Favorite Athlete of All Time

[Five9]

Michael Jordan

I was born in 1992, which was also the year Jordan won his second championship. As early as i can remember; Benny the Bull, the number 23, and the name "Jordan" are significant images of my early childhood. In 1996, after Michael's 4th championship and the release of Space Jam is finally when i learned what all the hype was about going on between my brother and his friends, and also what Benny the Bull, the number 23, and the name "Jordan" signified. I was only four years old and i still remember that. From that point on i wanted to "be like Mike" and play like Mike, always trying to copy what he did. When i became older i learned about his work ethics and every little thing he did to make himself the best he could be, and i have always respected that. Another thing about Michael that has been a part of me for a long time now is his signature shoe line Air Jordans. You ask me any question you want about Air Jordans and i will be able to answer it, I grew up watching him wear the shoes and they just became iconic to me and even made me feel that i could play as good as him. Most of the Air Jordans i own have been sitting in my closet brand new since the day i bought them. I think you have to understand what he did to the game of basketball to make it better and to the spots world in general to understand why it is that i think he is the greatest of all time.

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career.
I've lost almost 300 games.
26 times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed.
I've failed over and over and over again in my life." - Michael Jordan

"My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength."  - Michael Jordan

[Leah]

Because they cannot be separated Tommie Smith, Peter Norman and John Carlos.

The power of the moment is immense and brave and appropriate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olympics_Black_Power_salute

[Luke M]

Hi friends,

my comment was not only to the person Tim Below.
I wanted to contribute with my question suggests that you write why you see these athletes just as your number 1.
Write down not just any name, something more is better for all

Tim Tebow was a college football player for Florida Gators.

I think he's #1 because he has a great positive attitude and a huge motivator for his team. Unlike basketball, in football, there's not a whole lot of disparity in regards to talent. It's basically a game of "who wants it more". Tebow is one of those willing to do anything to get his team to win. In a league full of selfish wide receivers and defensive linemen with diva-like behavior. Tim Tebow is a breath of fresh air.

Now I'm not a Broncos fan by any means, and I do not support Tebow's enthusiasm for Christianity. However, he still gets my vote for #1.

[Five9]

Who is Tim Tebow? 

Please tell a little bit more about him

Lisa, just to give you a visual, this is Tim Tebow


That was part of his rookie hazing, this is what he normally looks like

[jenlaw]

Tim Tebow

Who is Tim Tebow? 

Please tell a little bit more about him

Tim Tebow was fun to watch - I saw his first jumpshot touchdown as a freshman live on tv. For those who don't want to check out the wikipedia article - the media has pretty much decided he is the perfect person. He grew up as a missionary kid and still spends his summers in the Philippines doing missions work. he doesn't drink, smoke, do drugs, have sex or even cuss. He also has a very uncharacteristic playing style as a quarterback, opting to keep the ball and gain the hard yards himself. He's almost like a quarterback and a fullback combined

 But he isn't even my favorite football player.
As far as overall athlete I would have to go with Kobe.
Second favorite is Rafa Nadal, though he really should stop picking his butt before serves

[tolkienfan86]

It seemed like before Tebow went into the NFL the media kept talking incessantly about his nonstandard throwing motion and claiming that was going to keep him from being successful in the pros. The media might have a point, but Tebow's a competitor and I think he'll prove himself. He already scored his first TD by running through two defenders.

I like it when QBs can run and throw well.

[katia]

With a bit of Italian proudness...I'd say Federica Pellegrini.
She's a swimmer and although she's just 20...she has already several world records!!!

Despite this all...she's also beautiful and, in my opinion very very elegant...a great example of sportive woman's beauty!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federica_Pellegrini

[wesp]

Louis/Schmelling is a good one! I like Muhammed Ali because he took five years off at the height of his career for his beliefs and still came out on top as a 3 time world champion boxer. Or Wayne Gretzky :)

[KrzysK85]

Adam Małysz - the best Polish and world ski jumper.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Małysz

Adam Małysz - Wspaniałe Chwile HQ (by mikart) Przeżyjmy to jeszcze raz!

Supreme Adam Malysz