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Are you the "Sports Guy" on your trivia team? Welcome to your new secret weapons: lists of fascinating facts and obscure info you need to know yesterday.

Alcohol

Athletes are a special breed of human. They’re capable of creating superhuman feats, and rising above and beyond what normal people can do. Some athletes do this through training, others through natural talent, others let the adrenaline take over -&nbsp;and then there are those special athletes who played great drunk.Some athletes don’t need any help to turn on whatever “it” is that makes them into a winning machine, they just do it. But most athletes who were high during some of their most spectacular moments will suggest that it was just how they coped with the stress of the game. Other times, it was <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/athletes-famous-only-for-off-court-behavior/pedro-cerrano">just fun</a> - after all, after years and years of traveling the country and playing the same game over and over, it&nbsp;can start&nbsp;to get boring. Whether out of nerves, boredom, or just because they can, here are some athletes who played better drunk and high than you ever will sober.Sports stars who were high during games rarely discuss how dangerous it is to play a high-impact sport while getting googy on everything from booze&nbsp;to pills&nbsp;to LSD, and instead they focus on how they managed to pull out wins night after night. And that’s cool, but it has to be acknowledged that drunk sports stars playing a game that most people would kill to be a part of isn’t the most inspiring&nbsp;thing in the world. Still, there are athletes who you kind of expect to be high while they’re doing their job, and many of the NFL and MLB players from their <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-10-best-baseball-players-of-the-1970-and-_39_s/hardtack">golden eras</a> were nothing more than <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/greatest-out-of-shape-athletes/sportsyeah">high-functioning alcoholics</a>. Keep reading and pour one out for these athletes who destroyed on the field while they were under the influence.

Athletes

Death by athlete: it could happen to you. Several famous boxers, NFL players, NBA stars, and other athletes have killed people. Some of these athletes accidentally killed after being involved in car accidents, while others brutally murdered their victims. From first-degree homicide to accidental manslaughter, these sports stars will have the deaths of innocent people on their consciences forever. Whatever the explanation, these athletes are technically killers.

<a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-famous-athletes-right-now/celebrity-lists?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Who is the most famous athlete</a> who killed someone? NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis tops our list. In 2000, the former Ravens star Ray Lewis and his friends were involved in a fight that resulted in the stabbing deaths of two people. Lewis made a plea deal to provide testimony against his companions in exchange for prosecutors dropping the murder charges and he was able to avoid jail for the crime. He was fined $250,000 by the NFL and reached settlements with the victims&#39; families.

For some sports stars, the deaths came as part of the jobs. On March 24, 1962 Emile Griffith went 12 rounds against Benny &quot;the Kid&quot; Paret. The fight ended when Paret went into a coma after being punched 29 consecutive times. He died in the hospital 10 days later. The fight was televised live on ABC.

Are you surprised that there are so many professional athletes who have killed people? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Conspiracies

Politicians and entertainers aren't the only ones with membership in the Illuminati.&nbsp;Who else is in the Illuminati? In the world of sports, these guys are all likely candidates.&nbsp;As major sports and business intersect more and more, it only makes sense that the most wealthy and powerful star athletes would become linked <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-movies-with-dark-in-the-title/ranker-film?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">with the Dark</a> Cabal that controls every aspect of our existence.Not only that, but many athletes from the 20th century have ties to Freemasonry, the shadowy and powerful organization that helped to found America. Despite the secrecy that surrounds these groups, these athletes are publicly, almost brazenly, showcasing their involvement.Here are 13 athletes from nearly every major sport who all have possible connections to secret societies.

Celebrities

This list contains information about athletes who are alcoholics, loosely ranked by fame and popularity. Several famous NFL stars, baseball players, and Olympians have struggled with an alcohol addiction. Some of these athletes kicked their habits, while others are still living a hard-partying lifestyle. One famous NFL player was even involved in a deadly DUI crash.<a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-famous-athletes-right-now/celebrity-lists?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Who is the most famous athlete</a> who is an alcoholic? Brett Favre tops our list. Brett Favre went to rehab for an addiction to alcohol and Vicodin in 1996. In 2008, Charles Barkley was charged with two DUI counts and sent to rehab. He has also been open about his addiction to gambling. In 2008, John Daly was taken into police custody after being found drunk outside of a Hooters in North Carolina. The incident propelled him to stop drinking.Leonard Little was convicted of manslaughter after he crashed into and killed a woman while driving under the influence of alcohol. In 2003, Joe Namath appeared drunk during a TV interview. &quot;I want to kiss you. I couldn't care less about the team strugg-a-ling,&quot; he said to the interviewer Suzy Kolber. He later entered a rehab program.Why do you think that so many athletes are alcoholics? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

