- Jan 1 Hans-Joachim Stuck, German auto racer (24 Hours of Le Mans 1986-87, 96; 24 Hours of Nürburgring 1970, 98, 2004; World Sportscar C'ship 1985), born in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
- Jan 4 Barbara Ann Cochran, Claremont NH, slalom skier (Olympic gold 1972)
- Jan 5 Steve Arnold, English footballer, born in Willesden, London
- Jan 6 Don Gullett, American baseball player, born in Lynn, Kentucky
- Jan 11 Willie Maddren, English former footballer (d. 2000)
- Jan 12 Bill Madlock, American MLB player (Chicago Cubs), born in Memphis, Tennessee
- Jan 12 Drew Pearson, American NFL wide receiver, born in South River, New Jersey
- Jan 14 Gil Pak Jong, North Korean judoka (Olympic-1976)
- Jan 17 Rolando Thoeni, Italian slalom (Olympic bronze 1972), born in Trafoi
- Jan 18 Bob Latchford, English footballer, born in Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Jan 22 Ondrej Nepela, Slovak figure skater (d. 1989)
- Jan 23 Margaret Johnson Bailes, American 4x100 runner (Olympic gold 1968), born in The Bronx, New York
- Jan 23 Michael R. Matz, American horse trainer & equestrian (Olympic silver 1996), born in Collegeville, Pennsylvania
- Jan 25 Steve Prefontaine, American runner (5K 1972 Olympic 4th), born in Coos Bay, Oregon (d. 1975)
- Jan 26 Jarmila Kratochvilova, Czech 400m/800m runner (Olympic silver 1980), born in Golčův Jeníkov, Czechia
- Jan 29 Andy Roberts, cricketer (brilliant WI quickie with 202 wickets 74-84)
- Jan 30 Bobby Stokes, English football player, born in Portsmouth, United Kingdom (d. 1995)
- Jan 30 Trevor Laughlin, Australian cricketer (Australian all-rounder 1978-79), born in Nyah West, Australia
- Jan 31 Juan de Dios Castillo, Mexican soccer coach (Honduras, Copa Centroamericana 2011), born in Mexico City, Mexico (d. 2014)
About January 1951
How Old? 70 years old
Generation: Baby Boomer
Leap Year: No