Overhyped Athletes Who Still Performed People In Sports

Overhyped Athletes Who Still Performed

SportsYeah SportsYeah Ranker
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6,219 views 27 items 91 voters
Overhyped athletes who still performed represent a special breed of athletes who captured the attention of fans and critics around the world with their potential then went on to live up to the expectations and often exceed them. These athletes were expected by so many to dominate their respective sports and they did just that.

These fine football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf, boxing and Olympic athletes had all eyes upon them as they were projected by experts to have long and successful careers filled with titles, awards and praise. Many did that and then some, going down as some of the best to ever play the game.

A great deal of these athletes were taken first overall in their respective professional drafts, such as star NHL players Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, who were taken first in the NHL Draft in 2004 and 2005, respectively, or NBA Slam Dunk Champion Blake Griffin, who was picked first in the 2009 NBA Draft. Professional football players are right up there as well, such as 2011 first overall pick Cam Newton who made a quick impact on the Carolina Panthers in the National Football League.

Others not only captured the attention of prospective professional teams but also entire countries as they represented their homeland on the world's stage in the Olympics. Michael Phelps is perhaps the best example of a highly hyped athlete who lived up to the expectations. The swimmer shattered numerous personal, Olympic and world records as he won eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.

All of these athletes accomplished what so many up and comers aspire to do. They made headlines first for their potential, then became household names for their performance and many went on to become legends of the sport. Of course some went on to wait too long to retire but for the most part, these athletes had nearly flawless careers and it does not get much better than that.
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Rank     Name
  1. 1
    Up 37
    Down 10
    1985
  2. 2
    Up 39
    Down 13
    1978
  3. 3
    Up 28
    Down 8
    1947
  4. 4
    Up 23
    Down 10
    1961
  5. 5
    Up 27
    Down 15
    1984
  6. 6
    Up 17
    Down 7
    1986
  7. 7
    Up 21
    Down 11
    1976
  8. 8
    Up 24
    Down 14
    1966
  9. 9
    Up 25
    Down 20
    1975
  10. 10
    Up 14
    Down 9
    1989
  11. 11
    Up 11
    Down 7
    1982
  12. 12
    Up 13
    Down 10
    1976
  13. 13
    Up 13
    Down 10
    1985
  14. 14
    Up 12
    Down 9
    1962
  15. 15
    Up 10
    Down 7
    1989
  16. 16
    Up 18
    Down 16
    1975
  17. 17
    Up 8
    Down 6
    1985
  18. 18
    Up 4
    Down 3
    1963
    added by: Dave_7672
  19. 19
    Up 6
    Down 7

    Gregg Jefferies

    1967
  20. 20
    Up 1
    Down 3
    1980
    added by: Dave_7672
  21. 21
    Up 5
    Down 8
    1986
  22. 22
    Up 5
    Down 9
    1987
  23. 23
    Up 3
    Down 7
    1960
  24. 24
    Up 7
    Down 13
    1977
  25. 25
    Up 5
    Down 12
    1987
  26. 26
    Up 0
    Down 8
    1970
  27. 27
    Up 12
    Down 24
    1987
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    1. lakers2winthisyear
      Overhyped Athletes Who Still Performed at 2/24/2013 5:30 PM
      Favorable Overhyped Athletes , brother.

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