Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
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Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Got thinking about this as an offshoot to the (deserved) affection directed at Nelson Mandela and all the media fellation of Derek Jeter regarding his retirement.
But who is the most universally beloved living athlete? Before he passed away, you could have made a strong case for Stan Musial. Now I'm thinking it comes down to basically three or four guys:
Willie Mays
Gordie Howe
And my personal opinion, Hank Aaron.
Any other candidates? (I couldn't really think of any good basketball or football players that might fit the bill.)
But who is the most universally beloved living athlete? Before he passed away, you could have made a strong case for Stan Musial. Now I'm thinking it comes down to basically three or four guys:
Willie Mays
Gordie Howe
And my personal opinion, Hank Aaron.
Any other candidates? (I couldn't really think of any good basketball or football players that might fit the bill.)
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I think you can include Pele in that list.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Gordie Howe. Tremendous choice, Brian.
Cassius Clay?
ETA: One of the coolest (in the "how cannot you not absolutely love this man" way) until he passed away in '06 was Buck O'Neil. Buck, of course, didn't have the fame of those previously mentioned.
Cassius Clay?
ETA: One of the coolest (in the "how cannot you not absolutely love this man" way) until he passed away in '06 was Buck O'Neil. Buck, of course, didn't have the fame of those previously mentioned.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Draft-dodging, Muslim? You might get some static on that one. At least in the U.S.Scottie wrote:Gordie Howe. Tremendous choice, Brian.
Cassius Clay?
ETA: One of the coolest (in the "how cannot you not absolutely love this man" way) until he passed away in '06 was Buck O'Neil. Buck, of course, didn't have the fame of those previously mentioned.
And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. - God
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Muhammad Ali and Pele are good choices too. I don't think too many people harbor any kind of grudge against Ali for his actions during Vietnam any more.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Given the 40 years of backlash against 'Nam, its unlikely to be much of a negative against Ali.
He'd be a contender. Probably the favorite.
Jordan might be worth discussing, also.
He'd be a contender. Probably the favorite.
Jordan might be worth discussing, also.
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I'm quite honestly surprised to see that. Americans largely pretend the Vietnam War never occurred; it's certainly not a period of American history held up as exemplary or glorious. Of all possible American choices, Atlanta '96 chose Ali to light the Olympic flame (to a thunderous sustained ovation). I don't believe I've heard a disparaging remark about Ali since I was a kid. If even then.Jerloma wrote:Draft-dodging, Muslim? You might get some static on that one. At least in the U.S.
And Muhammad Ali is about as Islamist as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. They're effectively Nerf Muslims.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Okay, I stand corrected but didn't a bunch of dark shit come out on Ali specifically in reference to the Frazier? Like in Manila for instance he was begging Dundee to quit and Frazier was begging to keep fighting and oddly it was Frazier's side that threw in the towel. Not to mention really just being a condescending prick to the guy who petitioned for Ali to get reinstated after that draft incident.Scottie wrote:I'm quite honestly surprised to see that. Americans largely pretend the Vietnam War never occurred; it's certainly not a period of American history held up as exemplary or glorious. Of all possible American choices, Atlanta '96 chose Ali to light the Olympic flame (to a thunderous sustained ovation). I don't believe I've heard a disparaging remark about Ali since I was a kid. If even then.Jerloma wrote:Draft-dodging, Muslim? You might get some static on that one. At least in the U.S.
And Muhammad Ali is about as Islamist as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. They're effectively Nerf Muslims.
And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. - God
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I'll throw Bill Russell into the mix.
Koufax? Does anyone care about Koufax?
Koufax? Does anyone care about Koufax?
And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. - God
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I think for his stature, Aaron is quite under the radar compared to the reverence you'd think he'd get.
A lot of people think Jordan was a prick. Ali is probably a good one but he's fallen apart to the point that people just feel sad for him.
This is a good question and I think if you ask this a year ago, it was Stan Musial. I gotta think.
A lot of people think Jordan was a prick. Ali is probably a good one but he's fallen apart to the point that people just feel sad for him.
