25 Athletes Who Belong on Santa’s Nice List in 2015

25. Brock Osweiler

This season, Osweiler has handled a very difficult situation with a lot of class. He's replacing future first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and he's doing it without any drama. More importantly, he's playing really well. The way he's dealt with this situation should land him on the nice list.

25. Brock Osweiler

This season, Osweiler has handled a very difficult situation with a lot of class. He's replacing future first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and he's doing it without any drama. More importantly, he's playing really well. The way he's dealt with this situation should land him on the nice list.

24. Cole Hamels

Hamels is another guy who dealt with a difficult situation with class. While he was on the trading block for the Phillies, he answered questions every single day and didn't badmouth Philly or mention any distraction the trade talks were bringing to him. This helped him continue his reputation as one of the good guys in baseball.

24. Cole Hamels

Hamels is another guy who dealt with a difficult situation with class. While he was on the trading block for the Phillies, he answered questions every single day and didn't badmouth Philly or mention any distraction the trade talks were bringing to him. This helped him continue his reputation as one of the good guys in baseball.

23. Teddy Bridgewater

It's hard to play in the NFL and still come off as a nice guy, but Bridgewater has been able to do that in his short time in the league. He has handled everything that has been thrown his way so far and has always done it with a smile on his face. There aren't a ton of NFL players who can do that.

23. Teddy Bridgewater

It's hard to play in the NFL and still come off as a nice guy, but Bridgewater has been able to do that in his short time in the league. He has handled everything that has been thrown his way so far and has always done it with a smile on his face. There aren't a ton of NFL players who can do that.

22. Shane Doan

Hockey is a nasty sport and most of its players are nasty, but Shane Doan isn't that way. He's fierce on the ice, but he's gained a reputation as one of the nice guys in the league. He's never going to take cheap shots like other players will because he respects the sport and his fellow players too much. That lands him on Santa's nice list.

22. Shane Doan

Hockey is a nasty sport and most of its players are nasty, but Shane Doan isn't that way. He's fierce on the ice, but he's gained a reputation as one of the nice guys in the league. He's never going to take cheap shots like other players will because he respects the sport and his fellow players too much. That lands him on Santa's nice list.

21. Jabari Parker

Despite all the pressure placed on Jabari Parker, he has managed to be as gracious as possible. He sets a good example for young basketball players and he is in just his second season in the NBA. One can only hope that he continues to be humble as his career grows more and more successful.

21. Jabari Parker

Despite all the pressure placed on Jabari Parker, he has managed to be as gracious as possible. He sets a good example for young basketball players and he is in just his second season in the NBA. One can only hope that he continues to be humble as his career grows more and more successful.

20. Mike Trout

Trout is about as cool as they come for sports superstars. He's a relatively humble guy even though he's one of the most talented players on the planet, which is refreshing to see. Certainly, he deserves a spot on Santa's nice list this year as he enters what should be his prime.

20. Mike Trout

Trout is about as cool as they come for sports superstars. He's a relatively humble guy even though he's one of the most talented players on the planet, which is refreshing to see. Certainly, he deserves a spot on Santa's nice list this year as he enters what should be his prime.

19. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when it's all said and done and he's also one of the nicest guys in the NBA. There's a reason young players on the Spurs seem to genuinely enjoy their time there: Duncan is accepting of all his teammates. He's very accepting and that has gone a long way in his career.

19. Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when it's all said and done and he's also one of the nicest guys in the NBA. There's a reason young players on the Spurs seem to genuinely enjoy their time there: Duncan is accepting of all his teammates. He's very accepting and that has gone a long way in his career.

18. Andrew McCutchen

McCutchen has been one of baseball's good guys for a long time now. Routinely, he can be seen conversing with fans, especially young ones. One of the best moments from last season was when he jumped and gave a young fan in the stands a bunch of his game-worn memorabilia. For that alone, he deserves to be on this list.

18. Andrew McCutchen

McCutchen has been one of baseball's good guys for a long time now. Routinely, he can be seen conversing with fans, especially young ones. One of the best moments from last season was when he jumped and gave a young fan in the stands a bunch of his game-worn memorabilia. For that alone, he deserves to be on this list.

17. John Wall

John Wall came into the NBA as a cocky, unproven potential star and has become more and more humble as his career has taken off. He will still show some flash every now and then, but he's a great teammate and someone the guys in Washington seem to really want to be around. It's nice that he has matured as his career has gone on.

17. John Wall

John Wall came into the NBA as a cocky, unproven potential star and has become more and more humble as his career has taken off. He will still show some flash every now and then, but he's a great teammate and someone the guys in Washington seem to really want to be around. It's nice that he has matured as his career has gone on.