On the field, athletes are trained and expected to destroy their opponents. These athletes who are felons, however, took that violence off the field and into their real lives when they committed serious crimes. Several <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-boxers-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">famous boxers</a>, NBA players, and football stars have committed felonies. Some of these <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-8-pro-athletes-convicted-of-murder/awesomeballa?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">professional athletes</a> have been convicted of robbery, while others have been convicted of murder. One famous football player was even charged with possession of a weapon after accidentally shooting himself.Who is the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-10-most-popular-athletes-/calistylie?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most famous athlete</a> who is also a felon? Mike Tyson tops our list. Mike Tyson has been convicted of several serious offenses, including rape, road rage, possession of narcotics, and DUI. He has spent a total of about a year in prison for these crimes. In 2007, O. J. Simpson was convicted of armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, and conspiracy. He was sentenced to nine to 33 years in prison for these crimes.In 2008, Plaxico Burress plead guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and reckless endangerment after accidentally shooting himself in a nightclub. In the 1990s, Tonya Harding was convicted of hindering a police investigation and domestic violence. In the 2000s, she received two DUIs.Are you surprised that so many professional athletes have committed serious felonies? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

LGBTQ+

Thanks to these prominent athletes who are gay, the sports world is becoming more and more accepting of homosexual players. Whether these famous Olympians, tennis greats, and basketball players came out after they retired, or revealed their sexuality during their sports careers, they’ve paved the way for major LGTB sports progress. Who is the most famous gay athlete? Football star Michael Sam made headlines in 2014 when he became the first openly gay athlete to be drafted into the NFL. But he definitely wasn’t the first homosexual athlete to find success. Olympic diver Greg Louganis is openly gay. He came out publicly in 1995 on The Oprah Show. And tennis star Billie Jean King was the first female athlete to publicly come out way back in 1981. NBA player Jason Collins came out as gay in an interview with Sports Illustrated magazine in 2013. He was the first active athlete to come out as gay in any of the major American sports. His announcement provoked mixed reactions from his fellow players and the media.Are you surprised that so many professional athletes are gay? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Accidents

Justin Turner

Athletes who suffered bizarre off-field injuries number in the dozens with stories of freak accidents, or pure stupidity, leading to missed playing time. Normally athletes are injured on the field, and get paid very well for that risk, but in these cases it was something completely unrelated to their respective sports that got them in trouble.

Some of these stories can be directly attributed to athletes making poor choices. Other freak accidents were just that, accidents and happened during normal everyday activities.

Celebrity Facts

Unfortunately, several professional athletes--<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-25-greatest-nfl-players-of-all-time/hardtack?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">famous NFL players</a>, baseball stars, and boxers--have been murdered. Some of these athletes were killed by people they knew, while others were killed during robberies. One famous football player was the victim of a murder-suicide.Who is the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-10-most-popular-athletes-/calistylie?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most famous athlete</a> who has been murdered? Andr&eacute;s Escobar tops our list. The soccer player died on July 2, 1994, at age 27, when he was killed by Colombian National Police. Sean Taylor died on November 27, 2007, at age 24, after being shot by intruders in his home. Lorenzen Wright died in July of 2010, at age 34, after his body was found with bullets in his skull and arm.Several athletes were killed by one of their friends or family members. Steve McNair died on July 4, 2009, at age 36, after being shot twice in the chest by his girlfriend Saleh Kazemi, who also killed herself. Greg Halman died on November 21, 2011, at age 24, after being stabbed by his brother. Henri P&eacute;lissier died on May 1, 1935, at age 46, after being shot by his girlfriend with the same gun that his wife used to commit suicide two years prior.Are you surprised that so many athletes have been murdered? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Athlete Facts

For many spiritual athletes, religion is a central part of their lives… and not just when they’re praying for a big win. This list of famous athletes who are Jewish highlights Jewish jocks who have played professional sports. In fact, several famous baseball players, Olympic athletes, and football stars are Jewish. Some of these athletes were born and raised in the faith while others converted later in life. There is even a Jewish Sports Hall of Fame that recognizes the best of the best Jewish athletes. But who is the most famous athlete who is Jewish? Any list of Jewish sports superstars has to include legendary Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax. Koufax was born and raised by a Jewish family in New York. He is often remembered as one of the greatest Jewish athletes of all time. Then there are more current Jewish athletes like Dara Torres, the 12-time Olympic medalist. Torres was born half Jewish on her father's side, and she fully converted before marrying her husband Itzhak Shasha. <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/best-detroit-tigers-managers-of-all-time/ranker-baseball?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Detroit Tigers manager</a> Brad Ausmus is also a Jew. After playing catcher in the major leagues, he became the first Jewish manager of the team. The famous Jewish athletes on this list are sure to inspire millions of young Hebrew sports hopefuls who someday want to play in the big leagues. Who is your favorite Jewish star? Make your voice heard in the comments!

