Everett Athletes That Made It Big
Editor’s Note: Originally published September 28, 2018. Republished January 27, 2022
As summer turns to fall, our eyes turn to sports. Football, basketball and hockey start their seasons and baseball and soccer march toward the playoffs. Of all the athletes that grace big screen televisions all across the country, how many of them are local?
A handful, it turns out. We put together a list of some local athletes from past and present.
Chris Chandler - Everett High School
Professional career: 1988-2004
Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Phoenix Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams
Highlights: NFC Champion (1998), Pro Bowl Selection (1997, 1998)
One of the most decorated athletes on the list, Chandler led the Atlanta Falcons to Super Bowl XXXIII in a losing effort against the Denver Broncos. Chandler played 17-seasons in the NFL.
Chandler was born in Everett and went to Everett High School, where he threw for 2,000 yards and 49 touchdowns as a Seagull.
He was even a part of a Got Milk? campaign.
Everett High’s Chris Chandler in a Got Milk? ad
Steven Souza Jr. - Cascade High School
Professional Career: 2007-Present
Teams: Washington Nationals, Tampa Bay Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks (present)
Steven Souza Jr., another Everett native, was a dual athlete (baseball and football) at Cascade High School and Washington State University, eventually being drafted by the Nationals in 2007. The 29-year-old had a banner year with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017, mashing 30 homers and driving in 78 runs.
Souza was traded to the Diamondbacks in 2018, and as of this article, is batting .217 in 71 plate appearances as injuries have cut into his playing time.
Cascade High’s Steven Souza Jr. with the Rays // Wikimedia
KEiVarae Russell - Mariner High School
Professional Career: 2016-Present
Teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals (present)
Highlights: FWAA Freshman All-American (2012)
KeiVarae Russell was born in Everett and attended Mariner High School, where he rushed for 1,293 yards on 177 attempts with 14 touchdowns as a senior running back, being named to the Associated Press’ first-team Washington class 4A. Russell was also selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl that year.
After moving to cornerback at Notre Dame, Russell was drafted in the third round by the Kansas City Chiefs. After a rocky start in the NFL, Russell is now on the practice squad for the Bengals.
Chris Henderson - Cascade High School
Professional Career: 1989-2001
Teams: FSV Frankfurt, Stabæk, Colorado Rapids, Kansas City Wizards, Miami Fusion, Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls
Highlights: UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame (2016)
Another Cascade High Alum, Henderson enjoyed a long career in Major League Soccer, scoring 59 goals in 341 caps in 17-seasons. Henderson also played 11 years with the United States National team, scoring three goals in 79 caps.
Henderson is now with Seattle Sounders FC as a technical director.
Henderson with the Colorado Rapids // WikiMedia
Grady Sizemore - Cascade High School
Professional Career: 2004-2015
Teams: Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays
Highlights: All-Star (2006-2008), Gold Glove Award (2007,2008), Silver Slugger Award (2008)
The last of the Bruins alum and the most decorated, Grady Sizemore played basketball, baseball and football in high school and was an all-time leader in rushing at Cascade with 3,081 yards.
A three-time All-Star, Sizemore was the only other player in Indians history (besides Roberto Alomar) to record 20 doubles, 10 triples, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in the same season (2005) and in 2008 became the 32nd member of the 30-30 club (30 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a single year).
Sizemore is currently an advisor to the player development department with the Cleveland Indians
Sizemore signing autographs with the Indians in 2006 // WikiMedia
Did we miss any stand-out stars? Let us know your favorite local athlete in the comments.
Henry J is a writer, editor and podcast producer for Live in Everett. This one time he was also a sports writer for the Everett Herald but that was a long time ago. Catch him at an AquaSox or Silvertips game.
