5 Super Athletes With Ties To Monroe

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Monroe area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Javianne Oliver (Track & Field)

Hailing from Monroe, Javianne Oliver has emerged as one of America’s top sprinters. A University of Kentucky standout and 2017 NCAA indoor runner-up in the 60 meters, Oliver broke through by winning the 60-meter dash at the 2018 USA Indoor Championships. She went on to claim a silver medal with the U.S. women’s 4x100-meter relay team at the Tokyo Olympics.

2. Patricia Roberts (Basketball)

Patricia Roberts, of Monroe, made history as part of the first U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team, earning a silver medal at the 1976 Montreal Games. In 1977, she became the University of Tennessee’s first Kodak All-American after a record-setting season that saw her establish nine Lady Vol records. Roberts’s standout collegiate career led to professional stints in the Women’s Basketball League and the honor of captaining the 1979 U.S. National Team.

3. Stephon Tuitt (Football)

Monroe Area High School graduate Stephon Tuitt was a dominant defensive lineman at Notre Dame — where he earned Second-Team All-American honors — before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers as a second-round draft pick in 2014. At 6’6” and 303 pounds, Tuitt delivered punishing tackles and a steady pass rush over eight NFL seasons, frequently occupying multiple blockers. He retired in 2022.

4. Marquis Floyd (Football)

Monroe’s Marquis Floyd initially succeeded in the Arena Football League, earning Defensive Back of the Year before heading to the NFL. A talented cornerback out of West Georgia, Floyd spent time with the Seattle Seahawks, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys, while also starring in indoor leagues like the Tennessee Valley Vipers and Arizona Rattlers.

5. Michael Gallup (Football)

Michael Gallup, a Monroe Area High School graduate, was a star wide receiver in Division I college football at Colorado State. A consensus All-American in 2017, Gallup entered the NFL as a third-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 2018. Over several seasons, he racked up over 3,700 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns. He later joined the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year deal but was placed on the reserve/retired list before playing a game.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.