Most Respected Athletes of All Time

The Top Ten
Diego Maradona Diego Armando Maradona (October 30, 1960 - November 25, 2020) was an Argentine professional footballer. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, he was one of the two joint winners of the FIFA Player of the 20th Century award. Maradona was given the nickname "El Pibe... read more
Roger Federer Roger Federer (born 8 August 1981) is a Swiss former professional tennis player who is currently ranked world No. 3 in men's singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). He has won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in history for a male tennis player. He has held the world No... read more

Roger Federer is the best, greatest, most respected sportsman in the world of all time. He is one of the greatest human beings, a purest soul, and the most decent player ever.

This guy is just amazing. Very decent, very elegant, a very pure soul. He is undoubtedly the greatest sportsman ever. I just love this guy.

He is one of my few heroes and is a great human with great talent and respect, which he has no reason not to get back in return.

Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player. Widely viewed as the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan made six NBA Finals appearances in his career, winning the NBA championship each time.
Muhammad Ali Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. (January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer, activist, entertainer, poet, and philanthropist. Nicknamed The Greatest, he is widely regarded as one of the most significant and celebrated sporting figures of the 20th century, and... read more

No doubt Ali was a magnificent boxer, and his slick style and controversial big mouth rejuvenated boxing, particularly in the heavyweight division. But for a big man, he wasn't very good at putting opponents away. For example, Joe Frazier finally silenced the motormouth.

However, the wars with Frazier put to rest the myth that Ali couldn't, or wouldn't, stand up to punishment. He was indeed a warrior. I believe Ali and Frazier deserve equal respect.

Muhammad Ali should be at the top. I respect him before all these great athletes.

Pelé Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known as "Pelé", was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward. In 1999 he was named Athlete of the Century by the International Olympic Committee and was included in the Time list of the 100 most important people of the 20th century. In 2000, Pelé was... read more

His passion for football was everything. He only paid attention to what he needed to focus on.

Pelé is the greatest footballer ever. He is a perfect gentleman, unlike Maradona.

Babe Ruth George Herman Ruth Jr., better known as Babe Ruth, was an American professional baseball player whose career in Major League Baseball spanned 22 seasons, from 1914 through 1935.
Wayne Gretzky Wayne Douglas Gretzky CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League for four teams from 1979 to 1999.
Derek Jeter Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American former professional baseball shortstop, current businessman and baseball executive who is the chief executive officer and part owner of the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball.

Classiest act in baseball since Thurman Munson. Also high among the best all-around players ever, and the most stupefying shortstop of all time.

Yes, I agree. Also, where is Mariano Rivera?

Peyton Manning Peyton Williams Manning is a former American football quarterback who played 18 seasons in the National Football League for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos.
Jackie Robinson Jack Roosevelt Robinson was an American professional baseball player who became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era.

The Newcomers

? Yogi Berra Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra was an American professional baseball catcher, manager, and coach who played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball, all but the last for the New York Yankees.
? Lou Gehrig Henry Louis Gehrig, nicknamed "the Iron Horse", was an American baseball first baseman who played his entire professional career in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, from 1923 until 1939. Gehrig was renowned for his prowess as a hitter and for his durability, which earned him his nickname... read more
The Contenders
Lionel Messi Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi was born on June 24, 1987. He is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for the American club, Inter Miami CF, in the MLS. Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. His birthplace is Rosario, Argentina.
Jean Beliveau

The perfect combination of class and leadership leading to 10 Stanley Cups. Even more impressive, his charity works helped so many thousands. Could have been Governor General of Canada but for his commitment to his family. Unique.

Donald Bradman Sir Donald George Bradman often referred to as "The Don", was an Australian international cricketer, widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time. Bradman's career Test batting average of 99.94 has been cited as the greatest achievement by any sportsman in any major sport.

Sir Donald George Bradman, often referred to as "The Don," was an Australian international cricketer, widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time. Bradman's career Test batting average of 99.94 has been cited as the greatest achievement by any sportsman in any major sport, which is 64 percent higher than the next best. He was so good that England had to create a new rule to get him out.

Sachin Tendulkar Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is a former Indian cricketer and captain, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

Sachin Tendulkar had the best technique in cricket. He had a passion for the game.

Sachin Tendulkar is the most respected cricketer all over the world.

Sachin Tendulkar is a great and true legend of all time.

Kobe Bryant Kobe Bryant (1978 - 2020) was an American retired professional basketball player. He played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Kobe Bryant has won 5 NBA championships with the Lakers and was the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history... read more
Ted Williams

War hero and baseball superstar. That combination deserves everyone's respect.

Tom Brady Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr., is a retired American football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. Brady is known for being the only quarterback in history to win 7 Super Bowls, and was often considered one of the best quarterbacks of all time. Brady was also... read more

How can anyone with a three-digit IQ put Manning ahead of Brady? Look at the Super Bowls against the Seahawks as all the evidence you need. Peyton, with a vastly superior team to Brady's (on both sides of the ball), lost 42-8. Brady the following year beats them 28-24. Game, set, match for Brady.

LeBron James LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Throughout his career, LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Lakers, winning a total of four NBA championships.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an American retired professional basketball player who played 20 seasons in the National Basketball Association for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers.
Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, nicknamed Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player who is currently an analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. He is known for his fun, friendly personality, and is one of the most beloved athletes of all time.
Manny Pacquiao Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao is a Filipino professional boxer and politician, currently serving as a Senator of the Philippines. He currently ranks #4 in BoxRec's ranking of the greatest pound for pound boxers of all time.
Usain Bolt Usain St Leo Bolt is a Jamaican retired sprinter, widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time. He is a world record holder in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 × 100 metres relay... read more
Nene Nenê is a Brazilian professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association. His birth name was Maybyner Rodney Hilário, but he legally changed it to Nenê in 2003.
Joe Ingles
Walter Payton Walter Jerry Payton was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for thirteen seasons.
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