Death

It&#39;s always heartbreaking to find out that there are many athletes who have ended their own lives. When your favorite players are&nbsp;gone too soon by their&nbsp;own hands, it can be difficult to cope with. Athletes who have ended their own lives are often depressed, or involved with substance abuse. Several <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-boxers-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword" target="_blank">famous boxers</a>, NBA players, and football stars have ended their own lives.&nbsp;

Who are some of&nbsp;the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-10-most-popular-athletes-/calistylie?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword" target="_blank">most famous athletes</a>&nbsp;to commit suicide? &nbsp;NFL linebacker Junior Seau currently tops our list. He passed on May 2, 2012, at age 43, by shooting himself in the chest. NHL player Rick Rypien&nbsp;struggled with clinical depression for most of his life, and passed on August&nbsp;15, 2011 at age 27. On December&nbsp;1, 2012, 25-year old Jovan Belcher shot and slayed his girlfriend, the mother of his child, and then drove to the Kansas City Chiefs&#39; practice facility and shot himself. At age 67, boxer Kid McCoy ended his life on April 18, 1940, by taking sleeping pills. His&nbsp;note read, &quot;Everything in my possession, I want to go to my dear wife, Sue E. Selby ... To all my dear friends ... best of luck ... sorry I could not endure this world&#39;s madness.&quot;

Why do you think so many <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-8-pro-athletes-convicted-of-murder/awesomeballa?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword" target="_blank">professional athletes</a> commit suicide? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

This list contains information about athletes who are Catholic, loosely ranked by fame and popularity. Several <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-top-nba-players-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">famous NBA players</a>, football stars, and Olympians are Catholic. Some of these athletes were raised in the Catholic faith, while others converted later in life. One famous baseball player was banished from the church after he divorced his wife to marry a Hollywood actress.<a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-famous-athletes-right-now/celebrity-lists?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Who is the most famous athlete</a> who is Catholic? Kobe Bryant tops our list. Kobe Bryant was raised Roman Catholic. His family moved around a lot due to his father's basketball career. Tom Brady was raised Catholic in San Mateo, California. He says, &quot;Look at the attention I get: It’s because I throw a football. But that’s what society values. That’s not what God values. He didn’t invent the game. We did. I have some eye-hand coordination, and I can throw the ball. I don’t think that matters to God.&quot;Joe DiMaggio was a devout Catholic, but he was banned from the church after his divorce from Dorothy Arnold. Bishop Fulton Sheen also scolded him for marrying Marilyn Monroe. Dominique Dawes converted to Catholicism before marrying Jeff Thompson on May 25, 2013. Thompson is a Catholic school teacher.Do you think that the Catholic faith helps these pro athletes to succeed? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Many professional athletes are held to a higher standard when it comes to using recreational and performance-enhancing drugs. Athletes who failed drug tests are sometimes chided as bad role models, and are occasionally even forced to renounce their titles due to drug use. Several <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/mma-legends?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">famous MMA fighters</a>, MLB players, and NFL stars have failed drug tests. Some of these athletes tested positive for recreational drugs, like marijuana and cocaine, while others tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs, like steroids and human growth hormones.Who is the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-10-most-popular-athletes-/calistylie?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most famous athlete</a> who failed a drug test? Alex Rodriguez tops our list. In 2006, A-Rod failed a drug test when testosterone and primobolan showed up in his results. Lance Armstrong admitted to using Erythropoietin (EPO), Human Growth Hormone, testosterone, Cortisone and blood transfusions. He also failed four drug tests back in 1999. In 2012, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps admitted to smoking marijuana.Ricky Williams tested positive for cannabis and other drugs in 2006. Ken Shamrock tested positive for Stanozolol, 19-Norandrosterone and 19-Noretiocholanolone in 2009. Chris Andersen was kicked out of the NBA for violating the league's drug policy in 2006. Wes Welker was suspended for four games for taking MDMA in 2014. Lyle Alzado admitted to taking Anabolic steroids and blamed the drugs for his cancer diagnoses. He died from brain lymphoma in 1992.Are you surprised that so many <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-8-pro-athletes-convicted-of-murder/awesomeballa?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">professional athletes</a> failed drug tests? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Bisexual professional athletes inspire sports fans, both with their impressive physical performances and advocacy for LGBT causes. Some athletes who are bisexual are open about their relationships with men and women while other bisexual athletes never spoke about their same sex affairs. Many of the most famous bisexual athletes, whether male or female, were sex symbols for men and women alike.Who will you find on this list of notable&nbsp;bisexual athletes? Openly bisexual Dutch Olympian Ireen W&uuml;st said that she received&nbsp;special congratulations from Russian President Vladimir Putin after she won gold in Sochi. &quot;He congratulated me and asked if everything was OK in Russia and I congratulated him on Olga Graf, of course, for her third place,” she said. “He was happy to see me, but then he had to leave again. But I cuddled him.”Basketball player Sheryl Swoopes came out as a lesbian in 2005, and became engaged to a man in 2011. Other famous bisexual athletes include handball player Mia Hundvin, football star Jerry Smith, and boxer Emile Griffith.Are you surprised that so many athletes are bisexual? Take a look at this list and get in on the conversation in the comments section.

