Favorite Athlete
Hello Monkeys,
I have noticed many athletic related threads as of late and began to wonder which athletes WSO members would consider their favorite. It's hard to drill down to one, considering you can like athletes for many reasons (work ethic, natural skill, grit, DGAF attitude, off-field antics, etc.) So I ask, who is your favorite athlete and why? (college or professional) Doesn't matter if he/she is retired or still active.
Ill start.
Randy Moss. I grew up idolizing him while watching him play for the purple and gold. He was very misunderstood, but had one goal, win. He came from a tough upbringing, and used minor setbacks to achieve major comebacks. He liked to talk trash, but more often then not he let his game do the talking. And what other athlete would moon the fans at Lambeau?
Dion Waiters. https://www.theplayerstribune.com/dion-waiters-miami-heat-nba-is-lucky/
The Players Tribune is fantastic.
Agreed, love The Players Tribune
SBd Dion Waiters comment above, that article is written by the man himself and definitely worth the time.
A wise Redditor once said, "we were born too late for the exploration of Earth, too early for the exploration of space, but just in time for Lionel Messi."
Favre.
Kawhi Leonard, he has improved so much every year. Now he just dominates with a blank expression on his face, the ultimate team player, its hard not to root for him
julian edelman's story is pretty incredible.
I still think Kelly Slater. I disagree with him on most things, but the guy is an athletic freak who grew up poor as shit, no father, and has been arguably the most dominant person in any one sport in modern history. started competing professionally at 22, still competitive at 45 in a sport dominated by 20-somethings.
Love the nod to Kelly Slater
SB for Edelman. Like seeing the 5'9-6'0 athletes that defy the BS that people think you have to be 6'4" to be good.
Julian Edelman is a boss and a nice dude.
Edelman is a great story and honestly a great model with younger guys.
Mickey Mantle - The numbers this guy put up and the alcohol this guy put down!!
Honorable Mentions: Michael Jordan, Jim Thorpe, Peyton Manning
Derek Jeter. The guy was arguably a pretty bad shortstop at the end of his career, but he was always a class act, and I respect that.
Second favorite is probably Manuel Neuer, the goalkeeper for Bayern-Munich and the German National Team. Manuel has reinvented the goalkeeper position and frequently is named as arguably the GOAT.
Hard to argue with 2.
+SB for knowing who he is. I have found very few people know soccer players outside of Ronaldo and Messi.
THE SWEEPER KEEPER
Pep turned him into a goal Sweeper (Goal Keeper + Sweeper) lol. The guy was so far out of the box sometimes it was insane. Still remember when Denny Welbeck tried to chip him at the CL round 16 (I'm a united fan) and I knew that was just not gonna happen lol.
I'd go with Buffon over Neuer (at least as of today). Stayed at Juve when they were relegated, on top at 39, he's the rock of both his club and national team.
Both are the undisputed first choice to their club and national team. It's quite unfortunate that Buffon never won the CL (came close twice).
I'm really not a fan of Juve, but I'll be more than happy for them to have this one for Gigi's sake.
Greatest GKs of the past two decades for me:
so much love for the sweeper keeper.
Kobe. "Because of 4am" gets me pumped up every time I read or watch a video about it as well as the various documentaries that everyone has probably seen. His grit and competitive nature are second to none and one of the three greatest players of all time IMO (Lebron, MJ, Kobe). He was more than the game itself and is the definition of relentless hard work and a true champion. I know there a negative press about him but he's one of the greatest to touch the court.
Black Mamba is one of my favorite basketball players as well.
JJ Watt, Allen Iverson, Randy Moss
"Straight cash, homie."
I don't watch sports but I like Lebron James because he was in that movie with Amie Schumer before she got very fat and gross and made a bad comedy special wearing a medium sized Hefty bag. I hope he fucked her.
Ochocinco. Dude gives zero fucks.
He's a great add on social media as well.
Tony Gonzalez - one of, if not the best, tight end to ever play the game. Played football and basketball at UC Berkeley. Could've played in the NBA. 14 Pro Bowls (are you kidding me?!). And remained one of the classiest and humble professional athletes through it all. As a Chiefs fan, I am still sad that guy never won a Super Bowl.
Steve Nash... gives everyday dudes the impression that they too can be great at basketball!
I wish I could give out more than 1 SB for that comment
Steve Nash is 6'3... I mean this dude is 6 inches taller than Isaiah Thomas... the only reason you're saying that is b/c he's white lol
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muggsy_Bogues
Dude did you just compare Steve Nash to Isaiah Thomas? Smh. Steve Nash won back to back MVPs and was in the 50-40-90 club 4 times (only 7 players have been in it TOTAL),
I think it's more about the fact that he didn't look like he had any super athletic gifts and is still reasonably short for NBA players. He doesn't jump high or dunk at all, was good at a relatively old age, wasn't ripped, was fast but not blindingly so - he was good almost in spite of physical attributes (comparatively) than because of the them and excelled at the stuff that the average man can fool himself into to thinking he can be good at (passing, shooting, dribbling). Isaiah relies on a quickness that none of us can dream of.
