Chesapeake
- Ed Beard (b. 1939) â€" professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers
- Dré Bly (b. 1977) â€" professional football player with the Denver Broncos
- Randy Blythe (b. 1971) â€" vocalist and lyricist for groove metal band Lamb of God
- Michael Copon (b. 1982) â€" star of One Tree Hill and winner of VH1's But Can They Sing?
- Chris Crocker (b. 1980) â€" professional football player with the Atlanta Falcons
- Michael Cuddyer (b. 1979) â€" professional baseball right fielder for the New York Mets
- Kenny Easley (b. 1959) â€" professional football player with the Seattle Seahawks
- Jeff Falk â€" NASCAR driver
- DeAngelo Hall (b. 1983) â€" professional football cornerback for the Washington Redskins
- The Last Bison â€" indie folk group
- Ashton Lewis (b. 1972) â€" NASCAR driver
- Alonzo Mourning (b. 1970) â€" professional basketball player for the Miami Heat
- Darren Perry (b. 1968) â€" football player with the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jay Pharoah (b. 1987) â€" actor, comedian, cast member of Saturday Night Live
- Chris Richardson (b. 1984) â€" American Idol season 5 top 5 finalist
- Ricky Rudd (b. 1956) â€" professional NASCAR race car driver
- Josh Rupe (b. 1982) â€" professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers
- Elton Sawyer (b. 1959) â€" NASCAR driver
- Eric Stanley (b. 1991) â€" violinist and composer
- B. J. Upton (b. 1984) â€" professional baseball shortstop for the Tampa Bay Rays; drafted #2 overall in 2002
- Justin Upton (b. 1987) â€" professional baseball player drafted #1 overall in 2005 by the Arizona Diamondbacks
- Adrienne Warren (b. 1987) â€" professional singer, actress and dancer. Portrays Lorrell Robinson in the 2010 National Tour of Dreamgirls; singer for Trans-Siberian Orchestra
- David Wright (b. 1982) â€" professional baseball starting third baseman for the New York Mets
- Terra (Cooley) Lowe (b. 1985) â€" professional softball (pitcher) player.
Hampton
- Ronald Curry (b. 1979) â€" professional football player for the Oakland Raiders
- D.R.A.M. (b. 1988) â€" musician
- Steve Earle (b. 1955) â€" popular country-rock musician and songwriter
- Shaun Gayle (b. 1962) â€" professional football player with the San Diego Chargers
- Chris Hanburger (b. 1941) â€" popular Washington Redskins player in the 1970s
- Mike Husted (b. 1970) â€" former kicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders, and Washington Redskins
- Weldon Irvine (1943â€"2002) â€" musician
- Allen Iverson (b. 1975) â€" professional basketball player, point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers
- John P. Jumper (b. 1945) â€" former Chief of Staff of the US Air Force
- Jerod Mayo (b. 1986) â€" professional football player with the New England Patriots drafted 10th overall in 2008
- Francena McCorory (b. 1988) â€" member of 2012 gold medal Olympic women's 4x400 team
- Dwight Stephenson (b. 1957) â€" professional football player for the Miami Dolphins and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Tyrod Taylor (b.1989) â€" quarterback for the Buffalo Bills
- Maurice Drive Vaughan II (b. 1972) â€" actor born in Washington D.C.
