[YAAAHOOOO3]

Hi I was wondering who everyone thinks are the 5 greatest professional athletes/sports icons of the last 30 years. Here's my votes:


1. Michael Jordan (no question)

2. Michael Johnson

3. Michael Phelps

4. Lance Armstrong

5. Kobe Bryant


Honerable mention - Carl Lewis, Bo Jackson, Wayne Gretsky, David Beckham, Andre Agassi, Deion Sanders, Pieter van den Hoogenband, Tiger Woods, Mike Tyson, Hulk Hogan

[Bill2k06]

you got them all covered i see.
only 2 people i would add to that post.

Zinedine Zidane

Eric Cantona
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[YAAAHOOOO3]

Do you think though Zidane's legendary career was slightly jeopardized after the notorious head butting incident?






Here's the full replay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSBQLaNfvss

[palabra]

I would say a no to Kobe Bryant on the top 5. Maybe he deserves honorable mention. I will think about this, and put together a list.
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if seeing is believing, then believe that we have lost our eyes

[Yiles]

Interesting cutoff of 30 years- The time frame would change my choices somewhat...


5. Michael Jordan- Brought the NBA worldwide, besides besides being the greatest to ever play

4. Rocky Balboa- An icon of the underdog who perseveres against all odds

3. Lawrence Taylor (L.T.)- A symbol of the 20th century pro athlete- All the talent of one of the greats, changed the way his game was played, but had fatal flaw of drug addiction symbolic of the future generation of sports

2. Tiger Woods- Simply dominant, who brought the last exclusive sport (golf) to the masses

1. Muhammad Ali- The Greatest Of All Time, no further explanation necessary
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[MrCrabbs]

I would say Zidane's career was enhanced. "I don't care if it's my last game before retirement and the whole world is watching. Call my mother a terrorist and I'll beat you down," is a damn fine message.

[MrCrabbs]

For the effect they have had on the world:

1. Mohammed Ali

2. Tiger Woods

3. David Beckham

4. Martina Navratilova

5. Jesse Owens

[Yiles]

Crabbs, I think Jesse Owens is slightly pushing the "30 years" caveat a bit
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[MrCrabbs]

Ooops.

[lotta1980]

Its hard to choose 5 , but will try.

1- Kasparov
2- Stefan Edberg
3- Pelé
4- Karl Heinz Rummenigge
5- Carl Lewis

And of course we cant miss David Nobre.

[Yiles]

Lotta-

What is Stefan Edberg an icon of? I mean, I know he was a pretty good tennis player, but what did/does he represent?

And the other guy, I've never even heard of him. Can you be an icon if some people never heard of you?


Pele and Kasparov are great choices, though.
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[lotta1980]

This is Stefan Edberrg results
1985 - Australian Open
1987 - Australian Open
1988 - Wimbledon
1988 - Bronze medaille Olompic Seoul 88
1990 - Wimbledon
1990 - 1e plaats ATP-ranking bereikt
1991 - U.S. Open
1991 - 1e plaats ATP-ranking
1992 - U.S. Open
1992 - 1e plaats ATP-ranking
Dont you think he is an icon ?

Elvis !! Who is the other player you didnt hear about ?
If you didnt ever hear about Karl Heinz Rummenigge(the great football Germany player in 80s) or Carl Lewis (the Amerikan Olompic hero), think better to leave sport & give your time to your sångs.

[DavidNobre]

ty lotta lol
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Just enjoying the life ;~~

[Yiles]

I can name at least 7 tennis players better than Edberg off the top of my head.


Jimmy Connors
Andre Agassi
Pete Sampras
Ivan Lendl
John McEnroe
Roger Federer
Bjorn Borg
Boris Becker


And I never heard of the German guy, and for that matter, I wouldn't put Carl Lewis on that list either.

In America, this is Carl Lewis' lasting legacy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uDc5tQxmJY


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[lotta1980]

Elvis
Read the history of Edberg,
Alla the players Tennis you mention is the greatest but dont ever compare 2000s with 90s or with 80s. in any sport.

Rafael Nadal can get cash $ in 1 champion more than alla Makenro have in alla his Tennis life.
Players of 80s & 90s be a history.
Or why do you think Chess disappear from our life

This is Rummenigge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNgSpdbpxsE
http://www.tn-autogramme.de/adidas-galerie/rummenigge.html