Greatest Athlete Ever?

[inyourhonor2010]

With Phelps breaking the world record in the 400 IM two nights ago and most likely qualifying for 8 events in the Beijing Olympics, is he the greatest athlete of all time? Will he become the greatest athlete of all time with 8 golds in August or will it just put him into the ranks of Babe Ruth and others?

[CATS44]

Babe Deidricksen Zaharias

Jim Thorpe

Both Olympic champions that also excelled at other sports.

Whether anybody can truly be considered the greatest athlete of all time, very few have been the best of their era in multiple sports.

BDH and Thorpe are two of the very few.

[DAWGH8R]

With Phelps breaking the world record in the 400 IM two nights ago and most likely qualifying for 8 events in the Beijing Olympics, is he the greatest athlete of all time? ?

In a word: NO !

[ReineyKicker15]

I would have a hard time saying a swimmer is the best athlete of all time. They are of course athletes but there are lots of other sports that take much more athleticism.

[inyourhonor2010]

I would have a hard time saying a swimmer is the best athlete of all time. They are of course athletes but there are lots of other sports that take much more athleticism.< Please list the "Lots" of sports that require more athleticism. Or please name just 4, and dont include the triathlon and the like b/c they INCLUDE swimming.

[DAWGH8R]

What about Bruce ??

http://www.goldmedalgreats.com/images/jenner_1.jpg

[reofan82]

I was thinking maybe Jesse Owens.

[TigerCoach]

With Phelps breaking the world record in the 400 IM two nights ago and most likely qualifying for 8 events in the Beijing Olympics, is he the greatest athlete of all time? Will he become the greatest athlete of all time with 8 golds in August or will it just put him into the ranks of Babe Ruth and others?

You have got to be kidding, aren't you?
How about Dave Winfield? The only athlete ever drafted in 3 professional sports, and a Hall of Famer in baseball.

[austinsm11]

Jim Thorpe came to my mind.

I also didn't realize Winfield was drafted in three sports.

With so many kids specializing in one sport, we might not get a true feeling for what an athlete can do. For example, what would Lebron's ceiling in football been had he kept playing?

[TigerCoach]

Jim Thorpe came to my mind.

I also didn't realize Winfield was drafted in three sports.

With so many kids specializing in one sport, we might not get a true feeling for what an athlete can do. For example, what would Lebron's ceiling in football been had he kept playing?


Good point. He was a very good receiver in high school because of his size and his wingspan. I often wonder how he would do in college as a receiver, I would bet he would be pretty dang good after seing some of the hits he takes on the NBA court.

Yes, in 1973, Dave Winfield was drafted in all 3 major professional sports out of the University of Minnesota:

Baseball - San Diego Padres
Football - Minnesota Vikings
Basketball - Atlanta Hawks (NBA) and the Utah Stars (ABA)

[austinsm11]

Yes, in 1973, Dave Winfield was drafted in all 3 major professional sports out of the University of Minnesota:

Baseball - San Diego Padres
Football - Minnesota Vikings
Basketball - Atlanta Hawks (NBA) and the Utah Stars (ABA)

Wow. I imagine it is tough enough playing all three sports in high school. I can't imagine doing it in college.

[CarlE]

Babe Deidricksen Zaharias

Jim Thorpe

Both Olympic champions that also excelled at other sports.

Whether anybody can truly be considered the greatest athlete of all time, very few have been the best of their era in multiple sports.

BDH and Thorpe are two of the very few.

This is why Feds44 is the smartest poster on here.

By the way, I can't believe austinsm11 didn't nominate Soccer Boy Beckham as his Greatest Athlete!!! LOL.

[austinsm11]

This is why Feds44 is the smartest poster on here.

By the way, I can't believe austinsm11 didn't nominate Soccer Boy Beckham as his Greatest Athlete!!! LOL.

He comes in 2nd. Just kidding. I couldn't nominate him after I watched him walk around the whole game against DC United. Besides, he really isn't even that great of a soccer player (better than the Americans). He was basically a free-kick specialist (one of the best of all-time), but definitely not a great athlete.

