Best Siblings In Sports: Top 5 Family Duos, According To Experts

Siblings are a day one best friend, partner in crime and sometimes your biggest competition. A bond with a sibling is unlike any other. Being lucky enough to become a professional athlete is quite the feat on its own, but to have your brother or sister enter into the same sport is somewhat of a miracle. The best siblings in sports are some of the most talented athletes that came from the same family. As they say, the apple doesn’t fall far.

From the tennis courts to the football fields, there are sibling duos that bring about competition in the best of ways. A recent study finds that one in two adults will still compete with their siblings as an adult. A little sibling rivalry as well as support has brought these athletes so far in their careers. Incredible careers that started in the backyard, parks, public tennis courts and little league diamonds. Some of these athletes’ biggest competition share the same last name and upbringing,

On and off the playing field, these siblings in sports have each other’s backs. You may have seen these players do amazing things in their sport, even at times against one another. Talk about a sibling rivalry! Despite the competition these siblings love one another, support each other and help one another become even greater. In fact, a recent study shows that “Older siblings may take it upon themselves to show their younger brother or sister the ways of the world, but little do they know their kid sibling is also helping them become better humans too.”

The parents have a lot to be proud of, too. Oftentimes they have had to even cheer for two teams or competitors at the same time since they are parents to some of the best siblings in sports! It is no easy feeling to see one child win a game or match while the other one loses. 

What pair comes to mind when thinking of sibs in sports? StudyFinds set out to do the research for you, visiting 10 expert websites to put together this list of the best siblings in sports  that were recommended across these sites! If you have your own suggestions, please leave them in the comments below!

The List: Best Siblings in Sports, Most Beloved by Sports Fans

1. Venus and Serena Williams 

The claim of one of the most famous sets of siblings in all of sports history easily belongs to the Williams Sisters. Venus was born on June 17, 1980, and Serena was born on September 26, 1981. These sisters have competed against one another in singles as well as have been each other’s teammates in doubles. The Williams sisters began playing tennis at the age of four and competed professionally nearly 10 years later. “Serena with 23 singles titles and Venus with seven, have combined for almost half of the 67 Grand Slam titles they’ve both competed in since 1997,” says Andscape.

Young Venus and Serena in 1993
Young Venus and Serena in 1993 (“File:A young Venus & Serena Williams 1993 copyright 2001 (5143501378).jpg” by John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.)

Venus and Serena have made history time and time again. Together and separately they are some of the most accomplished athletes. “Venus and Serena Williams are the most decorated sports siblings in history. Serena alone has 23 Grand Slam titles, while sister Venus has accumulated seven individual titles. On top of that, these two are a force as a doubles pairing. Together they have taken home 14 Grand Slam titles and three Olympics Gold Medals. In a word: amazing,” adds Sportcasting.

Venus and Serena have competed against each other many times. “Both sisters have been ranked No. 1 at some point in their careers. In head-to-head matchups, Serena leads Venus with an 18-12 record,” writes ESPN.

“Serena Williams often says there would be no her without Venus. So if this was indeed their last tournament together, it is fitting that they went out in the doubles on Thursday night in the same manner as they arrived more than two decades ago: as a team – The Williams sisters,” adds The Guardian. We will see if 2023 will give us an opportunity to witness history on the tennis court with this sister pair once again. 

2. Peyton and Eli Manning 

From Sunday Night Football to commercial breaks years later, the Manning Brothers have been seen all over TV.  Peyton Manning is the big brother born on March 24, 1976, Eli Manning was born on January 3, 1981. The two boys grew up in New Orleans while their dad played quarterback for the Saints. As they grew up, so did their love for football.

Peyton and Eli have appeared in 6 Super Bowl Sundays, but never at the same time! “Peyton and Eli have combined for four Super Bowl titles, 899 touchdowns, more than 127,000 yards passing and two ‘Saturday Night Livehosting gigs. Their older brother, Cooper, was also a highly ranked prospect before he decided to end his playing career due to a spinal stenosis diagnosis,” says ESPN.

Football has always been a big part of the Manning Family. “The Manning family is football royalty, and Peyton and Eli definitely stand above the rest. But if we look at the two siblings, it’s clear that Peyton Manning is the standard, finishing his career with 71,940 passing yards, 539 touchdown passes, and a record five MVP trophies. In the end, at least Eli can say he matched his big bro in one important category — Super Bowl victories — as both Manning brothers each won two world championships,” adds Sportscasting.