This is a good question and I think if you ask this a year ago, it was Stan Musial. I gotta think.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
In the UK a lot of people would say Bobby Moore and almost certainly Mary Peters.
Sachin Tendulker would be a name to mention...
What about Tom Watson and/or Jack Nicklaus??
Sachin Tendulker would be a name to mention...
What about Tom Watson and/or Jack Nicklaus??
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Tom 1860 wrote:In the UK a lot of people would say Bobby Moore and almost certainly Mary Peters.
Sachin Tendulker would be a name to mention...
What about Tom Watson and/or Jack Nicklaus??
I think Tiger Woods set golf in general down a bit, relative to its reverence in 2008.
Dale Earnhardt may have been an answer to this 12 or so years ago.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I know I mentioned Bobby Moore and Mary Peters, who are probs very unknown outside of the UK, but you North Americans need to understand just how many people in the world are not interested in/aware of NASCAR, the NHL and Baseball (I really like the NHL by the way).
Just saying...
Just saying...
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I would argue that Arnold Palmer is probably more beloved than either of those guys anyway.Gunpowder wrote:Tom 1860 wrote:In the UK a lot of people would say Bobby Moore and almost certainly Mary Peters.
Sachin Tendulker would be a name to mention...
What about Tom Watson and/or Jack Nicklaus??
I think Tiger Woods set golf in general down a bit, relative to its reverence in 2008.
Dale Earnhardt may have been an answer to this 12 or so years ago.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I was going to say Arnold, but I was unsure he would be alive by the time this thread ends...brian wrote:I would argue that Arnold Palmer is probably more beloved than either of those guys anyway.Gunpowder wrote:Tom 1860 wrote:In the UK a lot of people would say Bobby Moore and almost certainly Mary Peters.
Sachin Tendulker would be a name to mention...
What about Tom Watson and/or Jack Nicklaus??
I think Tiger Woods set golf in general down a bit, relative to its reverence in 2008.
Dale Earnhardt may have been an answer to this 12 or so years ago.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
You guys got there, but the answer is Arnold Palmer.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Where does Montana fall?
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Funny thing being about the old golfers, Palmer, Watson, Nicklaus etc. I would argue that Gary Player would be right up there on the most hated list. That man is an arrogant cunt!AB_skin_test wrote:You guys got there, but the answer is Arnold Palmer.
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
devilfluff wrote:Where does Montana fall?
Maybe when he gets a bit older he'll be like Unitas
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
It's a legitimate argument. Worldwide vs American.Tom 1860 wrote:I know I mentioned Bobby Moore and Mary Peters, who are probs very unknown outside of the UK, but you North Americans need to understand just how many people in the world are not interested in/aware of NASCAR, the NHL and Baseball (I really like the NHL by the way).
Just saying...
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
My guess is it's Ali by a wide margin. I don't think anyone else is even close, at least in this part of the world.
Despite probably being a dick, I'm pretty sure Jordan would still rate pretty high. I bet a lot more Americans know who Ali and Jordan are than Mays, Aaron, or (especially) Howe.
Despite probably being a dick, I'm pretty sure Jordan would still rate pretty high. I bet a lot more Americans know who Ali and Jordan are than Mays, Aaron, or (especially) Howe.
Totally Kafkaesque
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I'd say Pele worldwide. Ali in the US. And Willie Mays in San Francisco.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Bobby Orr - at least here in Canada (and I'm sure in the boston area)
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I think it's still Ali, it was magical when he lit the torch in 1996.
What about Roger Federer? Or going back further, everyone loves Rod Laver.
What about Roger Federer? Or going back further, everyone loves Rod Laver.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Jordan would have been the answer in his prime or shortly after retiring, but then he came off as a total prick with a gambling addiction. The baseball year didn't help his cause either. I'd say the athlete with the most legend surrounding him is Babe Ruth, but i wouldn't call him the most beloved.
My personal all-time favorite, who probably falls just short of America's all-time favorite is Pat LaFontaine. Never been a biger fan of any player, except for maybe Dennis Bergkamp. You gotta love the Non-Flying Dutchman!
