Whos the Best Athlete of Their time?

[ArchitectHog]

All things considered, who would you consider the best overall player?

[HogNuttz]

Jim Thorpe

[Hawg_Heaven]

Bo Jackson!

[Dr. Kenneth Noisewater]

Jim Brown or Bo Jackson

I dont know if many people know this but a lot of people consider Jim Brown as the best Lacrosse Player to ever live, thats right i said Lacrosse

[kuhog]

Wilt Chamberlain & Jim Thorpe - two of the best athletes during their time. I know Jordan, Jackson, Brown and a few others can be mentioned, but Chamberlain & Thorpe were dominant in many various sports.

[holman24]

wilt chamberlin

[netteltonhog]

Tiger Woods

[cosmodrum]

Bo Jackson!

Most defintely. A unbelievable performer on the gridiron and diamond. Ah, what could've been...

[Dr. Kenneth Noisewater]

Tiger Woods

Well since you mentioned Tiger,

How bout Roger Federer

[DeltaBoy]

Bo Jackson or Deion Sanders

[BILLYBOB]

Ali

[ArchitectHog]

Tiger Woods

Well since you mentioned Tiger,

How bout Roger Federer

you could also make a case for Sampras for that matter

[cosmodrum]

Wilt Chamberlain & Jim Thorpe - two of the best athletes during their time. I know Jordan, Jackson, Brown and a few others can be mentioned, but Chamberlain & Thorpe were dominant in many various sports.

Good point. Unlike Bo Jackson, however, they weren't dominant in two of the four so-called "major" sports in America. That is, Football, Baseball, basketball, and hockey. Not to my knowledge, at least.

[ArchitectHog]

Ali

you think that Tyson could have beaten him in his prime. Guess we'll never know

[razorson]

Jim Thorpe could do it all.

[Theolesnort]

Jim Thorpe could do it all.

For his time Thorpe was so far in front of his contemporaries he was like a superman.

[Mister_BS]

Wilt Chamberlain & Jim Thorpe - two of the best athletes during their time. I know Jordan, Jackson, Brown and a few others can be mentioned, but Chamberlain & Thorpe were dominant in many various sports.

Good point. Unlike Bo Jackson, however, they weren't dominant in two of the four so-called "major" sports in America. That is, Football, Baseball, basketball, and hockey. Not to my knowledge, at least.

Jim Thorpe played baseball for John McGraw's New York Giants. Thorpe also won the decathlon AND pentathlon (no longer a men's Olympic event) in the 1912 Olympics, a feat not accomplished before or since.

So, to argue your line of thinking, Bo was never dominant on the world's biggest stage: the Olympic Games.

Thorpe was the best college football player before pro football began. He led a small unknown school to wins against the top powers of the day. and he was the first marqee man in the NFL.

Thorpe was chosen the greatest athlete of the first half-century.

Bo was phenomenal but didn't dominate his era the way Thorpe did. Case closed.

[Mister_BS]

Ali

you think that Tyson could have beaten him in his prime. Guess we'll never know

no way, no how, at no time. not unless it was tyson in his prime and ali on the verge of retirement

ali was the best combination of size and speed, ability to take a punch, deliver a flurry or a big blow, along with intelligence of any boxer ever

[Woopsie]

Dave Winfield,

Most of you know him by his hall of fame baseball career.  However is is one of two athletes to ever be drafted in three different pro sports and the only one to be drafted in four!!!

he was drafted by the

San Diego Padres
Minnesota Vikings (despite not playing college football)
Utah Stars (ABA)
Atlanta Hawks (NBA)

The padres also placed him directly into the Majors with no minor league stint.  That is truly rare in the modern era. 

He has to at least be  given some consideration.

[hogfan064]

Ali

you think that Tyson could have beaten him in his prime. Guess we'll never know

no way, no how, at no time. not unless it was tyson in his prime and ali on the verge of retirement

ali was the best combination of size and speed, ability to take a punch, deliver a flurry or a big blow, along with intelligence of any boxer ever

Ali was amazing.  I honestly believe that man could've been a all pro RB in the NFL.  He was just that great of an athlete and so ahead of his time in the way he spoke and thought. 

I'd have to go with Ali or Jackson as best athlete ever.   

[hogfan064]

Dave Winfield,

Most of you know him by his hall of fame baseball career.  However is is one of two athletes to ever be drafted in three different pro sports and the only one to be drafted in four!!!

he was drafted by the

San Diego Padres
Minnesota Vikings (despite not playing college football)
Utah Stars (ABA)
Atlanta Hawks (NBA)

The padres also placed him directly into the Majors with no minor league stint.  That is truly rare in the modern era. 

He has to at least be  given some consideration.

Good call.  I forget about him.

[TushCrush]

Ali

you think that Tyson could have beaten him in his prime. Guess we'll never know

Ali would've put the big hurt on Tyson ... no doubt about it. Tyson can't hold a candle to Ali.

[oldfart]

he was apparently a monster lacrosse player. who would stand in the way of jim brown with a stick in his hand??

Jim Brown or Bo Jackson

I dont know if many people know this but a lot of people consider Jim Brown as the best Lacrosse Player to ever live, thats right i said Lacrosse

[TushCrush]

Ali

you think that Tyson could have beaten him in his prime. Guess we'll never know

no way, no how, at no time. not unless it was tyson in his prime and ali on the verge of retirement

ali was the best combination of size and speed, ability to take a punch, deliver a flurry or a big blow, along with intelligence of any boxer ever

Word ...

[oldfart]

wilt was a great track athlete.  he tried the discus but could not stay in that ring during the toss because of his long legs... 

Wilt Chamberlain & Jim Thorpe - two of the best athletes during their time. I know Jordan, Jackson, Brown and a few others can be mentioned, but Chamberlain & Thorpe were dominant in many various sports.

[Calvin N Hawgs]

Thorpe...no doubt.

[StoernerJonesFan]

Matt Jones...

No, I'm just kidding.  I'm playing favorites.

My real choice:
Mitch Mustain.

[cosmodrum]

Wilt Chamberlain & Jim Thorpe - two of the best athletes during their time. I know Jordan, Jackson, Brown and a few others can be mentioned, but Chamberlain & Thorpe were dominant in many various sports.

Good point. Unlike Bo Jackson, however, they weren't dominant in two of the four so-called "major" sports in America. That is, Football, Baseball, basketball, and hockey. Not to my knowledge, at least.

Jim Thorpe played baseball for John McGraw's New York Giants. Thorpe also won the decathlon AND pentathlon (no longer a men's Olympic event) in the 1912 Olympics, a feat not accomplished before or since.

So, to argue your line of thinking, Bo was never dominant on the world's biggest stage: the Olympic Games.

Thorpe was the best college football player before pro football began. He led a small unknown school to wins against the top powers of the day. and he was the first marqee man in the NFL.

Thorpe was chosen the greatest athlete of the first half-century.

Bo was phenomenal but didn't dominate his era the way Thorpe did. Case closed.

Bo's career was cut short, so as far as dominance in an era is concerned, we'll never know. That being said, I had no idea Thorpe played for McGraw. And you bring up a good point regarding the Olympics.

[Mister_BS]

wilt was a great track athlete.  he tried the discus but could not stay in that ring during the toss because of his long legs... 

Wilt Chamberlain & Jim Thorpe - two of the best athletes during their time. I know Jordan, Jackson, Brown and a few others can be mentioned, but Chamberlain & Thorpe were dominant in many various sports.

I think Wilt held the Big 8 record in the 400-yard dash for many years. He was a phenomenal track athlete

[bearcathog]

"Babe" Didrikson Zaharis-voted 10th greatest althlete of all time-dominant in track & field/basketball/golf

http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00014147.html

[arktennis]

Roger Federer. Nobody totally dominates the field like this guy does. He has beaten the other Top 10 players 6-0 at least once and has dominated every tournament for years now.  In his prime, playing well, nobody else in the world can come close to touching him and they all know and admit it.

[Hollywood_HOGan]

All things considered, who would you consider the best overall player?

Jim Thorpe or Bo Jackson.

ALthough Barry Sanders was scary......REALLY scary.

[Silver Hog]

Jesse Owesn

[PennHOG]

Roger Federer. Nobody totally dominates the field like this guy does. He has beaten the other Top 10 players 6-0 at least once and has dominated every tournament for years now.  In his prime, playing well, nobody else in the world can come close to touching him and they all know and admit it.

