Five More Famous Athletes from North Dakota
The response to our first list, Five Famous Athletes from North Dakota, was so big that we decided to add five more!
- 1
Phil Hansen - Oakes
Born in Oakes and an NDSU alum, Phil Hansen spent his entire NFL career with the Buffalo Bills, helping the team reach three Super Bowls and getting inducted into the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame in 2011.
- 2
Brooks Bollinger - Grand Forks
Quarterback Brooks Bollinger starred at Central High School in Grand Forks, before heading to the University of Wisconsin. He was a sixth-round pick of the New York Jets in 2003. He also spent time with the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys.
- 3
Virgil Hill - Grand Forks/Williston
Though he was born in Missouri, boxer Virgil Hill grew up in both Grand Forks and Williston. Hill was an accomplished amateur boxer and won silver at the 1984 Olympic Games. He holds a professional record of 50-7.
- 4
Weston Dressler - Bismarck
Weston Dressler was born and raised in Bismarck, where he was a standout at Bismarck High. He went on to play at UND and then took his talents north, where he has played for the Saskatchewan Roughriders since 2008.
- 5
Andy Hampsten - Grand Forks
Andy Hampsten was born in Columbus, Ohio, but grew up in Grand Forks. He is best known for his cycling wins at the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de Suisse. The 40-mile bikeway system in Grand Forks is named after Hampsten.