-
-
-
-
-
- CBB Front Page
- Scores
- Teams
-
Conferences
- Players
- Stats
- Standings
- Rankings
- Schedules
- Women's Hoops
-
-
-
-
- Soccer Front Page
-
Leagues
- MLS
- England
- Champions
UEFA Cup- English Champ
Germany- Italy
Spain- France
Netherlands- Scotland
Belgium- Mexico
Copa Lib- Copa Sud
Copa Oro- Copa America
World Cup- FIFA U-20
We rank 'em. You react. That's how the Daily List rolls.8/18/2008 02:38:00 PM World's Greatest All-Around Athletes
By Lang Whitaker, SI.com
Tiger Woods may be the best golfer ever, but what about the best athlete?Jeff Gross/Getty Images
He did it, alright. After months of speculation, swimmer Michael Phelps managed to win eight gold medals in these Olympics, leading many to proclaim him the greatest Olympian of all time. Perhaps, but where does Phelps rank today among the greatest all-around athletes in the world? Here's my top five list of the world's best all-around athletes...
1. LeBron James: At 6'9" and close to 280 pounds, LeBron James has the size of an NFL lineman with the speed of a running back. He can jump over just about anything in his path, has terrific vision and an incredible set of hands for a guy his size.
2. Tiger Woods: OK, so put him on a baseball diamond or football field and he might not stand out, but hand him a club and put him front of millions of people and watch him shine.
3. Michael Phelps: I know, all he does is swim in a straight line. But he does it better than anyone else in the world ever has.
4. Roman Sebrle: I'd never heard of Sebrle before about ten minutes ago. Not only is he leading contender to take gold in the decathlon at the Olympics, but last year he was impaled by a javelin, which he ripped out himself, and then he won gold at the Worlds just months later.
5. Michael Vick: Yes, he's locked up at the moment, but I'm willing to bet that were he in great shape, he'd still be the best all-around athlete in the NFL.
Who do you think is the world's greatest all-around athlete? Let us know below...
Lang Whitaker is the executive editor of SLAM magazine and writes daily at SLAMonline.composted by SI.com | View comments |
Comments:
It's mind boggling that you would consider Tiger Woods an athlete. Golf requires virtually no athletic ability whatsoever, and is about as strenuous as running errands. The reason it is so popular is that it allows out of shape couch potatos to pretend to be active by standing around outdoors in hideous "costumes". What other "sport" allows the players to take smoking breaks and play at "peak performance" well into their 60's? Come on...call it what it is ... a game, NOT a sport. What a disservice your list is to a true athlete like Michael Phelps.So being the best at one thing (golf, swimming) makes you one of the top all-around athletes. The logic is unassailable!
Why not call the list "most dominant single-sport athletes"?James is listed at 240 lbs. That is hardly close to 280.Lance ArmstrongPlease- A golfer- A swimmer? What is "all around? I would assume one whi is great at al athletic endeavors. Can Tiger ball? Can Lebron golf? Can Phelps do anything besides swim? Its just conjecture, and it gives the masses something to talk about? What about the worlds greatest brain surgeon or heart specialists? Talk about something that fucking matters.I mean, come on...How can you possibly leave Lance Armstrong off this list? Is there anything more difficult in sports than winning the Tour de France seven straight times? In my opinion, absolutely not.Michel Jordan.
Alex Rodriguez.how can someone you admit isn't in great shape and in prison can be in the top 5 athletes in the world? Unless you meant top 5 athletes if they were in shape.It's an amazing coincidence that 4 / 5 of the worlds greatest athletes are American, even though we constitute only about 4% of the worlds population.
Its kind of like how the World Series is the world championship of baseball because of the Toronto Blue Jays.That anyone could even consider golf athletic in any way, shape, or form is just ludicrous. To even consider what Tiger does as athletic is just sickening.All-round ahthlete's - yeah, Armstrong has to be on there - and probably in place of Tiger Woods. Woods is a great golfer (and a great sportsman), but a great ahtlete? I think not. You guys commenting have some good opinions - check out our greatest American sportsmen list - http://www.sportsfanattic.co.nz/2008/07/top-5greatest-american-sportsmen.html - would love your feedback.If you don't move your feet when you are performing your "athletic sport", can it truly be considered athletic? How about if you don't have to sweat while performing your "athletic sport", can it be considered athletic? How do I know if Tiger Woods is a great athlete, when he's done nothing athletic in which to measure him by? Agility is the key to this question, and therefore Mr. Woods is a non-entity. By the way, does anyone out there consider Padrig Harrington a great athlete? Didn't think so!Dan Carter, flyhalf for the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team. Passes & receives passes, runs with the ball, makes tackles, kicks and catches kicks, all at high levels.Was this list written by a 12 year old? What is so athletic about being tall (James) or doing the sporting equivalent of tiddly winks (Woods)? The number one athlete should be whoever wins the decathlon, with numbers 2-10 being whoever places behind him in the competition. You can even throw in a couple of the triathlon medalists for variety.
And to help the Lance fans' case, let's not forget that after winning 7 Tours he ran two sub-3:00 marathons. Not sure how his putting game is, though, so he's obviously not a great athlete according to the author.If you're talking greatest all-around athletes, one name stands out. BO JACKSON. Not only did he dominate on the gridiron, he also dominated on the baseball field. There is no way Tiger Woods is a great all-around athlete, he barely qualifies as an athlete. When was the last time you saw him run? Jump? Throw a ball?Worst list ever. Michael Vick doesn't count. Tiger Woods is good at one thing. Michael Phelps is in crazy shape, but can't do anything but swim. Lebron is a beast, but he isn't 280 and I would bet money he can't hit a curveball.
Bo Jackson should be somewhere on this list. Not only did he play two sports at the highest level, but he shattered his hip and STILL played pro baseball. That's more "all-around" than anyone on this list.A golfer as one of the world's greatest athletes? It's a sport where an out-of-practice Greg Norman in his 50s can contend on the last few holes of a major tournament, and where a shirtless, chain-smoking 350-pound John Daly can still be competitive when he wants to be.In terms of "all around" I think mastery of at least one other sport than your primary is necessary for consideration.
Bo Jackson was the first two sport star. After six rings Michael Jordan took a shot baseball. But I think Deion Sanders must be considered the best of this group. Who else went from the playoff for one sport to the starting lineup for another sport on the SAME DAY!Last I saw Lance Armstrong isn't currently an athlete. If by "athlete" we talk about strength, speed, endurance, flexibility, coordination it's Phelps in a landslide.
I'd love to see LeBron even try a few days of Phelps' workouts.definately add lance armstrong and remove tiger woods. golf doesn't require athletic ability. and for those of you trashing michael phelps, if you had at any point in your life tried competitive swimming you would realize just how hard it is--it's like track, but even more difficult. and michael vick? seriously?Ha! Tiger Woods?! What about John Daly:
http://noezbuckets.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/john-daly.jpg
Now THAT is great athletic shape.
Seriously though, where's Lance Armstrong? Most dominant figure in his sport, and he qualified for the Boston Marathon.golf is not a sport AT ALL. however, the reason why tiger dominates is because he is the only athlete competing against a bunch of pot bellied smokers and drunks.
