Most Recognizable Sports Figure/Icon of All Time

[LongCity]

Not sure if this was the right place to put this but if it needs to be moved then by all means.

As the title says, who do you guys think is the most recognizable sports figure/icon of all time is and why?

My 1 and 2 would have to be Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali. Why? Because they've crossed boundaries out of their respected fields and both are coined as G.O.A.Ts.

[Tarrantula]

David Beckham.

Wayne Gretzky.

I wouldnt recognise Ali if he told me who he was.

[LongCity]

Beckham would be right up there but as for Gretzky, other than the hockey world I don't think many people would know him.

[calgarys_finest]

Tiger woods??

[al-ti2d]

I agree with Michael Jordan.. he's the first name that popped into my mind. Beckham is a good one too, although he's nothing anymore.. lol
Some other choices would be:

Tiger Woods
Michael Schumacher
Michael Phelps and his 8 gold medals (and his weed )

My top 2 would be MJ and Tiger Woods. Both of them revolutionized their games.. hell, Tiger Woods pretty much IS golf

[civic_stylez]

Depends where in the world you are... someone like Michael Schumacher who is involved in a global sport would be easily recognized by alot of people in Europe. Mike Tyson would be on my list...even people who dont watch boxing know who he is.

[ZorroAMG]

Agassi

Shaq

[LongCity]

But I mean generally speaking, so regardless of geography.

[al-ti2d]

Originally posted by ZorroAMG
Agassi

Shaq

ah yes.. totally forgot about andre agassi
theres many great tennis players that can be on this list

i'm probably forgetting a shit load of other great players too lol

[psycoticclown]

Schumacher
Gretzky
Tiger Woods
Michael Jordon
And Beckam

[Gainsbarre]

I'd probably have to go with Muhammad Ali or Pele.

I don't think Wayne Gretzky would even come close -- but most famous/recognizable Canadian athlete? Absolutely.

[in*10*se]

hockey: gretzky
tennis: federer/sampras
soccer: rhonaldino/pele/beckham
boxing: ali
golf: woods
bball: jordan
baseball: filled with roid monkies... so eff that, no one on my list.
football: tom brady

it really depends on the country and the sport...
cause i'm sure i'm missing like cricket, and crazy ass sports like that.

edit: co-sign on phelps... the guy is a fucking dope swimmer!

[alloroc]

Most recognizable world wide?
Most Americans would start throwing in baseball icons such as Yogi Berra but I dont' think most of the rest of the world cares much about baseball.

My list is this ...

1. Muhammad Ali
2. Edison (Edson) Arantes do Nascimento (Pele)
3. Diego Maradona
4. Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (Ronaldihno)
5. Tiger Woods
6. Michael Jordan
7. Oscar Delehoya
8. Marcus Grunholm
9. Lance Armstrong
10. Wayne Gretzky

Edit: many of the same names as in some of the above posts.
I think Beckam get an honorable mention he is famous but I honestly don't think his features are such that you can pick out his face in a crowd.

[Thaco]

I'd say tiger woods, you say his name, and EVERYBODY knows who he is, even if you have no interest in golf what so ever.

[EK 2.0]

George Foreman....


haha...

In all seriousness Number 23 Michael Jordan is the only one that I think would be global. What with his NBA Legacy, the Olympics, clothing line, endorsements....

[LongCity]

Originally posted by alloroc
Most recognizable world wide?
Most Americans would start throwing in baseball icons such as Yogi Berra but I dont' think most of the rest of the world cares much about baseball.

My list is this ...

1. Muhammad Ali
2. Edison (Edson) Arantes do Nascimento (Pele)
3. Diego Maradona
4. Ronaldo de Assis Moreira (Ronaldihno)
5. Tiger Woods
6. Michael Jordan
7. Oscar Delehoya
8. Marcus Grunholm
9. Lance Armstrong
10. Wayne Gretzky

Edit: many of the same names as in some of the above posts.
I think Beckam get an honorable mention he is famous but I honestly don't think his features are such that you can pick out his face in a crowd.

Is golf popular in Europe and Asia? I didn't think it was but not sure. I'd say there's no way MJ comes after Tiger simply because kids in Asia love basketball (and soccer) and a huge concentration of people are located there. I also wouldn't have Gretzky on a top 10 list either cause then you'd have to throw in baseball players like Babe Ruth, (American) football players like Brady, Favre, Montana, Elway, etc.

[Tarrantula]

Originally posted by in*10*se
football: tom brady

FUCKING DAN MARINO! AH HAHAHAHAHAHA

[Super_Geo]

Mike Tyson

[urban.one]

Hulk Hogan #1

[thinmyster]

OJ simpson