Controversial

People of all ages and backgrounds look up to athletes as people who applied themselves to a goal and managed to turn their obsessions with being the best into a money-making machine. But that obsession with winning, or belief that being the best makes you untouchable, can get major sports stars into trouble. There are disgraced athletes in almost every sport, from football to track and field, and most of their stories have the same sad trajectory of a local kid making good and then getting in over their heads.But some of the athletes who lost endorsements went above and beyond what actually has to be done to become a disgrace and went down in history as some of the craziest athletes to ever embroil themselves in sports controversies. But what happens to athletes who were banned from their sport? Do they get a day job? Or is there hope of competing again?In the sports world, it’s really hard to lose an endorsement. Some athletes who’ve made a second career out of misbehaving have managed to hold onto their endorsement money without so much as Coca-Cola or Nike batting an eye. That means the sports figures who lost endorsements had to go above and beyond the pale to anger someone in their PR company. Of all the athletes who lost all their money, the number one cause of a corporate smackdown is drugs, but as you’ll soon find out there are plenty of interesting ways to bring disgrace to the world of sports.&nbsp;

Criminals

It&#39;s always gut-wrenching to find out that the most talented, successful athletes have faced murder charges and convictions. Several <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-boxers-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword" target="_blank">famous boxers</a>, NFL athletes, and MLB players have been charged with such offenses. Some of these athletes dispatched their significant others, while others took the lives of people they barely knew. Some of these athletes even took a life before ending their own.

Who is the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-10-most-popular-athletes-/calistylie?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword" target="_blank">most famous athlete</a> who faced such a serious capital offense?&nbsp;At age 25, on Dec. 1, 2012, Jovan Belcher terminated his girlfriend, the mother of his child, and then drove to the Kansas City Chiefs&#39; practice facility and ended himself. In 2013, Oscar Pistorius also targeted his girlfriend and ended her life. He claimed that he thought she was an intruder. In 1991, Mark Rogowski was charged with forcing himself on acquaintance Jessica Bergsten and then ending her life. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 31 years in prison.

Why do you think so many professional athletes are involved in such grisly scenarios that end with <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/celebrities-charged-with-homicide/celebrity-lists" target="_blank">serious criminal charges</a>? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

This list contains information about athletes who are Democrats, loosely ranked by fame and popularity. Several famous boxers, NBA stars, and NFL players support the Democratic party. Some of these athletes are very outspoken about their political affiliation, while others are quieter on the subject. One former NBA star was even elected to the U.S. Senate.<a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-famous-athletes-right-now/celebrity-lists?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Who is the most famous athlete</a> who is a Democrat? LeBron James tops our list. LeBron James donated $20,000 to a committee to elect Barack Obama back in 2008. He also invited almost 20,000 people to a viewing party of Obama's &quot;American Stories, American Solutions&quot; television advertisement. Mike Tyson is known to be a flip-flopper when it comes to political affiliation, but he did donate to Barack Obama's campaign and refer to Republicans as &quot;sell-outs.&quot;After retiring from basketball, Bill Bradley was elected a three-term Democratic U.S. Senator from New Jersey. Muhammad Ali has supported the election of Democratic presidential candidates Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama. He has also attended the Democratic National Convention. Warren Sapp is a Democrat, and he has often campaigned for the support of the public school system.Are you surprised that so many professional athletes are Democrats? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

College

This list contains information about athletes who are doctors, loosely ranked by fame and popularity. Several famous swimmers, rowers, and NBA champions are also doctors. Some of these athletes received their doctorates in education, while others earned their medical degrees. One former NFL champion is currently on the Minnesota Supreme Court.<a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-famous-athletes-right-now/celebrity-lists?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Who is the most famous athlete</a> who is also a doctor? Shaquille O'Neal tops our list. Shaquille O'Neal received his doctor of education degree from Barry University in 2012. He reportedly has plans to continue his education at law school. Olympic gymnast Lise Leveille completed medical school at UBC in Vancouver. In 2014, she started a fellowship in pediatric orthopedic surgery at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas.NFL champion Alan Page received a Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1978. He currently sits on the Minnesota Supreme Court. Pat Turner won <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/olympic-gold-medal-winners/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">a gold medal</a> for rowing in the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/1984-summer-olympics-gold-medal-winners/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">1984 Summer Olympics</a>. He later went on to graduate from the University of B.C. Faculty of Medicine. Pat McGeer competed on the Canadian basketball team in the 1948 Summer Olympics. He is currently regarded as a leading authority on the causes and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.Are you surprised that so many professional athletes are also doctors? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

There are over 8.2 million practicing evangelical Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide. Many famous athletes are Jehovah's Witnesses. Several <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-boxers-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">famous boxers</a>, NBA players, and baseball stars follow the teachings of the Jehovah's Witness faith. Some of these athletes were raised in the faith, while others converted later in life. Two of the best female tennis players of all time are Jehovah's Witnesses.Who is the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-10-most-popular-athletes-/calistylie?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most famous athlete</a> who is a Jehovah's Witness? Serena Williams tops our list. She and her sister Venus were raised as Jehovah's Witnesses and still practice today. Serena says, “I've been studying to be a Jehovah's Witness, so I go to Kingdom Hall. I grew up a Witness and it's what I know, and we teach things that come from the Bible.&quot; Danny Granger was raised in a Jehovah's Witness household. It is unclear if he still practices the faith today.On Dave Pear's blog he states, &quot;I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and an advocate for justice!&quot; Chet Lemon is a Jehovah's Witness. He <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/celebrities-who-have-almost-died/celebrity-lists?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">almost died</a> from a blood disorder in 1991, when he decided against surgery because his religion prohibits him from receiving a blood transfusion. Kid Gavil&aacute;n became a Jehovah's Witness in the late-1960s.Do you think that being Jehovah's Witnesses helps these athletes to succeed in their professional careers? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