My personal all-time favorite, who probably falls just short of America's all-time favorite is Pat LaFontaine. Never been a biger fan of any player, except for maybe Dennis Bergkamp. You gotta love the Non-Flying Dutchman!
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I think I'll amend my answer to be Ali -- both in the US and Worldwide.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
The Swamp doesn't understand Federer.degenerasian wrote:I think it's still Ali, it was magical when he lit the torch in 1996.
What about Roger Federer? Or going back further, everyone loves Rod Laver.
And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness. - God
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
You'd have to consider that there's like a billion people on this planet under 25 that would have no reverence for Ali or even Pelé. If it came down to a planet-wide vote, the answer would probably be Ronaldo, Messi, Tendulkar, or whoever China breaks for.
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Ali transcends sports though. You have to figure there are hundreds of millions of women and non-sports fans who know who he is and couldn't pick Messi out of a lineup.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I'll second Pele worldwide and probably Ali in the U.S. As divisive as Ali was in his youth, it seems that all but a few hardcore conservatives revere him nowadays. He got the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Dubya, ffs.
Surprised that Bird and Magic haven't at least gotten a mention yet. They seem to be almost universally liked, don't they? Are they just not considered high-profile enough? Magic would probably be near the top if AIDS hadn't improbably stopped being as big of a deal as it was 20 years ago.
Surprised that Bird and Magic haven't at least gotten a mention yet. They seem to be almost universally liked, don't they? Are they just not considered high-profile enough? Magic would probably be near the top if AIDS hadn't improbably stopped being as big of a deal as it was 20 years ago.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I am surprised Ali for US fans and both Ali and Pele internationally are not the beginning and end of this discussion. Another generational difference, slapping me in my wrinkled face. (This seems to be occurring more frequently.) Also a reminder not only how far boxing has fallen, but how quickly the sport has faded from worldwide bfd to irrelevance. Ali was the most prominent face of the anti-war sentiment in this country, and retroactively the entire generation of Boomers were anti-war. A lot of posters on a lot of dorm room walls. After MLK was murdered, Ali's face became a top de facto representation of equal rights for black Americans, winning his case against the US government in the Supreme Court, affirming his right to earn a living as well as to not go to war. Of course, Ali transcended his sport; he was and is an international icon. His was arguably the most recognized face on the planet, and not negatively (in contrast to, say Hitler.) Of course, generational, abroad as well as home.
No Magic/Bird mentions. Interesting.
Koufax would be much more beloved were he not so private/reclusive. Bill Russell deserves more love, but he was far too honest and outspoken for mass appeal (bless him.) These two are at the top of my personal list.
Interesting LeBron has turned so quickly from heel to topic of this discussion. These things happen much more quickly nowadays.
The idea of Jeter, outside of NY, or for that matter Brady, outside of NE as the most beloved living athlete is amusing.
My first pro golf tournament, the '77 PGA at Pebble Beach, taught me the star power of Arnie, and the size of his Army. At one time, Palmer was certainly up there. AB, we gettin' old, man.
Wanna hear something funny? There was a time when the winner of a poll like this would've been Bruce Jenner. Sure, OJ too.
Younger folks in the Bay Area, like my niece, are so sick of hearing us rant about Willie Mays, they just meekly agree with us, ok, whatever Uncle Howard, he's the greatest.
No Magic/Bird mentions. Interesting.
Koufax would be much more beloved were he not so private/reclusive. Bill Russell deserves more love, but he was far too honest and outspoken for mass appeal (bless him.) These two are at the top of my personal list.
Interesting LeBron has turned so quickly from heel to topic of this discussion. These things happen much more quickly nowadays.
The idea of Jeter, outside of NY, or for that matter Brady, outside of NE as the most beloved living athlete is amusing.
My first pro golf tournament, the '77 PGA at Pebble Beach, taught me the star power of Arnie, and the size of his Army. At one time, Palmer was certainly up there. AB, we gettin' old, man.
Wanna hear something funny? There was a time when the winner of a poll like this would've been Bruce Jenner. Sure, OJ too.
Younger folks in the Bay Area, like my niece, are so sick of hearing us rant about Willie Mays, they just meekly agree with us, ok, whatever Uncle Howard, he's the greatest.
