The Greatest Athlete of ALL TIME debate

[RyCo1983]

POLL IS POSTED


Who is the greatest pure athlete of all time? This athlete does not have to be a professional per se, but most of them do become professionals.

Why?

For past athletes...how would they manage in today's far more advanced sport, training, and nutrition world?

(This thread brought to you by way of the Jarron Jones thread)


We could do a poll later on with the names on the list below...looks like Jim Thorpe would take it though!

For kicks, I'll list your suggestions, in order of submission, here in the OP:


-Muhammad Ali
-Bo Jackson
-Michael Jordan
-Carl Lewis
-Bruce Heggie
-Jackie Robinson
-LeBron James
-Pelé
-Jim Thorpe
-Deion Sanders
-Babe Ruth
-Dave Winfield
-Usain Bolt
-Michael Phelps
-Jack Johnson
-Danny Ainge
-Hershel Walker
-Nolan Richardson
-Bruce Jenner

 

[Pachuco]

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali

'Cause he said so...

and backed it up.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

 

[Circa]

Can I still dunk... Are you stupid?
Jordan's reply to Jay Leno's question, 2010

 

[Irish YJ]

If you are talking pure athleticism, then Carl Lewis. Speed, jumping, etc., nobody compares to the total package.

If you are talking professional sports, I'd likely say Michael Jordan. He was a 3 sport athlete in HS, so very much an all around guy despite having the best BB skills ever. Speed, he ran a 4.3 something as well.

I guess it depends on your definition.

 

[RyCo1983]

Greatest pure athlete

 

[Irishnuke]

Bruce Heggie

 

[RyCo1983]

Bruce Heggie

REPS

 

[NDohio]

Jackie Robinson.

Earned varsity letters in four sports at UCLA(Baseball, Basketball, Football, Track).

NCAA Champion in the long jump.

Was playing semi-pro football as a running back when he was going to try out for a professional team and he was then drafted into the army.

Didn't play in the major leagues until age 28.

6 time all-star and National league MVP.

 

[clashmore_mike]

If you have Jordan in there, you almost have to have LeBron in the conversion. 3 inches taller and 40ish pounds heavier.

 

[RyCo1983]

Throwing my dark horse hat into the ring with Pelé!
He was stupid-good.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Jim Thorpe gets my vote.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Jim Thorpe.

 

[EddytoNow]

The most incredible athlete of his generation had to be Jim Thorpe. And since it's impossible to compare athletes who grew up in different time periods, I'll stick with him as the best athlete ever.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

I think it's terrible that Jim Thorpe's remains are in the town that bears his name. He never stepped foot there. His wife let them have the body if they changed the name of the town from Mauch Chunk to Jim Thorpe. Great little town. My best friend lives there.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...=ZJt1EW0dw8_gqnOHmqf75g&bvm=bv.60983673,d.dmQ

 

[Irishnuke]

Honestly there's really now way to compare athletes from other sports. A lot of guys now could easily play multiple sports but don't so they can focus on one. This is a debate that will go on forever with no winner. Much easier to compare athletes in their respective sports. I'm actually pretty curious how people think certain athletes would fair in other sports.

 

[RyCo1983]

Honestly there's really now way to compare athletes from other sports. A lot of guys now could easily play multiple sports but don't so they can focus on one. This is a debate that will go on forever with no winner. Much easier to compare athletes in their respective sports. I'm actually pretty curious how people think certain athletes would fair in other sports.

This is quite true...I do enjoy hearing what people think.

Heggie would make an amazing golfer.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Deion Sanders needs to be on that list

 

[greyhammer90]

Honestly Lebron does belong in the discussion. You can hate him as much as you want, and I'm not saying he's as good of a B-ball player as Jordan, but I can't think of a sport (besides maybe Golf) that he couldn't go professional in and excel. He's around 260 lbs., 6'8" and can fuckin' fly. In soccer? Goalie. Good luck scoring ever.

 

[Cackalacky]

When I think athlete I think Thorpe or Carl Lewis because they just did so much tand were the best at all of it.

I can't really throw my hat in for anyone else.
The rest is all subjective.

 

[IrishinTN]

Minnesota Fats

Yeah this debate can and will go on forever, but to me its someone who excelled at multiple sports like Thorpe, Jesse Owens, Bruce Jenner or Jackie Robinson. If you put a gun to my head Ill pick Thorpe.

 

[ohara831]

Jim Thorpe.

 

[palinurus]

Babe Ruth. Don't laugh. Phenomenally great athlete playing the toughest sport. Just think if he had trained and laid off the unhealthy food and the sauce. Was #2 on ESPN's "Greatest of All Time" list, so I'm not alone.

 

[irishtrain]

Jim Thorpe.

I would like to see a modern update of the movie---who should play the part---

 

[PANDFAN]

A man that gets no respect was Dave Winfield

 

[connor_in]

A man that gets no respect was Dave Winfield

The Blue Jay Hunter: Acid Flashback Friday: Dave Winfield Hits a Seagull

 

[Irishnuke]

A man that gets no respect was Dave Winfield

He was drafted in three different sports I believe. That's pretty impressive.

 

[chicago51]

I'd say Jim Thorpe stud football player in his day, Rockne mentioned how as a young man he got embarrassed on the field by a washed up Thorpe.

Thorpe had a ton of track and field records. Sure they've all fallen but he set most of his records wearing blue collar work clothes, blue jeans, sometimes work boots, etc.

 

[BobD]

Usain Bolt

 

[Irish4Life09]

Babe Ruth. Don't laugh. Phenomenally great athlete playing the toughest sport. Just think if he had trained and laid off the unhealthy food and the sauce. Was #2 on ESPN's "Greatest of All Time" list, so I'm not alone.

Daniel Tosh Fox Theatre Detroit, Mi 3/4/11 - YouTube

BTW...It's Bo Jackson. No question.