Sporting families: Lampard, Mayweather and Oxlade-Chamberlain – sons that outshone their dad in sport
THESE sports stars followed their dads’ profession, but which sons were better than their dads?
Frank Lampard, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Floyd Mayweather Jr are just some of the names that outshone their fathers in sport.
But which other apprentices achieved more than their teachers? Let SunSport tell you who below:
Jonny Bairstow and David Bairstow
A key player for both England and Yorkshire, Jonny is the only wicket-keeper to twice claim nine dismissals in a test match.
In 2016, he set a record for most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in a calendar year.
His dad David, also a wicket-keeper, represented England but only played four tests.
He never quite hit the lofty heights of Jonny and after retiring became a popular radio commentator.
Frank Lampard Jr. and Frank Lampard Sr.
Considered by some as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, Lampard Jr. is the all-time leading scorer for Chelsea.
He won Chelsea’s player of the year three times, winning Premier League titles, FA Cups, a Champions League and Europa League.
Lampard Jr. also earned 106 England caps, finding the net 29 times.
In comparison, his dad played left back at West Ham United for most of his career, before ending his career at Southend United.
Earning only two caps for England, his career wasn’t as illustrious, but he wasn’t a bad player.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Floyd Mayweather Sr.
You could say that Mayweather Sr. lived his own dreams through his charismatic and talented son.
The pound-for-pound greatest boxer that ever fought, ‘Money Man’ has won all his 50 fights with precision and skill in a glittering career.
In comparison, his dad lost 6 of his 35 fights and never managed to win a major title.
That said, Mayweather Sr. is credited with teaching his son the defensive skills that made him a champ.
Dwayne Johnson and Rocky Johnson
Before he became Hollywood’s most bankable star, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson ruled the WWE.
He is regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all-time, winning the WWF/WWE Championship eight times.
Dwayne is also a two time WCW/World Champion, two time WWF Intercontinental Champion and a five time WWF Tag Team Champion.
He is the sixth Triple Crown Champion in WWE and won the 2000 Royal Rumble.
His dad Rocky, who sadly died in January 2020, was a National Wrestling Alliance champ, Georgia Champion and a NWA Southern Heavyweight Memphis Champion.
Rocky’s biggest achievement in the WWF came as part of ‘The Soul Patrol’ with who he won the World Tag Team championship.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mark Chamberlain
A Premier League star formerly of Arsenal and now of Liverpool, the Ox transferred to Anfield for £35m.
Blessed with talent, he hasn’t quite hit the heights expected of him but he’s still played for England 35 times, scoring seven goals in the process.
He’s also well-known in celebrity circles now, dating Little Mix star Perrie Edwards.
Like his boy, dad Mark was also a winger but became a right back as he got older.
He played for England eight times and is fondly remembered by Stoke City and Portsmouth fans for his time with them.
Interesting fact, he was once selected for the PFA Fourth Division Team of the Year.
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Stephen Curry and Dell Curry
He’s the greatest player in the NBA, throwing 3-pointers from downtown for fun.
‘Steph’ won back-to-back MVP Awards in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.
‘The Baby-Faced Assassin’ helped the Golden State Warriors reach three consecutive NBA Finals, winning two of them.
His father Dell was a top-class shooting guard, retiring as Charlotte Hornets’ all-time leading point scorer chalking up 9,839 points.
However, he never earned an MVP Award like his son, nor did he win a NBA Championship.
He was named NBA 6th Man of the Year in 1994 though.
Paolo Maldini and Cesare Maldini
AC Milan and Italy legend Paolo is arguably the greatest defender to have ever played the game.
He spent a remarkable 25 seasons at the San Siro before retiring at 41-years-old.
During his time he won an astonishing 23 trophies, including 7 Serie A titles and 5 Champions Leagues.
Paolo also played for his national team 126 times, a then record before he hung up his boots.
Astonishingly, he captained Italy 74 times during that period.
His dad Cesare was also a Milan legend, playing over 300 times for the Rossoneri and winning four Serie A titles and a European Cup.
But only earning 14 international caps means that Paolo edges this one.
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And when dad still ruled…
Ian Wright and Bradley Wright-Phillips
To be fair to Bradley, following his dad was a hard task.
A one-time all-time leading goalscorer for Arsenal, Wrighty banged in over 300 goals for club and country in a brilliant career.
Bradley toiled at Manchester City and Southampton, finding form in the lower leagues.
In the latter stages of his career he enjoyed success in the MLS with the New York Red Bulls where he scored over 100 goals for the club.
Ian Botham and Liam Botham
‘Beefy’ Botham is probably England’s greatest ever all-rounder.
In Test cricket he scored 5,200 runs, which included 14 centuries. His highest score was 208.
Ian also took 383 wickets, including one astonishing 8-34 haul against Pakistan in 1978. For an added bonus he scored 108 in that match too.
His son Liam struggled in sport, finding it difficult to live up to his dad’s name.
He started in country cricket for Hampshire and took the wicket of Mike Gatting on his debut.
Liam then quit cricket to take on rugby union and rugby league before retiring from sport aged just 27 with a neck injury.
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Johann Cruyff and Jordi Cruyff
Following in the footsteps of the greatest Dutchman to ever play the game was always going to be a hard ask for Jordi.
His dad won the Balon d’Or three times, was the most famous exponent of ‘Total Football’ and won the Golden Ball at the 1974 World Cup.
If that’s not enough, he even invented his own skill – the infamous ‘Cruyff turn’.
Jordi began at Barcelona and it was his dad that gave him his debut at the Nou Camp.
However, he soon moved to Manchester United where he tried to escape the shadow of his old man.
It didn’t quite work out for him at Old Trafford, and after spells at several mid-table Spanish La Liga sides he retired at Maltese club Valletta.