Fact Players Who Share Their Names With Famous People or Fictional Charcters

[emuboy]

There are a number of players in the history of the VFL/AFL who share their name with famous people around the world, or fictional characters. Some I could think of are:

FAMOUS PEOPLE
Richard Nixon (Rich) - American President. (Sadly, the Richmond player died in a car accident in the early 1990s. I am unsure if player manager Ricky Nixon who played at Carlton, St Kilda & Hawthorn was actually christened Richard; I have only ever heard of him being called Ricky).
Steven King (Geel & StK) - American Novelist
Ron Howard (Foots) - American Actor & Director
John Kennedy Snr & John Kennedy Jnr (Haw) - American President & son
Robert Shaw (Ess) - American Actor (from Jaws)
James Cook (Carl, WB & Melb) - English Explorer & discoverer of Australia

FICTIONAL CHARACTERS
Ronald McDonald (Rich) - Clown Mascot of McDonalds Corporation (Fortunately for the player, he was born in the 30s & played in the 50s.)
**Also of note here (although not strictly fitting the list criteria) is the West Coast Eagles team of the early 1990s, who had players called Mainwaring, Wilson, Pyke & Walker on their list at the same time - all the names of Dads Army characters. This is noteworthy because there were so many of them.

I'm sure you can add to the list. Please also include any SANFL, WAFL, VFA/L players who fit these categories.

 

[AG]

Michael Johnson (Fre) - Quite a few sportsmen. The American 200m and 400m champion runner the most obvious.
Cyril Rioli (Haw) - Gods real name.

 

[scooterb]

Michael Johnson (Fre) - Quite a few sportsmen. The American 200m and 400m champion runner the most obvious.

Another Johnson -

Ben Johnson (Coll)

 

[iluvparis]

Cyril Rioli (Haw) - Gods real name.

Absolutely love it!

 

[BILC]

Nathan Foley shares his name with that gay hi 5 bloke

 

[crudbucket]

Victor Hugo played with the Swans in 1980.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Paul Kelly (Syd) shared his name with the famous Australian singer-songwriter.

 

[Nine]

Matt White of Richmond and the journo on Today Tonight who is also on Dancing with the 'Stars'.

 

[robertg22]

Chris Tarrant is the host of the UK version of Who wants to be a millionaire.

 

[half_back_flank]

Paul Kelly (Syd) shared his name with the famous Australian singer-songwriter.

Add the editor of the Age to that too. They had a Paul Kelly party once haha, there is a photo of it in Kelly (the footballers) auto.

 

[ripitup27]

Geelong had Steve Owen and Steve Johnson on its list at one stage, both while also racing V8 Supercars.

Gary Ablett played FA Cup football for Liverpool and Everton.
Mark Blake played for Aston Villa.
Tom Hawkins played for the Dodgers in the NBA and also received the Medal of Honour.
James Kelly was an astronaut amongst other things.
Harry Taylor played baseball, ice hockey, cricket, rugby league and also swam at the Olympics. Quite the athlete.

 

[Willo #6]

Steven King shares his name with a jockey and an author

 

[robertg22]

Brad Miller plays for the Chicago Bulls.
Josh Smith (Kangaroos) shares his name with an Atlanta Hawks player also.

 

[Brad Goodman]

John Barnes was white and played AFL, he was also black and played soccer in England.

Tim Allen had a brief career at St Kilda, Hawthorn and Geelong in between his commitments with "Home Improvment".

 

[Adrian Shelton]

Kevin Sheedy was a soccer player too(Everton i think)

 

[krisholio14]

There was a Kevin Sheedy that played soccer for Everton and Ireland back in the 80's

Tony Shaw wasn't just a great Collingwood champion and currently annoying commentator, he was also a champion union player for the Reds and Wallabies.

Not only does Mark Williams find time to coach Port and get a kick for Hawthorn, he's also bobbed up and had a couple of hit singles back in the late 80's and early 90's.

 

[krisholio14]

Also don't forget Bryce Gibbs is currently playing AFL AND NRL

 

[krisholio14]

and another....