Who knows? Maybe, you were kidnapped, tied up, taken away and held for ransom.
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
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Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
if this is the case it's David Beckham by a mile.P.D.X. wrote:You'd have to consider that there's like a billion people on this planet under 25 that would have no reverence for Ali or even Pelé. If it came down to a planet-wide vote, the answer would probably be Ronaldo, Messi, Tendulkar, or whoever China breaks for.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Yes.degenerasian wrote:if this is the case it's David Beckham by a mile.P.D.X. wrote:You'd have to consider that there's like a billion people on this planet under 25 that would have no reverence for Ali or even Pelé. If it came down to a planet-wide vote, the answer would probably be Ronaldo, Messi, Tendulkar, or whoever China breaks for.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I'll take that bet (about Ali). Go back and read some of the comments at places like National Review or (even worse) Free Republic about Mandela after he died. And Ali was far more controversial then Mandela, in this country at least.brian wrote:Muhammad Ali and Pele are good choices too. I don't think too many people harbor any kind of grudge against Ali for his actions during Vietnam any more.
I think Palmer is a good call. He has a drink named after him, after all! And Hank Aaron.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Is it (real question) ? It's most beloved, not most famous. Was he really beloved while on the Galaxy ? He was with PSG last spring but I didn't get that vibe at all.degenerasian wrote:if this is the case it's David Beckham by a mile.P.D.X. wrote:You'd have to consider that there's like a billion people on this planet under 25 that would have no reverence for Ali or even Pelé. If it came down to a planet-wide vote, the answer would probably be Ronaldo, Messi, Tendulkar, or whoever China breaks for.
My vote is for Messi (worldwide). Many hate CR7 for his looks or attitude, but it seems almost no one hates Messi (save for the diehard Madridistas, Brazilians or the Spanish Tax Bureau).
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
I don't think Beckham was loved by fans (even at Man Utd, where they loved Cantona and Scholes far more during his playing days). Beckham would probs not be in the top 5 most beloved Man Utd players: Edwards, Charlton, Cantona, Best, Law, Giggs and Scholes would rank higher.That French Guy wrote:Is it (real question) ? It's most beloved, not most famous. Was he really beloved while on the Galaxy ? He was with PSG last spring but I didn't get that vibe at all.degenerasian wrote:if this is the case it's David Beckham by a mile.P.D.X. wrote:You'd have to consider that there's like a billion people on this planet under 25 that would have no reverence for Ali or even Pelé. If it came down to a planet-wide vote, the answer would probably be Ronaldo, Messi, Tendulkar, or whoever China breaks for.
My vote is for Messi (worldwide). Many hate CR7 for his looks or attitude, but it seems almost no one hates Messi (save for the diehard Madridistas, Brazilians or the Spanish Tax Bureau).
I still believe that this thread has a massive North American bias. I don't know if that is because you guys don't follow enough sport beyond your boarders or just because there are a lot more of you on this board. Either way, it is a sad reflection of this board's appreciation of world sport.
I love North American sport and follow it a lot, but only in the last 30 years has it really become global (Baseball and American football are not really that well known at all outside of your boarders). To even mention an NFL player or a baseball player is folly. Basketball is very very popular and NBA players started to make a noise on the world stage when the Celtics were battling the Lakers, but I would have a hard time thinking of one who is globally beloved.
Golf has some top names and Palmer would be right up there. Tennis maybe, but I think the answer to this question has to be
Tendulkar or a footballer. Just from a numbers standpoint really.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
Messi
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
So we're just ruling Darren Sharper out at this point, right?
oh shit...
Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
The absence of Mookie Wilson in this thread is disturbing.
But I agree with dgen and sck, given the "most universally beloved living athlete" parameter, that the top four are probably Beckham, Pele, Ali, and Jordan, and in that order.
But I agree with dgen and sck, given the "most universally beloved living athlete" parameter, that the top four are probably Beckham, Pele, Ali, and Jordan, and in that order.
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Re: Friday Discussion: Most Beloved Living Athlete
T. J. Oshie
Who knows? Maybe, you were kidnapped, tied up, taken away and held for ransom.
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…