NFL Rookies Follow in Fathers’ Footsteps

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Six NFL rookies will be following in the footsteps of their NFL dads this season. For two rookies this year, those footsteps, like five NFL father-son duos before them, can be traced all the way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Defensive end Chris Long, a first-round selection of the St. Louis Rams this year, and wide receiver Matthew Slater, a fifth-round choice of the New England Patriots, each boast fathers who have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame — defensive end Howie Long (Class of 2000) and tackle Jackie Slater (Class of 2001).

Four other rookies can join the NFL fathers-sons list this year: Minnesota safety Dominique Barber, son of former New York Jets running back Marion Jr. and brother of present Dallas running back Marion III; San Diego cornerback Antoine Cason, son of former Atlanta defensive back Wendell; Pittsburgh linebacker Bruce Davis, son of former Oakland and Houston offensive lineman Bruce; and Arizona running back Dionte Johnson, son of former New York Giants, Cleveland, Detroit and New York Jets linebacker Pepper.

There have been 158 father-son pairs and threesomes that have played in the NFL. The list includes such names as Dorsett (Tony and Anthony); Farr (Mel, Sr.; Mel, Jr.; and Mike); Hasselbeck (Don, Matt and Tim); Kramer (Jerry and Jordan); Klecko (Joe and Dan); Manning (Archie, Peyton and Eli); Matthews (Clay, Sr.; Clay, Jr.; and Bruce); Metcalf (Terry and Eric); Shula (Don, Dave and Mike); and Winslow (Kellen, Sr. and Kellen, Jr.).

Source: NFL Media, Photo: Newscom