This list contains information about athletes who are also musicians, loosely ranked by fame and popularity. Several famous baseball players, boxers, and NBA all-stars are also musicians. Some of these athletes' albums flopped, while others are Grammy-winning musicians. One famous athlete even learned to play guitar from some of the greatest guitarists in the world.<a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/most-famous-athletes-right-now/celebrity-lists?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Who is the most famous athlete</a> who is also a musician? Kobe Bryant tops our list. In the late-1990s, NBA player Kobe Bryant released a rap album entitled K.O.B.E. Shaquille O'Neal released four rap albums in the 1990s. His debut Shaq Diesel was certified platinum in the U.S. Besides being a champion boxer, Oscar de la Hoya is also a Grammy-nominated singer for his eponymous 2000 CD.Tennis player John McEnroe sang and played guitar in The Johnny Smyth Band. He learned to play guitar from Eddie Van Halen and Eric Clapton. Barry Zito plays guitar, and he co-wrote the song &quot;Butterflies,&quot; which was featured in the film A Thousand Words. Chris Webber released the rap album 2 Much Drama, and he also produced two tracks for Nas.Are you surprised that so many professional athletes are also musicians? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Have you ever wondered which of your favorite athletes are Muslim? Several <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-best-boxers-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">famous boxers</a>, NBA players, and football stars are Muslim. Some of these athletes were raised in the faith, while others converted later in life. Several <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/notable-basketball-player_s)/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">famous basketball players</a> fasted during the NBA season to observe Ramadan.Who is the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/top-10-most-popular-athletes-/calistylie?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">most famous athlete</a> who is Muslim? Mike Tyson tops our list. Mike Tyson converted to Islam in the early 1990s while he was in prison for a rape conviction. Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. changed his name to Muhammad Ali in the 1960s after converting to Islam and joining the Nation of Islam. He later converted to Sunni Islam in 1975.Larry Johnson converted to Islam and observed Ramadan during his NBA career. Kenneth Faried is a practicing Muslim. He says, &quot;You think you have a plan, but God — well, I’m Muslim — Allah has a different plan.” Shaquille O'Neal was raised by a Baptist mother and Muslim stepfather. He has been identified as Muslim in several biographies, but he is quoted as saying, &quot;I'm Muslim, I'm Jewish, I'm Buddhist, I'm everybody 'cause I'm a people person.&quot;Do you think that the Muslim faith helps these pro athletes to succeed in their careers? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

You Think You Know Athletes?

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Wheaties boxes have been featuring famous athletes since 1934, and the cereal has helped many pro sports figures become household names. This is a complete list of athletes on Wheaties boxes, including teams and individual athletes. Why? Because Wheaties + athletes is like the marketing campaign of champions. And for the record, my personal favorite Wheaties box will always be the 1985 Pete Rose one.From the first athlete on Wheaties box, up to today, when you buy a box of Wheaties, you know you're going to see one of your favorite sports star s. The Wheaties cereal box is a classic piece of American culture and this list will take you on a trip through time and Wheaties box athlete history.

Wheaties Box Athletes | Sports Stars Wheaties Boxes

Athletes Who Have Appeared On Wheaties Boxes

Best Athletes Lists, Top 10 Athletes- Find any Athlete List at Ranker

Person In Sports

Best Rankings of Sports Teams and Players, Interesting Sports Facts, and Moments in Sports

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Arthur Roderick

Jeff Bagwell

Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and coach who spent his entire 15-year Major League Baseball (MLB) playing career with the Houston Astros.  Originally a Boston Red Sox fourth-round selection from the University of Hartford as a third baseman in the 1989 amateur draft, he was then traded to the Astros in 1990.  The National League (NL) Rookie of the Year in 1991, Bagwell then won the NL Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) in 1994, was a four-time MLB All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger winner and a Gold Glove recipient. Forming a core part of Astros lineups with Craig Biggio given the epithet "Killer B's", Houston finished in first or second place in the NL Central division in 11 of 12 seasons from 1994 to 2005.  They qualified for the playoffs six times, culminating in Bagwell's lone World Series appearance in 2005. He was elected to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2005, and to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.
Bagwell was part of the trade that sent relief pitcher Larry Andersen to the Red Sox, now regarded as one of the most lopsided trades in sports history.  Andersen pitched just 22 innings for Boston while Bagwell hit 449 home runs for the Astros, the most in club history, among setting numerous other franchise career and single-season records.  He excelled at every major aspect of the game, including hitting, on-base ability, running, defense, and throwing.  One of the most consistent players of his generation, in each of his first 11 seasons, he produced no fewer than 4.7 wins above replacement (WAR) per Baseball-Reference.com. His 1994 season was perhaps his finest. As the fourth unanimous NL MVP in history, he set the record for fewest plate appearances to reach both 100 runs scored and 100 runs batted in (RBIs), produced a .750 slugging percentage − the highest in the NL since 1925 − while batting a career-high .368. In 1999, he finished second in the MVP voting, producing his second career 30–30 season.
The only player in MLB history to have six consecutive seasons (1996–2001) with 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, 100 runs scored, and 100 walks. Bagwell is just the fifth to achieve 300 home runs, 1,000 RBIs, and 1,000 runs scored in his first 10 seasons.  He is one of 12 players in history to hit 400 home runs and record an on-base percentage (OBP) of .400, and the only first baseman with at least 400 home runs and 200 stolen bases. Overall, Bagwell batted over .300 six times, had a career OBP of .408 (39th all time) and a slugging percentage of .540 (32nd all time). He is the only first baseman to achieve the 30–30 club more than once. His 79.6 career WAR per Baseball-Reference.com ranks sixth all time among first basemen.