16. Jarome Iginla

Iginla has been in the NHL for a long time and that's not just because of how good he is. He's also a great teammate that guys like to play alongside. His career has been prolonged because of his graciousness and his willingness to take lesser roles on teams when he has to. Young, up-and-coming players could stand to learn a thing or two from him.

16. Jarome Iginla

Iginla has been in the NHL for a long time and that's not just because of how good he is. He's also a great teammate that guys like to play alongside. His career has been prolonged because of his graciousness and his willingness to take lesser roles on teams when he has to. Young, up-and-coming players could stand to learn a thing or two from him.

15. Marcus Mariota

Mariota was one of the nicest guys to ever play college football and also won a Heisman trophy while at Oregon, which thrust him into the national spotlight. He's exceeding expectations with the Titans so far this season and he's still showing that maturity that made him such a hit in college.

15. Marcus Mariota

Mariota was one of the nicest guys to ever play college football and also won a Heisman trophy while at Oregon, which thrust him into the national spotlight. He's exceeding expectations with the Titans so far this season and he's still showing that maturity that made him such a hit in college.

14. LeBron James

Like him or hate him, LeBron James is a really good human being. He does a ton for youth charities, especially ones that help send kids to college. The most polarizing figure in the NBA does a ton of good for the community and the youth in this country, so people need to start recognizing that.

14. LeBron James

Like him or hate him, LeBron James is a really good human being. He does a ton for youth charities, especially ones that help send kids to college. The most polarizing figure in the NBA does a ton of good for the community and the youth in this country, so people need to start recognizing that.

13. Tony Romo

Romo might never be on the field anymore, but he's a really good guy. Despite being subject to ridicule in Dallas, he's never been overly hostile with the media and has been a good role model for young quarterbacks on and off the field. If he ends up on Santa's nice list, he should ask for a healthy collarbone.

13. Tony Romo

Romo might never be on the field anymore, but he's a really good guy. Despite being subject to ridicule in Dallas, he's never been overly hostile with the media and has been a good role model for young quarterbacks on and off the field. If he ends up on Santa's nice list, he should ask for a healthy collarbone.

12. Hunter Pence

Hunter Pence never hurt a fly. Well, we don't know that for sure, but based on the hilarious signs that go up around MLB ballparks, the wild outfielder is a little too nice. Maybe that's only to his teammates, but he still has to make you smile with the way he runs around the outfield with reckless abandon.

12. Hunter Pence

Hunter Pence never hurt a fly. Well, we don't know that for sure, but based on the hilarious signs that go up around MLB ballparks, the wild outfielder is a little too nice. Maybe that's only to his teammates, but he still has to make you smile with the way he runs around the outfield with reckless abandon.

11. Alshon Jeffery

Jeffery lets his play do the talking on the field and off the field, he's constantly wishing his fans and followers a blessed day on social media. One of the NFL's most dominant wide receivers is also a pretty nice guy. It's always nice to find that out every now and then.

11. Alshon Jeffery

Jeffery lets his play do the talking on the field and off the field, he's constantly wishing his fans and followers a blessed day on social media. One of the NFL's most dominant wide receivers is also a pretty nice guy. It's always nice to find that out every now and then.

10. Jonathan Toews

"Captain Serious" can be scary when he has his game face on, but his intensity is born out of passion, not nastiness. He's truly one of the nice guys in the NHL and that's just part of the reason his teammates love him. Fans love him as well, but a lot of that could have to do with the three Stanley Cup titles he has brought to Chicago already.

10. Jonathan Toews

"Captain Serious" can be scary when he has his game face on, but his intensity is born out of passion, not nastiness. He's truly one of the nice guys in the NHL and that's just part of the reason his teammates love him. Fans love him as well, but a lot of that could have to do with the three Stanley Cup titles he has brought to Chicago already.

9. Drew Brees

Brees is exactly the guy the Saints needed to recover from the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. He was up for the challenge of carrying the city on his shoulders as he led the team to a Super Bowl title a few years later. He also heads plenty of humanitarian efforts, which further goes to show the kind of guy he is. The picture of him holding his son after winning the Super Bowl will forever cement his nice-guy look.

9. Drew Brees

Brees is exactly the guy the Saints needed to recover from the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. He was up for the challenge of carrying the city on his shoulders as he led the team to a Super Bowl title a few years later. He also heads plenty of humanitarian efforts, which further goes to show the kind of guy he is. The picture of him holding his son after winning the Super Bowl will forever cement his nice-guy look.

8. Cam Newton

Whether you like Newton's touchdown dances or not, he's a really good guy. He's always seen talking with young fans before games and he's made a habit of giving a young fan a football after scoring touchdowns. That's not something he has to do, but he does it anyway because he has a big heart for being a star athlete.