- Dwight White (1949â€"2008) â€" defensive end on the Pittsburgh Steelers during their 1970s glory years
- Jimmy F. Williams (b. 1984) â€" professional football player with the Atlanta Falcons
- Steve Wilson â€" jazz musician, alto and soprano saxophones, flute; composer
- Roy "Future Man" Wooten (b. 1957) â€" musician
- Victor Wooten (b. 1964) â€" musician
- Dwight Hollier (b.1969) â€" professional football player with the Miami Dolphins and the Indianapolis Colts
Newport News
- Willie Armstead (b. 1952) â€" former professional football player in the Canadian Football League
- Pearl Bailey (1918â€"90) â€" Tony Award-winning actress and singer
- Antoine Bethea (b. 1984) â€" professional football strong safety for the San Francisco 49ers
- Larry Bethea (1956â€"87) â€" late professional football player for the Dallas Cowboys
- Darryl Blackstock (b. 1983) â€" professional football player for the Cincinnati Bengals
- Blind Blake (b. 1896â€"1934) â€" blues and ragtime musician (not officially confirmed he was born in Newport News)
- Aaron Brooks (b. 1976) â€" former professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders; land developer
- Elton Brown (b. 1982) â€" former professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals
- Joyce Bulifant (b. 1937) â€" television actress
- Robert Cray (b. 1953) â€" blues guitarist
- Will Crutchfield (b. 1957) â€" opera conductor
- Scott Darling (b. 1988) - professional ice hockey goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes
- Ben Edwards (b. 1992) â€" American football player
- Frankie Faison (b. 1949) â€" film actor
- Ella Fitzgerald (1917â€"96) â€" jazz singer
- The Five Keys â€" popular soul and doo-wop act in the 1950s; featuring Newport News locals Ripley Ingram, Bernie West, Dickie Threat and Rudy West
- Johnny Gilbert (b. 1924) â€" announcer for the television quiz show Jeopardy!
- Marques Hagans (b. 1982) â€" NFL player
- Henry Jordan (1935â€"77) â€" former professional football player for the Green Bay Packers; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Richard Kelly (b. 1975) â€" film director and writer; films include Donnie Darko and Domino
- Leroy Keyes (b. 1947) â€" former professional football running back for the Philadelphia Eagles
- J. J. Lankes (1884â€"1960) â€" woodcut artist, lived for many years in the Hilton Village neighborhood
- Kwamie Lassiter (b. 1969) â€" former football safety for the Arizona Cardinals
- David Macklin (b. 1978) â€" professional football player for the Washington Redskins
- Michael Maguire (b. 1955) â€" Tony Award-winning actor
- Queen Esther Marrow (b. 1941) â€" soul and gospel singer
- Lightfoot Solomon Michaux (1885â€"1969) â€" evangelist, early radio and television pioneer
- J. Clyde Morris (1909-87) â€" first executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Bridgeâ€"Tunnel; former city manager of the City of Warwick
- Hazel R. O'Leary (b. 1937) â€" former Secretary of Energy under President Bill Clinton and currently President of Fisk University
- Tommy Reamon (b. 1952) â€" former pro football player and coach
- Austin Roberts (b. 1945) â€" singer and songwriter
- Norm Snead (b. 1939) â€" former professional football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles
- Jon St. John (b. 1960) â€" voice actor and singer, best known as the voice of Duke Nukem
- William Styron (1925â€"2006) â€" author of The Confessions of Nat Turner and Sophie's Choice
- Nick "The Goat" Thompson (b. 1981) â€" professional mixed martial arts fighter; Bodog Fight Welterweight Champion
- Mike Tomlin (b. 1972) â€" head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Al Toon (b. 1963) â€" former professional football player for the New York Jets
- Marcus Vick (b. 1984) â€" former NFL player, quarterback for Virginia Tech
- Michael Vick (b. 1980) - NFL Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles
Norfolk
- Adam Anderson â€" driver of the Taz and Grave Digger Monster Trucks, and son of Monster Truck driver
- Dennis Anderson â€" driver of the Grave Digger Monster Truck in the Monster Jam series
- Mason Andrews (1919â€"2006) â€" physician who delivered America's first in vitro baby; visionary leader of Norfolk's late 20th century renaissance
- Anhayla (b. 1988) â€" singer and songwriter
- Gordon Banks (b. 1955) â€" guitarist and music director for Marvin Gaye
- Al Barks (b. 1936) â€" Negro league baseball player
- Gary "U.S." Bonds (b. 1939) â€" singer and songwriter
- Plaxico Burress (b. 1977) â€" professional football wide receiver for the New York Jets
- William Harvey Carney (1840â€"1908) â€" African-American soldier of the American Civil War; Medal of Honor recipient for his part in the 54th Massachusetts Infantry's assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina
- Kam Chancellor (b. 1988) â€" professional football safety for the Seattle Seahawks
