![It had to be done. In my 23 years of existence, there have been many extraordinary athletes that have graced sports fans everywhere. We have seen teams dominate sports championships (Yankees/Cowboys in the 90s); we have seen athletes dominate their respective sports (e.g. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps). With that said, however, just who has earned the title as the “Greatest Athlete of my Lifetime.”
Consider this: I’ve narrowed it down to three individuals who I solomnly feel has earned the distinction as World-Class Athletes. Before I discuss them, however, I feel as though it’s fair to mention some other tremendous athletes.
First, there is, of course, Mr. Woods. Yes, Tiger. Tiger Woods is the obvious choice as the most athletic golfer of all-time. His golfing resume is dumbfounding and his dominant reign on golf is still in full-swing — pun intended. When discussing the “Greatest Athletes of My Lifetime,” though, Tiger Woods misses the cut (haha, that’s the last one, I hope). You see, Golf, though difficult in its precision and patience, is not truly an athletic endeavor. We’ve all been to the links and seen fat slobs hitting the ball down the fairway. Christ, John Daly has been on the tour for quite a while, and he is truly the anthesis of athletic. So, sorry, Tiger — you may be able to bench press over 300lbs, but you are not the “Greatest Athlete of My Lifetime.”
Though occasionally debated — most notably by my father — Michael Jordan is widely considered the best basketball player ever. Jordan won so many championships in the 90s it was sickening. Many amateur sports fans would argue that Jordan might be the best individual athlete at his respective sport, but wait a minute — Michael Jordan played in the MLB, too. Yes, Jordan was a professional two-sport athlete. Though he played pro ball, he wasn’t nearly the baseball player he was jump-shooter — in fact, many believe Michael Jordan’s baseball career was solely based off his basketball successes. You’re a stud, MJ, and, in my opinion, the best player to ever step on hardwood, but you are not the “Greatest Athlete of My Lifetime.”
Michael Phelps, pot or not, won a ton of medals at the latest installment of the Olympic Games. Never before has an athlete of any variety won as many medals at an Olympic meeting as Phelps did last summer. Sure, a DUI here, a picture of him ripping a bong there, may tarnish his image a little, but the guy swims his ass off on a consistent basis. Admittingly, I don’t watch swimming other than during the Olympics, and Phelps made tuning in to swimming enjoyable. You’re a great swimmer, Michael, and, in time, you may climb on my list of great athletes; however, Michael, I hate to break it to ya — you are not the “Greatest Athlete of My Lifetime.”
Finally. I’m tired of talking about guys who aren’t even in true consideration of such distinction. Now it’s down to the three gentlemen who have done their things to such an extent that they’re in a league of their own. Carl Lewis, Lance Armstrong, Bo Jackson — the three guys who cannot be forgotten when discussing true athletes.
Carl Lewis cannot sing — we know this. What Carl can do, though, is run and jump — with the best in the world. There may not be a single individual who can parallel the accomplishments of Carl Lewis. Here are a few to digest: Held (4) World Records, Tied/Broke an American Record (11) times, (9) Olympic Gold Medals, Won the Long Jump at (4) consecutive Olympic Games [‘84-‘96]. Wow. Here is a guy who has a 100m PR of 9.86 and a Long Jump PR of 29-1 1/2”. Shit, that’s impressive. The guy ran a 19.75 200m, too! Aside from his track accolades, Carl Lewis was drafted by the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. It’s not done there. Carl Lewis was also drafted by the Chicago Bulls of the NBA. Now you’re talking about a world-class sprinter/jumper who could have played professional football and/or basketball. He’s far and away the best Track & Field Athlete of the 20th Century, and I, too, qualify him as one of the three “Greatest Athletes of My Lifetime.”
