Top 5 States thread was pretty interesting and generated some good conversation... So let's hear your Top 5 Favorite Professional Athletes of all time.
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr - Was a massive Dale Sr fan. I was 15 years old when he died, had played in an AAU tournament earlier that day and was watching the end of the race at a restaurant when the crash happened. Found out later that evening when we got home he didn't make it. I was devastated. Stayed home from school the day of his funeral as it was broadcast nationally. For me one of those moments in life that are very vivid still today.
I was able to enjoy more of Dale Jr career although he was never going to replace his dad - he had a lot of great moments in the race car. I also think the attention he brought to concussions in sports other than football was courageous! The most popular driver in the sport and the son of the greatest Nascar driver ever who drove through injuries his entire career is going to do the opposite of what his dad would have done and step away from racing and put his health first. Then how he's reinvented himself post racing - his media brand - his many businesses - the guy has turned out to be pretty business savvy.
2. Chris Webber - I was only 5 years old when the Fab 5 was going strong at Michigan. But when Webber's career really started to take off was in 99' in Sacramento and I would have been 13 then and I watched a lot of Sacramento Kings basketball. These were during the Reggie Miller days in Indiana but I was a Kings fan. I loved the way that Kings team played with Bibby, Jackson, Vlade, Paja - they passed the ball so well. I think Chris Webbers all around game at that time was just different than anything going in the NBA (Him, KG, Shaq, Kobe and Iverson were just soooo much fund to watch). He was a PF that could pass, shoot and handle it before it was cool for PF's to really start being all-around players.
Outside of that - I think Chris Webber has overcome a lot of obstacles in life. I think the timeout story at Michigan is not only fascinating - it's complete bull shit to try and define a player on a single moment no matter how iconic that moment is. I think it's really interesting to look back at Ed Martin and his relationship/financial support he provided Webber and others back then - compare it to the shit that is going on now. Chris Webber getting paid back then was no different than the kids that are getting paid today. The amounts are larger, the greed is bigger and the lack of oversight is worse. I think how the NCAA, media etc. came down on Webber especially looking back now is damn near defamation.
3. Reggie Wayne - In my mind the greatest Colt to ever live. Maybe not greatest as far as better than Manning or even Marvin - but his relationship with Indy is similar to that of Reggie Miller. I think a lot is made of what Manning did for the career of Marvin and Reggie specifically - but those guys were really really good. You still have to be an elite route runner, elite pass catcher, stay healthy, put in the work to stay on the same page as someone as great as Manning. He checked all those boxes. I always like that he was workman like - they were never down much in his career but if they were getting beat you would never see Reggie celebrate a touchdown. In an era of really obnoxious players especially at the WR position (Moss, Owens, Ocho etc.) Reggie was the opposite of those guys. I think his friendship with Ed Reed and his relationship with The U is all really interesting and makes for great stories! He gets extra points for being a huge bourbon and cigar guy. 87 is just cool today and I can't wait for him to be in the HOF. Side note, a friend of mine was in downtown Indy after a Colts game - Reggie came in and my friend Facetimed me and Reggie took a minute to talk to me. That was pretty cool of him.
4. Rafael Nadal - I mean he's the best athlete on this list by far. He's got the best resume on this list by far. He's the most clutch on this list by far. He's probably the most entertaining to watch on this list by far. Nadal different than anyone else on my list is probably the greatest ever in his sport. If you can't tell I tend to shy away from being massive fans of someone just because they are the "best" that isn't really important to me at all. I just love the way he plays the game of tennis - it's electric to watch. I feel really lucky in my life to have been able to watch peak Rafa, Novak and Roger. Those 3 are going to be really really hard for the game of tennis to ever top. The back end of his career is really going to be cut short by injuries - I am not sure he will ever get back to what he once was. Rafa is to Tennis as Tiger is to Golf as Jordan is to Basketball.
5. John Daly - I was 9 years old when the guy won his last major... How closely could I have been watching that tournament or the game of golf back then? Probably not that closely. In fact, he only won on the PGA tour once after that Open win in 95'. But growing up everyone I know and the media gravitated so hard toward Tiger Woods I just really didn't want to be part of that. I've enjoyed what Tiger has brought to the game of golf don't get me wrong. But sort of like Chris Webber - it's the story of John Daly, his hardships, his mistakes, his imperfection is what makes me just a massive fan still today. I think he sort of like Dale Jr has had a better career and has been more successful off the track off the golf course than on it. I think their is a lot to be said for that. To still have a recognizable brand and be really beloved by most golf fans around the world is pretty remarkable for a redneck from Dardanelle, Arkansas. The raw talent was incredible. I also think naturally I feel a closeness to him because of his 91' PGA win at Crooked Stick - one because it was in Indiana and two just because he was the last alternate, drove through the night to play in the tournament, slept in his car and completely dominated the field at the age of 25. Again, extra credit points for being an absolute party animal. You love to see it.
