Athletes that all of Public knows

[pk500]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

I don't think I know anyone who doesn't know who Lance Armstrong is.

I don't think any tennis players are on the list. Not Anna, not the Williams, and definitely not Andy Roddick. I'd guess Agassi is the closest there is.

Agreed on all.

Armstrong transcends all boundaries. Legendary athlete, worldwide cancer activist, alleged but never-proven performance-enhancing drug user, was engaged to Sheryl Crow. That touches every corner of pop and sports culture.

Kournikova was reaching critical mass a few years ago, but not anymore. Agassi is the only tennis player that everyone knows because of his image, his major victories, his relationship with Brooke Shields and his Canon camera ads.

Sorry, but the Williams' sisters don't cross every barrier like Agassi.

Take care,
PK

[PlayaHataSupreme]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

This is a tad off-topic, but, I'll go out on a limb and say that O.J. Simpson is the most nationally know football player of all time

[pk500]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

This is a tad off-topic, but, I'll go out on a limb and say that O.J. Simpson is the most nationally know football player of all time

I think you're 100 percent right. The White Bronco Chase sealed his worldwide infamy forever.

Take care,
PK

[ZB9]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

-Tiger Woods
-Lance Armstrong
-O.J.
-Mike Tyson
-Shaq

[mgoblue]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Pat Tillman's probably up there, granted he's obviously not still playing

[X*Cell]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Pat Tillman's probably up there, granted he's obviously not still playing

Brave brave man, and a great story, but I doubt many people remember it.

My list... (not counting my grandma... I think she's against sports for some reason)... present day people know:

Basketball:

Michael Jordan
Larry Bird
Shaquille O'Neal
Magic Johnson
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Maybe, Tony Parker (b/c of Eva)

Baseball:

Barry Bonds
Derek Jeter
Alex Rodriguez
Roger Clemens
Babe Ruth
Willie Mays
Pete Rose
Mark McGwire
Mickey Mantle
Joe DiMaggio

Football (problem with football is that there are helmets on players, so noone is remembered because people can't remember people without faces):

OJ Simpson
John Madden

Golf:

Tiger Woods
Arnold Palmer

Hockey:

Wayne Gretzky

Racing:

Dale Earnhart Jr.
Jeff Gordon
Danica Patrick

Boxing:

Muhammed Ali
Mike Tyson

Other:

Lance Armstrong
Floyd Landis (he'll be forgotten soon tho)
David Beckham
Pele
Jesse Owens
Andre Aggassi
Anna Kournikova

[SPTO]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

This is a tad off-topic, but, I'll go out on a limb and say that O.J. Simpson is the most nationally know football player of all time

How bout Jim Brown? You got old guys talking about how he was the greatest ever, their sons/daughters who know him from his late 60s/70s movies and their grand kids knowing him through NFL Films and various other things like his poor attempt at rehabbing Maurice Clarrett.

[X*Cell]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

How bout Jim Brown? You got old guys talking about how he was the greatest ever, their sons/daughters who know him from his late 60s/70s movies and their grand kids knowing him through NFL Films and various other things like his poor attempt at rehabbing Maurice Clarrett.

"Dirty Dozen" with Lee Marvin.... GREAT MOVIE!

[4BiddenKnight]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Shaq
Jordan
Tiger
Yao worldwide I bet
Bonds

[cooldude]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Tiger Woods
Tom Brady
Kobe
Bonds

sadly for hockey it's still Gretzsky

This comes from knowing my family which for the most part are NOT sports fans.

Why is that sad?

[sva91]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

top 7 I dont know who makes top 5

Shaq
Tiger Woods
Mike Tyson
Yao Ming
Lance Armstrong,
David Beckham
Ronaldinho

David Beckham probably the biggest of all, because Soccer is worldwide and he is more famous amongst women


I dont think a baseball player would crack the top 7
couple others maybe: Bonds, De la Hoya, Kobe, Agassi and A-Rod because of his record breaking deal.

[SPTO]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

Why is that sad?

Considering the man has been retired for a while now you'd think the NHL would have at least one true crossover star. Ovechkin MAY be that guy if he continues to be a human highlight reel and he improves on his english.

It's also a matter of exposure. The NHL just doesn't get as much coverage or exposure that it should get in the US. If a guy like Ovechkin can create a buzz then maybe that can change, at least in the short term.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

I think Zinedine Zidane has made his way onto the list now, as well.

[Blzer]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

I think Zinedine Zidane has made his way onto the list now, as well.

Hardly. Even when he's on T.V. for his... World Series Cup run... I didn't really notice him, because I would disregard it. I didn't know his first name until now, anyway.


Kobayashi's gotta be getting up there.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Athletes that all of Public knows

I'd say that Tiger is easily #1 in both name and face recognition. I'd say Shaq would be #2 on the list. I think most people would recognize the name Lance Armstrong but how many could pick him out of a lineup or know it if they bumped into him on the street?