Calling all heroes (Top 10 sports heroes of all time)

ESPN ^ | April 26, 2003

[Fred Mertz]

I always put Julius Erving (Dr. J) above Michael Jordan any day of the week.

[cherry]

I don't consider Ali to be a draft dodger.....he claimed he was a conscientious objector or something similar and he paid the price...

IIRC.....wasn't he prohibited from boxing for 2 years or so....

its admirable when a person actually suffers the consequences of his decision.....without bitterness...

[cherry]

..and just to add that I would consider a draft dodger someone who ran off to Canada or faked injuries or paid off the draft board....none of which Ali did...(.and I am not a big Ali fan)

[Mr. Mulliner]

Thank you for that comment. I don't think Ali deserves to be considered a draft dodger. Even if he was, his circumstances are different from those who did it. He did it for a principle he believed in and, like you said, he paid the price.

I have a friend I work with, a black guy about Ali's age, who was a draft dodger. I've talked to him about it and have come to understand why he did it, although I don't agree with it.

[shred]

If the qualifications for this are courage and nobility the #1 person, even above Jackie R has got to be Jesse Owen, and I'm kind of amazed no one has mentioned him.

Jesse Owen stood up to Hitler long before Europe did and long before his own country did. He was a solitary figure of courage, sportsmanship and mankind's indomitable spirit.

He is, without a doubt, the greatest sports hero of the last century.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Lombardi was voted the greatest coach of all time by ESPN's SportsCentury panel, but he was so much more. During the turbulent 1960s, he became a symbol of all that was right with the old-fashioned, "square" ways. A tough guy, an emotional man, one who inspired great loyalty among his players. Quite simply, the best boss there ever was.

A check signed by this man graces my wall, and one of my favorite books of all-time is When Pride Still Mattered, the biography written by David Marannis. Vince Lombardi gave me so many great childhood memories, growing up during the Packers' glory years - what a man.

[Consort]

Tanya Harding.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

If the qualifications for this are courage and nobility the #1 person, even above Jackie R has got to be Jesse Owen, and I'm kind of amazed no one has mentioned him.

Jesse Owens WAS a hero - absolutely.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I got to sit in on an interview with Archie Manning the day Peyton was chosen #1 in the NFL Draft...he is a humble man with a great work ethic, and he taught his son well. Just hearing Peyton give his press conference that day, there was no doubt in my mind he would succeed, and it was clear where his terrific attitude came from.

[americafirst]

Hero? Ted Williams: fighter pilot in two wars during the prime of his career. Ali and King heroes? Give me a break.

[raybbr]

How in the world does Lou Gehrig not make it on this list?!! What were they thinking?

Gotta make room for diversity!!!!!!

[leprechaun9]

HEROS?

From the 10 listed, I believe IDOLS would be a better description. Of the 10 named, what was HEROIC about their careers?

How about Ted Williams who not only excelled in his baseball career, but also served several years (WWII & Korea) in the midst of his prime? There are many others I would consider as HEROS other than those listed!

[merak]

Ali never really had any sort of a punch with his left hand which he could hurt anybody with. Your truly great prizefighters like Joe Louis or Roberto Duran all had lethal power in both hands. Joe Louis was just as quick as Ali and had major-league punching power.

[KSCITYBOY]

"LOU GEHRIG IS # 1" I agree! I would add guys like Ted Williams who gave up six years to defend his country.

[wi jd]

I believe they wanted to list mostly "clean" people (Magic and Ali not-withstanding) who had a social twist to their careers. If you throw the "transcends sports" caveat you would have to add Bobby Orr, Wilt Chamberlain and Jim Brown , as they only changed dramatically their respective sports.

Do you see no irony in your allegation that Magic is not "clean" (apparently for contracting HIV) but overlook Wilt's uncleanliness (he stated he slept with 20,000 women), and Jim Brown's (who has a history of domestic violence)??

[metesky]

Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world!"

"Thanks, King."

[L`enn]

No I was saying some people were saying this one and that one were not on the list. I believe the author did in fact leave Wilt and Jim Brown off the list for the reasons you said. I believe that the irony is the authors, that they put Magic on but left Wilt off because Magic having HIV trumps him being a sleep-around.
I was just pointing out that this list is not really a "heroes" nor a greatest athletes list but a "great athlete with a social twist with a couple of near-heroes on it" list.

[squirt]

Ken Stabler

[cardinal4]

Darrel Green, whom Ive met, for being his age and still keeping up with rookies out of college, and for his charity work off the field.