Here is a list from ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=degree/list_allaroundathletes

From the list:
5. Wilt Chamerlain Had scholarships for basketball and track
4. Bo Jackson Baseball all-star and football probowl
3. Dave Winfield Best hitter and pitcher at Minnesota; Drafted in 3 sports
TC mentioned.
2. Jim Thorpe Pro in football, baseball and track in the olympics
1. Jim Brown Best running back ever, all-american in lacrosse, played
basketball in college, offered minor league baseball deal

[CarlE]

I was teasing, bro. My daughter (the Soccer Princess) tells me all about Renaldo, or whatever his name is.

[austinsm11]

I was teasing, bro. My daughter (the Soccer Princess) tells me all about Renaldo, or whatever his name is.

I know you were. Although you might want to get the princess a better soccer idol than one who likes paying for female company if you know what I mean.

[CarlE]

I know you were. Although you might want to get the princess a better soccer idol than one who likes paying for female company if you know what I mean.

We ALL pay for female company my friend. Some is more obscure than others!!! LOL.

[austinsm11]

We ALL pay for female company my friend. Some is more obscure than others!!! LOL.

:jestera: Very true.

[TigerCoach]

Wow. I imagine it is tough enough playing all three sports in high school. I can't imagine doing it in college.

Playing 3 sports in high school is common, in college it is unheard of today. By the way, Dave Winfield never played football in college, but the Vikings thought he was such a great athlete they wanted him as a tight end or receiver.

I forgot about Bo Jackson. I played against him in college football and watched him play college baseball. In "modern times" he may be one of the best athletes ever. Deon Sanders can be in the same conversation, but he only made the All-Star team in football, never in baseball.

[Banks]

Nobody has brought up

Bob Backlund

[ReineyKicker15]

< Please list the "Lots" of sports that require more athleticism. Or please name just 4, and dont include the triathlon and the like b/c they INCLUDE swimming.

1. Basketball
2. Mixed Martial Arts
3. Football
4. Pretty much any of the action sports

That was easy!

[austinsm11]

Don't laugh at this, but I would think water polo would be hard. I don't know that that would translate into one having to be more athletic to do it.

[CarlE]

Nobody has brought up

Bob Backlund


What are you TALKING about. He can't hold a candle to Bruno Sammartino, bro!!

[TigerLily]

With Phelps breaking the world record in the 400 IM two nights ago and most likely qualifying for 8 events in the Beijing Olympics, is he the greatest athlete of all time? Will he become the greatest athlete of all time with 8 golds in August or will it just put him into the ranks of Babe Ruth and others?

How could he top Johnny Weissmuller? After all, he became TARZAN!!

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_3_43.gif

[tiger embalmer]

JIM THORPE


Just on the Olympic side of the coin..

In 1912 he won Gold in the pentathlon and the decathlon! Know one has done it since!

King Gustav V of Sweden. As the king presented the medal and a bejeweled chalice as a gift, he grabbed Thorpe's hand and said, "Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world."

[CATS44]

Jackie Robinson shouldnt be overlooked, either,

He was a starting RB for UCLA and is in the Baseball HOF.

But over all, Id have to go with Thorpe. 'Best Athlete in the World' is usually reserved for the Decathlon Gold Medal winner. To win the Pentathlon at the same time is beyond belief. Then top that off by being the best football player of his era and one of the best of all time, while throwing in his pro baseball career. IMO thats awfully hard to top.

IMO Babe Didrickson (Spelled wrong oroginally) is the only other serious contender. She was an All American in basketball, and outstanding in softball, both as a pitcher and batter. At one time she simultaneously held six national, world, or Olympic records in track and field. In the national womens track and field championships, she single handedly won the team championship, although she was the only one on her team. That day she won six gold medals and broke four world records in the span of a few hours. She scored a total of 30 points, an achievement that has never been matched by anybody.

Unbelieveably, she tried her hand at baseball, playing in MLB exhibition games during spring training. She did so well against the Major Leaguers that she was signed to tour with the House Of David, the only woman to ever do so.

All of that before she was 21 yrs old.

Then she turned to golf, and at one tome put together a seventeen tournament winning streak. The LPGA was formed to give her a chance to make some money at golf.

She was named SIs Woman Athlete of the Year six times.

