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Tim Duncan and 10 Athletes Who Continue to Defy Age

10 Athletes Who Defy Age

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Soobum In- USA Today Sports

One of the best things about sports is watching great players compete throughout their entire career. From Tim Duncan to Peyton Manning, there are several athletes who continue to play hard day in and day out at an older age than most. With that said, let's go ahead and take a look at 10 guys who continue to defy age.

10. Kevin Garnett

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Adam Hunger- USA Today Sports

10. Kevin Garnett

kevin garnett brooklyn nets
Adam Hunger- USA Today Sports

Kevin Garnett may have lost a step or two, but he continues to battle on the court day in and day out. At age 38, he still plays with more intensity than most players in the NBA, which helped lead the Brooklyn Nets to the postseason this year.

9. Charles Woodson

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Christopher Hanewinckel- USA Today Sports

9. Charles Woodson

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Christopher Hanewinckel- USA Today Sports

At 37 years old, Charles Woodson is still one of the toughest athletes out there. He may not be the Pro-Bowl cornerback he once was, but he still remains a vital part of the defense on and off the field. He is a leader in the locker room and one of the best defensive backs to ever play in the NFL.

8. Ichiro

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Adam Hunger- USA Today Sports

8. Ichiro

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Adam Hunger- USA Today Sports

Ichiro Suzuki, 40, is still the incredible contact hitter he was when he entered the MLB in 2001. He was never the guy to put up big numbers, but his batting average and on-base percentage as a leadoff hitter were always ranked at the top of the league. He is batting an outstanding .359 in 64 at-bats with the New York Yankees this season.

7. Derek Fisher

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Cary Edmondson- USA Today Sports

7. Derek Fisher

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Cary Edmondson- USA Today Sports

It seems like the older Derek Fisher gets, the better in-shape he gets. At 39, Fisher may not be that NBA Championship-caliber point guard he was with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he continues to hustle and lead on and off the court for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

6. Adam Vinatieri

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Christopher Hanewinckel- USA Today Sports

6. Adam Vinatieri

adam vinatieri indianapolis colts
Christopher Hanewinckel- USA Today Sports

The Indianapolis Colts' kicker is the oldest player in the NFL at the age of 41. Can you tell? No, not at all. Vinatieri may have lost a little leg power, but he still remains one of the most accurate kickers in the league. In 2013, he made 35 of his 40 field goal attempts with a long of 52 yards.

5. Ray Allen

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Brian Spurlock- USA Today Sports

5. Ray Allen

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Brian Spurlock- USA Today Sports

Ray Allen continues to excel at the three-point shot, even at 38 years old. He helped lead the Miami Heat to an NBA title last year and may be well on his way to another one. This season, he averaged 9.6 points in 26 minutes played and made 37.5 percent of his three-pointers.

4. David Ortiz

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Bob DeChiara- USA Today Sports

4. David Ortiz

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Bob DeChiara- USA Today Sports

Big Papi continues to swing the baseball bat lights out. The athleticism to play in the field may not be there anymore, but he still knocks the cover off the ball when he steps up to the plate. At 38 years old, Ortiz is batting .282 with 11 home runs and 25 runs batted so far this season.

3. Derek Jeter

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Andrew Fielding- USA Today Sports

3. Derek Jeter

derek jeter new york yankees
Andrew Fielding- USA Today Sports

The 39-year-old shortstop will be retiring at the end of the season, but that's not going to stop him from playing his heart out this year. Jeter will go down as one of the greatest Yankees to ever play the game and one of the greatest shortstops of all time. The batting numbers may not be there anymore, but he continues to make big plays in the field.

2. Tim Duncan

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Soobum In- USA Today Sports

2. Tim Duncan

tim duncan san antonio spurs
Soobum In- USA Today Sports

"The Big Fundamental" continues to shine in the NBA at the age of 38. He led the Spurs to the NBA Finals last year and it looks like he's going to do it again this season, but can they win this time? He is one of the greatest power forwards to ever play the game of basketball. During this year's regular season, he averaged 15 points, 12 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

1. Peyton Manning

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Chris Humphreys- USA Today Sports

1. Peyton Manning

peyton manning denver broncos
Chris Humphreys- USA Today Sports

Possibly the greatest quarterback to ever play the game is coming off of an amazing season. He is 38 now, but last year, he led the Denver Broncos to a Super Bowl appearance after passing for 5,477 yards (NFL Record), 55 touchdowns (NFL Record) and only 10 interceptions. Numbers-wise, it was the best season of his career, but he failed to win the big game. Another Super Bowl appearance in 2014 would be no surprise.

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