most golfers go by natural talent alone. no one ever thought about how weight lighting and running can help their golf game.Roman Serble vs. Lance Armstrong. Hmmm, I cannot even dignify your pick, sorry bro. Vick has never won anything and isn't even active so I don't even know what your rationale is. While I love Tiger, golf is a game, not a sport, sorry. Your picks are less than thoughtful.didn't tiger just win his "sport" with a torn ACL or something? sounds like a tough sport. what's next - NASCAR?Michael Vick!!!!! The guys in prison rite now. hes not one of the top athletes. Either Tom Brady or A-Rod should be in that placeThere is a huge difference between sport and game. Basketball, American Football, Baseball... all games. Cycling, Swimming, Athletics (Track & Field), Futbol (American Soccer), Cross Country Skiing, Triathletes, Decathletes are far superior athletes than four of the five on your list.First, I love golf, but golf is an activity, not a sport..anytime a fit 33 yr old can be beaten by some unfit 70 yr old smoking a stogie, it aint a sport...second, all-around athlete? What about ultramarathoners? Ironmen/women? About every elite decathalete. Guys like Jeff Samarzia, of the Cubs, who was essentially a first round pick in both pro baseball and football out of Notre Dame. Christiano Ronaldo- soccer players are incredibly fit athletes. Certainly more a true athlete than a golfer, amazing as Tiger may be.With a title for the "World's" greatest "All-Around" athletes, you include a swimmer and golfer, include only one athlete from outside the United States, and exaggerate your top choices weight by 20-40 pounds. You actually get paid to write for the most respected sports publication in the country? Your post reads like a blog from a 14 year old kid.Also, what about hockey players like Ovechkin and Crosby? Have you ever seen how big they are close up? How fast they move, how hard they hit each other. Hockey would be an incredibly difficult sport if it was floor hockey..but to do what they do, at that size and speed, with that type of hand/eye coordination on ice??!!Lebron James - Are you out of your mind? Its the most f***d list i have ever seen. Again you seem to be one of those who think Baseball and NBA are the only two sports that matter. Get out of your pond and see the world.Michael Vick?! If nothing else, being locked up should bar him from the list. If you want a mobile quarterback on this list, why not throw in Vince Young? At least he isn't a convicted felon!Okay, so you want to rule out a Golfer and a Swimmer but not a guy who rides a bike, which is something most 6 year olds can do without training wheels. I appreciate that Lance can ride for long distance very fast, however can he hit a pull up jumper in traffic or a split finger fastball or a wide receiver coming across the middle? I don't think so. The closest we have come to an all around athlete was Bo Jackson and nobody else is in second place.Oh and by the way, I bet Tiger can ball or play strong safety, if you ever get the chance go see him in person, the man is ripped.Nobody mentioned is an allround athlete common!!!
Deion Sanders was one.
Tiger Woods? Are you kidding me?This list makes no sense. It's like comparing apples and oranges. How can one compare if Tiger Woods is better than Michael Phelps, as they belong to two different sports?
They both excel at what they do, but what they do is markedly different.Michael Vick!!
Greatest All-Around Cell Block H and back....Hey Anonymous ever tried playing golf? I didn't think so. When you do re-post. I can't believe you morons put the convict Michael Vick on this list though. That is just absolutely outrageous. He was overrated before he killed dogs and is overrated even after. Too much hype for a guy who can simply outrun fat linemen but can't play his position even halfway decent.David Wells.Is this only people currently playing? If not you missed Bo Jackson, someone who can actually do more than one thing. And to a previous poster about golf requiring no athletic ability! I'm going to go ahead and guess you are not athletically gifted in anything other than the remote. Get off your ass and let me know when you can walk 18 holes with a fractured leg and win the US Open.The title of this post is misleading... and it's just a blah post anyway...I think athlete is an overused term. Theoretically, I can play baseball, football, & basketball. But I suck at all of those. I do play golf and somewhat decent. Yes what Tiger Woods does is amazing. He is miles better than anyone in golf. But just because he dominates, does not make him a better athlete.
1. LeBron James
2. any NFL player except for kickers & punters.Richie McCaw, New Zeland All BlacksAbout the time someone mentions Michael Jordan, I'm going to puke. He couldn't hit a double A curve ball if it was on a tee. Make sure you leave the basketball player who retired to play baseball to cover up his gambling issues off the list.
Oh, and add Jesse Owens.what about bo jackson"How can you possibly leave Lance Armstrong off this list? Is there anything more difficult in sports than winning the Tour de France seven straight times?"
yes winning eight gold medals in one olympics and sixteen total in two.