A sound argument could be made that the best athlete ever was a woman. :wow:

[mike_da_man13]

1. Basketball
2. Mixed Martial Arts
3. Football
4. Pretty much any of the action sports

That was easy!

ahahhahahahahha i dare you to come up to akron for a conditioning practice for our water polo team. basketball doesnt require that kind of skill at all neither does football maybe boxing but that is it... there is no harder sports than aquadic anyone with athletic ability can play above sports it takes hard work and dedication to be good at water sports.

waterpolo is hands down tougher than basketball i can run 7 games of bball without water durring waterpolo season and only play 3qtrs of a game of polo.

boxing different kind of hard.
any meathead can play football. swimming takes alot of skill and hardwork. then adding in plays and executing them in water way harder than on the field.
4. what kind of action sports are you playing? nothing i've ever tried is more demanding on your body than competitive swimming.
i dont want to hear anyone narrow minded talk about how tough a sport is especially a kicker

[mike_da_man13]

although i dont think hes the greatest of all time people in europe, australia and africa regaurd this man as a living legend, jonah lomu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYt1TOSni4E

[WheatCity]

1.Jim Brown.
Bigger, faster, stronger, than anyone else.
Completely dominant. Football, basketball, lacrosse....he was a star at the 'Cuse in all of them.
2a. Dave Winfield
2b. Jim Thorpe
2c. Jesse Owens


1,245,896. Bob Wickman

[ReineyKicker15]

ahahhahahahahha i dare you to come up to akron for a conditioning practice for our water polo team. basketball doesnt require that kind of skill at all neither does football maybe boxing but that is it... there is no harder sports than aquadic anyone with athletic ability can play above sports it takes hard work and dedication to be good at water sports.

waterpolo is hands down tougher than basketball i can run 7 games of bball without water durring waterpolo season and only play 3qtrs of a game of polo.

boxing different kind of hard.
any meathead can play football. swimming takes alot of skill and hardwork. then adding in plays and executing them in water way harder than on the field.
4. what kind of action sports are you playing? nothing i've ever tried is more demanding on your body than competitive swimming.
i dont want to hear anyone narrow minded talk about how tough a sport is especially a kicker

Never said it wasn't physically demanding but that wasn't the point. It was about athletic ability not the conditioning. And dont get all bent out of shape if you noticed my first post I said that they are good athletes I just said that a swimmer is not the best athlete ever. Haha real funny take a shot at a kicker. Like I haven't heard that one before. You would have an argument there if i had claimed that I was the best athlete of all time, but obviously I didn't.

[inyourhonor2010]

1. Basketball
2. Mixed Martial Arts
3. Football
4. Pretty much any of the action sports

That was easy!
A. Basketball is running and repetition.
B. MMA is beating the brains out of your opponent and hoping to render them unconscious before they do the same to you.
C. Come on, really? The conditioning maybe brutal at times but really? No football is easy in the game unless your a running back in a offense like MCK.
D. Action sports? HAHAHA I played paintball and it seemed the dorkiest guy with the best gun won all the matches. BMX, nope. Skateboarding, nope. MotoX, nope you just ride a dirt bike. Surfing, nope, just ride the board and don't fall off on the big waves.

1.Jim Brown.
Bigger, faster, stronger, than anyone else.
Completely dominant. Football, basketball, lacrosse....he was a star at the 'Cuse in all of them.
2a. Dave Winfield
2b. Jim Thorpe
2c. Jesse Owens


1,245,896. Bob Wickman
Jim Brown was helped by his teammates. As we've learned from the Cleveland Browns until last year, if you don't have a line, you suck. If Brown's line had been as bad as the '99-'05 Browns, no one would even remember who he was let alone even think about naming him best athlete ever.

Winfield never played baseball at an international level , like say the Olympics. Which is my personal gauge for an athlete. Look at the US basketball team going into Athens, hundreds of millions in NBA salaries on that team and the Lithuanians made them look like Tuslaw's JV team.

Thorpe is a good case, but...
A. His stats in baseball are nothing to brag about.
B. He played in the NFL during it's infancy.
C. The 2 olympic Medals are nice for pentathlon and decathlon, but it was in one Olympics. One of the reasons he shouldn't be best ever, he wasn't the best in more than one Olympic games.

Jesse Owens could be up in the air, but falls short for the same reason as Thorpe, lack of winning in multiple Olympics. Think of it like the Super bowl, you don't think of the Ravens as the best team of the past 10 years because they won the super bowl once, you think of the patriots because they've won 3 out of the past 7.

