Narrowing down sports history to 25 names is a difficult and near impossible task. Icons such as Bobby Knight, Kobe Bryant, Jimmy Valvano, Deion Sanders or Pat Summitt all deserve to be on the list. It seems unfortunate, but fitting that Pete Rose be held off another list. As hard as it is to see legends not make the cut, it would have been harder to take off one of those that did make it. These are the 25 most iconic names in sports history.
25. Usain Bolt
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25. Usain Bolt
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The only thing keeping Usain Bolt from being higher on this list is the timeliness of his success. Icons aren’t made overnight, but instead their idea must develop into that of legend. As the undisputed fastest man to ever walk the earth, Bolt’s legacy will grow.
24. Bill Russell
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24. Bill Russell
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Bill Russell is the epitome of a winner. As an all-time great rebounder and defender, Russell put his team first and the emphasis was always on winning. His leadership led the Boston Celtics to win 11 championships in 13 years.
23. Coach Krzyzewski
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23. Coach Krzyzewski
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When it comes to coaching in the modern era, Coach K is the measuring stick. He learned from his mentor and one of the greatest, Bobby Knight. He would go on to break Knight’s all-time win record. In addition to his success with Duke, Coach K has won two gold medals coaching the USA men’s national team. Krzyzewski is in the conversation of best and most influential coach ever.
22. Bo Jackson
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22. Bo Jackson
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When ESPN names you the greatest athlete of all-time, you probably made some kind of impact on the sports world. Bo Jackson dominated the gridiron and the diamond and became the only multi-sport All-Star. What was his secret to success? I guess only “Bo Knows.”
21. Roger Federer
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21. Roger Federer
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It’s always nice to see modern players on all-time lists. It’s common for people to get caught up in history and miss what’s right in front of them. Roger Federer has surpassed some legendary names in the world of tennis as the best and most decorated tennis athlete to ever play. In doing so, he has held the World No. 1 ranking longer than anyone else. He is an icon on and off the court.
20. Wilt Chamberlain
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20. Wilt Chamberlain
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Wilt Chamberlain was the single-most dominant basketball player of a generation ever. Rarely is he considered to be the best, but his stats would prove otherwise. “Wilt The Stilts'” career averages of 30 points and 23 rebounds are unheard of and will never be matched, but his single greatest achievement was scoring 100 points in a single game. This stands as the most unbreakable record in sports.
19. Jim Thorpe
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19. Jim Thorpe
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Today, Jim Thorpe is associated with the award given to the best college football defensive back. About a century ago, Thorpe was considered the best athlete around, and still is by some. His success was not limited to football, as he also played professional basketball, baseball and won several Olympic gold medals for his track-and-field prowess. Few, if any, athletes have been able to match Thorpe’s versatility.
18. Jack Nicklaus
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18. Jack Nicklaus
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While Tiger Woods is often considered the greatest golfer ever, Jack Nicklaus might have something to say about it. His record of 18 Major Championship wins still stands, and his name remains a legend in the golf world.
17. Carl Lewis
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17. Carl Lewis
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Carl Lewis is considered to be the modern-day Jesse Owens. As a sprinter who also dominated a field event, the comparison was natural. During his career, Lewis earned nine Olympic gold medals in four different events. He is often credited with bringing track and field into the forefront of athletics.
16. Jim Brown
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16. Jim Brown
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Jim Brown has been widely considered the greatest football player ever. Brown was the first player to run for 100 touchdowns and, to this day, remains the only player to average 100 rushing yards per-game for his entire career. Brown may not have the same publicity that other marquee players do, but there is no denying his greatness.
15. John Wooden
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15. John Wooden
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John Wooden coached UCLA’s basketball program to 10 National Championship wins. Because of his success from 1963-1975, Wooden has become synonymous with winning in college basketball.
14. Jesse Owens
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14. Jesse Owens
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Jesse Owens is known for one of the most iconic moments and images in sports. Owens’ memorable performance in the 1936 Summer Olympics served as a metaphorical middle finger to Germany and Hitler’s idea of racial supremacy. Owens’ raised fist on top of the podium helped mark a new era.