Seven tours isn't quite so tough when you have epo. cycling is about as clean a sport as professional bodybuilding.Interesting... all americans, eh? How typically ethnocentric. James is 280? I seriously doubt that. And Tiger Woods as a greatest "all around athlete"? A golfer shouldn't even be mentioned in an article with such a title. Also, not a single soccer player (by far, the world's most popular sport)? I'll bet you spend about 25 seconds thinking about this listTerell Owens or Randy Moss your choice. Both played basketball and football at a high level. Both can still dunk and shoot the ball decently if you watch NBA celebrity game. Both are fast as any non Sprinter athletes. I bet these two can easily win an all around tournament if there ever was one with events like. Basketball, Baseball, Football, Golf, Bowling, Running, etc. Get over Woods and Phelps. One sport athletes since birth.Jim Thorpe. No contest.john cena wwe champion
kurt angle world champion and olpmic gold medal
tk in austin tx. soldier, wreestlerHe may not have been active for a while, but any such discussion should include Jim Brown.The very name of the list should eliminate Tiger and Phelps immediately. While these men dominate their respective sports, they have displayed no other abilities that would make them eligible for this list. If you are doing a list for Most Dominant, then you can make an argument for them both...Vick is simply a disgrace to professional sports in general, and shouldn't be given any recognition whatsoever, and quite frankly, never delivered anything during his brief career. The mere fact that you included an athlete that you've known about for 10 minutes (Sebrle) shows what a sham this is.AI has to be considered he is incredible at basketball does not get injured and still hold Virginia football records where he was all state on offense and defenseJim Thorpe
Deion Sanders
Randy Moss
Allen Iverson
Bo Jackson
Jerry Rice
Pat WhiteAny triathlon or decathlon is more deserving to be on this list than the ones on it. Simon Whitfield from Canada.Bo Jackson
Deion Sanders
Jackie Robinson
Dave Winfield
Carl LewisWhat about Joe Mauer? He was number one overall pick in the Major league draft. First catcher to win batting title in over 50 years. He was the top football recruit in the country high school not to mention at the most important position quarterback. All state basketball player in high school as well.How about Walter Payton....enough said.I don't know why you people have a problem with Vick being on this list. Because he was into dog fighting doesn't make him a bad athlete. A lot of the times he played, he was the fastest one on the field. He had one of the strongest arms in the nfl and was accurate enough to be a three time pro bowl quarterback. Most of this list is bs anyway. Tiger is not an athlete, and Phelps' body is so geared toward swimming I doubt he can do much else. There was probably a total of 4 minuets spent researching and writing this article.Jim Brown, enough said...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_BrownWhat happened to Nadal?? He is the most physical specimen the tennis world has ever seen. 6'1", 190lbs, muscular, fast, quick, strong, intimidating, charismatic, with a sense of showmanship and to top it all off humble !!!This is a dumb article and an even dumber comment section. This all boils down to the definition of a sport. My definition is anything that requires agility, endurance, and hand-eye/foot-eye coordination. Everyone listed here is a great athlete. They aren't necessarily the greatest all-around athletes.
To the golf critics, golf is a sport, monopoly is a game. Golf requires an insane amount of hand-eye coordination and endurance. The thing that would make me laugh is to watch a shirtless "unathletic" guy like John Daly make you hacks look like my 10 year old sister with a golf club. You better believe Tiger Woods is an athlete. He works out 2 to 3 hours 6 days a week and wins the US Open with a torn ACL.
My List:
Bo Jackson
Deion Sanders
Carl Lewis
RonaldinhoIf your definition of "greatest athlete" includes excellence in his/her sport over an extended period of time it would be pretty difficult to vote against Carl Lewis. He won multiple gold medals over several Olympics in the sprints and the long jump.
