Accomplishments: Is a seven time AP all pro and earned 14 pro bowl honors during his career. Played 293 out of 296 games total.
Jonathan Horton
Sport: Gymnast
Birthday: December 31, 1985
Accomplishment: Jonathan is the 2008 Olympic silver medalist on high bar, the 2010 World all-around bronze medalist, a 2-time Olympian, a 2-time U.S. National All-Around Champion, and a 17-time medalist at the U.S. National Championships.
Brittney Griner
Sport: Basketball
Birthday: October 18, 1990
High School: Chester W. Nimitz High School
Accomplishments: One of only 11 women to have earned an Olympic Gold Medal, an NCAA Championship, a FIBA world cup gold medal, and a WNBA championship.
Raj Bhavsar
Sport: Gymnast
Birthday: September 7, 1980
Accomplishment: Along with an Olympic medal Raj won 2 world championship silver medals, 3 world cup medals, 3 U.S. national titles, 3 NCAA national titles, 11 years on the senior national team. He also created 2 new gymnastics skills, now called “The Bhavsar” on rings and parallel bars.
Jimmy Butler
Sport: Basketball
Birthday: September 14, 1989
High School: Tomball High School
Accomplishments: Six-time NBA All-Star (2015-2018, 2020, 2022), a part of the 2016 Rio Olympic Team (and they won silver), and won the most improved player in 2015.
Scott Kazmir
Sport: Baseball
Birthday: January 24, 1984
High School: Cypress Falls High School
Accomplishments: Is a three-time MLB all-star (2006, 2008, & 2014). Was a part of the US Olympic Team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and his team went on to win Silver.
Breaux Greer
Sport: Javelin
Birthday: October 19, 1976
High School: Ouachita Parish (Monroe, La.) ‘94
Accomplishments: 2007 World Outdoor bronze medalist; eight-time U.S. champion, 2004 World Athletics Final champ, 2nd at 2001 Goodwill Games.
T.J. Ford
Sport: Basketball
Birthday: March 24, 1983
High School: Willowride
Accomplishments: Naismith Player of the Year (2003), John R. WoodenAward (2003), Sporting News Player of the Year (2003), Consensus first-team All-American (2003), AP Honorable mention All-American (2003).
Rocky Juarez
Sport: Boxing
Birthday: April 15, 1980
High School: Jefferson Davis High School
Accomplishments: Ring Magazine Knockout of the Year (2003), Five-time world title challenger, World Championships (1997).
Zina Garrison
Sport: Tennis
Birthday: November 16, 1963
High School: Ross Shaw Sterling Aviation
Accomplishments: Gold Medalist Summer Olympics (1988), Medalist Women’s singles Summer Olympics (1988).
Cynthia Potter
Such a treat to be with Tom Daley pic.twitter.com/VF77I75dPF
— Cynthia (@coachcpotter) August 10, 2016
Sport: Diver
Birthday: August 27, 1950
High School: Lamar High
Accomplishments: Bronze Summer Olympics (1976), Silver World Aquatics Championships (1978), Bronze Pan American Games (1975).
Jalen Hurts
Sport: Football
Birthday: August 7, 1998
High School: Channelview
Accomplishments: First-team All-Big 12 (2019), Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year (2019), CFP national champion (2017), SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2016).
