Top 5 Sports Celebrities from the Texarkana Area
Last week I wrote about Top 5 actors from Texarkana and this week I'm turning my focus to sport figures who have ties to the Texarkana region. This area has always been a hotbed when it comes to athletes and sports celebrities. Whether it's baseball or football, the Twin Cities seems to turn out some pretty good players who go on to play big league sports.
Here are five athletes who either hail from Texarkana or have ties to the Twin Cities.
Born in Iowa City, Iowa on July 1, 1991, his family moved to Texarkana when he was 3 years old. Michael graduated from Pleasant Grove High School where he played baseball and basketball. After graduation he attended Texas A&M University where he pitched in the College World Series. Wacha is now a Major League professional baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2013 Wacha earned the National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award.
Born Oct. 22, 1989 in New Boston, Texas, he played high school football for the Liberty Eylau Leopards and was recruited by several major colleges before becoming an Oregon Duck running back for the University of Oregon. LaMichael was also a 2010 Heisman Trophy Finalist. James went on to play in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers and the Miami Dolphins until September 2014. James is currently a free agent.
3. Billy Sims
Born in St. Louis, Missouri but moved to Hooks, Texas when he was in the eighth grade. Sims attended the University of Oklahoma where he was part of the Sooners football team from 1975-1979. During those years Sims broke several records and earned the Heisman Trophy in 1978. Sims was drafted by the NFL Detroit Lions where he continued to set records and was selected a Pro Bowler three times. In 1988 Sims attempted a comeback with the Lions after a knee injury in 1984 but never fully recovered. Sims now owns a chain of BBQ stores called Billy Sims BBQ.
Born in Wichita Falls, Texas, eventually his family moved to Texarkana where he graduated from Texas High School where he played wide receiver. Vasher was recruited by the Texas Longhorns at the University of Texas where he played cornerback and punt returner in 2001. After a stellar college career he was drafted by the NFL Chicago Bears in 2004. He also played pro ball in Detroit and San Diego. Vasher was nicknamed "The Interceptor" by the Bears fans for all the interceptions he made during his tenure there.
5. Ryan Mallett
Born in Batesville, Ark., but raised in Texarkana, Mallett played quarterback for the Texas High School Tigers and was rated the #2 and #4 overall player in the nation by Rivals.com. He was named the Gatorade Player in Texas 2006. Mallet was recruited by numerous college teams nationwide but landed at Michigan in 2007 where he played until transferring closer to home at the University of Arkansas in 2008. Mallet got his first start in 2009 and when on to a stellar career with the Razorbacks where he now holds 16 school records. Mallet left for the NFL draft in 2011 where he was drafted in the third round by the New England Patriots where he remained until 2013. Mallett was eventually traded to the Houston Texans in 2014 where he stayed until 2015 when the Texans released him. That same year the Baltimore Ravens were needing help at the QB position due to an injury and Ryan Mallett got the call and currently remains on the team.
Other notable professional athletes with ties to Texarkana include the following:
Do you know of any more sports figures from Texarkana?
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