Only one I can think of is Tony Hawk

47 comments

  1. Olympians and those who compete in sports where they’re really just competing against themselves.

    Michael Phelps, Tony hawk, Shaun White, Mia Hamm.

  2. Anyone who’s been retired for awhile like Jordan, Jeter, Peyton, etc. Currently popular athletes who are active will always have a lot of haters like Lebron, Mahomes, etc.

  5. Ken Griffey Jr is pretty well liked by most I think. One of the few 90s MLB superstars not linked to PED.

  6. He was too boring to be universally beloved, but I admire Tim Duncan’s skills and durability.

  12. Eight year old me was absolutely going to grow up and marry Roger Staubach.

    I’ve never heard anything bad about him since. It’s been 50 years. So, I’m sure he’s still the best of the best of pro athletes.

  17. No one says Michael Jordan? Really?

    Today there really isn’t one but in the past we’ve had quite a few.

  18. Bo Jackson. I’ll add one of my favorite things about the man:

    “In 1995, Jackson completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Child Development at Auburn to fulfill the promise he made to his mother.”

  20. Giannis Antetokoumpo.

    How can you not love that guy? He’s like if you took Bob Ross, Mr Rogers, and Lavar Burton, but gave him superhuman basketball abilities.

  23. Katie ledecky, absolutely unmatched in long distance swimming, no controversies other than her total domination

  24. I just woke up from a coma that I’ve been in since 1993 and this is the very first thing I’ve seen since waking up, but I just don’t think anyone is gonna be more beloved than OJ!! THE JUICE!!! LETS GO!!! His acting career was just taking off when I fell into my coma, so I’m sure he’s a giant movie star by now! 🥰 I can’t wait to catch up on all his news!! 😀

  30. Only retired athletes can be universally beloved.
    Jackie Robinson
    Willie Mays
    Yogi Berra
    The entire 1980 Olympic Hockey team

  31. I don’t know about Universal, but everyone who has seen him, met him, and watched him seems to love NFL RB Jamal Williams. It’s even something both Packers and Lions fans agree on, and Saints fans picked up on it REALLY quickly.

  36. I’ll go with Secretariat. I’ve never watched the movie, but I remember reading an old Sports Illustrated story about him. According to the article, sports writers and track people would get up at the crack of dawn just to go watch his workouts. Supposedly old timers at the tracks would break out in tears just watching him.

    Probably a lot of mystique in that, but his record speaks for itself. One of his jockeys later in life said climbing on board Secretariat was like strapping yourself into a jet fighter. Sheer power and grace.

  37. Nobody talks shit about Lou Gherig, Jessie Owens, Jim Thorpe, or Jackie Robinson.

    Anybody who is even semi modern is always gonna have some haters.

  40. Roberto Clemente. Legendary outfielder for the Pirates who tragically died in a plane crash while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

  41. Ken Griffey Jr. My favorite player as a kid. Tried to model my stance and swing after his. Suffice it to say it wasn’t enough….

    He was and still is an icon. Highest percentage vote-getter in history to make the HOF.

  46. All time: Jim Thorpe
    That I got to see, though only on TV at the very end of his career: Willie Mays
    That were true heroes, not just athletes: Ted Williams and Joe Delaney
    A little known athlete who overcame incredible adversity: Glenn Cunningham

  47. Mary Lou Retton. I grew up in the 80s and she was everywhere!

    Scott Hamilton. I have never heard anything negative about him, and he seems like a great guy.

    And, where I am from, Drew Brees is pretty beloved. Who Dat?!?

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