8. Cam Newton

Whether you like Newton's touchdown dances or not, he's a really good guy. He's always seen talking with young fans before games and he's made a habit of giving a young fan a football after scoring touchdowns. That's not something he has to do, but he does it anyway because he has a big heart for being a star athlete.

7. Larry Fitzgerald

Larry Fitzgerald has been in the league for over a decade, but he's still extremely productive. That's just part of what has kept him in the league, though. His ability to help young receivers and work with a variety of people while being nice the entire time has helped him stick in the league. This has earned him a reputation as one of the most well-respected players in the league.

7. Larry Fitzgerald

Larry Fitzgerald has been in the league for over a decade, but he's still extremely productive. That's just part of what has kept him in the league, though. His ability to help young receivers and work with a variety of people while being nice the entire time has helped him stick in the league. This has earned him a reputation as one of the most well-respected players in the league.

6. Jason Motte

Motte is nasty on the mound, but that's just part of the job of a relief pitcher. Off the field, he's one of the biggest philanthropists in baseball. His "K Cancer" campaign aims to raise money for research on the terrible disease and it's something he's made a hit wherever he goes. Whatever city he's in is lucky to have him as an advocate for cancer awareness.

6. Jason Motte

Motte is nasty on the mound, but that's just part of the job of a relief pitcher. Off the field, he's one of the biggest philanthropists in baseball. His "K Cancer" campaign aims to raise money for research on the terrible disease and it's something he's made a hit wherever he goes. Whatever city he's in is lucky to have him as an advocate for cancer awareness.

5. J.J. Watt

Watt is one of the scariest players in the NFL, but he's a really nice guy off the field. Even though he played it up, he showed how hard working and nice he was during this season of HBO's "Hard Knocks". His success on the field has allowed him to be more fun-loving and he's taken advantage of the lessened pressure on his shoulders.

5. J.J. Watt

Watt is one of the scariest players in the NFL, but he's a really nice guy off the field. Even though he played it up, he showed how hard working and nice he was during this season of HBO's "Hard Knocks". His success on the field has allowed him to be more fun-loving and he's taken advantage of the lessened pressure on his shoulders.

4. Tim Tebow

Tebow might not be on an active roster right now, but he's still one of the nicest players to be in a professional sport in quite some time. His religion had a lot to do with that, but his superior character played a huge role as well. It seemed like he truly respected everyone he played with and against and that can't be said for the majority of professional athletes in today's day and age.

4. Tim Tebow

Tebow might not be on an active roster right now, but he's still one of the nicest players to be in a professional sport in quite some time. His religion had a lot to do with that, but his superior character played a huge role as well. It seemed like he truly respected everyone he played with and against and that can't be said for the majority of professional athletes in today's day and age.

3. Anthony Rizzo

Before he reached the major leagues, Rizzo was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2008. He battled through that form of cancer and now advocates for awareness and research of all forms of cancer. His Cubs teammates are very supportive of him and work with him and Jon Lester, who also overcame Hodgkin's lymphoma. In that way, most of the Cubs deserve to be on Santa's nice list.

3. Anthony Rizzo

Before he reached the major leagues, Rizzo was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2008. He battled through that form of cancer and now advocates for awareness and research of all forms of cancer. His Cubs teammates are very supportive of him and work with him and Jon Lester, who also overcame Hodgkin's lymphoma. In that way, most of the Cubs deserve to be on Santa's nice list.

2. Jason Witten

Jason Witten has hung around in the NFL because of his ability to block and become a No. 1 target in Dallas for a very long time. He advocates for a number of causes as well because being a philanthropist is part of his DNA. In fact, once his illustrious career comes to an end, he can probably ramp up these efforts even more.

2. Jason Witten

Jason Witten has hung around in the NFL because of his ability to block and become a No. 1 target in Dallas for a very long time. He advocates for a number of causes as well because being a philanthropist is part of his DNA. In fact, once his illustrious career comes to an end, he can probably ramp up these efforts even more.

1. Steph Curry

Curry is at the top of this list because he's a bona fide superstar that hasn't let fame change him yet. He truly seems humble despite the fact he's the best player in the NBA right now. Quite simply, he's the hottest ticket in sports right now and he's taken it all in stride. That's extremely impressive and is worth commending.

1. Steph Curry

Curry is at the top of this list because he's a bona fide superstar that hasn't let fame change him yet. He truly seems humble despite the fact he's the best player in the NBA right now. Quite simply, he's the hottest ticket in sports right now and he's taken it all in stride. That's extremely impressive and is worth commending.