Houston Sports Hall of Fame facts for kids

The Houston Sports Hall of Fame celebrates incredible athletes and coaches. It honors people from the Houston area who have made a big impact in their sports. You can find it in Downtown Houston at GreenStreet.

People chosen for the Hall of Fame can come from major professional teams. They can also be from college or high school teams in Greater Houston. If a sport is not a team sport, like boxing or golf, athletes can be inducted if they grew up in the area.

Who's in the Hall of Fame?

The Houston Sports Hall of Fame honors many famous athletes and coaches. Here are some of the amazing people who have been inducted:

Football Legends

• Earl Campbell was a powerful running back for the Houston Oilers. He was known for his strong runs and exciting plays.
• Dan Pastorini was a quarterback for the Oilers. He helped lead the team during a memorable time.
• Andre Johnson played wide receiver for the Houston Texans. He was known for his amazing catches and long career.
• Warren Moon was a talented quarterback for the Oilers. He was famous for his strong arm and leadership.
• Bruce Matthews was an offensive lineman for the Oilers. He played many different positions and was very strong.
• Bill Yeoman was a successful head coach for the University of Houston football team. He led them to many victories.

Basketball Stars

• Hakeem Olajuwon was a legendary center for the Houston Rockets. He led the team to two championships and was known for his "Dream Shake" move.
• Rudy Tomjanovich played forward for the Rockets and later coached them to championships. He was a key part of the team's success.
• Clyde Drexler was a fantastic guard for the Rockets and the University of Houston. He was known for his high-flying dunks.
• Sheryl Swoopes was a star forward for the Houston Comets. She helped the Comets win multiple championships in women's basketball.
• Cynthia Cooper was an incredible guard for the Houston Comets. She was a leader and a top scorer for the championship teams.
• Elvin Hayes was a dominant forward and center for the Rockets and the University of Houston. He was a powerful scorer and rebounder.
• Guy Lewis was a famous head coach for the University of Houston basketball team. He coached many future NBA stars.

Baseball Heroes

• Nolan Ryan was a legendary pitcher for the Houston Astros. He was known for his powerful fastball and many strikeouts.
• Jeff Bagwell was a first baseman for the Houston Astros. He was known for his unique batting stance and powerful hitting.
• Craig Biggio played many positions for the Houston Astros, including second baseman and catcher. He was known for his hustle and long career.
• Roger Clemens was a dominant pitcher for the Houston Astros. He won many awards for his pitching.
• Lance Berkman was an outfielder and first baseman for the Houston Astros. He was a strong hitter from both sides of the plate.

Other Sports Greats

• Mary Lou Retton is an Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics. She won her medal in 1984 and became a national hero.
• George Foreman is a famous boxer and Olympic gold medalist. He is known for his powerful punches and later, his grilling products.
• A. J. Foyt is a legendary auto racing driver. He won many major races, including the Indianapolis 500 multiple times.
• Carl Lewis is an Olympic gold medalist in track and field. He won many medals in sprinting and long jump events.
• Jack Burke Jr. was a professional golfer. He won major championships in golf.