{"id":339,"date":"2009-07-08T19:37:27","date_gmt":"2009-07-09T00:37:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.broadstreetbelievers.com\/?p=339"},"modified":"2009-07-08T21:19:32","modified_gmt":"2009-07-09T02:19:32","slug":"tuesdays-top-twelve-legacies-of-the-sports-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/?p=339","title":{"rendered":"Tuesday’s Top Twelve – Legacies of the Sports World"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the wake of a week of huge deaths in music, entertainment, and sports–Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett, and Steve McNair–the idea of legacy<\/em> has really hit me.\u00a0 Furthermore, it is fascinatingly interesting to see the varying “size” of the story each of these deaths has become.\u00a0 I am hard-pressed to think about anyone–with the possible exception of our sitting president–whose death would have been a bigger story than the Michael Jackson’s was.\u00a0 So, that is what leads me into this week’s Top Twelve.\u00a0 Whose death today would be the biggest story?<\/p>\n

Now, I know this idea sounds morbid, and I truly apologize if anyone is offended by speaking of the potential deaths of living people, but I want to look at it as more of a celebration of the following people’s lives (be it in a good way, a bad way, or most likely a combination of the two–like the great Michael Jackson).\u00a0 It is certainly saying something, for better or worse, if you leave such an impression on the world that your death is a monumental story.\u00a0 I believe that the following people’s deaths would be the “biggest” stories (however loosely that is to be defined).\u00a0 Oh, and since this is a sports site (and an unlimited debate of this caliber would be essentially useless), I am going to limit it to sports figures. <\/p>\n

Before we get into this list, I want to\u00a0mention a few that were under consideration, but missed the final list.\u00a0 It is an interesting question with the more you think about it because the size of a legacy can depend on many things, but particularly (1) what have you accomplised and (2) how much did you have left to accomplish.\u00a0 There are some “retired” sports figures on the final list, but if their careers were over, they would have to be the most\u00a0monumental of figures.\u00a0 So, people like Larry Bird, Hank Aaron, Wayne Gretzky, Rod Laver, Carl Lewis, and Pele\u00a0would be humongous stories were they to die today, but their “work” is pretty much complete and they have almost completely backed out of relevancy, so it would be more of a memorial to their careers than have any real impact on daily life.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The other side of the story–that lost “potential” (see Lenny Bias) factor makes for huge stories and thoughts about “what could have been” really hit home.\u00a0\u00a0But, there is still something to be said for accomplishments as opposed to potential, and people like Rafa Nadal, Tim Lincecum, Blake Griffin, and Mark Sanchez just have not done enough yet to crack the Top Twelve.<\/p>\n

Since I can only speak to the American culture, I cannot really speak to the impact of someone like Ronaldo or Kaka would have were they to leave the soccer world today. Another factor of a “big story” is the universal appeal that would have to transcend sports and reach the hearts of everyone–sports fans and non-sports fans, alike.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This is why guys like Albert Pujols, Roy Halladay, and Chris Paul would be huge stories in the sports world, but not quite would transcend sports enough to reach the Top Twelve. I also gave full consideration to non-players and would have included any of them had I thought they would have been bigger stories than anyone in the Top Twelve.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And, there were a couple coaches (Bill Belichick, Phil Jackson, Bill Parcells, and Mike Krzyzewksi) that came close, but did not quite have enough, in my opinion.\u00a0 There were also some owners (Jerry Jones, George Steinbrenner, and Mark Cuban) that would be big stories, but not quite big enough.<\/p>\n

