Sportspeople from Laurel, Mississippi

Clinton Earl Portis (born September 1, 1981) is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football for the University of Miami. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. Portis is best known for being the starting running back for the Washington Redskins for seven seasons in which he gained an average of 81.2 yards rushing per game, for which a select panel of celebrities included him on a list of the best Redskins in history.

Julian Walter Fagan III (born February 21, 1948) is a former American football punter in the National Football League. He played for the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets. He played college football for the Ole Miss Rebels.

Archie "Gunslinger" Cooley (born 1940) was an American former college football coach. He served as the head football coach at Mississippi Valley State University from 1980 to 1986, University of Arkansas–Pine Bluff from 1987 to 1991, Norfolk State University in 1993, and Paul Quinn College from 2000 to 2006. At Mississippi Valley State, Cooley coached the tandem of Willie Totten and Jerry Rice, future College Football Hall of Fame quarterback and wide receiver, respectively.

Kenneth Victor Payne (born November 25, 1966) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who serves as assistant coach for the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and 195 lb (88 kg) small forward, Payne played college basketball at the University of Louisville and was a member of Louisville's 1986 NCAA championship squad. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 19th pick of the 1989 NBA draft where he was booed by a gathering of fans.

Lavern Jack Pierce (June 2, 1949 – September 13, 2012) was a professional baseball player. Pierce played in parts of three seasons in the majors from 1973 until 1975 with the Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers. He also played with the Nankai Hawks in Japan in 1977. However, Pierce is better known for his exploits in minor league baseball. As of 1998, he ranked ninth all-time in minor league home runs with 395.

Rodney Joe Gilbreath (born September 24, 1952) is a former Major League Baseball second baseman from 1972 to 1978 for the Atlanta Braves.

Chris Burkett (born August 21, 1962) is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the 2nd round of the 1985 NFL Draft. A 6'4", 198-lb. wide receiver from Jackson State, Burkett played in 9 NFL seasons for the Bills and the New York Jets from 1985 to 1993.

Jason S. Campbell (born December 31, 1981) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Auburn. Campbell also played for the Oakland Raiders, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals.

Ralph Harold Boston (May 9, 1939 – April 30, 2023) was an American track athlete who received three Olympic medals and became the first person to break the 27 feet (8.2 m) barrier in the long jump.

John Daniel Pierce (born January 17, 1948 in Laurel, Mississippi) is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Memphis and Mississippi State University and was drafted in the fifth round of the 1970 NFL Draft.