Max Baer

Maximilian Adelbert Baer (February 11, 1909 – November 21, 1959) was an American boxer who was the World Heavyweight Champion from June 14, 1934 to June 13, 1935. His fights were twice (1933 win over Max Schmeling, 1935 loss to James J. Braddock) rated Fight of the Year by The Ring Magazine. Baer was also a boxing referee, and had an occasional role on film or television. He was the brother of heavyweight boxing contender Buddy Baer and father of actor Max Baer Jr.. Baer is rated #22 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.

Chris Bailey

George Barclay

George Oliver Barclay (May 16, 1876 – April 3, 1909) was an American football and baseball player. He played Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and later the Boston Beaneaters. He was also an early professional football player-coach for the Greensburg Athletic Association. He was nicknamed "The Rose" for his concern with his looks and his eye for the ladies and "Deerfoot" because of his speed. Barclay also invented the first football helmet.

Tom Barrasso

Thomas Patrick Barrasso (born March 31, 1965) is an American professional ice hockey coach and former player. Barrasso was a goaltender for 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St. Louis Blues. He was the only goaltender to ever play in the NHL directly from high school, without having played major junior, college, or some other form of professional hockey first. He was the youngest winner of the league's Vezina Trophy for best goaltender, as an 18-year-old rookie in 1984. He was also the youngest goaltender to win Calder Memorial Trophy, a record he still holds as of the end of 2017-18 season. Barrasso was a member of successive Stanley Cup championship teams in 1991 and 1992 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was inducted as a member of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.
After retiring from active play, Barrasso was an assistant coach and in charge of goaltending development for the Carolina Hurricanes for five years. In June 2012, Barrasso joined former Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice on the coaching staff at  Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League. In 2016 he joined Asiago Hockey in the Alps Hockey League as their head coach, winning the championship during the 2017-18 season. In October 2018, Barasso left Asiago to become head coach of the Sheffield Steelers of the EIHL.

Marty Barry

Martin James "Goal-a-Game" Barry (December 8, 1905 – August 20, 1969) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the New York Americans, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League (NHL) between 1927 and 1940.  Barry was frequently among the league's leading scorers and after winning his first Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 1936, he scored the championship winning goal in 1937.  Barry won the Lady Byng Trophy in 1936–37 as the NHL's most gentlemanly player and was named to the First All-Star Team.  Following his playing career, Barry coached junior and senior teams in Halifax, Nova Scotia for many years. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1965.

Justin McCarthy Barry

Marie Bartoletti

Marlene Bauer

Sammy Baugh

Samuel Adrian Baugh (March 17, 1914 – December 17, 2008) was an American football player and coach. During his college and professional careers, he most notably played quarterback, but also played as a defensive back and punter. He played college football for the Horned Frogs at Texas Christian University, where he was a two-time All-American.  He then played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins from 1937 to 1952. After his playing career, he served as a coach for Hardin–Simmons University, the New York Titans and the Houston Oilers.
Baugh led the Washington Redskins to winning the NFL Championship in 1937 and 1942 and was named NFL Player of the Year by the Washington D.C. Touchdown Club in 1947 and 1948 for his play. In both of his Player of the Year seasons, he led the league in completions, attempts, completion percentage, and yards. In 1947, he also led the league in passing touchdowns, interception percentage and passer rating.Primarily known for his passing prowess, Baugh led the league in completion percentage seven times, passing yards four times, and an NFL record six times in passer rating, among other statistics. However, he was also known for his versatility—having the ability to play at a high level as a punter as well as a defensive back. Throughout his career, he led the league in yards per punt five times, as well as yardage in 1943, a year in which he also led the league in defensive interceptions, with 11. His yards per punt of 51.4 during the 1940 season still stands as an NFL record as of 2018.Baugh was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the 17-member charter class of 1963 and was also selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994.