If you are willing to go back far enough in time Babe Zaharias would probably deserve some consideration given the eclectic mix of skills she had.The only athletes that can be considered for "all around" status are the ones that participate in the decathlon. To call a one sport or two sport athlete the greatest all around athlete does not make ANY sense whatsoever!!!The term "athlete" is used very loosely. Is the gold medal Skeet shooter a good athlete?? History tells me that you can be fat and out of shape and succeed in Golf, Baseball, Nascar and even Football. But not in Hockey, soccer, swimming, track..etc. As far as Tiger Woods. He is the most athletic golfer ever (changed the sport) and was probably in better shape than Phelps is. But Phelps would still destroy Woods in the pool thanks to his freakish build. But are Woods and Phelps athletes?? Who knows as the term is so loose.that's stupid. woods and phelps dominate in their areas, but can hardly be considered allrounders. woods a better all-around-athlete than sebrle, who is the world's best decathlete? take any nfl linebacker or nba shooting guard and he'll be a better all-around-athlete than tiger or phelps.Golf only takes walking skill which is nothing
I think that Sid the Kid should up thereYou didn't mention any soccer players. They tend to be fast, some big. Seems to me they can play other sports such as running backs/recievers/kickersI'd like to have a wee bit of what you've been smoking...it must be real good. Thorpe for sure tops the list if it's historical.Try walking 72 holes in 90-100+ weather wearing a sticky collared shirt, slacks and see if you're not sweaty or tired. Besides, has anyone won a tournament with a broken knee that had been blown out for months??? I know michael jordan played w/ a cold and the flu, but not with a broken appendage. Do some research and you'll find that Tiger Woods was also in track. Quoting his late father Earl Woods, "He was very fast as a kid. Could have kicked Michael Johnson's ass." There is no one that has dominated a sport like Tiger Woods has.i take it no one has ever hear of or see both Alex "the gr8t one" Ovechkin or Sidney "the next one" Crosby. Both are insanely strong quick and smart. I doubt Tiger could lace em up with these guys ever. Ive seen the NHL guys out doing charity golf tournys and a lot em used to play baseball or basketball in the offseason to stay in shape. I know I do for hockey.For all those x-athlon supporters: Is simply having unbeatable endurance mean you are an all round athlete? If I can run the quickest marathon in history but have absolutely no coordination or natural sports ability, am I still on the list? Are those super skinny, no muscle, ethiopian runners even considered athletes at all? Seriously, when you consider the broad definition of athlete you realize there is no such thing as an "all-round" athlete.Devin Hester anybody? What he has done in the past two years has changed the game much like the mobile QB. too bad his eam has no offense to capitalize on his great returns that he doesnt score a td on.Two things stand out for me:
1 - The focus on American athletes
2 - The fact that the article is about 'all-around athletes' yet the focus of the article is upon athletes who only play one sport.
You guys need to broaden your horizons a little and start considering non-US sports. Take Anthony Mundine as an example. He was a top rugby league player in Australia, the highest paid player in the game with great speed, size and skills. He quit rugby league and is now a world-champion middleweight boxer with a 32-3 record.
I agree that Tiger, Phelps etc are great athletes, but they are not 'all-around athletes' in my book.You set yourself up for failure on this one. Too many sports, too many great athletes. Vick, I don't know. What is the physical abilities without the sportsmanship to go with it (maybe add Tyson to the list????). Armstrong has got to be in there for what he did, but when he ran a long distance race he said it was the toughest thing he's ever done. And for all you puddingheads, you have to be an athlete to be a golfer. So, again, you set yourself up for failure.Are you possibly serious, leaving Buster Douglas off this list?Phil Hellmuth. Nobody can bend back the corners of the hole cards like he can.Michael Vick? Are you serious...Wow!!! I guess only non-athletic losers read this column. To say Tiger is not an athlete is ridiculous. Get a clue people!!! Bo Jackson should replace Vick but you all are fucking idiots!!! Go kill yourself people leave sports to athletes!!!!!Funny and lame! How well our author understands the concept of "All-Around"! To be honest, I have never seen LeBron playing any other sport than basketball. Have you? MJ played bball, baseball, and touched up on football as well as Iverson.Probably the worst thought out list i've ever seen. All-around athletes and you mention a golfer and a swimmer. And you admit it as much in their descriptions. "I know all he does is swim in a straight line" So why did you put him on your list?
