Five Unforgettable Father-Son Sports Moments

Here's a list for all of the dads in the Capital Region and beyond.

It's not uncommon to see the sons and daughters of major sports stars break through to have professional careers of their own. Most times, you'll see the kids play the same sport as their parent, like Steph and Seth Curry playing basketball like their father, Dell. Other times, the kid will be an amazing athlete, but play a different sport, like current Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse, son of Canadian Football League wide receiver Richard Nurse.

Either way, the apple usually doesn't fall far from the tree, and here are five of my favorite father-son moments from the vast history of sports.

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Orioles call up Billy Ripken to join Cal Sr., Jr.

July 11, 1987. The Baltimore Orioles recalled then-22-year old Billy Ripken to join the Major League squad. In doing so, he also joined brother and star shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., and manager, Cal Ripken Sr. This became the first instance in MLB history that a father managed two sons on the same major league team, an occurrence that lasted until 1988. Six games into the '88 campaign, Ripken Sr. was fired, but history had long since been made.

Ken Griffey Sr., Jr. Hit Back-to-Back Home Runs

September 14, 1990. Ken Griffey Sr. stepped to the plate with a runner aboard in the top of the 1st inning, and no one out. He drove one deep to left center field and over the wall for a home run, his fourth of the season, off of righty Kirk McCaskill. The next batter in the order, his son, Ken Jr. Not to be outdone, Junior drove one the other way and over the left field fence for his 20th home run of the year. There it was, the first time a father and son had ever hit back-to-back home runs.

Gordie Howe Plays with Sons Mark and Marty

With Mr. Hockey reportedly unhappy with his current team, the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL, Gordie Howe signed with the World Hockey Association's Houston Aeros. The team had also signed his sons, Mark and Marty. The trio played together for four seasons with the Aeros, from 1973 to 1977, before signing with the (at the time) New England Whalers. They played together through the 1979-80 season, when Howe turned the ripe age of 51.

Derek Redmond Helped Across Finish Line By Dad, Jim

In the 1992 Summer Olympics, British sprinter Derek Redmond tore his hamstring during the semi-final race. As stretchers raced to remove him from the track, he instead chose to finish the race. His dad, Jim, joined him on the track, helping Derek hobble his way to the finish line. While the official result was a disqualification, he did unofficially cross the finish line, and will live on in the lore of the Olympics forever.

The Har-bowl

Super Bowl XLVII, February 3, 2013. For the first time in NFL history, two brothers, Jim and John Harbaugh, would coach against each other in the Super Bowl. Their father, Jack, was in attendance watching the game, and his two sons, on football's biggest stage. The winner? John Harbaugh's Ravens over Jim's 49ers, 34-31.