Mark Bavaro

Mark Bavaro (born April 28, 1963) is a former American football tight end who played for the New York Giants (1985–1990), Cleveland Browns (1992), and Philadelphia Eagles (1993–1994) in the National Football League (NFL). Bavaro was selected to the Pro Bowl for his performances in the 1986 and 1987 seasons and was a member of the Giants teams that won Super Bowls XXI and XXV.
After an All-American career at the University of Notre Dame, Bavaro was drafted by the Giants in the fourth round (#100 overall) in the 1985 NFL Draft. He quickly emerged as a starter in his rookie season and became renowned during his Giants career for his blocking, toughness, and receiving skills. After a degenerative knee condition forced him to sit out the 1991 season, he returned to play three seasons for the Browns and Eagles before retiring in 1995. Since retiring Bavaro has done work as a pro-life activist. His brother David also played in the NFL for four seasons.

Josh Beckett

Joshua Patrick Beckett (born May 15, 1980) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. A three-time Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star, he played for the Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After a stellar high school career, where he was regarded as one of the top prospects in the country, he was drafted by the Marlins with the second pick in the 1999 MLB draft. He won the 2003 World Series with the Marlins and the 2007 World Series with the Red Sox, and received the 2007 American League Championship Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and the 2003 World Series MVP award. He was traded from the Marlins to the Red Sox in 2006 and from the Red Sox to the Dodgers in 2012, both as part of multi-player transactions.
Beckett recovered from a serious injury that caused him to miss most of the 2013 season and  pitched a no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 25, 2014 for the Dodgers, becoming the 19th man to do so in Dodgers history. However, his season was again cut short due to an injury and he announced his retirement on October 7, 2014.

Myriam Bédard

Myriam Bédard, MSC (born December 22, 1969) is a Canadian retired biathlete. She represented Canada at two Winter Olympics winning gold medals, and a bronze medal. As of 2018, Bédard is the only Canadian biathlete, male or female, ever to win an Olympic medal, and the only North American biathlete ever to win Olympic gold.

Beau Bell

Roy Chester "Beau" Bell (August 20, 1907 – September 14, 1977) was an American professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1935 to 1941 for the St. Louis Browns, Detroit Tigers, and Cleveland Indians. Bell was named to the 1937 American League All-Star Team.
Bell finished 13th in voting for the 1936 American League MVP for playing in 155 games and having 616 at bats, 100 runs, 212 hits, 40 doubles, 12 triples, 11 home runs, 123 runs batted in, four stolen bases, 60 base on balls, a .344 batting average, .403 on-base percentage, .502 slugging percentage, 309 total bases and six sacrifice hits.
He finished 17th in voting for the 1937 AL MVP for leading the league in hits (218) and doubles (51) and playing in 156 games and having 642 at bats, 82 runs, eight triples, 14 home runs, 117 runs batted in, two stolen bases, 53 base on balls, a .340 batting average, .391 on-base percentage, .509 slugging percentage, 327 total bases and three sacrifice hits.  His 51 doubles remains an Orioles single season record.
In seven seasons Bell played in 767 games and had 2,718 at bats, 378 runs, 806 hits, 165 doubles, 32 triples, 46 home runs, 437 runs batted in, 11 stolen bases, 272 base on balls, a .297 batting average, .362 on-base percentage, .432 slugging percentage, 1,173 total bases and 26 sacrifice hits.
An alumnus of the University of Houston and Texas A&M University, he died in College Station, Texas at the age of 70.

James Bell

Johnny Bench

Johnny Lee Bench (born December 7, 1947) is an American former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Bench is a 14-time All-Star selection and a two-time National League Most Valuable Player. He was a key member of the Big Red Machine that won six division titles, four National League pennants, and two consecutive World Series championships. Known for his prowess on both offense and defense, ESPN has called him the greatest catcher in baseball history.

Andy Benes

Andrew Charles Benes (born August 20, 1967) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 14-year career from 1989 to 2002, Benes played for the San Diego Padres, the Seattle Mariners, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Arizona Diamondbacks. His brother Alan also pitched in the Major Leagues, and was his teammate in 1996–97 and 2000–01. He and his brother Alan attended Evansville Lutheran School and Evansville Central High School.

Brooke Bennett

Brooke Marie Bennett (born May 6, 1980) is an American former competition swimmer and three-time Olympic champion.

Cornelius Bennett

Cornelius O'Landa Bennett (born August 25, 1965) is a former American football linebacker who played for the Buffalo Bills from 1987 to 1995, Atlanta Falcons from 1996 to 1998, and the Indianapolis Colts from 1999 to 2000. Bennett was a five-time Pro Bowler, being elected in 1988, and 1990–1993, and won the AFC Defensive Player of the Year award twice (1988 and 1991).

Edgar Bennett

Edgar Bennett III (born February 15, 1969) is an American football coach and former running back who is the wide receivers coach for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He previously was the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. Bennett played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 4th round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He also played for the Chicago Bears.