Moochie Norris.
Griffey
Very honored to have you comment on my first post. +1SB
Walter Payton.
Not even a Bears fan, but that guy is the most incredible runner of the football that there's ever been. By a large factor.
Roger Federer. Unbelievable talent, class, longevity while holding pretty much all tennis records out there. To come back and dominate the game over the past 6 months at 35 yrs of age is just adding to his legacy.
I gave you a SB for the above post. My idol, hero and role model. Not only Tennis but every other sport as well. Certainly the GOAT !! Federer fan for life.
SB for Fed - guys straight class
Lawrence Taylor. The dude won the MVP while literally on crack. I highly recommend the book over the edge. The fact that he was arguably the most dominant defensive player in NFL history living the lifestyle that he did is pretty incredible.
Phil Ivey obvi... although Fedor Holz could give him a run for his money if he doesn't retire at 23.
Greg Raymer is a helluva an athlete too...
Barry Sanders was one of the best, I just wish he played for a decent team.
Mike Tyson- Arguably the most exciting and unintentionally hilarious athlete ever. Boxing died when he went south.
Tom Brady- Duh. GOAT. So incredibly consistent and one of the best winners in sports history.
Honorable mention- Tiger. Needs to get his shit together.
Three Words: Barry. Motherfuckin'. Bonds.
A true beast with or without roids. Best swing in baseball.
Ken Griffey Jr. had a better swing in my opinion
Hingle McCringleberry
Quisperny G'Dunzoid Sr.
A.A. Ron Balakay
Russell Wilson: all-around great guy who does a lot of service work to help his community. never really understood the hate he got simply because he always does all the things you're supposed to do as a franchise QB
Brian Scalabrine
John Daly
[
)
Grip it and rip it. He actually came to a pro am tourney near me and was pretty cool.
Ronaldinho. Saw him play live in 06' most entertaining soccer player to ever live.
Harry Kane.
Last thing I expected to see on this forum
The best sport is done not in a controlled environment, but in the real world. One where the "athlete"'s life rests on true survival endurance, where death could be imminent.
Therefore, I nominate-
Sir Ernest Shackleton.
Candide Thovex is my favorite to watch, but that's probably just because freeskiing is my favorite sport to watch. Also really depends on how people define sports, but it certainly does meet drama_llama's requirements of uncontrolled environment and danger. Can't post links, but check out his instagram for a sample of what he does.
SB'd, especially once you know his story and his comeback. I still replay "[Few Words](
)" every now and then.
Sam Darnold - That kid would just run straight back to the sideline after throwing a touchdown pass and acts like nothing happened lol.
Tracy McGrady - The way he played was just so elegant and effortless.
David Beckham
Tom Brady, nuff said
How come no one said Bruce Jenner yet. I mean cmon cutting off your dick is a new level
Fucked up family tree
The Rock. Luis Suarez. Schumacher. Ozil and Giroud.
Wenger Out
Ozil gets the SB, but i have to say for all of Suarez's antics, he's one hell of a player who still somehow manages to stand out on (what on paper) is the best team in the world. and i say that as a Ronaldo>Messi person. Also gotta love how the rock went from being everyone's favorite childhood wrestler to the highest paid actor in the world, and he played football at UMiami if i'm not mistaken?
The Rock was my first role model. Heck, I have fond memories of watching WWF/WWE with my Grandpa and cheering on The Rock and Undertaker. It was much better before all the John Cena hype.
In no particular order: Manuel Neuer, John Randle and his airness. Honorable Mention: The Rock.
Lionel Messi.
Technically not an athlete, but Lonzo Ball's dad - single-handedly ruining his sons' chances of getting any shoe line / sponsorship deal unless all three prove to be the next MJ.
how wrong you are
http://www.lakersnation.com/lonzo-ball-big-baller-brand-debut-first-sig…
How am I wrong? I can also self-launch a shoe. Hardly equates to getting a massive deal with the big boys.
Zlatan.
Overrated. By the way, how's his knee now?
Overrated? Zlatan is simply one of the best strikers to ever play the game, period.
Chris 'C.T.' Tamburello. Arguably the greatest athlete of our generation. If you need further proof, he once turned Johnny Bananas into a backpack: Link
John Cena, winner of 25 WWE championships. Never forget: "hustle loyalty respect"
Basketball is my #1 sport, but growing up, Ricky Henderson with the A's stole the show. He's possibly one of the top 5 baseball players of all time. I believe he's crossed home plate more than any other player...even Pete Rose.
I haven't read his wiki page in some time but the commentary is fantastic.
Ricky made small ball so exciting. These days, the thought of anyone even approaching 100 stolen bases a year seems impossible.
Gonna throw out a couple different names:
John Hannah -- One of the most physically dominant players in football history. Watching highlights of him destroying peers of his time like Randy White and Joe Klecko really put his dominance into perspective. Probably the all-around greatest offensive lineman to play the game.
Jim Brown -- Arguably the best player in history in two different sports (football and lacrosse).
Bill Kazmaier -- One of the most electrifying strength athletes ever. Record breaking powerlifter and so dominant in the early years of the World's Strongest Man contest that they didn't invite him back after he won it three years in a row. Video footage of his WSM titles are mind-blowing.
Ben Hogan -- Complete boss. Dude almost died in a car accident and returned to dominate the game for several years. "Bantam Ben" had a steely, unshakable reserve and the best swing and ball striking in golf history. Was definitely less physically gifted than many of his contemporaries, but found his game "in the dirt" through tireless practice, and beat his peers with a brutally disciplined approach to the game.
Ty Cobb -- The Georgia Peach spent decades setting nearly every record in baseball and physically beating the shit out of people. After his son flunked out of Princeton for being an asshole and an idiot, Ty Cobb drove up to the school and beat the shit out him in front of his friends.
Bo Jackson -- Complete physical freak. One of the most naturally gifted athletes in history.
Michael Phelps - USA.
Alternatively, Bruce Jenner.
Arnold Schwarzenegger. Austrian nobody -> international body building champion -> global movie star -> Governor of 7th largest economy on Earth.
Chunky Ragu
Happy Gilmore
Vince Carter - one the best and most exciting dunkers of all time and has worked to evolve his game to remain relevant 20 years into his professional career (oldest active NBA player). Obviously not as explosive these days, but will do damage from three. I still don't think a dunk contest has topped his onslaught in 2000.
Cristiano Ronaldo
The discipline and intrinsic motivation he possesses is second to none in world football. Nobody works harder than this guy does when it comes to physical fitness or the way he takes care of body/health. People can say Messi's talent makes him better, and that may be so, but Ronaldo is the shining example of how far hard work can take you. That type of hustle is something everyone on this forum should appreciate.
Derek Jeter - great role model on and off the field. His efforts with the Players Tribune really seal the deal for me.
Billy Beane - counts as an athlete since he actually made to the MLB, but this guy + Moneyball is what got me interested in the numbers side of baseball, and quantitative viewpoints in general.
All from MMA: Fedor Emelianenko, who dominated the heavyweight field at a good 30-40 lbs less than the weight limit for a long time, and beat some of the scariest dudes on the planet while looking like essentially an oversized toddler. Conor McGregor, for being a strong fighter who knows how to market the hell out of himself. And Jose Aldo, for literally fighting his way out of the favelas to be where he is today.
Also, as of this past weekend, boxing legend Wladimir Klitschko. He's 41 bloody years old and still gave a 27yo undefeated knockout artist the fight of his life. Sure hope to be in his shape when I'm his age.
Agree with Wlad. Though I think he should've retired 3 or 4 years ago he is an awesome fighter. It's just very difficult to fight once you're over 35-38ish. Heavyweight division has been severely underrated the last 2 years.
Fights I'm looking forward to
Wlad vs Joshua II Fury vs Joshua Fury vs Wlad II Briggs vs Joshua (could happen if briggs wins) David Haye losing to another bum Wilder is a bum too and I think would lose against Wlad, Fury, Joshua, Ortiz, Briggs, etc.
It's gonna take a while for Fury to get back in shape, though. Dude's massive now. Like 100+ lbs overweight...
I'm interested in matching Joshua up against Deontay Wilder or Joseph Parker. You know that those would be hella exciting fights.
Fedor in his heyday was a sight to behold. Dude was a machine. Like you said, he just dismantled some of the scariest dudes in the world, and if you passed him on the street you wouldn't even give him a second look. I still can't believe that fight when he submitted Kevin Randleman with a kimura like 30 seconds after Randleman suplexed him and nearly broke his neck.
Magic Johnson one of the best point guards ever, and apparently a very successful businessman after retiring. Always loved Allen Iverson too.
Kristaps Porzingis, aka Porzingod(
)
Zinedine Zidane, amazing soccer player and had a really sweet headbutt because some guy was talking trash about his mother.
Zidane seems to be hell of a coach too.
Brady, Federer, Ronaldo da Lima, Bo and Phelps
Joey Votto
Joe Thornton, class guy, great beard! Not to mention he played in the NHL Playoffs with both a torn MCL and ACL aged 37! That to me defines grit and determination.
Jeter, Favre, Jordan, I mean I think everyone's pretty much going to select from the same pool. Ayrton Senna is probably the racing driver I'm most interested by.
I happen to like Lolo Jones a lot too because...she's rather attractive.
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