The Greatest Out of Shape Athletes in Sports

The greatest out-of-shape athletes don't fit the mold of the typical athlete with toned limbs and six-pack abs yet they continue to see success in their respective sports despite their extra pounds. We're not talking exclusively sumo wrestlers here either, but actual baseball, football, basketball and golf stars who excelled at professional sports despite also battling obesity.

For some athletes, such as linebackers in the National Football League, having a few extra pounds is a good thing as it provides more leverage for blocking. Still, some NFL players take that to a whole 'nother level with New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth each weighing in well over the three century mark. The same can't be said for "big boned" football players at other positions such as Oakland Raiders placekicker Sebastian Janikowski or 2007 first overall NFL draft pick and quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

It's a similar story in the NBA where many players are well conditioned and fit while others take the definition of big and tall to another level. Shaquille O'Neal fits that description perfectly coming in at 7'1" and 325 pounds during his playing days.

Other athletes can get away with the few extra pounds as their respective sports requires less athleticism than others to compete. Golfers are notorious for being overweight with former fatty John Daly among the most notable.

This also goes for MLB players where one of the greatest of all time, Babe Ruth, proved that success is not directly caused by weight. Baseball just might have the most overweight athletes with the likes of Cecil and Prince Fielder, Miguel Cabrera, David Ortiz and Bengie Molina all among the MLB's elite despite their large frames.

While a case could be made that at this weight these guys are not athletes or that if a sport allows participants of this size then they are not really sports but until those rules change, these athletes will continue to break the mold and continue to see success despite resembling large household appliances. Yes, William "Refrigerator" Perry, we're talking to you.