3rd Runner Up- Tom Brady
The 3 time
Super Bowl champ has been to 5 Super Bowls in only 10 years. That means he has
made the Super Bowl in half the seasons he has played. That is an insane
percentage. One of the clutchest QBs of all time, Brady also holds the record
for single season TD totals and has a shocking career record.
Why Not:
With his
last two Super Bowls ending with a loss to the Giants, his mysticism has definitely
dropped. He does play for a team sport and has drawn too many comparisons with
Manning and Farve to be considered the greatest athlete of my lifetime.
2nd Runner Up- Michael Phelps
With 14 Gold
Medals, an almost perfect Olympic record, Phelps has dominant a mostly
individual event. The greatest Olympian is quite a title but one that Phelps
has earned. Watching the man-fish in the pool is thrilling and like Tiger, you
almost expect and demand he win.
Why Not:
In my opinion
Phelps doesn’t compete enough to be considered the best athlete in my
generation. His Olympic races are really numbered and a few of them are out of
his hands.
1st Runner Up: Michael Jordan
MJ dominated
his sport and then transcended it. With 6 titles, 5 MVP, 6 finals MVPs, a numerous
scoring champ and all defensive player, MJ has the stats to be the best. But
his drive, feel for the dramatic moments, and desire to win make him the
greatest NBA player ever. He also brought basketball to heights it could never
imagine. Michael Jordan is probably the most popular and well known Athlete of
all time.
Why Not:
Though
amazing, it did take MJ a few years to achieve his greatness. While the centerpiece,
he did have plenty of help with some amazing teams along the way. Also holding
against him, Jordan dominated for 7 years, a relatively short time for someone
considered the best athlete of my 25 years.
The Greatest Athlete of My Lifetime: Tiger
Woods
Tiger Woods
is the greatest athlete of my generation. First the stats; Tiger has 11 majors,
the second most all time. Most players dream of winning one. He has 72 wins,
tied with Jack Nicholas for all time. He has been the #1 player in the world
for years at a time. Tiger Woods is without a doubt the best golfer of all
time. With the level of competition he has faced and the target on his back,
the fact that he just keeps on winning and winning is amazing. He has brought golf,
a very white collar, “not for the masses” sport to the forefront of the nation.
But what is perhaps most amazing is the expectation and demand for excellent every
time he is on the course. Tiger is
expected to win every single tournament he plays and quite often he comes
through. The fact that in his worst years he gets 2-3 victories is stunning.
Most golfers hope to win 2-3 tournaments in their lives. In the 18 years he has
been a professional, Tiger has dominated the sport. Winning a major in his
second year, after becoming the highest endorsed golfer and SI Athlete of the
Year as a Rookie, Tiger never slowed down. I play golf and the insane pressure
on every shot in a sport where it is all on you to be great just seems daunting. Watching that unbelievable chip in on the 16th hole of Memorial was just a reminder how I have the pleasure and honor to watch the greatest athlete of the last 25 years on a daily basis. Tiger; thank you!!
Yitzi - I disagree with this entire two-part post by virtue of the fact that you have not properly defined "athlete." Indeed, if you mean to say which player--of any sport--has succeeded in his or her respective sport, then perhaps this dialogue fits. However, many would interpret athleticism as something which is characterized by physical activity or prowess, then I think the conversation changes, radically...
ReplyDeleteOne could make a strong argument that swimmers, offensive lineman and marathon runners possess an element of physical strength, control and tenacity which is completely different to that of a golfer or an archer, who possess precision, patience and fortitude. In the end, it depends on what you are focusing on.
As for your application to Tom Brady/Peyton Manning as athletes, I believe you MUST be arguing that these particular men have "achieved in their respective sport" because although someone like Peyton is probably the best QB of all time, he does not run quite as well as other more muscular and physical football players, or even quarterbacks. Think of Michael Vick, Cam Newton, Steve Young, Randall Cunningham. Those were truly athletic QBs. And, one more example, look at Blake Griffin - he is a specimen and jumps like a freak. A true athletic figure, arguably the most athletic in the NBA right now, but he is certainly not the best player. Lebron, for what it's worth, is quite athletic, and has demonstrated a will to win, and has-as of now-achieved success in his respective sport.
How do you perceive this distinction?