Lance. He’s almost Brazilian in the way we refer to him by one name. I mean, how many Lance’s do you know? Honestly, he’s probably the only; I can think of two other people that I refer to by only one name that are not soccer players: Yao [Ming] and Marcely [Jean-Pierre] — don’t get a big head by this, Marce, you ain’t famous yet. As it stands today, Lance Armstrong currently sits 3rd in the Tour de France — the Superbowl of cycling. He has won the Tour de France so many times that most people would assume that he’s won the damn thing like 20 times (note: he is currently vying for his 8th title). The guy has beaten cancer, scandal, riders, and went through a divorce, yet the guy fearlessly plows forward. He is the most tested athlete on the planet. The guy now endeavors in marathons, too. To me, you can not mention true athletes and forget this guy. Competitive Cycling is one of the hardest sports you can do, and he has been the man-to-beat for way too long; therefore, through all of this, Lance Armstrong is one of the three “Greatest Athletes of My Lifetime.”
“Bo Knows Football.” Yes, he did. “Bo Knows Baseball.” Yes, he knew that, too. Bo Jackson was the quintessential two-sport athlete of the 80s and 90s. No disrespect to Deion Sanders who, in his own right, was a quality baseball/football player at the professional level, but Bo Jackson could not be outdone. What 80s born sportsfan hasn’t seen the clip of Bo Jackson — then with the LA Raiders — receiving a handoff and blowing by the defense along the sideline and running through the endzone and into the tunnel. That’s just a lasting memory. Better yet, remember when Bo Jackson, decked out on Royals’ blue, broke his bat over his knee after a K. Who hasn’t unsucessfully tried that? I feel like my right knee is permanantly bruised because of Bo. He was fast; he was strong; he could run; he could hit; he take a hit; he could catch a ball — Bo Jackson etched a place as one of the three “Greatest Athletes of My Lifetime.”
Well, as you can count, that makes three. Is it possible to choose just one? To answer obviously, yes. Though it’s not easy, I will attempt to select just one…
Carl Lewis. Any man who wins an Olympic Gold in four consecutive Olympic Games in the same event warrants himself as the premier athlete of any discussion. No disrespect to Lance or Bo — both of whom possess athletic ability beyond comprehension — but Carl Lewis is the “Greatest Athlete of My Lifetime.” End of story.
Any agreements/debate/etc. feel free to respond to my facebook link or e-mail me @ GeorgeM18@gmail.com.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/Kv5F3WSseps68z7flaR2XI6Mo1_r2_400.jpg)
It had to be done. In my 23 years of existence, there have been many extraordinary athletes that have graced sports fans everywhere. We have seen teams dominate sports championships (Yankees/Cowboys in the 90s); we have seen athletes dominate their respective sports (e.g. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps). With that said, however, just who has earned the title as the “Greatest Athlete of my Lifetime.”
Consider this: I’ve narrowed it down to three individuals who I solomnly feel has earned the distinction as World-Class Athletes. Before I discuss them, however, I feel as though it’s fair to mention some other tremendous athletes.
First, there is, of course, Mr. Woods. Yes, Tiger. Tiger Woods is the obvious choice as the most athletic golfer of all-time. His golfing resume is dumbfounding and his dominant reign on golf is still in full-swing — pun intended. When discussing the “Greatest Athletes of My Lifetime,” though, Tiger Woods misses the cut (haha, that’s the last one, I hope). You see, Golf, though difficult in its precision and patience, is not truly an athletic endeavor. We’ve all been to the links and seen fat slobs hitting the ball down the fairway. Christ, John Daly has been on the tour for quite a while, and he is truly the anthesis of athletic. So, sorry, Tiger — you may be able to bench press over 300lbs, but you are not the “Greatest Athlete of My Lifetime.”
Though occasionally debated — most notably by my father — Michael Jordan is widely considered the best basketball player ever. Jordan won so many championships in the 90s it was sickening. Many amateur sports fans would argue that Jordan might be the best individual athlete at his respective sport, but wait a minute — Michael Jordan played in the MLB, too. Yes, Jordan was a professional two-sport athlete. Though he played pro ball, he wasn’t nearly the baseball player he was jump-shooter — in fact, many believe Michael Jordan’s baseball career was solely based off his basketball successes. You’re a stud, MJ, and, in my opinion, the best player to ever step on hardwood, but you are not the “Greatest Athlete of My Lifetime.”
Michael Phelps, pot or not, won a ton of medals at the latest installment of the Olympic Games. Never before has an athlete of any variety won as many medals at an Olympic meeting as Phelps did last summer. Sure, a DUI here, a picture of him ripping a bong there, may tarnish his image a little, but the guy swims his ass off on a consistent basis. Admittingly, I don’t watch swimming other than during the Olympics, and Phelps made tuning in to swimming enjoyable. You’re a great swimmer, Michael, and, in time, you may climb on my list of great athletes; however, Michael, I hate to break it to ya — you are not the “Greatest Athlete of My Lifetime.”
Finally. I’m tired of talking about guys who aren’t even in true consideration of such distinction. Now it’s down to the three gentlemen who have done their things to such an extent that they’re in a league of their own. Carl Lewis, Lance Armstrong, Bo Jackson — the three guys who cannot be forgotten when discussing true athletes.
Carl Lewis cannot sing — we know this. What Carl can do, though, is run and jump — with the best in the world. There may not be a single individual who can parallel the accomplishments of Carl Lewis. Here are a few to digest: Held (4) World Records, Tied/Broke an American Record (11) times, (9) Olympic Gold Medals, Won the Long Jump at (4) consecutive Olympic Games [‘84-‘96]. Wow. Here is a guy who has a 100m PR of 9.86 and a Long Jump PR of 29-1 1/2”. Shit, that’s impressive. The guy ran a 19.75 200m, too! Aside from his track accolades, Carl Lewis was drafted by the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. It’s not done there. Carl Lewis was also drafted by the Chicago Bulls of the NBA. Now you’re talking about a world-class sprinter/jumper who could have played professional football and/or basketball. He’s far and away the best Track & Field Athlete of the 20th Century, and I, too, qualify him as one of the three “Greatest Athletes of My Lifetime.”
Lance. He’s almost Brazilian in the way we refer to him by one name. I mean, how many Lance’s do you know? Honestly, he’s probably the only; I can think of two other people that I refer to by only one name that are not soccer players: Yao [Ming] and Marcely [Jean-Pierre] — don’t get a big head by this, Marce, you ain’t famous yet. As it stands today, Lance Armstrong currently sits 3rd in the Tour de France — the Superbowl of cycling. He has won the Tour de France so many times that most people would assume that he’s won the damn thing like 20 times (note: he is currently vying for his 8th title). The guy has beaten cancer, scandal, riders, and went through a divorce, yet the guy fearlessly plows forward. He is the most tested athlete on the planet. The guy now endeavors in marathons, too. To me, you can not mention true athletes and forget this guy. Competitive Cycling is one of the hardest sports you can do, and he has been the man-to-beat for way too long; therefore, through all of this, Lance Armstrong is one of the three “Greatest Athletes of My Lifetime.”
“Bo Knows Football.” Yes, he did. “Bo Knows Baseball.” Yes, he knew that, too. Bo Jackson was the quintessential two-sport athlete of the 80s and 90s. No disrespect to Deion Sanders who, in his own right, was a quality baseball/football player at the professional level, but Bo Jackson could not be outdone. What 80s born sportsfan hasn’t seen the clip of Bo Jackson — then with the LA Raiders — receiving a handoff and blowing by the defense along the sideline and running through the endzone and into the tunnel. That’s just a lasting memory. Better yet, remember when Bo Jackson, decked out on Royals’ blue, broke his bat over his knee after a K. Who hasn’t unsucessfully tried that? I feel like my right knee is permanantly bruised because of Bo. He was fast; he was strong; he could run; he could hit; he take a hit; he could catch a ball — Bo Jackson etched a place as one of the three “Greatest Athletes of My Lifetime.”
Well, as you can count, that makes three. Is it possible to choose just one? To answer obviously, yes. Though it’s not easy, I will attempt to select just one…
Carl Lewis. Any man who wins an Olympic Gold in four consecutive Olympic Games in the same event warrants himself as the premier athlete of any discussion. No disrespect to Lance or Bo — both of whom possess athletic ability beyond comprehension — but Carl Lewis is the “Greatest Athlete of My Lifetime.” End of story.
Any agreements/debate/etc. feel free to respond to my facebook link or e-mail me @ GeorgeM18@gmail.com.
