Super Bowl 2024: The greatest father-son duo in sports is led by Shanahans and McCaffreys
Following a 49-26 victory over the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX, wide receiver Ed McCaffrey and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers celebrated their first Lombardi Trophy together.
Together, with the 49ers and the Denver Broncos, the two would win three Super Bowls during their careers.
29 years later, on February 11 in Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs, they will watch as their sons attempt to win their first Lombardi Trophy together.
Running back Christian McCaffrey and head coach Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers want to create history together. They have the chance to win the first Super Bowl for the team since their fathers did in 1994.
The McCaffreys will join Steve and Zak DeOssie, who both won titles with the New York Giants, as the only father-and-son teams to win Super Bowls as players with the same team if San Francisco defeats Kansas City.
If the 49ers defeat the Chiefs, Kyle and Mike Shanahan—who have already become the first father-son team to lead the same team to Super Bowl appearances—will also become the first to win the game. The Shanahans, along with Lester and Lynn Patrick, who coached the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins, are already just the second father-son team in the NFL, NHL, MLB, or NBA to each make it to the championship round in their respective sport.
If they prevail, they would become the first father-son team to win a head coach title in the history of all four leagues.
If it came to pass, it would be a marvellous thing for the families and the legendary franchise, but these two are not the only well-known father-son teams that have achieved success.
The most prosperous father-son teams in sports history are shown here.
a variety of sports
With the Colorado Buffaloes, Deion Sanders coaches his sons, Shedeur, the quarterback, and Shilo, the defensive back (pictured). Getty Images / Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
Shedeur Sanders, Shilo Sanders, Deion Sanders, and Deion Sanders Jr.
The achievements of father: Deion spent 14 seasons as an NFL player. After being named a two-time All-American at Florida State, he was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the fifth overall pick in the 1989 draft. With two Super Bowl victories, 53 interceptions over his career, and eight Pro Bowl selections, Sanders was a standout player. In addition, he spent nine seasons as a professional baseball player for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, and Cincinnati Reds. He famously participated in a Falcons game against the Miami Dolphins and then quickly took a plane to Pittsburgh to get ready for his Braves game against the Pirates in the National League Championship Series. In 2011, he was admitted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
His sons followed in his footsteps: Deion Sanders Jr. signed with SMU as a wide receiver and kick returner in the 2012 class, ranking as a two-star athlete. Sanders Jr. was selected for the second team of the All-American Athletic Conference as a sophomore kick returner. In the 2019 class, Shilo signed with South Carolina as a cornerback after ranking as high as 287.
During their college football careers, Shilo and Shedeur were coached by their father while playing for the Colorado Buffaloes and Jackson State Tigers.
MLB
In a game, Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. became the first father-son team to ever hit back-to-back home runs. AP image by John Bazemore
Jr. and Sr. Ken Griffey Sr.
The achievements of father: During his 19 seasons in the major leagues, Ken Griffey Sr. primarily played for the Cincinnati Reds. He was a member of the 1975 and 1976 World Series winning Big Red Machine. Griffey Sr. finished his career with a.296 batting average, 152 home runs, and 859 RBIs. He was a three-time All-Star. Inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame, he was named the 1980 All-Star Game’s Most Valuable Player.
Ken Griffey Jr., his son, likewise enjoyed a lengthy career, spending 22 seasons in the major leagues, 13 of which he spent with the Seattle Mariners and the remaining nine with Cincinnati. In 2016, Griffey Jr. was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. With 630 career home runs, he ranks seventh all-time. He was a 13-time All-Star and received 10 Gold Gloves for his center field play. Throughout his career, he led the American League in home runs four times and was named the 1997 MVP of the league.
Playing for the Mariners, Griffey Sr. and Griffey Jr. made history in 1990 when they became the first father-son team to hit back-to-back home runs in the same game.