- Clarence Clemons â€" saxophonist for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band
- Alex Cosmidis â€" Minor League baseball player and manager and Major League scout
- William Couper (1853â€"1942) â€" sculptor
- Colgate Whitehead Darden, Jr. (1897â€"1981) â€" U.S. Representative; Governor of Virginia; Chancellor of the College of William and Mary; third President of the University of Virginia
- Mike D'Orso (b. 1953) â€" author, journalist
- Charles "Lefty" Driesell (b. 1931) â€" basketball coach at Davidson College, the University of Maryland, College Park, James Madison University, and Georgia State University
- Rob Estes (b. 1963) â€" actor
- Samuel Face (1923â€"2001) â€" inventor
- Ryan Farish (b. 1974) â€" music composer, artist, publisher, and record executive of Rytone Entertainment
- William Fuller (b. 1962) â€" professional football defensive end for the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears
- Stephen Furst (b. 1954) â€" television actor
- Grant Gustin (b. 1990) - television actor
- Henry Howell (1920â€"97) â€" Independent Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
- Lawrence "LoJo" Johnson (b. 1974) â€" Olympic pole vaulter, silver medalist in 2000
- General Norman Johnson (b. 1943) â€" R&B musician
- Kishi Bashi (b. 1975) â€" indie rock violinist; solo musician; tour member of of Montreal and Regina Spektor
- Naomi Long Madgett (b. 1923) â€" poet
- Mae â€" indie rock band
- Thomas W. Moss, Jr. (b. 1928) â€" Democratic Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, 1992â€"2000
- Wayne Newton (b. 1942) â€" aka "Mr. Las Vegas"; singer and songwriter
- Tim Reid (b. 1944) â€" television actor, director, and film executive
- Jodi Rell (b. 1946) â€" Republican Governor of Connecticut, 2004â€"2011
- Joseph Jenkins Roberts (1809â€"76) â€" first President of Liberia
- Larry Sabato (b. 1952) â€" political pundit and professor at the University of Virginia
- Bob Saget (b. 1956) â€" actor and comedian, current host of 1 vs. 100; known for his role as Danny Tanner on the 1987â€"95 series Full House and as the original host of America's Funniest Home Videos
- Ed Schultz (b. 1954) â€" pundit and TV personality for MSNBC
- Deborah Shelton (b. 1948) â€" actress; Miss USA 1970, first runner-up in Miss Universe contest
- John Wesley Shipp (b. 1956) â€" television actor
- Bruce Smith (b. 1963) â€" Pro Football Hall of Fame player for the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins
- Joe Smith (b. 1975) â€" professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers
- Keely Smith (b. 1932) â€" nightclub singer, wife and stage partner of Louis Prima
- Margaret Sullavan (1909â€"60) â€" actress and wife of Leland Hayward
- Chuck Swirsky â€" Chicago Bulls radio play-by-play announcer, previously with Toronto Raptors
- Littleton Waller Tazewell (1774â€"1860) â€" U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator and Governor of Virginia
- Scott Travis (b. 1961) â€" drummer for rock band Judas Priest
- John Paul Vann (1924â€"72) â€" U.S. soldier and civilian active in Vietnam
- Marc Vann (b. 1954) â€" actor
- Brandon Vera (b. 1977) â€" mixed martial artist, currently signed to UFC
- Gene Vincent (1935â€"71) â€" rock-a-billy artist recorded the hit "Be-Bop-A-Lula"
- Ben Watson (b. 1980) â€" football player for the New England Patriots
- Ernie Watts (b. 1945) â€" composer, jazz saxophonist, and long-time touring member of The Rolling Stones
- Joe Weatherly (1922â€"64) â€" NASCAR driver
- Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker (b. 1964) â€" boxer; 1984 Olympic gold medalist, professional champion in four weight classes
- Thomas Wilkins (b. 1954) â€" orchestra conductor, music director of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra
- Patrick Wilson (b. 1973) â€" actor
- David Wright (b. 1982) â€" professional baseball player for the New York Mets
Portsmouth
- V. C. Andrews (1923â€"86) â€" mystery and horror writer
- Marty Brennaman (b. 1942) â€" sportscaster for the Cincinnati Reds
- Karen Briggs (b. 1963) â€" violinist
- Ruth Brown (1928â€"2006) â€" Grammy Award-winning singer and entertainer
- Bebe Buell (b. 1953) â€" fashion model, famous groupie and mother of Liv Tyler
- Mahlon Clark (1923â€"2007) â€" musician
- LaTasha Colander (b. 1976) â€" track and field sprint star, 2000 Olympic gold medalist (4 × 400 m)
- Jamin Elliott (b. 1979) â€" former NFL wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons
- Missy Elliott (b. 1971) â€" rapper
- Perry Ellis (1940â€"86) â€" fashion designer
- John Facenda (1913â€"84) â€" WCAU news anchor from 1948â€"1973; known as the "Voice of NFL Films" until his death in 1984
- Clifton C. Garvin (b. 1922) â€" President and CEO of Exxon
- Chandler Harper (1914â€"2004) â€" golfer
- Chad Hugo (b. 1974) â€" musician and producer in the Neptunes and N.E.R.D.