You sir, are an idiot.Where is Hershall Walker at on this list? He played football and was on a U.S. Olympic Bobsled team. I seem to remember him have come out and said he had some type of handicap too. Either way your list is bogus. No way in hell Lebron James is the best athlete ever, he is not even the best basketball player right now. Where are the MMA fighters at on here, these people are in sport. They are warriors and none of you have shown them love. You do what Anderson Sylva and Georges St. Pierre do.I assume that you are talking about living atheletes. The greatest of all time was Jim Thorpe, football, baseball, track and the olympics (long before it got over politicized). But the wimps found a technicality and pulled his medals. Politics (as far as the Olympics are concerned) are the ruling factor). Even in the twenties the libs did not wat to hurt anyones feelings.This will not be popular...
What about gymnists? Did anyone see the Chinese dude that won the gold medal on the rings? I doubt Lebron or Tiger could do an iron cross. Point is these guys are solid muscle combined with unlimited flexiblity and balance. They may need some practice to catch a pass or hit a curve ball, but as far as being an "athlete" is concerned strength,flexibility, and balance are are certainly required.For the love of God, Jim Thorpe must be rolling over in his grave! I am about to hurl my breakfast looking at this list! I don't know whether to laugh or cry.Barry SandersI think that I can easily say that this is the dumbest article I have read in the last week. I agree with "Dee-dub" that this is more like a list of the "most dominant single sport" athletes, hardly a list of the "World's Greatest All-Around Athletes."that list is a joke!!
jim thorpe
bo jackson
deion sanders
babe dedrickson (zaharias)
anybody who won a decathlon/pentathonthat list is a joke!!
jim thorpe
bo jackson
deion sanders
babe dedrickson (zaharias)
anybody who won a decathlon/pentathonWhy would "SPORTS" illustrated talk about brain surgeons or heart specialists? If that's what "really matters" to you, then you should probably be on WebMd, not SI.com.Lance Armstrong and here is why. This is a list of all around great athletes yet the names you listed only excel at one sport (and in golf's case a game). Armstrong not only won 7 Tour de France in a row but also went out and ran the NYC Marathon.Usain "Lightning" Bolt!
Wow, incredible, and with hardly breaking a sweat.Any list not including both Bo Jackson and Jim Brown is invalid, in my humble opinion.Michael Vick, he wasn't even close to the best quarterback even when he was playing, thats an absolute joke.Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson should be 1 and 2 id put lebron at 3 that decathlon guy 4 and michael phelps at 5.
I kno people say all he can do is swim but i gotta imagine hes pretty athletic outside the pool too. i mean hes like 6'4 with a crazy wingspan and huge hands i bet hes a hell of a basketball playerYou fools have such a terribly narrow definition of athlete, it makes me sick. According to you, an athlete must be able to do all of the following:
Jump high
Run fast
Throw a ball
Are you serious? Like there's no mental toughness and coordination (two important ATHLETIC qualities) involved in golf. Go play a round of 18 holes, shoot under 70, and let me know how easy it was.
So ignorant.As an Australian my countrymen will kill me, but American friends look around the world and you will see more.
Start with this bloke named "Dan Carter". (Just enter his name on youtube) Plays rugby for the All-Blacks of New Zealand, and could easily excel as a crossover athletein a multitude of sports. Which I think is the whole point of this story, isn't it?
Unearthing the next Bo or Deion?hahaha this list is terrible. I don't even know where to begin...Dude..did you just think of the first 5 people that either came in mind, or that you read about on your home page? You put no time or research into this. I won't begin to rank athletes but a few pretty good names are off that list. How about Jordan, A-Rod, Tom Brady, T.O., to name a few, like em or not they are the most dominating players in their sport...how about you start there next time you write a bs articleDude..did you just think of the first 5 people that either came in mind, or that you read about on your home page? You put no time or research into this. I won't begin to rank athletes but a few pretty good names are off that list. How about Jordan, A-Rod, Tom Brady, T.O., to name a few, like em or not they are the most dominating players in their sport...how about you start there next time you write a bs articleI can't believe you consider Tiger Woods the WGAAA. Try Manny Pacquiao, the Pound for Pound Boxing King who has won titles in five different weight classes. Boxing is the only sport where the other guy literally has a chance to kill you. And they have. TIGER WOODS! GOLF IS WHAT ATHLETES DO WHEN THEY RETIRE!Tiger Woods: what a joke. he's doing nothing athletic at all: is he running, jumping, throwing, catching, exserting himself at all. golf is not a sport.
