Gen X sports heroes are responsible for creating some of the most iconic moments in sports history. These athletes defined and dominated their respective fields during the 80s and 90s.
Whether it was Michael Jordan slam dunking across the court or Mia Hamm changing women’s soccer, these Gen X sports heroes set records and raised the bar for what was possible. Here’s a look at 10 Gen X athletes and what they are up to today.
1. Michael Jordan
Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s. He’s often regarded as the Gen X sports heroes of all time.
Since retiring, Jordan has become a successful businessman and majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. His brand, Air Jordan, was popular when it was first released in 1985, with 10,000 pairs sold in the first year. Today, millions of people around the world are still rocking Air Jordans.
2. Andre Agassi
Andre Agassi was thought of as a wild child in tennis. Now he is regarded as one of the most beloved figures in professional sports, winning eight Grand Slam titles.
After retiring in 2006, Agassi focused on education reform through his Andre Agassi Foundation for Education, helping at-risk children in Las Vegas. He also penned a revealing autobiography, Open, which became a bestseller.
3. Monica Seles
In 1993, Monica Seles had her career in women’s tennis disrupted by an on-court attack. She was stabbed by an unstable fan in front of millions of witnesses.
After a brave comeback after two years of recovery, she had stellar seasons before officially retiring in 2008. Seles has since written several books, both on her career and on her struggles with binge eating. She also remains involved in tennis through occasional commentary.
4. Mike Tyson
Boxers need to be fearsome, and no professional is more intimidating in the ring than Mike Tyson. With a tumultuous personal life and an abundance of records set, Tyson was one of the most recognizable faces in boxing during the late 80s and early 90s.
Today, Tyson makes frequent cameos in movies. He also has his own animated TV series, embraced podcasting, and runs a successful cannabis company with locations throughout the United States.
5. Tony Hawk
People who grew up in the 80s and 90s likely remember Tony Hawk. If they didn’t watch this legendary skateboarder on TV, then they may have played one of the popular video games in his name.
After retiring from professional competition in 2003, Hawk has remained an influential figure in skateboarding. He continues to oversee the successful video game franchise and runs the Tony Hawk Foundation, which helps build skate parks in underprivileged areas.
6. Steffi Graf
With 22 Grand Slam titles, Steffi Graf spent an impressive 377 weeks at number one in women’s tennis. This record was broken in 2023, but it doesn’t undermine all of her achievements in tennis.
Since retiring in 1999, Graf has been involved in various philanthropic activities, often alongside her husband, Andre Agassi. She focuses on children’s welfare and promotes health and education programs through her foundation.
7. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal, or Shaq, dominated the NBA as one of the greatest centers of all time. In his 19-year career, he has played for the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
Post-retirement, Shaq has built a career as a sports analyst on Inside the NBA. He has also made numerous investments in various businesses and works as an electronic music producer and DJ, known as DJ Diesel.
8. Gabriela Sabatini
Tennis doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, but many Gen X sports heroes played the game. For instance, Argentine tennis star Gabriela Sabatini, who won the US Open in 1990, was a beloved figure in professional sports.
Sabatini has since transitioned into the world of business. She has launched a line of perfumes and remains involved in tennis through charity matches and exhibitions.
9. Lance Armstrong
With seven consecutive Tour de France wins, Lance Armstrong was once a celebrated cyclist. Unfortunately, his career fell apart after he was accused of using performance-enhancing drugs.
Since then, Armstrong has faced many legal battles to overcome his negative publicity. He is also working to redeem himself through his podcast, The Move, which covers cycling races, and other endurance events.
10. Mia Hamm
Soccer doesn’t always get the same attention as football, baseball, and basketball in the United States. However, Mia Hamm helped make the sport popular by becoming one of the most prolific forwards in women’s soccer.
Post-retirement, Hamm has focused on charitable work through the Mia Hamm Foundation, which advocates for bone marrow research. The organization also promotes women’s sports around the world.
Star Athletes
Gen X sports stars have achieved great feats on the field or court, and they continue to impress with their philanthropic efforts and business contributions. Through their efforts, these athletes demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and drive, all qualities that made them such a success in sports!
Even though their professional careers in sports are over, they continue to have a profound impact on the world. Generations to come will always remember these iconic sports heroes!
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Alyssa Serio has been a writer and editor since graduating from Aurora University in 2014. In her free time, she loves reading, playing volleyball, and watching any horror movie (even the bad ones) with her husband.