Patty Berg

Patricia Jane Berg (February 13, 1918 – September 10, 2006) was an American professional golfer and a founding member and then leading player on the LPGA Tour during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Her 15 major title wins remains the all-time record for most major wins by a female golfer. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Wally Berger

Walter Anton Berger (October 10, 1905 – November 30, 1988) was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played for four National League teams, primarily the Boston Braves. Berger was the National League's starting center fielder in baseball's first All-Star Game.
One of the league's top sluggers of the early 1930s, in his initial 1930 season he hit 38 home runs, a record for rookies which stood until 1987; he still holds a share of the NL record. He also led the league in home runs and runs batted in in 1935 despite the Braves having the fourth-most losses in MLB history, and went on to become the seventh NL player to hit 200 career home runs.

Yogi Berra

Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra (May 12, 1925 – September 22, 2015) was an American professional baseball catcher, who later took on the roles of manager and coach. He played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) (1946–63, 1965), all but the last for the New York Yankees. He was an 18-time All-Star and won 10 World Series championships as a player—more than any other player in MLB history.  Berra had a career batting average of .285, while hitting 358 home runs and 1,430 runs batted in. He is one of only five players to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award three times. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest catchers in baseball history, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.
Berra was a native of St. Louis and signed with the Yankees in 1943 before serving in the United States Navy as a gunner's mate in the Normandy landings during World War II, where he earned a Purple Heart. He made his major-league debut at age 21 in 1946 and was a mainstay in the Yankees' lineup during the team's championship years beginning in 1949 and continuing through 1962. Despite his short stature (he was 5 feet 7 inches tall), Berra was a power hitter and strong defensive catcher. He caught Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.
Berra played 18 seasons with the Yankees before retiring after the 1963 season. He spent the next year as their manager, then joined the New York Mets in 1965 as coach (and briefly a player again). Berra remained with the Mets for the next decade, serving the last four years as their manager. He returned to the Yankees in 1976, coaching them for eight seasons and managing for two, before coaching the Houston Astros. He was one of seven managers to lead both American and National League teams to the World Series. Berra appeared as a player, coach or manager in every one of the 13 World Series that New York baseball teams won from 1947 through 1981.  Overall, he appeared in 22 World Series, 13 on the winning side.
The Yankees retired his uniform number 8 in 1972; Bill Dickey had previously worn number 8, and both catchers had that number retired by the Yankees. The club honored him with a plaque in Monument Park in 1988. Berra was named to the MLB All-Century Team in a vote by fans in 1999. For the remainder of his life, he was closely involved with the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center, which he opened on the campus of Montclair State University in 1998.
Berra quit school after the eighth grade. He was known for his malapropisms as well as pithy and paradoxical statements, such as "It ain't over 'til it's over", while speaking to reporters. He once simultaneously denied and confirmed his reputation by stating, "I really didn't say everything I said."

Raymond Berry

Raymond Emmett Berry Jr. (born February 27, 1933) is a former American football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a split end for the Baltimore Colts from 1955 to 1967, and after several assistant coaching positions, was head coach of the New England Patriots from 1984 to 1989. With the Colts, Berry led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards three times and in receiving touchdowns twice, and he was invited to six Pro Bowls. He and the Colts won consecutive NFL championships, including the 1958 NFL Championship Game—known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played"—in which Berry caught 12 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. As a head coach, he led the Patriots to Super Bowl XX following the 1985 season, where his team was defeated by the Chicago Bears, 46–10.
After catching very few passes in high school and college, Berry was drafted in the 20th round of the 1954 NFL Draft by the Colts and was considered a long shot to even make the team's roster. Diminutive and unassuming, his subsequent rise to the Pro Football Hall of Fame has been touted as one of American football's Cinderella stories. He made up for his lack of athleticism through rigorous practice and attention to detail, and was known for his near-perfect route running and sure handedness. Berry was a favorite target of quarterback Johnny Unitas, and the two were regarded as the dominant passing and receiving duo of their era.
After his playing career, Berry coached wide receivers for the Dallas Cowboys, the University of Arkansas, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, and Patriots. He became the Patriots' head coach in 1984 and held that position through 1989, amassing 48 wins and 39 losses. In recognition of his playing career, Berry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973. He is a member of the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team as one of the best players of the NFL's first 75 years. His number 82 jersey is retired by the Indianapolis Colts and he is a member of the Patriots' 1980s All-Decade Team.

Bernie Bierman

Bernard W. Bierman (March 11, 1894 – March 7, 1977) was an American football player and coach of football and basketball. He coached from 1919 to 1950 except for a span during World War II when he served in the U.S. armed forces. Bierman was the head coach at the University of Montana (1919–1921), Mississippi State University (1925–1926), Tulane University (1927–1931), and his alma mater, the University of Minnesota (1932–1941, 1945–1950), compiling a career college football record of 153–65–12. At Minnesota, Bierman's Golden Gophers compiled a 93–35–6 record, won five national championships and seven Big Ten Conference titles, and completed five undefeated seasons.  Bierman was also the head basketball coach at Montana (1919–1922), Mississippi State (1925–1927), and Tulane (1928–1930), tallying a career college basketball mark of 89–51.

Wheaties boxes have been featuring famous athletes since 1934, and the cereal has helped many pro sports figures become household names. This is a complete ... (Page 2)