Couple facts here, if Phelps were a country, he'd already have more Olympic medals than 72 of the 123 countries to ever earn a medal at the modern summer olympics. That would put him 1 slot above Jamaica on the all time medals list. Also, consider he participated in 8 events in Athens in '04 he earned a medal in all 8 events. He's slated to compete in 8 events in Beijing, and he holds the World Record in 4 individual events. He has set a world record 24 times in every stroke but breast stroke.

Remember people, running maybe a trying sport, but go see how far you can run holding your breath for 10 seconds at a time and waving your arms around. Oh, that's not running, just throw some water in and it's called swimming.:weightlift:

[TigerVic]

I would suggest Joe Frazier for all-around athletic ability- especially swimming.

[dataintsmiff]

How about Michael Jordan?

[CarlE]

I would suggest Joe Frazier for all-around athletic ability- especially swimming.

THAT was hilarious.

[mike_da_man13]

with phelps showing so far in the Olympics hes has to be near the top to say otherwise is shear ignorance.

[mike_da_man13]

phelps is now the greatest athlete of all time. More olympic medals than anyone in history 7world records, most in one olympic with 8 golds in 8 events. No one has dominated his sport like phelps has. football you cant compare because noone outside of america plays it, baseball you wont find an overall dominant player like phelps, same with soccer and basketball.
Phelps is simply the best athlete of all time!

[warren1st]

Of course Phelps is the greatest. He is from the University of Michigan.

Paul Warfield did many great things. He won the state broad jump as a sophomore at WGH, beat Jesse Owens' record in the 180 yd low hurdles in 18.9 seconds our senior year which will always stand, was offered $50,000 - $60,000 by the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox to play baseball and, of course, is in the NFL HOF.

I always thought Thorpe was the greatest and I'm sure he was in his time but today's athletes are so much stronger, bigger and faster.

You're right CATS44, Babe Didrickson Zaharias was the greatest woman athlete of all time.

Who ever said Jim Brown needed blocking never saw him play. He is, without a doubt, the greatest football player I have ever seen. No one really comes close.

[FrontRowJoe]

Michael Phelps may not be the greatest athlete of all-time, but without a question he is for sure the greatest Olympian of all-time hands down! You don't win 8-out-of-8 races by fluke.

[Tigerfan1979]

Nobody has brought up

Bob BacklundNobody has brought up "The Nature Boy Ric Flair"lol:no1:

[obie7661]

...Paul Warfield did many great things. He won the state broad jump as a sophomore at WGH, beat Jesse Owens' record in the 180 yd low hurdles in 18.9 seconds our senior year which will always stand, was offered $50,000 - $60,000 by the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox to play baseball and, of course, is in the NFL HOF....

He also changed his jersey number to start the 2nd half of the Massillon-WGH game at Tiger Stadium in 1959.

Reason? Maybe to stop the butt beating he took in the 1st half.

[warren1st]

He also changed his jersey number to start the 2nd half of the Massillon-WGH game at Tiger Stadium in 1959.

Reason? Maybe to stop the butt beating he took in the 1st half.

You should get your facts straight. I was on that team. It was the coach's idea to change jerseys with Marvin Howard when the game started to try to confuse Massillon. Remember, our last visit to Tigertown resulted in the infamous "clock game" so it was felt we needed every advantage we could muster. And, they did carry Howard off the field.

[TigerCoach]

I would concur that Michael Phelps is the greatest swimmer ever and one of teh greatest Olympians ever, but I can't say he's the greatest athlete of all time.

In order to be the greatest athlete of all time, I feel you need to demonstrate your talents in more than 1 sport. (Dave Winfield, Jim Thorpe, etc). Besides, in the Olympics, swimming is the only sports where you even have the possibility of winning 8 gold medals. you can't do that in other sports. How do we know Michael Johnson or Sugar Ray Leonard or Bruce Jenner isn't the greatest Olympian?????

[warren1st]

He also changed his jersey number to start the 2nd half of the Massillon-WGH game at Tiger Stadium in 1959.

Reason? Maybe to stop the butt beating he took in the 1st half.