Golf is glorified shuffle board.
where is Randy Moss (could be in the NBA), ARod, Jeter, Albert Pujols,etc.
calling golfer athletes is like calling NASCAR drivers athletes.Pro basketball players are the most talented all around athletes. Most of their biographies will show that they excelled in numerous sports.you probably mean US greatest all-round athletes... please have a look at other countries as well. roger federer, christiano ronaldo, kaka...they're way greater than any of those mentioned please for heaven's sake don't be so bias.You idiots, Hulk Hogan hands down. Doink!You morons, Hulk Hogan hands down!
Doink!!!!!!!!!for the guy that said tom brady should be on there ur a moron. he drops back 5 yards and can throw a football but have u ever seen him run? he looks like a duck. adrian peterson and randy moss could both be on this list. so could Usain Bolt after his performance in the olympics. NFL WR anyone?You are a moron. Ranking a basketball player and a GOLFER!!!!! above a world champion in an event that defines ALL AROUND ATHLETE is bordering on lunacy. I appreciate LeBron's skills as a performer, but outside of sissyball he has never distanced himself in any manner. He did not stand out in any sport other than basketball in high school...at least Rasheed Wallace can claim a national track and field title in high school. And Tiger, it's golf...fat old guys play golf and anybody in the shape of an egg, as many of the PGA are, that can push him invalidates his inclusion. Great golfer, not great athlete. Serble is world class in more events that require a broader skill set than any of these yahoos. You and your list are too stupid to be allowed to write any further on this subject and you should not be allowed to make such outlandish statements until you've watched at least 1000 hours of Setanta programing or Sky Sports. You are dumb.Competitive Cup Stacking requires as much hand-eye coordination as golf -- a leisure activity that athletes and businessmen play on their days off.
Greatest athlete that fails all mention here: Flying Tomato, Shaun White, World champion skateboarder in multiple disciplines and Olympic gold medal snowboarder.
White remains the only skater to land the bodyvarial frontside 540.
Nuff said.Michael Vick isn't even good at the one thing he's paid to be - a quarterback. I'd take any top-tier WR or RB as a better athlete even if Vick was out of prison and in shape. I mean, ever see LT2 run the HB Option? He's got a better arm than Vick!I agree with the term athlete being used loosely. Tiger Woods doesn't play football or basketball so he doesn't need to built like one. I bet Woods is in better shape than a majority of baseball players. All baseball requires is standing and occasionally swinging a bat.Superior to all on the list given the category: Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens, Bruce Jenner, and Bob Mathias.
What a lame list. If it is supposed to be current, why Vick? If it is supposed to be "all around" why anyone on the list?Glad you admitted that you had only heard of Roman Serble ten minutes ago so we all know how ignorant you are of all sports. Maybe do your homework first. why dont you look up a gentleman by the name of Alexander Karelin. Undefeated 12 consecutive years...so dominant that no opponent even scored an offensive point against him for 6 of those years...all that in a sport that can arguably be considered one of the toughest.Fedor EmelianenkoSorry to break it to all of you, but golfers are athletes. Athletics isn't just physical power or speed. Athletics is about skill, finesse, and mental toughness as well.
Tiger has the skill, finesse, raw power, and mental toughness on par of any other athlete at the top of their sport.
Is is the greatest athlete, probably not. But to say that he isn't an athlete at all makes you just look stupid.This list is bullshit... All around athletes are not 1 sport athletes. But for those bashing on phelps, try doing what he does for even a day. He's a fucking beast.
This list is for triathletes and decathaletes only. You can't put 1 sport athletes on this. Bullshit. Apples and Oranges.