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr - Was a massive Dale Sr fan. I was 15 years old when he died, had played in an AAU tournament earlier that day and was watching the end of the race at a restaurant when the crash happened. Found out later that evening when we got home he didn't make it. I was devastated. Stayed home from school the day of his funeral as it was broadcast nationally. For me one of those moments in life that are very vivid still today.
I was able to enjoy more of Dale Jr career although he was never going to replace his dad - he had a lot of great moments in the race car. I also think the attention he brought to concussions in sports other than football was courageous! The most popular driver in the sport and the son of the greatest Nascar driver ever who drove through injuries his entire career is going to do the opposite of what his dad would have done and step away from racing and put his health first. Then how he's reinvented himself post racing - his media brand - his many businesses - the guy has turned out to be pretty business savvy.
2. Chris Webber - I was only 5 years old when the Fab 5 was going strong at Michigan. But when Webber's career really started to take off was in 99' in Sacramento and I would have been 13 then and I watched a lot of Sacramento Kings basketball. These were during the Reggie Miller days in Indiana but I was a Kings fan. I loved the way that Kings team played with Bibby, Jackson, Vlade, Paja - they passed the ball so well. I think Chris Webbers all around game at that time was just different than anything going in the NBA (Him, KG, Shaq, Kobe and Iverson were just soooo much fund to watch). He was a PF that could pass, shoot and handle it before it was cool for PF's to really start being all-around players.
Outside of that - I think Chris Webber has overcome a lot of obstacles in life. I think the timeout story at Michigan is not only fascinating - it's complete bull shit to try and define a player on a single moment no matter how iconic that moment is. I think it's really interesting to look back at Ed Martin and his relationship/financial support he provided Webber and others back then - compare it to the shit that is going on now. Chris Webber getting paid back then was no different than the kids that are getting paid today. The amounts are larger, the greed is bigger and the lack of oversight is worse. I think how the NCAA, media etc. came down on Webber especially looking back now is damn near defamation.
3. Reggie Wayne - In my mind the greatest Colt to ever live. Maybe not greatest as far as better than Manning or even Marvin - but his relationship with Indy is similar to that of Reggie Miller. I think a lot is made of what Manning did for the career of Marvin and Reggie specifically - but those guys were really really good. You still have to be an elite route runner, elite pass catcher, stay healthy, put in the work to stay on the same page as someone as great as Manning. He checked all those boxes. I always like that he was workman like - they were never down much in his career but if they were getting beat you would never see Reggie celebrate a touchdown. In an era of really obnoxious players especially at the WR position (Moss, Owens, Ocho etc.) Reggie was the opposite of those guys. I think his friendship with Ed Reed and his relationship with The U is all really interesting and makes for great stories! He gets extra points for being a huge bourbon and cigar guy. 87 is just cool today and I can't wait for him to be in the HOF. Side note, a friend of mine was in downtown Indy after a Colts game - Reggie came in and my friend Facetimed me and Reggie took a minute to talk to me. That was pretty cool of him.
4. Rafael Nadal - I mean he's the best athlete on this list by far. He's got the best resume on this list by far. He's the most clutch on this list by far. He's probably the most entertaining to watch on this list by far. Nadal different than anyone else on my list is probably the greatest ever in his sport. If you can't tell I tend to shy away from being massive fans of someone just because they are the "best" that isn't really important to me at all. I just love the way he plays the game of tennis - it's electric to watch. I feel really lucky in my life to have been able to watch peak Rafa, Novak and Roger. Those 3 are going to be really really hard for the game of tennis to ever top. The back end of his career is really going to be cut short by injuries - I am not sure he will ever get back to what he once was. Rafa is to Tennis as Tiger is to Golf as Jordan is to Basketball.
5. John Daly - I was 9 years old when the guy won his last major... How closely could I have been watching that tournament or the game of golf back then? Probably not that closely. In fact, he only won on the PGA tour once after that Open win in 95'. But growing up everyone I know and the media gravitated so hard toward Tiger Woods I just really didn't want to be part of that. I've enjoyed what Tiger has brought to the game of golf don't get me wrong. But sort of like Chris Webber - it's the story of John Daly, his hardships, his mistakes, his imperfection is what makes me just a massive fan still today. I think he sort of like Dale Jr has had a better career and has been more successful off the track off the golf course than on it. I think their is a lot to be said for that. To still have a recognizable brand and be really beloved by most golf fans around the world is pretty remarkable for a redneck from Dardanelle, Arkansas. The raw talent was incredible. I also think naturally I feel a closeness to him because of his 91' PGA win at Crooked Stick - one because it was in Indiana and two just because he was the last alternate, drove through the night to play in the tournament, slept in his car and completely dominated the field at the age of 25. Again, extra credit points for being an absolute party animal. You love to see it.
Last edited:
