Sports has always been an integral part of human culture. It provides not only entertainment but also a sense of community and identity. Over the years, there have been many athletes who have achieved great feats, broken records, and have become legends in their respective sports. In this article, we will take a look at the top 15 most celebrated people in sports and why they are considered as such.
Muhammad Ali – Boxing
He is one of the most celebrated people in sports for his incredible boxing career. He was a three–time world heavyweight champion, and was renowned for his quickness and prolific trash talking. He was a cultural icon and a beloved figure, and his legacy continues to this day. He was also a passionate civil rights advocate, and used his platform to speak out against racism and injustice. He was an inspirational figure and a symbol of hope for many people, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest sports figures of all time.
#MuhammadAli#BlackHistoryMonth #BHM #Love pic.twitter.com/iOpXSZwczI
Michael Jordan – Basketball
He is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time. Jordan is a 6–time NBA champion, 5–time MVP, 14–time NBA All–Star, and a 2–time Olympic gold medalist. He was known for his prolific scoring, clutch shooting, and defensive intensity. He also had a successful career as an entrepreneur, owning the Charlotte Hornets and creating his own brand of shoes, clothing, and other products.
Pele – Soccer
He is considered to be one of the greatest and most successful soccer players of all time. He is a Brazilian soccer legend who began his career as a professional player at the age of 15. During his career, he won 3 World Cup championships and scored a total of 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances. He also led Brazil to its first ever World Cup championship in 1958. Pele is revered for his skill, technique and sportsmanship, and is considered to be one of the most influential and important figures in the history of soccer.
— Pelé (@Pele) March 29, 2022
Serena Williams – Tennis
She is one of the most celebrated people in sports due to her many accomplishments and accolades in the sport of tennis. Her longevity in the sport, winning 23 Grand Slam titles, and ranking as the No.1 female tennis player in the world, are just a few of the reasons why she is celebrated. Additionally, her inspiring story of determination and hard work, along with her success in breaking boundaries, have made her a role model and champion of diversity in sports. She has also been a fierce competitor and advocate for equal opportunities in the sport, and has used her platform to speak out on social issues.
@Gatorade https://t.co/GllxUNsrdm. #ad https://t.co/MUZYlZKtoP pic.twitter.com/ACovebrz22
Usain Bolt – Track and Field
He is a Jamaican sprinter and the world record holder in the 100m and 200m events. Bolt is known for his lightning speed, impressive athleticism and captivating personality. He has won 8 Olympic gold medals, 11 World Championship gold medals, and set world records in the 100m and 200m events. He is also known for his showmanship and charismatic personality.
#HappyMonday pic.twitter.com/RGfGjYGRxM
— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) January 9, 2023
Tiger Woods – Golf
He is a professional golfer and one of the most celebrated athletes of all time. He is the only golfer to win 15 major championships, the second–most in history, and has won numerous awards, including the PGA Player of the Year a record 11 times. He has been ranked number one in the world for a record 683 weeks. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of all time.
@GolfDigest https://t.co/DnywMq5J1A pic.twitter.com/D118AdhsTP
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) March 24, 2020
Roger Federer – Tennis
He has won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any male player in history, and has held the world No. 1 ranking for a record total of 310 weeks. He is also one of the most successful players in Olympic history, having won 2 gold medals and 1 silver medal in singles. Federer has won an all–time record of 103 ATP tour titles, including an unprecedented 6 ATP Finals titles. He is also a philanthropist, with his foundation focusing on providing education for children in Africa.
t:https://t.co/pri89r0nPQ pic.twitter.com/QrMmKpubcU
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 25, 2021
Lionel Messi – Soccer
He is considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time. He has won 10 La Liga titles ,four Champions League titles with Barcelona, 7 Ballon d’Or awards ,the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year, the 2019 and 2022 The Best FIFA Men’s Player. and a world cup for his country He is also a humanitarian, with his foundation focusing on providing healthcare and education to vulnerable children.
.#DareToCreate pic.twitter.com/8oKjzuG3NP
— Team Messi (@TeamMessi) July 2, 2019
Michael Phelps – Swimming
He is an American competitive swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 medals. He has won a total of 23 Olympic gold medals, the most ever by any athlete. He has set numerous world records in both individual and relay events and has been credited with revolutionizing the sport of swimming. He is also the most decorated Olympian in any single sport. Phelps has won several ESPY Awards and Olympic medals, and was named World Swimmer of the Year 7 times. He is also an advocate for mental health awareness and has been open about his struggles with depression.
: http://t.co/XB5btVsKPz, @SOLREPUBLIC #imsafe pic.twitter.com/BuMBzrSB6T
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) May 10, 2015
LeBron James – Basketball
He is an American basketball player who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA). He is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time and has won 4 NBA championships and 4 MVP awards. He is also a 2–time Olympic gold medalist and has been an All–Star selection in the NBA every year since 2005 and he is currently the Nba All time top scorer. He is also a philanthropist and business entrepreneur.
😁 @LFC 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 pic.twitter.com/egf6EsK4fE
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 3, 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo – Soccer
He is one of the most celebrated people in sports due to his long career and impressive accomplishments. He is a Portuguese soccer player who has been playing professionally since 2001 and has won numerous awards, including 5 Ballon d‘Or awards and 4 European Golden Shoes. He is the all–time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League and the only player to have scored 100 goals in the competition. He is also the all–time leading scorer for both the Portuguese national team and Real Madrid. Ronaldo has become a global icon, appearing in various commercials, films, and television shows. He is a strong advocate for humanitarian causes and works to help underprivileged children throughout the world.
@uni_ecampus #eCampus pic.twitter.com/j48JCuGGSt
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 29, 2021
Simone Biles – Gymnastics
She is the most decorated American gymnast of all time, with a total of 7 Olympic and World Championship medals, including 4 gold medals. Biles is known for her incredible skill, power, and artistry on the floor. She is an inspiration to many young athletes and has paved the way for future generations of gymnasts. And She is also a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and has been open about her own struggles with anxiety.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/5AuYKKDdzL
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) November 21, 2022
Tom Brady – American Football
Tom Brady is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks in American football history. He has won 5–times Super Bowl MVP and 7 Super Bowl championships. He is also the all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns. Brady is known for his work ethic, leadership, and poise in the pocket, and has been a leader for the New England Patriots for decades. He is also a philanthropist, with his foundation focusing on providing opportunities for underprivileged children.
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 1, 2023
Rafael Nadal – Tennis
He has won 22 Grand Slam singles titles making him one of the greatest players of all time. He has also won 2 Olympic medals. His hard work and determination have made him one of the most successful and admired players in the sport. He is also an environmentalist, with his foundation focusing on promoting sustainability and protecting the natural environment.
@rolandgarros
más 😉💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/6DXOINUN2S— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 9, 2020
Simone Manuel – Swimming
She is an American Olympic swimmer, who is most celebrated for her gold medal win in the 2016 Summer Olympics. She became the first African–American woman to win an individual gold medal in swimming, as well as setting an American record for her time in the 100–meter freestyle. She has also won multiple world championships and has broken various records. She is also an advocate for racial equality and social justice, particularly in the sport of swimming where diversity and inclusion have historically been lacking.
@blackfutureslab pic.twitter.com/ficzoN4a4M
— Simone Manuel (@swimone) June 13, 2020
In conclusion, these athletes have not only achieved great feats in their respective sports but have also made significant contributions to society. They have inspired generations of athletes and have become role models for millions around the world. Their legacies will continue to be celebrated and admired for years to come.