I don’t know, but I didn’t see Jim Thorpe’s name anywhere.
Thorpe should head up any list of 20th century American athletes. I’d also put Jackie Robinson near the top.
Bo Jackson should be top 5.
Good point on Thorpe. Jordan will always be #1 for me...but I was at court side and watched him play. I’m 73. Me and my memory of what #1 is will soon fade as the memory of Jim Thorpe faded with those of his era. To me, it was an honor to actually see greatness...not from media hype...but to see it right there in front of your eyes. Thank you Michael.
The magnitude of Wayne Gretzky’s accomplishments eclipse those of everyone else on that list. BY FAR. He has the most career goals AND the most career assists AND the most career points of any player in NHL history. He had the most single-season goals from 1981 thru 1984, AND the most assists every season from 1981 thru 1990. He scored the most career shorthanded goals AND the most career shorthanded assists (he was at his most dangerous when the other team had more men on the ice!). The NHL even changed the rules in 1985 because Gretzky’s team was so certain to score a goal if both teams were shorthanded.
The Great One played in every All-Star game from 1980-1999 (20 appearances in as many years), set 6 All-Star game records, and retired holding 62 (!!!) NHL records, 60 of which still stand. With two Olympic gold medals and one silver thrown in just for good measure. Quite simply, Wayne Gretzky was the most dominant player in the history of modern professional team sport. Second place isn’t even close.