And, then there are those that basically “just missed.”\u00a0 Be it for all the right reasons (Shaq, Peyton Manning, Ken Griffey, Jr.), all the wrong reasons (Roger Clemens, TO, Manny), or a bit of a bizarre combination of reasons (Brett Favre, Lance Armstrong, Phil Mickleson, Mike Tyson).\u00a0 But, there was only room for twelve.\u00a0 And, keep in mind, this is a snapshot in time.\u00a0 This list would be VASTLY different were it done five years ago, just as it would be vastly different five years from now.\u00a0 Hell, five days from now, everything might change.\u00a0 In celebrity, like comedy,\u00a0timing is everything.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Again, the thought here is what sports figure, were they to pass away today, would be the “biggest” story.\u00a0 I wish I could phrase it in a way that was less morbid and dark, but I am hoping you understand what I mean and take it to mean a celebration of celebrity–sports and otherwise.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>12). Serena Williams.<\/strong>\u00a0 Serena clearly fits the bill of “transcending sports.”\u00a0 She is an international celebrity despite her occupation being, at times, an afterthought.\u00a0 And, oh by the way, she has 11 Grand Slam titles and is on the short list of greatest female tennis players ever.\u00a0 Her sister, Venus, is not quite as good at tennis (debatable) and not nearly as internationally famous (indebatable). <\/strong><\/p>\n

11). Michael Phelps.<\/strong>\u00a0 Arguably, the greatest Olympian of all-time who happens to be 24 years old and gearing up for London in 2012.\u00a0 His age and past and potential future accomplishments alone would be enough to create one unbelievably huge story, but throw in the controversies in which he has found himself and you have one interesting person and, thus, one humongous story.\u00a0 And, I can’t tell you what would happen in my home city of Baltimore, which clings to Phelps like he is some combination of Mother Theresa and Jim Thorpe.<\/p>\n

10). Michael Jordan.<\/strong>\u00a0 There is no doubt that, at his prime, Michael Jordan was the biggest sports icon in the world.\u00a0 In fact, there was probably a period of 10-15 years where he would be the UNQUESTIONABLE #1 on this list.\u00a0 But, with this being a snapshot and MJ’s relevance to today’s sporting world (a below average NBA executive in Charlotte) waning, I believe that there are nine sports figures whose death would be a larger story today.\u00a0 Then again, having lived in a rural African village, where most people had never seen an electic light bulb, let me tell you that Michael Jordan’s recognizability stretches to all ends of the globe–still.<\/p>\n

<\/strong>9). David Beckham.<\/strong>\u00a0 Maybe\u00a0today’s\u00a0largest example of transcending sports into pop culture–possibly ever–is David Beckham.\u00a0 His Hollywood marriage, his national revelry in the UK, and his–from what I hear–dashing good looks makes Becks almost the definition of international superstar.\u00a0 The only reason he is not higher on this list is because it is a tough argument to make that he really has anything left to do on the soccer field–the characteristic for which he originally became famous. <\/strong><\/p>\n

8). Roger Federer.<\/strong>\u00a0 One short month ago, I probably would have put Federer in the top two, despite being “just a tennis player.”\u00a0 Imagine the story if a 27-year old, in prime condition, passes away just one Grand Slam title SHY of the all-time record.\u00a0 That would be the ultimate combination of a superstar in sport and celebrity with a long historical list of accomplishments and still greatness left to achieve.\u00a0 But, in one month, he won Grand Slams number 14 and 15 and completed his career Grand Slam.\u00a0 This would still, obviously, be a huge story, but the fact that he has\u00a0surpassed Sampras means that his biggest accomplishment has been realized.\u00a0 There is no debate as to who is the greatest tennis player of the Open Era (though, I will heartily debate that Rod Laver,\u00a0who played prior to the “Open Era,”\u00a0was better).\u00a0 A month ago, the debate was still in doubt, so if he left us, it would have never been answered. <\/strong><\/p>\n

7). Magic Johnson.<\/strong>\u00a0 It was an interesting selection to have Magic ahead of Jordan.\u00a0 But, the reason I chose this is because of all the intrigue surrounding the life of one Ervin “Magic” Johnson.\u00a0 Not only was he the idol to pretty much an entire generation of basketball players, but he transformed the whole sport’s\u00a0image of what a point guard is.\u00a0 Jordan was the best that ever played, but he was not anything that we had not seen before–he was just better than everyone else.\u00a0 Magic was a brand-new animal–the 6’9″ jaw-dropping, pass-first point guard.\u00a0 But, before we get bogged down into a basketball discussion that I will probably lose (because Jordan was clearly a better player and a better champion), let us not forget the HIV situation.\u00a0 He played an extremely large role–maybe the largest–in bringing the Pandemic to the forefront in the 1990’s.\u00a0 Magic’s press conference was one of the very few “Where Were You?” moments\u00a0of my lifetime.\u00a0 And, because of all of this, Magic’s imprint on this world is undefinably gigantic–and all of this will be relived upon his death, be it of natural causes or as a result of one of the most frightening diseases to ever hit mankind. <\/strong><\/p>\n