You know, your post really bugs me. I have been around this ole world a long time and you, sir are the first person I have ever seen or heard knock a fine gentleman and athlete - Paul Warfield.

[obie7661]

You should get your facts straight. I was on that team. It was the coach's idea to change jerseys with Marvin Howard when the game started to try to confuse Massillon. Remember, our last visit to Tigertown resulted in the infamous "clock game" so it was felt we needed every advantage we could muster. And, they did carry Howard off the field.

And you should read my post. I didn't say whose idea it was. Warfield got up very slowly more than once. I was there too, and I thought it was the 2nd half; but could be wrong. My ol' memory has been playing games with me lately.

The '57 "clock game" is in the eye of the beholder. Just like the '58 game ... Massillon touchdown called back because of phantom clip. And the '60 game ... when middle guard Lawson White was thrown out of the game. Lawson was 1st Team All-Ohio, 1st Team All-American, and I believe the AP's Lineman of the Year.

All that being said, I have the utmost respect for Paul Warfield, as a person and player. Both paths have been exemplary.

[warren1st]

And you should read my post. And the '60 game ... when middle guard Lawson White was thrown out of the game. Lawson was 1st Team All-Ohio, 1st Team All-American, and I believe the AP's Lineman of the Year.



I attended that game and I don't remember the situation. Enlighten me. Many plays are in the eye of the beholder.

Regardless, even though Warren beat you, you still got your state championship which is more than Warren can say for the '57 game.

[TigerVic]

phelps is now the greatest athlete of all time. More olympic medals than anyone in history 7world records, most in one olympic with 8 golds in 8 events. No one has dominated his sport like phelps has. football you cant compare because noone outside of america plays it, baseball you wont find an overall dominant player like phelps, same with soccer and basketball.
Phelps is simply the best athlete of all time!


Is he the best ALL-AROUND athlete of all time? His sport gives him the opportunity to go for that many medals and records.

I suppose we'll have to wait for the wrestler who will win in all divisions, the team that wins many gold medals at once for all its players, the gymnast who wins 8 categories (while in high school, not grammar school), the horse-rider that wins 8 medals (that would be neat- would you call him/her the greatest athlete, or the horse?), the track star who wins a medal in each category from sprint to shot put before we will see the equal to Phelps?

Sorry- I don't buy it. Wait for the hype to die down.

Was Mark Spitz mentioned in this thread?

[mike_da_man13]

Is he the best ALL-AROUND athlete of all time? His sport gives him the opportunity to go for that many medals and records.

I suppose we'll have to wait for the wrestler who will win in all divisions, the team that wins many gold medals at once for all its players, the gymnast who wins 8 categories (while in high school, not grammar school), the horse-rider that wins 8 medals (that would be neat- would you call him/her the greatest athlete, or the horse?), the track star who wins a medal in each category from sprint to shot put before we will see the equal to Phelps?

Sorry- I don't buy it. Wait for the hype to die down.

Was Mark Spitz mentioned in this thread?

i disagree with you next to boxing swimming is the toughest overall mental and physical sport. Competitive swimming is incredibly tough on your body.
I dont think any pro athlete could handle Michael Phelps average training routine. But i guarantee Phelps could do theirs.

[ChronicTiger]

phelps is now the greatest athlete of all time. More olympic medals than anyone in history 7world records, most in one olympic with 8 golds in 8 events. No one has dominated his sport like phelps has. football you cant compare because noone outside of america plays it, baseball you wont find an overall dominant player like phelps, same with soccer and basketball.
Phelps is simply the best athlete of all time!

Spitz must be the second greatest? What about Natalie Coughlin....doesnt she have 11 total medals? Torres and Thompson each have 12........

He is certainly great......but the greates athlete of all time........I doubt it.

[austinsm11]

Was Mark Spitz mentioned in this thread?

Good question and I think it makes the point. Phelps may be the greatest male swimmer of all time. But I don't think he is the greatest athlete.

[TigerVic]

i disagree with you next to boxing swimming is the toughest overall mental and physical sport. Competitive swimming is incredibly tough on your body.
I dont think any pro athlete could handle Michael Phelps average training routine. But i guarantee Phelps could do theirs.

Let's toss a couple pirahnas or sharks in the pool. Then we'd see what kind of athletes they are.