13. Walter Payton
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13. Walter Payton
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Walter Payton has had a lasting impact on the sports world in a way that few athletes ever have. On the field, his nickname “Sweetness,” says it all. Off the field, the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, given to a player whose off-the-field benevolence matches his on-the-field success, represents the lasting impact he had on those around him.
12. Wayne Gretzky
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12. Wayne Gretzky
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Every sport has its greatest player. On the ice, it was none other than Wayne Gretzky. Fifteen years after his retirement, “The Great One,” still holds NHL records in points, goals and assists and remains the measuring stick for all hockey players.
11. Magic Johnson
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11. Magic Johnson
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Not only is Magic Johnson the NBA’s best point guard of all-time, but he is one of the world’s most respected athletes. After news that he contracted HIV, Johnson retired from the game. He returned to participate in the 1992 All-Star Game, after which he was crowned the MVP. That game still lives as one of the greatest moments in sports history.
10. Michael Phelps
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10. Michael Phelps
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Michael Phelps might just be the most underrated athlete of all-time. Perhaps this is because his success happened fairly recently, or maybe it’s because his success came as a swimmer, which doesn’t bring in nearly the same attention as other, more prominent sports. Whatever the reason, as the Olympics’ most successful athlete with 22 medals (18 gold), Phelps deserves to be mentioned with the best.
9. Pele
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9. Pele
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When it comes to soccer, there is no question as to who is the best ever. As the all-time leading goal scorer (1,281) and the only player to win three FIFA World Cups, Pele has truly earned the nickname, “The King.”
8. Babe Ruth
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8. Babe Ruth
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Babe Ruth’s career ended before World War II started, and still to this day, he is considered the best baseball player ever. His impact will forever be felt in the baseball world, and according to some, in the candy aisle as well.
7. Joe Paterno
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7. Joe Paterno
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Joe Paterno’s name will no longer be seen in record books and his statue will no longer be admired at Pennsylvania State University. His legacy, however, will last forever. Tainted in the minds of some, but still college football’s all-time winningest coach by the rest. For 46 years, his impact was felt, and that will never be forgotten.
6. Lance Armstrong
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6. Lance Armstrong
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Go ahead and put the asterisk next to Lance Armstrong’s name all you want, but it doesn’t change much. At the end of the day, you can take away Armstrong’s wins and medals, but he still inspired countless amounts of people. As one of the all-time most influential athletes on culture, his presence will always be felt in the sports world and by those battling cancer; or anything for that matter.
5. Vince Lombardi
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5. Vince Lombardi
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Vince Lombardi is widely considered the greatest coach of any sport ever. You literally can’t win in football without talking about him because every Super Bowl winner hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy after their victory.
4. Jackie Robinson
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4. Jackie Robinson
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In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball. In doing so, he sent a message that not only changed the sport, but influenced the rest of the country. His involvement played a large role in the subsequent Civil Rights Movement.
3. Tiger Woods
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3. Tiger Woods
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It’s unfortunate that Tiger Woods’ career and image will not be remembered by the legendary golfer that he was, but rather by the mistakes that he made. In his prime, Woods was possibly the most dominant athlete the world has ever known. For many, “golf” and “Tiger Woods” mean the same thing.
2. Michael Jordan
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2. Michael Jordan
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What more needs to be said about Michael Jordan? On top of being widely considered the greatest basketball player, and maybe even athlete, of all-time, Jordan’s influence off the court has been nothing short of remarkable. “Jordan” is no longer about the former basketball star, but is now synonymous with the idea of a God-like legend.
1. Muhammad Ali
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1. Muhammad Ali
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Muhammad Ali is the most iconic sports figure of all-time. While he doesn’t have the brand or following that Jordan does, he delivered a message. With Ali, it was bigger than sports. He wanted to make a change in the world, and he did. Imagine what his public image and brand would have been in the social media age. Ali will always be the GOAT.
Chris Lehman is a New Orleans Saints Writer forwww.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter@ChrisBreezy91, likehim on Facebookor add him to your network onGoogle
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