To steal Meowgi's idea Babe Ruth Michael Jordan Jim Thorpe Muhammed Ali all bigger then the games they played - Ali and Ruth were no brainers I debated Jordan/Chamberlain
Would have been more interesting as a Texas-only theme. Not really that debatable: Jordan (although I think Magic was better, Jordan did more for the sport) Ruth Ali Gretzki
Here's the thread for the Mount Rushmore of Houston sports icons http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=141589
I forgot about Tiger - but Thorpe is a compelling story Ruth Ali Tiger Jordan Jim Thorpe From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia James Franciscus "Jim" Thorpe (Sac and Fox (Sauk) from Oklahoma: Wa-Tho-Huk) (May 28, 1888 – March 28, 1953[1]) was an American athlete. Considered one of the most versatile athletes in modern sports, he won Olympic gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon, played American football collegiately and professionally, and also played professional baseball and basketball. He subsequently lost his Olympic titles when it was found he had played two seasons of minor league baseball before competing in the games (thus violating the amateur status rules). In 1978, Thorpe was given his own national holiday, which is still celebrated on May 28. Thorpe was of mixed Native American and white ancestry. He was raised as a Sac and Fox, and named Wa-Tho-Huk, roughly translated as "Bright Path". He struggled with racism throughout much of his life and his accomplishments were publicized with headlines describing him as a "Redskin" and "Indian athlete". He also played on several All-American Indian teams throughout his career and barnstormed as a professional basketball player with a team composed entirely of Native Americans. Thorpe was named the greatest athlete of the first half of the twentieth century by the Associated Press (AP) in 1950, and ranked third on the AP list of athletes of the century in 1999. After his professional sports career ended, Thorpe lived in abject poverty. He worked several odd jobs, struggled with alcoholism, and lived out the last years of his life in failing health. In 1983, thirty years after his death, his medals were restored.
Ya definitely have to put Tiger Woods on this list. I can't think of another person that has had more influence on a sports, on sports in general, and on a culture... all at the same time. He changed the game of golf in a bazillion ways. He changed the way the sporting world looks at Golf and at minority athletes. He changed (and continues to change) American culture in regards to minority diversity.
For cultural significance... Ruth Ali Abe Saperstein (Harlem Globetrotters founder) Joe Namath (First true celebrity/endorsements sports personality)
Tiger has to be on it (kind of like when forward thinking people made Shaq one of the 50 greatest players) Tiger Jordan Ruth Ali or Thorpe?