Peyton Manning was drafted by the Colts in 1998 and Eli Manning was drafted in 2004 by the Chargers and then traded to the Giants. The Manning brothers have earned numerous pro-bowl selections and individual achievements. “The past decade will likely be best remembered for this duo, whose father Archie also had a lengthy pro career,” adds complex.

After retirement, the Manning Brothers could not stay away from Football for too long! They now have their own show on ESPN called ManningCast.

3. Seth and Steph Curry

It is hard to not hear the name Curry while you are watching basketball. The Curry brothers were born into a basketball family as their dad, Dell Curry, once played in the NBA. Stephen Curry was born on March 14, 1988 and five years later, Seth Curry was born on August 23, 1990. “Basketball runs in the Curry blood, with both Steph and Seth following in their father Dell’s footsteps and making it in the NBA. Steph has two years, and a few championships on his little brother,” says CBS Sports.

In 2019 the two brothers made NBA history by becoming the first brothers to play against one another in the conference finals. Steph playing for the Golden State Warriors and Seth playing for Portland Trail Blazers. “When the two played each other in the conference finals, becoming the first brothers to do so, their parents said they flipped a coin before each game to decide who to root for,” adds CBS Sports.

Steph may have more time in the NBA than Seth, but Seth is continuing to make his name as his own and not just ‘the little brother’. “Amongst all qualifying three-point shooters, Seth Curry ranks 3rd in NBA history at just under 44% from downtown. No longer seen as just Steph’s brother, Seth is now an integral part of the Brooklyn Nets, having been dealt from the Philadelphia 76ers in the James Harden trade,” writes SI.

You can always count on family to learn from and inspire you to be your best self. “‘Learning from Steph, being able to ask him questions, following his journey,’ Seth told Green. ‘Because I got a guy who has been through a lot of the grinds and I can pick his brain. And more importantly, just watch what he does and add it to myself,'” adds NBC Sports.

4. Marc and Pau Gasol

Pau and Marc Gasol are brothers who were born in Spain and have had great careers in American basketball. Pau is the older brother born on July 6, 1980. Marc was born nearly five years later on January 29, 1985. When Pau was drafted by the Grizzlies in 2001 his family moved from Spain to Tennessee. “Marc actually played his high school ball in Tennessee after the entire family moved to Memphis when Pau was drafted. He played for two years in Spain before returning to the US, where he has evolved into a solid center for the Grizzlies,” adds Complex.

Pau quickly gained attention in the NBA winning rookie of the year while he played for the Grizzlies. “Pau already made a name for himself in Spain before coming to America in 2001 to win 2 NBA titles with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010. He also won Rookie of the Year with the Grizzlies,” says History By Day.

Pau Gasol will go down in history as one of the many legends of the Lakers. His Number 16 jersey was recently retired next to iconic number 24, Kobe Bryant. “The Gasol brothers have been major players in the NBA for as long as we can remember. Older brother, Pau, has averaged 18 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, made six All-Star Game appearances, earned four All-NBA honors, and won two championships. As for younger brother, Marc, he’s made three All-Star teams, earned two All-NBA honors, and won the Defensive Player of the Year Award during the 2012–13 season,” adds Sportcasting.

5. Travis and Jason Kelce

Jason and Travis Kelce are two football loving brothers from Ohio. Older brother Jason, was born on November 5, 1987 and Travis Kelce was born two years later on October 5, 1989. The two brothers played football growing up together from little leagues, highschool and college ball. Now both brothers are seen excelling in the NFL.

Super Bowl LVII brought a rivalry unlike ever seen before – the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Philadelphia Eagles, or as some may call it the “Kelce Bowl”. “Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce are going where no pair of brothers — not the Mannings, not the Barbers and not the Watts — have gone before: The Super Bowl … against each other,” says NBC Sports.

Although these brothers do not play on the same team, they are both captains and were voted to be on the NFL All Pro team in their respective positions.  “These brothers didn’t win a Super Bowl together, but they each have a ring. Jason kicked things off, winning Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis, a star tight end on the Kansas City Chiefs, is the defending champ,” adds CBS Sports.

The two brothers were competitive on the field during the game but supportive of one another as the confetti was falling. “Later, Travis got emotional when speaking to the press about his brother following the win. ‘There’s nothing you can really say to a loved one in a situation like that,’ he said while fighting back tears. ‘You joke around all the time and say you want to beat your brother on the biggest stage, but it’s a weird feeling.’ He added, ‘There’s nothing I can say to him other than I love him and he played a hell of a year, a hell of a season,'” notes People.

The Kelce Brothers are a great example of ‘brotherly love’; they can be hard on one another but continue to come back and focus on love and support.

 

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