There is a current South Fremantle player (and former East Fremantle B&F winner, who has also won it at the Dogs) that shares his name with yours truly.

Nothing out of the ordinary you might think, except for one thing. We both spell our first names differently to the norm

 

[Brad Goodman]

Not only does Mark Williams find time to coach Port and get a kick for Hawthorn, he's also bobbed up and had a couple of hit singles back in the late 80's and early 90's.

I think he may have also showed no mercy in coaching Sandringham to a few flags earlier this decade.

 

[alinghi]

Fictional characters

John Anthony (Collingwood) and John Anthony (Brandon Lang's alter-ego in the 2005 film Two for the Money).

Tom Swift (West Coast) and Tom Swift (protagonist of adventure novels).

Jonathon Griffin (Adelaide) and Jack Griffin (the invisible man).

Sam Fisher (St Kilda) and Sam Fisher (Splinter Cell protagonist).


Other athletes

Nathan Brown (Richmond), Nathan Brown (Collingwood), Nathan Brown (Melbourne) and Nathan Brown (former St George NRL player turned coach).

Mitchell Brown (West Coast), Mitchell Brown (Geelong) and Mitchell Brown (Cronulla NRL).

Andrew Browne (Fremantle), Andrew Browne (Richmond) and Andrew Brown (QLD Super 14 Rugby) - even with the less common variant of the surname, there's a double up of players in the AFL

Chris Lewis (West Coast) and Chris Lewis - one of Australia's leading WA based harness drivers.

Andrew Walker (Carlton) and Andrew Walker (NRL and Super Rugby player).

Scott Thompson (Adelaide) and Scott Thompson (pro-wrestler) and Scott Thompson (North Melbourne).

Roger Hayden (Freo) and Roger (Lee) Hayden - brother of moto gp rider Nicky Hayden and professional motorcycle rider in his own right.

Mark Williams (Hawthorn) and Mark Williams (Port Adelaide coach).

Roy Simmonds (Hawthorn) and Royce Simmons (NRL).

Brad Miller (Melbourne) and Brad Miller (Chicago Bulls NBA).

Steve Johnson (Geelong) and Steven Johnson (v8 driver and son of Dick Johnson).

Ross Smith (St Kilda) and Ross Smith (North Melbourne).

Ben Ross (North Melbourne) and Ben Ross (NRL).

Matt Campbell (North Melbourne) and Matthew Campbell (Brisbane Bears).

Matthew Lloyd (Essendon) and Matthew Lloyd (cyclist).


Miscellaneous

Chris Judd (Carlton) and Cris Judd (former husband of Jennifer Lopez).

Tom Lee (Adelaide) and Tommy Lee (musician & Pamela Anderson husband).

Tom Williams (Footscray) and Tom Williams (tv presenter) and Tom Williams (English rugby player).

John Kennedy (Hawthorn) and John (F) Kennedy (another USA president).

Jay Nash (Essendon) and J.Nash (mathematician )

John Williams (Essendon) and John Williams (NSW Senator).

 

[Wallaby]

Ian Stewart played for St Kilda, Richmond and The Rolling Stones (he left the Stones concert line-up in '63 to concentrate on his Football career - although he still made regular session/studio appearances).

 

[pluga_4]

john stevens (sydney) / jon stevens (noiseworks)

peter everitt (stk/haw/syd) - host of ready steady cook

kevin bartlett (richmond) - v8 supercar driver

 

[dajesmac]

Richard Hadley (Carlton) and Sir Richard Hadlee the former New Zealand cricketer.

Shane Bond (WCE) and Shane Bond the NZ cricketer.

 

[Frothies Mcveigh]

Lance Franklin was a canadian pole vaulter in the 60's
Joe Misiti played for the toronto maple leaves
and matthew scarlett was an american gymnast.

 

[roostersgal4eva]

Matt White of Richmond and the journo on Today Tonight who is also on Dancing with the 'Stars'.

Also an Aussie Cyclist Matt White


Mathew Lloyd = Another Aussie Cyclist