By Staff
Browsing the CNN website earlier this week, I came across a list of the top 25 most influential sports characters over the past quarter-century.
Sports Illustrated magazine ranked the athletes who most caught the public's attention with their mix of talent and larger-than-life personas.
There have been so many great athletes over the years, that it is hard to choose and narrow it down to only 25.
So here is a brief explanation for why these editors chose who they did.
1. For some reason I guess they feel no one deserves this spot, because it was empty.
2. Tennis great John McEnroe, well known for his tremendous volley and volatile temper, served up one of the greatest Wimbledon finals ever in a match against rival Bjorn Borg.
3. Earvin "Magic" Johnson stunned the world when he admitted he was HIV positive in 1991. People believe Magic brought AIDS out of the closet and put it on the kitchen
4. Basketball star Dennis Rodman brought excitement to the court with a bad-boy reputation and bold rebounding. He shattered convention when he wore a wedding dress to promote his tell-all book, "Bad as I Wanna Be."
5. The boxing ring produced two larger-than-life characters that made the list. George Foreman left his mark as a former heavyweight champion and as a master product pitchman. Sugar Ray Leonard (No.14) won an unprecedented five world titles, but it was his charisma out of the ring that made points with fans and netted him lucrative endorsements.
6. Golfer John Daly is known as the bad boy of his sport. He has battled alcohol and gambling problems, but he has always been able to rip the golf ball right down the fairway. Daly has five tour victories in his 18-year professional career, and his fans love his resilience as much as they admire his towering tee shots.
7. Some sports characters capture our imaginations because of their audacity to flirt with disaster and still prevail. Cyclist Lance Armstrong demonstrates his courage to confront tragedy with every mile he logs.
He was just a kid when he started competing in triathlons, but by the time Armstrong was in his mid-20s he was ranked as the No. 1 cyclist in the world. He would beat cancer and capture seven consecutive victories in the grueling Tour de France.
8. Tough-minded Bo Jackson proved he could master two sports: football and baseball. And with a little help from Nike, Bo was made an even bigger star.
9. Pete Rose was nicknamed "Charlie Hustle" for his aggressive style of play, but the tenacious athlete was undone by his taste for playing the odds. For years, Rose denied he bet on baseball while managing the Cincinnati Reds only to come clean years later in his autobiography, "My Prison Without Bars." Rose was banned from the sport he loved and the Baseball Hall of Fame for his actions.
10. Andre Agassi was known more for his long hair and celebrity image, but he silenced critics when he won Wimbledon in 1992. After his incredible ascension, Agassi suffered a number of personal and professional setbacks, but two years later he powered back to capture the No. 1 ranking.
11. The fast and furious Allen Iverson proved he could play basketball on his own terms. His tattoos and brushes with the law are as infamous as his crossover dribble is famous.
12. Serena Williams fought her way onto our list with her incredible game and foray into the fashion and entertainment industries.
13. Racing legend Dale Earnhardt, known as "The Intimidator" around the track, won seven NASCAR Winston Cup championships. He was killed in a crash at the 2001 Daytona 500.
14. See No. 5
15. Making the list at No. 15, Deion "Primetime" Sanders conquered both football and baseball and electrified fans with his confident swagger.
16. Fernando Valenzuela wooed fans from the mound with his golden pitching arm to earn him a No. 16 spot.
17. Known for his sheer size and strength, NFL defensive lineman William "The Refrigerator" Perry bulldozed his way to the end zone for a touchdown in Super Bowl XX and onto the list.
18. The Sultan of Stolen Bases, Rickey Henderson, slides onto the list.
19. Russian-born Anna Kournikova was voted one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 1998. She won the Australian Open doubles title in 1999, but she really made her mark in endorsement deals; from Adidas to Omega watches, this athletic beauty earns millions.
20. Fan favorite Brett Favre caught the public's attention for his legendary grit and determination. A day after his father's death, the Green Bay Packers quarterback passed for 399 yards and four touchdowns, placing him in second place in NFL history for career touchdown passes.
21. Hockey coach Scotty Bowman knows a little bit about winning. He guided three teams to nine different Stanley Cups, making him one of the most successful coaches in the game.
22. Skateboarder Tony Hawk has the same go-getter attitude. His devotion to his sport has helped elevate skateboarding from extreme sport to the mainstream.
23. Coach John Madden led football teams to victory, but his gift for gab on television made him a favorite commentator for millions of football fans for 25 years.
24. Downhill skier Picabo Street lived the mantra "no guts, no glory" as she took Olympic gold in 1998 just days after a racing accident knocked her unconscious and left her with a concussion.
25. Diminutive Doug Flutie made up for his stature with coolness under pressure on the football field. And at age 42, this quarterback is one of the oldest players in the NFL.
Well, that's the list. Would those have been your picks? If you're like me, you were thinking, "Huh?" after a few of those names like Anna Kournikova and Dennis Rodman.
Send me an e-mail and let me know what you think or who you would have chosen. It can be one athlete or all 25, it's up to you. I will put a list together of the most popular athletes and have it in next Friday's paper.
Hope to hear from you!