- Ben L. Jones (b. 1941) â€" actor and politician
- T. J. Jordan (b. 1986) â€" basketball player
- LaShawn Merritt (b. 1986) â€" 2008 Olympic gold medal winning sprinter
- George "Shadow" Morton (b. 1944) â€" record producer and songwriter
- Bismarck Myrick (b. 1940) â€" U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia, U.S. Ambassador to Lesotho
- Tommy Newsom (1929â€"2007) â€" musician featured in Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show band with Doc Severinsen
- Patton Oswalt (b. 1969) â€" comedian and television actor
- Ace Parker (b. 1912) â€" Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback; also played baseball with the Philadelphia Athletics
- William Russ (b. 1950) â€" actor
- Bill Schneider (b. 1944) â€" political commentator for CNN
- Wanda Sykes (b. 1964) â€" actress, comedian, and comedy writer
- Ted Thomas, Sr. (b. 1935) â€" Pentecostal preacher and pastor of the New Community Temple Church of God in Christ; General board member of the Church of God in Christ, Inc. denomination
- Mike Watt (b. 1957) â€" musician, founding member and bassist of SST hardcore punk band Minutemen; current bassist for recently reunited 60s band The Stooges
- Nicole Wray (b. 1980) â€" rapper and protégé of Missy Elliott
Suffolk
- James Avery (1955â€"2013) â€" actor best known for his portrayal of the patriarch and attorney (later judge) "Philip Banks", in the TV sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
- Johnnie Barnes (b. 1968) â€" graduate of Hampton University; former football player for the San Diego Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Charlie Byrd (1925â€"99) â€" jazz guitarist
- Mills Edwin Godwin, Jr. (1914â€"99) â€" twice Governor of Virginia
- Lex Luger (b. 1991) â€" hip-hop music producer; produced tracks on Rick Ross's Teflon Don, Waka Flocka Flame's Flockaveli, Slim Thug's Tha Thug Show, and Kanye West and Jay-Z's Watch the Throne
- Joe Maphis (1921â€"86) â€" country music singer and songwriter
- Terrence Warren (b. 1969) â€" former NFL player and All-American sprinter at Hampton University
Virginia Beach
- Arsis â€" technical death metal group
- Corey Ashe (b. 1986) â€" professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
- Ken Barefoot â€" former NFL tight end for the Washington Redskins
- Wade Barrett (b. 1976) â€" professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
- Kyle "K-Dogg" Benham â€" Associate Producer of Elliot in the Morning
- BLACKstreet â€" R&B group
- Rudy Boesch (b. 1928) â€" third place finalist on Survivor: Borneo (first season)
- J. Evan Bonifant (b. 1985) â€" actor
- Maria Boren â€" contestant on The Apprentice 2
- Bill Bray (b. 1983) â€" graduate of Ocean Lakes High School; professional baseball player drafted in the 1st round 13th overall in the 2004 mlb draft by the Montreal Expos; currently playing for the Cincinnati Reds
- Paul "Cubby" Bryant (b. 1971) â€" national radio host
- Curtis Bush (b. 1962) â€" world champion kickboxer and actor
- Steve Cardenas (b.1974) â€" martial artist and retired actor best known for portraying Rocky DeSantos in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Power Rangers Zeo
- Charles Clark (b. 1987) â€" world-class athlete, sprinter
- Clipse â€" rap group
- Gabby Douglas (b. 1995) â€" Olympic gold-winning gymnast
- Ryan Farish (b. 1974) â€" music composer, artist, publisher, record executive of Rytone Entertainment
- John Fox (b. 1955) â€" Head Coach of the Chicago Bears
- Jason George (b. 1972) â€" television actor
- Tommy Griffiths (b. 1961) â€" radio broadcaster, WNOR's Tommy and the Bull, Tommy and Rumble, current host of WBIG morning show in Washington, D.C. and WVMA in Norfolk
- Percy Harvin (b. 1988) â€" former football player for the Seattle Seahawks
- Chad Hugo (b. 1974) â€" hip hop artist, member of duo The Neptunes
- Chyler Leigh (b. 1982) â€" actress, co-star of Not Another Teen Movie
- Evan Marriott (b. 1974) â€" reality television star on Joe Millionaire
- Ryan McGinness (b. 1972) â€" artist
- Scott McKenzie (b. 1939) â€" singer and songwriter
- Sean Murphy (b. 1984) â€" NASCAR driver
- Juice Newton (b. 1952) â€" pop and country singer
- Brandon Noble (b. 1974) â€" professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins
- Shomi Patwary (b. 1982) â€" director and designer
- Gerald P. Pulley (b. 1922) â€" naval photographer
- J.R. Reid (b. 1968) â€" former professional basketball player
- Mark Reynolds (b. 1983) â€" professional baseball player
- Teddy Riley (b. 1967) â€" musician and songwriter
- Pat Robertson (b. 1930) â€" founder of Regent University and The 700 Club
- Aaron Rouse (b. 1984) â€" professional football player for the Green Bay Packers
- Mark Ruffalo (b. 1967) â€" film and television actor
- Todd Schnitt (b. 1966) â€" syndicated radio shows, MJ Morning Show and Schnitt Show
- Grace Sherwood (1660â€"1740) â€" the so-called Witch of Pungo (now exonerated after 300 years)
- Danny Tidwell (b. 1984) â€" professional dancer and finalist on So You Think You Can Dance
- Kendra Todd (b. 1978) â€" winner of The Apprentice 3
- Travis Wall (b. 1987) â€" professional dancer and finalist on So You Think You Can Dance
- Pharrell Williams (b. 1973) â€" hip hop artist, member of record producing duo The Neptunes
- Ryan Zimmerman (b. 1984) â€" graduate of Kellam High School; professional baseball player for the Washington Nationals
Williamsburg
- Jimmy Fortune (b. 1955) â€" vocalist with the Statler Brothers
- Mel Gray (b. 1961) â€" professional football player and member of NFL all decade team of 1990s
- Bruce Hornsby (b. 1954) â€" singer and songwriter
- Linda Lavin (b. 1937) â€" actress
- Seven Mary Three â€" alternative rock band
- Canaan Smith (b. 1984) â€" country music artist
- Ron Springs (b. 1956) â€" running back for the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Shawn Springs (b. 1975) â€" football player for the Washington Redskins
- Lawrence Taylor (b. 1959) â€" former professional football player for the New York Giants; professional wrestler; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- George Wythe (1726â€"1806) â€" first professor of law at William and Mary; taught future presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe, and future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall; signer of the Declaration of Independence
York County
- Terry Kirby (b. 1970) â€" professional football player for the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders
- Thomas Nelson, Jr. (1738â€"1789) â€" signer of the Declaration of Independence
- Bryan Randall (b. 1983) â€" 2005 ACC Football Player of the Year
- Chris Slade (b. 1971) â€" professional football player for the New England Patriots
- Wayne Kirby (b. 1964) â€" Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians
Sports
Soccer
- Corey Ashe (b. 1986) â€" professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
- Wade Barrett (b. 1976) â€" professional soccer player for the Houston Dynamo
- Roy Lassiter â€" Hampton Roads Mariner; Major League Soccer; USA National Team
- Jon Busch â€" Hampton Roads Mariner; Major League Soccer
- Darren Caskey â€" Hampton Roads Mariner; Tottenham Hotspur; Reading
- Trevor Francis â€" Hampton Roads Mariner; Birmingham City; Manchester City; Rangers; England National Team
- Cornelius Bernard Huggins â€" Hampton Roads Mariner; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National Team
- Shane McFaul â€" Hampton Roads Mariner; Republic of Ireland U21
- Darin Lewis â€" Hampton Roads Mariner; MLS New York MetroStars
- Jay Hoffman â€" Coached Hampton Roads Mariners; played professionally in the Canadian National Soccer League.
