Who is the greatest Sports Hero in your lifetime ?

[bearfan454]

It was Walter Payton for me. I loved him. What about you ?

[candy]

1. Bobby Orr

Still the best memories of my life.

[bearfan454]

2. Welcome to DU candy

Now you can get the real news.

[candy]

11. Thanks for the welcome!!!

I'll get the news when I figure out how to get around this site. I'm a slow learner,but patient,so all is not lost.

[jjmalonejr]

12. Amen to Bobby Orr, Candy!

I get misty just thinking about some of my favorite Bobby Orr moments.

[maveric]

20. I watched him for years. What a true professional.

Possibly the best skater in NHL history. He'd spin circles around the rest of the league and was the first high scoring defenseman ever. Sadly all those cuts and circles he made on his opposition ruined his knees and forced him to retire ate age 30.

[Catshrink]

3. When I read your subject line, Sweetness was my first thought...

Who else could it be?

Walter ran on air:

[bearfan454]

7. I will never forgive Mike Ditka

for letting the fridge score a TD in the 85 Super Bowl and not Sweetness. Never.

[Catshrink]

9. Agreed again...

That was really low.

[minkyboodle]

10. agreed

that was a shameful moment in Bears history.

[stopbush]

4. Martina Navratilova.

She did more to break down the anti-gay barriers of our society than any other person I can think of right now. THAT is much more important than rushing records and football's feel-good battlefield antics, IMHO.

[nofurylike]

5. martina navratilova n/t

[Wetzelbill]

6. Sweetness is a great one for sure...

I'm a big fan of former 10,000 meter olympic gold medalist Billy Mills, as I am an Indian as well. I met him a year and a half ago and gave him a signed copy of my book and we took some pictures together.

Dan Gable is definitely a hero. Big fan of lots of wrestlers. That's my main sport and what I was best at.

I rode bulls and at the time my two favorites were Jim Sharp and Michael Gaffney. I tried to emulate their styles so much.

[fishnfla]

8. lance armstrong, the biker

[ScreamingMeemie]

13. Hank Aaron.

:hi:

[frylock]

14. tony gwynn..

also Roberto Clemente. Clemente was quite a humanitarian.

[maveric]

21. Gwynn was a gift to MLB.

Eight batting titles, 15 all star games, 6 golden gloves, 2 world series, 3000+ hits, .338 lifetime BA, never finished lower that 8th in league batting in 19 seasons. And HE WAS NEVER THE HIGHEST PAID PLAYER ON HIS TEAM!
Off the field Tony and his wife donated millions(mostly anonymously)to underprivilaged families in San Diego. The man is a true gem and a 1st ballot hall of fame pick.

[madrchsod]

15. walter payton

a pure class act, on and off the field

[tishaLA]

16. Billie Jean King

where would women's sports be without her? And what she did for lesbian athletes has been amazing. Not to mention her work for the Federation Cup team, the respect she has earned from players as disparate as the Williams sisters, Martina, and republican Pam Shriver....

runner up: Arthur Ashe

[Gemini Cat]

17. Jackie Robinson

He was retired by the time I was born, however.
After Jackie: Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Barry Bonds.

[CrownPrinceBandar]

18. Sweetness, for sure...........

With Franco Harris and Rocky Blier close on his heels.

[Room101]

19. Jerry Rice /nt

.

[shawmut]

22. Larry Bird n/t

[maveric]

23. Carl Yastrzemski <sp>

I grew up in Boston during the 60s-70's and this guy was the king of the hub.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

24. It begins and ends with

Joe Montana (with apologies to Johnny Unitas)

[Catshrink]

25. Joe Montana -- greatest QB ever!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

30. I loved Yaz!

I would also have to say Bobby Orr. Staples of my childhood in the '70s.

[soleft]

26. Thurman Munson and Phil Simms

Neither of them will make the hall of fame, but they were both competetive, gutsy players who achieved more than what might have been expected of them, were often grossly underrated and were all heart. I miss Phil on the playing field, and I miss Thurm and what he might have accomplished.

[ScreamingMeemie]

38. Oh man...I still remember the day Thurman was killed. We were

at my brother's little league game and it came over the PA. You are right, he would be at the top of the lists. :cry:

[kodi]

27. Dr. J

.

[SmileyBoy]

28. Cris Carter and Kevin Garnett.

...

[OneBlueSky]

29. generally, it has to be Ali . . . for me personally, it's probably . . .

Larry Bird . . .

[Redneck Socialist]

40. Ali and Bird

I'm with ya on those.

[AngryAmish]

31. Larry Holmes or Michael Irvin

[woofless]

32. The Champ!

Ali for sure.
Personal faves are Carl Yazstremski, John Havlicek and Larry Bird.

[Raenelle]

33. Yep, no brainer--the Greatest. Ali!

[arwalden]

34. Mark Spitz

[Bluzmann57]

35. Not a Bears fan here

but Mr. Walter Payton is near the top of the list. I think Pat Tillman is right up there too. Please don't tell me about his so called conservative tendencies, I don't care. The guy knew his life was on the line but went anyway. There is a saying which goes, "put up or shut up" and he put up.

[Zorra]

36. Curt Flood

Check this out:

December 24, 1969

Mr. Bowie K. Kuhn, Commissioner of Baseball, 680 Fifth
Avenue, New York, New York 10019.

After twelve years in the Major Leagues, I do not feel I am
a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective of my
wishes. I believe that any system which produces that result
violates my basic rights as a citizen and is inconsistent
with the laws of the United States and of the sovereign
States.

It is my desire to play baseball in 1970, and I am capable
of playing. I have received a contract offer from the
Philadelphia Club, but I believe I have the right to consider
offers from other clubs before making any decisions. I,
therefore, request that you make known to all Major League
Clubs my feelings in this matter, and advise them of my
availability for the 1970 season.

Sincerely Yours, Curt Flood.


Kuhn denied his request. He filed suit on January 16, 1970, stating that baseball had violated the nation's anti-trust laws. Even though he was making $90,000 at the time, Flood likened "being owned" to "being a slave 100 years ago." The case went to the Supreme Court, with former Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg pressing his case. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of organized baseball.

Even though Flood lost the lawsuit, the baseball reserve clause was mortally wounded. Within five years, the reserve clause was all but dead.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curt_Flood

[mouse7]

37. Roberto Clemente

Great ball player. Died in a plane crash trying to get relief supplies into Nicaragua after an earthquake

[wyldwolf]

39. Evander Holyfield

ESPECIALLY his pre-religious persona.

Only 4-time world heavyweight champion.

Perennial underdog - even when he was champ often Vegas odds were against him.

Wish he would retire to retain his dignity.

[NewHampster]

41. Anna Kournikova

Well Duh!

[Shopaholic]

42. Muhammed Ali