The Best Athletes of All Time
List of the most dominant, iconic athletes to ever play sports. This list gathers sports stars from across every professional league, as well as amateur athletes who may have never competed professionally, in one overall list. Though it may be challenging to compare performance in a variety of different competitive arenas requiring different skill sets, this list nevertheless attempts to distinguish the top, highest-performing and most successful athletes ever to play.
Aspects to consider in picking a best athlete of all time would include, obviously, that player's raw talent and born ability. Some individuals seem to prodigally gifted in their sport of choice, and it's hard to discount the importance of this kind of natural talent. However, it's also important to evaluate hard work, discipline and a commitment to the game. Some athletes may not have the natural, genetic ability to dunk a basketball or hit a home run, but nonetheless have trained to the point of reaching these goals all the same.
Finally, it can be a challenge to compare an athlete who competed in a solo competition with a member of a well known sports organization or club. How do you look at the achievements of, say, a boxer like Muhammad Ali alongside an athlete like Michael Jordan, who had to not only perform to his own best abilities but work as a cohesive unit along with other members of his team? These are the questions that must be answered when compiling a list of the world's greatest all-time athletes.
For more sports news and athlete trade rumors, vote on this list of sports news sites.
Aspects to consider in picking a best athlete of all time would include, obviously, that player's raw talent and born ability. Some individuals seem to prodigally gifted in their sport of choice, and it's hard to discount the importance of this kind of natural talent. However, it's also important to evaluate hard work, discipline and a commitment to the game. Some athletes may not have the natural, genetic ability to dunk a basketball or hit a home run, but nonetheless have trained to the point of reaching these goals all the same.
Finally, it can be a challenge to compare an athlete who competed in a solo competition with a member of a well known sports organization or club. How do you look at the achievements of, say, a boxer like Muhammad Ali alongside an athlete like Michael Jordan, who had to not only perform to his own best abilities but work as a cohesive unit along with other members of his team? These are the questions that must be answered when compiling a list of the world's greatest all-time athletes.
For more sports news and athlete trade rumors, vote on this list of sports news sites.
List Criteria: Open to all amateur or professional athletes in any sport
2,771 voters +
50 reranks
see all
- 1Up 937Down 4041963
- 2Up 711Down 3441942
- 3Up 547Down 2471962
- 4Up 472Down 2931940
- 5Up 473Down 3221961
- 6Up 481Down 3271985
- 7Up 487Down 3031986
- 8Up 357Down 2391895
- 9Up 495Down 3101981
- 10Up 448Down 2181940
- 11Up 310Down 1581888
- 12Up 265Down 1321913
- 13Up 230Down 1191954
- 14Up 291Down 1701962
- 15Up 306Down 1801936
- 16Up 229Down 1141968
- 17Up 230Down 1071919
- 18Up 308Down 1991959
- 19Up 247Down 1741956
- 20Up 397Down 2151987
- 21Up 312Down 2121984
- 22Up 184Down 1061936
- 23Up 291Down 1841956
- 24Up 306Down 2741975
- 25Up 244Down 1541947
- 26Up 212Down 1791961
- 27Up 285Down 2041978
- 28Up 171Down 721931
- 29Up 250Down 1851966
- 30Up 175Down 1111967
- 31Up 165Down 811934
- 32Up 130Down 491931
- 33Up 176Down 1221976
- 34Up 164Down 1031948
- 35Up 123Down 541903
- 36Up 153Down 1111965
- 37Up 168Down 951972
- 38Up 121Down 1061959
- 39Up 101Down 471886
- 40Up 106Down 591914
- 41Up 102Down 461918
- 42Up 96Down 591934
- 43Up 172Down 1551960
- 44Up 121Down 1091950
- 45Up 133Down 1081977
- 46Up 174Down 1281980
- 47Up 60Down 301971
- 48Up 83Down 451969
- 49Up 172Down 1431985
- 50Up 143Down 1121986
-
items 1 - 50 of 522
rerank this list your way embed list
what's a rerank? -
LOADING HISTORY
today on Ranker
start a list with results
close sorting window
Rank Name
use the search box to filter your list
leave a comment
Best Athletes Of All Time at 1/19/2013 5:30 AM