I was thinking this too.  Pete Sampras and Andre Aggasi will be an after thought when Federer is all done.  He's the greatest to ever step on a tennis court.

[Mister_BS]

Jesse Owesn

hard to argue with owens. he's probably in the top 5 of any credible list

[BumpieJohnson]

Dave Winfield, he also did not play in the minnor leagues

[Mister_BS]

"Babe" Didrikson Zaharis

out of the woods with that one. great pic, tho. a great track star, golfer and played hoops, i think. the first woman to play in a men's PGA (redundant, I know) event.

Babe Ruth is another great choice that I don't think has made this discussion yet. He was a terrific athlete: an above-average outfielder until about 1930 when he was mid-30s and overweight, a good baserunner and a guy who probably would've made the Hall of Fame as a pitcher if he hadn't become the MOST DOMINANT hitter of his generation and all time

[John Futrall]

Of their time? Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, Ali, Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong


Of ALL time? Ali, Jordan, Babe Ruth

[Dr. Kenneth Noisewater]

Of their time? Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, Ali, Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong


Of ALL time? Ali, Jordan, Babe Ruth

I get tired of the Ali argument, without his political side he would never be mentioned.

[TushCrush]

Of their time? Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, Ali, Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong


Of ALL time? Ali, Jordan, Babe Ruth

I get tired of the Ali argument, without his political side he would never be mentioned.

Yeah right. You got it ... he couldn't box. It was smoke and mirrors.
Although the Ali pick is intriquing, I would probably go Thorpe.

[hogsNbeer]

Of all time.....Mine has always been George "Babe" Ruth.....

[Mister_BS]

Of their time? Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, Ali, Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong


Of ALL time? Ali, Jordan, Babe Ruth

I get tired of the Ali argument, without his political side he would never be mentioned.

i disagree. he's still the only guy to reclaim the heavyweight crown twice, which does mean he lost it twice. But have you ever watched film of Ali before his 3.5 year hiatus? He was simply the best ever.

that said, he's in the top 10 of my list, at best, when discussing top athletes of all time

[Dr. Kenneth Noisewater]

Of their time? Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, Ali, Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong


Of ALL time? Ali, Jordan, Babe Ruth

I get tired of the Ali argument, without his political side he would never be mentioned.

i disagree. he's still the only guy to reclaim the heavyweight crown twice, which does mean he lost it twice. But have you ever watched film of Ali before his 3.5 year hiatus? He was simply the best ever.

that said, he's in the top 10 of my list, at best, when discussing top athletes of all time

Im not saying he isnt one of the greatest boxers of all time but i just think with out the politics surrounding him then he would just be mentioned in the same conversations as other great boxers. 

[RBLtoHOG]

Rocky Balboa

[pigfeet]

Bo Jackson

[Dugann]

Jim thorpe
babe ruth
ted williams
ali
jorden
tiger woods

[hogfan064]

Rocky Balboa

Debate over.  Rocky wins.

Forrest Gump has to be 2nd though.  Noone could stop that guy at Bama

[ThisLittlePiggie]

Ali

you think that Tyson could have beaten him in his prime. Guess we'll never know

no way, no how, at no time. not unless it was tyson in his prime and ali on the verge of retirement

ali was the best combination of size and speed, ability to take a punch, deliver a flurry or a big blow, along with intelligence of any boxer ever

I guess it's a matter of opinion whether or not Cassius Clay aka Mohammed Ali could take a punch or not. From his speech and motor skills he may not have been taking those punches as well as it appeared at the time.

[Dr. Kenneth Noisewater]

Ali

you think that Tyson could have beaten him in his prime. Guess we'll never know

no way, no how, at no time. not unless it was tyson in his prime and ali on the verge of retirement

ali was the best combination of size and speed, ability to take a punch, deliver a flurry or a big blow, along with intelligence of any boxer ever

I guess it's a matter of opinion whether or not Cassius Clay aka Mohammed Ali could take a punch or not. From his speech and motor skills he may not have been taking those punches as well as it appeared at the time.

The parkinson's causes that, his mind is still there so he isnt punch drunk. His doctors still dont know if boxing had anything to do with it. With that being said, im sure it didnt help.

[MHHog]

MJ and I'm not talking about Matt Jones.