- Kharlton Belmar - professional soccer player for Portland Timbers 2
Baseball
- David Wright â€" third baseman for the New York Mets from Chesapeake; drafted in 2001 by the New York Mets in the 1st round (38th overall pick)
- Ryan Zimmerman â€" third baseman for the Washington Nationals from Virginia Beach; drafted in 2005 by the Washington Nationals in the 1st round (4th overall pick) out of University of Virginia
- Justin Upton â€" right fielder for the San Diego Padres; from Chesapeake, first overall draft pick by the Diamondbacks in the 2005 draft
- Melvin Upton, Jr. â€" center fielder for the San Diego Padres; "Bossman Junior" Upton was drafted second overall in the 2002 Major League Baseball draft by Tampa Bay out of Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake, Virginia
- Michael Cuddyer â€" left fielder for the New York Mets from Chesapeake; drafted in 1997 amateur draft by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (9th pick)
- Mark Reynolds â€" third baseman/first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles from Virginia Beach; drafted in 2004 by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 16th round (476th overall)
- Bill Bray â€" graduate of Ocean Lakes High School; professional baseball player drafted in the 1st round 13th overall in the 2004 mlb draft by the Montreal Expos; currently playing for the Cincinnati Reds
- D.J. Dozier â€" football / baseball from Virginia Beach; Penn State All-American, first-round NFL draft 14th pick by Minnesota Vikings who was also drafted by major league baseball by the Detroit Tigers in the 18th round in 1983 (459th overall)
- Josh Rupe â€" professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers
- Wayne Kirby â€" Major League Baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians
- Hank Foiles â€" from Norfolk, Major league All-Star in 1957; played for seven teams; finished his career in 1964 with the expansion Los Angeles Angels.
- Alex Cosmidis â€" Minor League baseball player and manager and Major League scout
- Al Barks â€" Negro league baseball player
- Ace Parker â€" Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback; also played baseball with the Philadelphia Athletics
- Dave Robertson (1889-1970) â€" from Norfolk, two-time National League home run leader; hit .500 in 1917 World Series. He hit .287 over nine seasons with the Giants, Cubs and Pirates. A product of Norfolk Academy, he played four sports at Wake Forest and N.C. State and managed the minor league Norfolk Tars for several years in the 1920s.
