James Henry Lawrence Hovey (15 August 1922 – 28 March 1995) was an Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Hovey, a back pocket player, arrived at Geelong from Modewarre and debuted in 1946, when he appeared in every game from round seven. He played 17 games in 1947 and gathered all of his five career Brownlow Medal votes that year, then made a further 11 appearances in 1948. Hovey kicked two goals for Shepparton when they defeated Tatura in the 1951 Goulburn Valley Football League grand final.