5 Super Athletes With Ties To Fredericksburg

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Fredericksburg 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. Jermon Bushrod (Football)

Fredericksburg native Jermon Bushrod built an impressive NFL career as an offensive tackle after being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round in 2007. He later played for the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins, and briefly returned to the Saints, amassing 134 games and 122 starts throughout his career. Beyond football, Bushrod has partnered with the Ralph Bunche Alumni Association in King George County to restore the historic Ralph Bunche High School, honoring its legacy as a school for Black students during segregation.

2. Takeira Ramey (Basketball)

A standout athlete from Massaponax High School in Fredericksburg, Takeira Ramey has earned numerous accolades throughout her basketball career. These include Player of the Year at the Region, Area and District levels, as well as MVP honors in multiple games and tournaments. Ramey continues her basketball career as a guard at Texas State University.

3. Tony Beasley (Baseball)

A native of the Greater Fredericksburg Region, Tony Beasley began his baseball journey playing Little League in Bowling Green and honing his skills at Caroline Stadium, where his high school number is permanently honored. After earning team MVP honors at Liberty University under coach Bobby Richardson, Beasley was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1989, beginning a lifelong career in baseball. He transitioned to coaching in 1998 and eventually became a third base coach in the MLB, serving with the Texas Rangers for nine seasons. In 2023, his dedication to the game culminated in a World Series championship, cementing his legacy as an inspiration to his local roots.

4. Julie Croteau (Baseball)

Julie Croteau, a trailblazer from Prince William County, made history as one of the first women to play NCAA baseball on an otherwise male team. After excelling in Little League and the Babe Ruth League, Croteau faced challenges in high school, where she was cut from her varsity team despite her talent. Undeterred, she joined the semi-professional Fredericksburg Giants in 1988 and later played first base for St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 1989, where her debut drew national attention. Beyond her playing career, Croteau became an advocate for gender equity in sports, worked as an intern with the Women’s Sports Foundation and appeared as an extra in “A League of Their Own.”

5. Jeff Rouse (Swimming)

Greater Fredericksburg’s own Jeff Rouse is a three-time Olympic gold medalist whose legacy spans decades. A graduate of Stafford High School in 1988, Rouse won his first gold and a silver medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, followed by two more golds at the 1996 Atlanta Games, including one in the 100-meter backstroke. After briefly coming out of retirement in 2001 to attempt a comeback for the 2004 Olympics, Rouse ultimately returned to Stafford in 2007, where he continues to live and maintain strong ties to the community that shaped him.

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