
8 Father-Son Moments in Sports That Will Give You All the Feels
Don't let LaVar Ball's media-driven relationship with his son Lonzo distract you from the truth. In sports, we've witnessed countless father-son moments that have given us all the feels.
Looking back at history paints a complete picture of how important these relationships can be. How special a father's bond with their son is.
Understanding this, here are eight of the best father-son moments in sports history.
The Griffeys Go Back-to-Back
1 of 8Ken Griffey Jr. wasn't the first man from the Griffey family tree to play in Major League Baseball's prestigious ranks. That honor belongs to his father, Ken Griffey Sr.
While Senior's resume wasn't as decorated as his son's Hall of Fame career, he still was a three-time All-Star, won two World Series titles with the Cincinnati Reds and claimed MVP honors during the 1980 All-Star Game.
The two Griffeys crossed paths and played ball on the same squad for two seasons in Seattle—1990 and '91. In '90, Junior and Senior became the first father-son duo to be featured in a starting lineup together. They also were the first pair to smash back-to-back home runs.
It was a cool moment that showcased a son following in the footsteps of his father. Perhaps not overwhelming in the emotional department, but special nonetheless.
Pat Cash Celebrates with His Dad
2 of 8All of the prestige and honor that comes with winning Wimbledon hit Pat Cash hard when he captured the 1987 men's singles final. Almost right away, Cash flew into the stands, pushed past cheering fans and embraced his father.
It was a storybook ending to a terrific Wimbledon final. Cash was the first man to leap into the stands, turning this into a tradition of sorts for future winners of the coveted tournament.
This father-son moment not only humanized Cash, but it showcased a father's approval always takes precedence.
Ron and R.J. Hunter's March Madness Moment
3 of 8A father-son duo in sports isn't anything new. Countless combinations have emerged over the years. But one that recently stood out occurred within the collegiate ranks.
Coaching Georgia Southern, Ron Hunter's team was placed in a tough matchup against the No. 3-seeded Baylor during the 2015 NCAA tournament. With his son R.J. leading the charge, Hunter saw his 14th-seeded squad pull out a memorable upset.
R.J. drove the ball down the floor and, to the announcer's surprise, pulled up and netted a long-range three-pointer, leaving 2.6 seconds on the clock. This shot put Georgia Southern ahead for good, laying waste to a final score of 57-56.
His father Ron fell to the floor in shock when the shot dropped, then embraced his son after the game finished up. It was a beautiful time to be part of the Hunter family.
Derek Redmond Gets a Little Help from His Dad
4 of 8The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona were built for England's Derek Redmond to claim gold. But a brutal hamstring injury shattered those dreams during the early stages of the men's 400-meter race.
Redmond went down in a heap, clinging to the back of his thigh. Rather than quit, he refused to give up. Redmond pushed himself to finish. Through insurmountable amounts of pain, he kept on.
It wasn't until his father Jim rushed to his son's side, aiding him to the finish line, that this moment came to fruition. Watching Redmond struggle in pain with his father right there by his side was all about the feels.
Brett Favre Honors His Dad
5 of 8
One day after Brett Favre's father Irvin passed away, the former Green Bay Packers quarterback lit up the Monday Night Football stage with a performance for the ages.
The nationally televised 41-7 thrashing of the Oakland Raiders was all about Irvin Favre. On 30 passing attempts, his son completed 22, resulting in 399 yards and four touchdowns. Favre moved his club up the field with ease, poise and a rifle of an arm.
It was an emotional night for Favre. No. 4 would later explain to ABC playing against the Raiders became a way to honor his father, providing all of us with an unmistakable moment of glory.
Robinson Cano Wins the Home Run Derby with His Dad
6 of 8
Major League Baseball's annual Home Run Derby challenge is a vanity contest. Placed during the league's All-Star break, this event has always been about the fans.
In 2011, Robinson Cano won the whole thing with a little help from his father. Jose Cano pitched to his son, helping the younger Cano to blast 12 home runs in the final round. He took down then-rival Adrian Gonzalez—in another Yankees/Red Sox rivalry—putting on a spectacular showcase of power.
With his father delivering crispy strikes, this heartfelt moment remains a cool footnote in Cano's storied career.
Michael Jordan Is Overcome with Emotion
7 of 8Michael Jordan lost his father in 1993 as a result of a shocking murder. Jordan left the game of basketball behind shortly after to pursue a career in baseball—a dream he shared with James Jordan Sr.
When he returned to the Chicago Bulls prior to the 1995-96 season, MJ was able to elevate his team back to the NBA Finals. The entire season culminated with Jordan and the Bulls winning their fourth NBA title, downing the Seattle SuperSonics in six games.
The final game fell on Father's Day 1996. After the buzzer rang out and the confetti rained down, Jordan collapsed, overcome with emotion. "This is probably the hardest time for me to play the game of basketball," Jordan explained in the locker room, per Percy Allen of the Seattle Times.
His ability to prevail and play with a sense of purpose guided the Jordan legacy and gave us all a sense of how deep the relationship ran with his father.
The Harbaughs' Super Bowl Clash
8 of 8
Seeing one of your son's coach during the Super Bowl is a gift. Having two of them go up against each other in the big game is remarkable. Jack Harbaugh got the chance to see his sons Jim and John compete against each other in Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.
The game was memorable with the outcome coming down to the wire. The tactical coaching decisions of John eventually led to a 34-31 win for the Baltimore Ravens, after stopping his younger brother's San Francisco 49ers at the goal line.
For Jack, seeing his sons on the grandest NFL stage was heartwarming. The "Harbowl" became national news, and despite John leaving as the victor, the game itself helped elevate the family name.
All stats and information courtesy of Sports Reference, unless noted otherwise.



.jpg)
.jpg)