Basketball
- La'Keshia Frett â€" professional basketball player and coach
- Allen Iverson â€" guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons and the Memphis Grizzlies; represented the US at the 2004 Summer Olympics, winning the bronze medal
- Alonzo Mourning â€" professional basketball player, played most of his 15-year NBA career for the Miami Heat
- Joe Smith â€" professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers
- J.R. Reid â€" former professional basketball player
- T.J. Jordan â€" basketball player
- Charles "Lefty" Driesell â€" basketball coach at Davidson College, the University of Maryland, College Park, James Madison University, and Georgia State University
- Dorian Finney-Smith â€" basketball player for the University of Florida and Dallas Mavericks
Boxing
- Pernell Whitaker â€" several time World Boxing Champion
Football
- Xavier Adibi â€" linebacker with the Houston Texans
- James Anderson â€" Carolina Panthers linebacker and 88th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft
- Robert Banks â€" NFL linebacker, defensive end; chosen as national high school Player of the Year by the Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club in 1982; played five seasons in the NFL as a defensive end with the Houston Oilers and Cleveland Browns
- Darryl Blackstock â€" linebacker for the Oakland Raiders; also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Virginia Destroyers
- Dre Bly â€" cornerback for the St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers
- Aaron Brooks â€" graduated from Ferguson High School and the University of Virginia; NFL quarterback with the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders
- Macey Brooks â€" wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears
- Elton Brown â€" NFL offensive lineman of the Arizona Cardinals
- Plaxico Burress â€" wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and New York Jets
- Chris Crocker â€" Atlanta Falcons safety and 2003 20th pick, Cleveland Browns
- Ronald Curry â€" NFL receiver, USA national high school Player of the Year 1998
- Ras-I Dowling â€" New England Patriots cornerback 2011â€"present
- Deon Dyer â€" Miami Dolphins running back 2003â€"2004
- Chris Ellis â€" practice team member for the Pittsburgh Steelers
- William Fuller â€" defensive line Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Diego Chargers
- Shaun Gayle â€" captain of the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears football team
- Marques Hagans â€" NFL quarterback/receiver with the Washington Redskins
- DeAngelo Hall â€" Washington Redskins player and 8th pick in the 2004 NFL Draft
- Chris Hanburger â€" 9-time Pro Bowl linebacker for the Washington Redskins, elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011
- Dwight Hollier â€" linebacker for the Miami Dolphins
- Michael Husted â€" NFL kicker who played nine seasons in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and other teams
- Henry Jordan â€" former NFL player
- Kwamie Lassiter â€" former NFL free safety, Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams
- David Macklin â€" NFL cornerback, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins
- Jerod Mayo â€" linebacker for the New England Patriots
- Darren Perry â€" Oakland Raiders coach and former NFL player for 9 seasons
- Bruce Smith â€" defensive end for Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins; inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009, his first year of eligibility
- Norman Snead â€" former NFL player
- Dwight Stephenson â€" NFL; played center for the Miami Dolphins; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Darryl Tapp â€" Seattle Seahawks player and 63rd pick overall in the 2006 NFL Draft
- Lawrence Taylor â€" Hall of Fame linebacker for the New York Giants 1981â€"1993
- Tyrod Taylor â€" quarterback with the Buffalo Bills
- Shamarko Thomas â€" Pittsburgh Steelers safety and 111th pick overall in the 2013 NFL Draft; starred at Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach
- Antoine Thompson â€" cornerback with the St. Louis Rams
- Mike Tomlin â€" graduate and former football player at Denbigh High School and the College of William and Mary; assistant coach at several colleges (including VMI and Arkansas State University); moved on to the NFL with Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and later the Minnesota Vikings; named head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007; has taken the Steelers to two Super Bowls during his time in Pittsburgh, winning the franchise's sixth title in 2008 and losing to the Green Bay Packers in 2010
- Al Toon â€" former NFL wide receiver, New York Jets
- Marcus Vick â€" NFL player 2006â€"2007
- Michael Vick â€" six-season quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles; in the 2014 off-season Vick became a member of the New York Jets
- Jimmy F. Williams â€" from Hampton; played for Hampton High and transferred his senior year to Bethel; played at Virginia Tech; drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2006; released in 2008 following suspension due to arrest for possession of marijuana during the 2007 offseason; signed to a future contract by the San Francisco 49ers in 2009
- Antwoine Womack â€" drafted by New England Patriots in 2002, but spent the season on injured reserve and did not play due to continuing problems from his 2001 ankle injury; in 2003 the Patriots released him to the New York Giants, but he spent the season on the injured reserve list before being cut from the 2004 roster
Gymnastics
- Gabby Douglas (b. 1995) â€" Olympic gold-winning gymnast
Mixed martial arts
- Brandon Vera (b. 1977) â€" Light Heavyweight fighter in UFC
Track and field
- Francena McCorory â€" from Hampton (Bethel High) and Hampton University; won gold in the 2012 Olympics as part of the women's 4x400; placed 7th in the women's 400m individual
Eddie Antoine. Green Run High School. High School All American, State Champion, 1 mile run. Undefeated senior year, Southern Conference champion, Virginia Military Institute.