Top 10 Greatest Athletes on Chicago Sports Teams
Chicago Sports has a pretty rich history filled with legendary athletes. These athletes all have something special that makes them stand out amongst the best of all Chicago athletes. For this list I consider athletes who played all or most of their career with a Chicago team and made their legacy on a Chicago Sports team.
Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials, MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player. Of course Michael Jordan is #1 he is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time and arguably greatest athlete of all time. Jordan's impact on Chicago sports beats out anyone else on here by a large margin. He not only brought 6 NBA titles to the fans, but his Air Jordan sneaker line also helped give the city a powerful identity. While I wasn’t alive to witness his legacy first hand I have seen the next best thing which is the Last Dance documentary. He will forever be engraved into this city’s heart
Walter Jerry Payton was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for thirteen seasons. Walter Payton represents everything good about the Chicago Bears. The Hall of Fame halfback won a Super Bowl ring with the team in 1985 and an NFL MVP award in 1977, all while padding the record books. His 16,726 career rushing yards stand as second-best in NFL history, behind only Emmitt Smith. That swath of yardage led him to play in nine Pro Bowls. I believe he is the best Player in Bears franchise history. If you look at greatest NFL players Payton has to be in the discussion. He also has the man of the year award named in his honor
Scottie Maurice Pippen is an American retired professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association. If Michael Jordan was Batman Scottie Pippen was Robin although to his credit It was Pippen who stepped up and carried the team when Jordan first walked away from the sport prior to the 1993-94 season Pippen's 17.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals per contest don't stand out when you look at them on paper. But it was his sheer tenacity, riveting defensive prowess and seamless consistency that landed the 6'8" forward in the Hall of Fame. He was a key contributor to the Bulls dynasty and for that we are forever grateful
Gale Eugene Sayers, also known as "The Kansas Comet", is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League for seven seasons during the 1960s and early 1970s. Gale Sayers is one of the most electrifying running backs in Bears history alongside guys like Walter Payton and Red Grange. It’s unfortunate that Injuries cut his career short, but when he played, Sayers was as good as anyone in the NFL In 4 seasons he suited up for at least 13 games,he was as close to unstoppable as it got. Sayers led the league in rushing twice, went to the Pro Bowl four times and earned first-team All-Pro honors on five separate occasions.
Banks built his baseball legacy strictly on the North Side of the city. He served all 19 of his seasons in a Cubs uniform. He entered Major League Baseball as a Cub and retired as one. For that, Banks should be deemed a champion when it comes to the loyalty department. There’s a reason he’s called “Mr. Cub” The longtime shortstop and first baseman hit 512 home runs and hit 1,636 RBI. His work at the plate resulted in two MVPs. He is undoubtedly one of the best to ever play for the Cubs
Frank Edward Thomas Jr., nicknamed "the Big Hurt", is an American former professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter. Frank Thomas is the greatest Chicago White Sox player to ever wear a uniform laced with pinstripes. "The Big Hurt" put up colossal totals during his lengthy 16 seasons with the club, rotating between first base and designated hitter. He left the White Sox as a two-time American League MVP who hit 448 home runs and had 1,465 RBI. Thomas wound up with 521 career home runs when he hung up his cleats in 2008
Of all the players who have been a Blackhawk there are several who could make a case of being here but Bobby Hull tops the list. Hull was a true ironman. He spent 16 seasons with the Blackhawks, netting 604 goals and 549 assists. Those incredible stats rank him first in goals and second in total points in Blackhawks franchise history. He really set the bar high for anyone who plays on this team.
Mike Singletary defined the position of Middle Linebacker during the 1980s. He was a centerpiece for the grueling 46 Chicago defense that went on to win Super Bowl XX. With an unwavering assignment to secure the middle of the field, Singletary soared to great heights. He was a two-time winner of the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award in 1985 and 1988 due to his ability to change the complexion of a game.
It seems a lot of people tend to forget how good Ryne Sandberg actually was. Sandberg played 15 seasons with the Cubs, batting.285 in that span. He led the National League in runs on three separate occasions and took home an MVP award for his efforts during the 1984 season. He was versatile and dominant in every facet of the game from home runs to stolen bases and winning a few golden gloves he is a Cubs icon it’s a shame we never won a World Series during his career
I think any baseball fan who lived long enough to see him play in his famous battle with Mark McGwire in the late 90’s will tell you that it was a fun time for the sport although that was during a time when it wasn’t uncommon to see players use PEDs (performance enhancing drugs) long story short his legacy is complicated. He also had a pretty sour breakup with the organization and has yet to reunite with the organization since he was traded in early January even to this day in 2021. His past may be filled with roller coaster moments through good and bad he was still a legendary figure in franchise history and won’t soon be forgotten and that is why he deserves a spot on this list even if he spends the rest of his life in Cubs exile.
An institution in Chicago. He played with deep passion and once played with fuel on fire on a 1969 team that won only one game. That's dedication.
Its Joeysworld
Patrick Timothy Kane II (born November 19, 1988) is an American professional ice hockey right winger for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL).