Sports
Blue Devils Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Central High School
From local fields to national fame, these stars got their start in Davenport.
Sports run deep in Davenport, and Central High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Blue Devils uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Central High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.
1. Roger Craig – NFL Running Back (San Francisco 49ers)
A Central High School alumnus, Roger Craig became one of the most influential running backs in NFL history after a standout collegiate career and a Hall of Fame–caliber professional run with the San Francisco 49ers. He was a central figure on three Super Bowl–winning teams, earned multiple Pro Bowl selections, and became the first player in NFL history to record both 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. (Sources: Our Quad Cities, Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame)
2. Olivia Hopewell – School Record-Breaking Swimmer
As a junior at Central High School, Olivia Hopewell made a splash at the 2024 IGHSAU State Swimming and Diving Meet. She placed 8th in the 500-yard freestyle and set a new Central High School record with a time of 5:13.35, while also finishing 18th in the 200-yard freestyle. Now a senior, Hopewell continues to train alongside her father, who currently coaches the Central swim program. (Sources: Davenport Community Schools, KWQC 6)
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3. Jack Fleck – U.S. Open Champion & Hall of Famer
Central High alum Jack Fleck etched his name into golf history by defeating Ben Hogan in a playoff to win the 1955 U.S. Open, one of the sport’s most famous upsets. His legacy was later honored with induction into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame, recognizing both his championship achievement and lasting impact on the game. (Source: Iowa Golf)
4. Michael Nunn – World Champion Boxer & Hall of Famer
Former Blue Devil Michael Nunn became one of the premier boxers of his era, capturing world championships at middleweight and competing at the elite level across multiple weight classes. Known for his speed and technical skill, he later earned induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of Davenport’s most accomplished professional athletes. (Sources: KCCI, Davenport Central High School)
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5. Gene Baker – MLB Shortstop & Coach (Chicago Cubs)
Central High alumnus Gene Baker broke barriers in professional baseball as one of the early African American infielders in the Major Leagues, playing for the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates over eight seasons between 1953 and 1961. After his playing career, he served as the first African American manager in Organized Baseball with the Batavia Pirates, a coach with the Pirates’ major league club and later a longtime scout in the Pittsburgh organization. (Source: Society for American Baseball Research)This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.