And the author, you are a retard. not only is this list all Americans, which is messed up, mainly because you are wrong, but also because you have Lebron James ( who is amazing) but probably cannot swim, could not hit a pitch thrown by minor leaguers, or run, throw, etc like any triathlete or decathlete.
And Michael Vick sucked. He was an arrogant punk. There's no way he should be on this even if it's for one sport athletes.
Do some research before you make a list like this...Lebron James is NOT even the best player in his sport much less the world...your an idiot!!!Tiger is an athlete!! Granted maybe not one of the best in the world, but don't question his athletic ability. Go drop a ball in US Open rough and try to hit it 200 yards. You'll break your wrist. I'm serious. You wouldn't know unless you tried it.all-round means speed, strength, and co-ordination -
i nominate pole-vaulters for this -
decathletes are obvious candidates too, they add endurance to the liest
Jim Thorpe and Babe Zaharias are obvious individuals given their multiple talents -Putting Michael Vick on this list is a joke for several reasons. His best athletic skill is running, and he's surely not the best runner in the world. His next best athletic ability is, presumably, throwing, but he was never among the top 10 or 15 passers in the NFL. It's an insult to rank him that high -- and that has nothing to do with his legal woes.absolutely bizarre that Lance Armstrong is not #1 even among these fabulous peopleMichael Phelps off course :DWhen you wrote "all he does is swim in a straight line, but he does it better than anyone else in the world," didn't you get that writer's reflex that you just wrote something completely inane and not fit for publication?This is a poor list, but why is everyone saying Tiger isnt an athlete? You guys not notice how well built he is? Just because his sport isnt as phyiscally demanding as basketball, or football, doesn't mean that great athletes don't play the game. Given they may not be as frequent as in other sports, but Tiger belongs in any list of elite athletes.Golf requires no athletic ability eh? Not a sport eh? These comments clearly come from non golfers with a stick the size of a baseball bat firmly planted inbetween their cheek's. You guys are the talentless hacks that slow my round down bc your a 6'2" 250 lb guy who can't hit the ball more than 100 yards straight before it takes a 90 degree turn 200 yards deep into the woods on the right. Learn how to really golf... Put a 40 lb bag on your back in 95 degree heat and walk up and down hills for 5+ miles for 4+ hrs and honestly ask yourself "Hmm, have I just done something athletic?" I think the answer would undeniably be yes. I agree, golf is no football, but to knock Tiger & golf in general as not athletic??? C'mon gimmie a break....Kobe bryant
Sachin tendulkar
Lara
MJ
Randy MossConsider an athlete - speed, size,strength, ability to be great in multiple facets, even multiple sports. But consider the mental aspect. To be able to do one thing well, but requiring different skills. Consider intensity, to do it consistently at the same level, consistently with little rest. So you think Jim Thorpe, Bo, Deion, but the top is probably decathlon. Rafer, Jenner, Jurgen Hinsgsen, Daley Thomson,Thomas Dvorak, Roman Sebrle, Dan O' Brien, Erki Nool, you have to be about 6ft, strong, lean, and world class at 10 events. Over 2 days. And to think there is an hour decathlon where you have to start each event within 60 mins of completing the last. All require different skills. Dreschler, Lewis, J-K also deserve a mention. Or cricket / rugby dual internationals.Seriously, why are you allowed to write for SI if you clearly don't know the the definition of "athlete" or "athleticism"..
Tiger is clearly the best golfer of all time, but I agree completely with the first poster, he's nowhere the "athlete" even the worst NFL player is.
If you said, world's greatests Sportsperson (gotta include the ladies), then I could agree with you.. but "athlete"..c'mon..
Don't make lists just for the sake of it.. don't you have an editor?To follow up my last post:
ath·lete
–noun a person trained or gifted in exercises or contests involving physical agility, stamina, or strength; a participant in a sport, exercise, or game requiring physical skill.
The last two words are the key...Recent Posts
Copyright © 2008 Time Inc.A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.Terms under which this service is provided to you.Read our privacy guidelines.
