Category: Atheletes

UFC fighter Birthplace: Kenosha, WI You Know Him As: That guy who beats other people up. Did you know?  Ben Rothwell (born October 17, 1981) is an American mixed martial artist who competes as a heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Rothwell started fighting in 1999 at the age of 17, when he was learning self-defense. He began his training under Dave Strasser in Kenosha WI, He has trained under Pat Miletich and Duke Roufus. Rothwell cites his mother Victoria, a caterer, his wife, and his daughter as the most motivational people in his life, and his personal hero is George Washington. As of July, 2013, he sports a UFC record of 32-9-0 (winning 16 of his last 20), his strongest traits being his well-rounded abilities, speed, size, and strength. Sources: Wikipedia, ufc.com More

NFL player Birthplace: Racine, WI You Know Him As: Former lineman for the Green Bay Packers. Kevin Barry (born July 20, 1979 in Racine) is a retired American football offensive tackle. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at Arizona. He is most famous for being the 6th offensive lineman in Green Bay’s U-71 formation, named for Barry’s uniform number (he played for the Packers from 2002 – 2006). Barry has also been a member of the Houston Texans and Florida Tuskers of the United Football League before suffering an arm injury which led to his retirement. Source: Wikipedia More

Former NFL player Birthplace: Racine, WI You Know Him As: Cornerback for the 49ers in the 50s and 60s. Did You Know?”Jerry Mertens (born January 5, 1936 in Racine, Wisconsin) is a former American football cornerback who played eight seasons in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers. Mertens, a high-school standout at Racine Saint Catherine’s, was named to the NFL Pro Bowl in 1958, his rookie season. Mertens was officially a member of the 49ers during the 1966 season, although his career was over. Jerry ended his own career when he delivered a bone crushing hit to Jim Taylor for a six yard loss, which resulted in him breaking his neck. He was forced to sit on the sidelines for the reminder of the game. The doctors had failed in finding the fractured bones, until the next day when he had awoken from chronic pain in his... More

Former NFL player Birthplace:Waukegan, IL You Know Him From:The Steel Curtain defense of the 1970s Steelers. Did You Know?:Mike Wagner (born June 22, 1949 in Waukegan, Illinois) is a former American football player with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League from 1971-80. He won four Super Bowls as a safety on the famed Steel Curtain defense. Wagner played college football at Western Illinois University, earning NAIA All-American status in 1969. He was added to the Western Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 1976. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 11th round of the 1971 NFL Draft. Wagner, who tied for the NFL lead with eight interceptions in 1973, appeared in the 1975 and 1976 Pro Bowls and recorded 36 career interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries. He won four Super Bowls, recording interceptions in Super Bowl IX and Super Bowl X, in a 10-year career before... More

Basketball Coach and General Manager Birthplace:Zion, IL You Know Him As:The current general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks (as of July 2013) Did You Know?:John Hammond (born July 19, 1954 in Zion, Illinois) is the current general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks. Previously, Hammond had been an assistant GM with the Detroit Pistons, where he had also worked as an assistant coach. He had also been an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers, Missouri State University, University of Nebraska, and Houston Baptist University. He is a graduate of Greenville College. He has a daughter Lauryn Shay Hammond who attends Marquette University. Source: wikipedia More