6). LeBron James.<\/strong>\u00a0 I debated where to put LeBron for a while.\u00a0 I thought about putting him as high as #1, but slipped him back to #6 because he clearly falls into the Lenny Bias category.\u00a0 Yes, he has accomplished a lot (one MVP, one Finals appearance), but losing him now would clearly put all the focus on “what could have been.”\u00a0 And, quite frankly, we do not know.\u00a0 It certainly seems to me that he is going to win multiple NBA championships\u00a0and has a legitimate chance to go down as the greatest player to ever play the game.\u00a0 But, let us remember, he is not there yet, and a lot can happen from now until then.\u00a0 Needless to say, he is an absolute gigantic international celebrity with the world at his fingertips.\u00a0 This is one of those where if this “snapshot” was taken five years from now, I would be surprised if he was not holding down the top spot.<\/p>\n

5). Muhammed Ali.<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes, I discounted the story size for retired greats like Hank Aaron and Wayne Gretzky, as well as dropping Jordan because of his relative irrelevance today.\u00a0 But, there is the occasional career that stands on its own merit in a timeless existence.\u00a0 I thought that Jordan or Bird or Joe Montana may do that, but it does not seem to be that way.\u00a0 Then there is Muhammed Ali.\u00a0 Maybe it was because he played an individual sport–and dominated it like no one else ever has.\u00a0 Maybe it was because of his colossal personality that was put on stage for all the world to see and judge, criticize and revere.\u00a0 Maybe it was because he was an overly opinionated man who came to fame in an era of social and civic turbulence.\u00a0 Maybe it was because of his fascinatingly tragic physical demise from Parkinson’s Disease in the, now, end stages of his life.\u00a0 And, maybe, just maybe, there is just something about his nakedly honest, guttural bravado that allows us all to adhere some of the greatness in him–both in and out of the ring–to ourselves\u00a0in our simple, daily, nondescript\u00a0lives.\u00a0 Either way, the death of Muhammed Ali will be an incredibly heart-wrenching moment with stories and memories\u00a0traversing\u00a0the majority of five\u00a0wonderfully troubled decades of Americana. <\/strong><\/p>\n

4). Derek Jeter.<\/strong>\u00a0 <\/strong>The new “Pride of the Yankees,” Derek Jeter has four World Series championships and a world of fans.\u00a0 He does not exactly fit the billing of “controversial” because he has, despite a career spent entirely in the fishbowl of The Bronx, kept his nose clean and played every day with a youthful desire and competitive fire.\u00a0 He is heading rapidly towards the end of his career, so you may argue that his best days are behind him, but the reason I think he is still high on this list is because the Yankees are always in contention, so there may be more championships for him to win, and, more importantly for this conversation, he has an outside shot at catching Pete Rose for the all-time hits record.\u00a0 If he were to play his last game today, we would never know if he would have ever dethroned the Hit King.\u00a0 Plus, throw in the fact that he is\u00a0the<\/em> sports\u00a0legend for\u00a0a\u00a0generation in the largest media market in the country, and this story would be gigantic. <\/strong><\/p>\n

3). Tom Brady.<\/strong>\u00a0 A surprisingly similar career to Jeter’s, if you think about it.\u00a0 He is in a major media market and has combined an incredible track record of winning with an equally incredible track record of avoiding negative publicity (save for leaving his ex-girlfriend as a single mother, which because of how it has been handled, has not seemed to affect his image at all).\u00a0 Arguably the greatest quarterback that has ever lived, Brady is still only 31 years old and in the prime of his football playing life.\u00a0 The Patriots are, again, a preseason favorite to win the Super Bowl (which would be his 5th), and the NFL was not the same without him last season, as he was out with an injury.\u00a0 Added to all of his on-field success\u00a0is his off-the-field publicity.\u00a0 He has gone from one supermodel to another and is oft found on the covers of major tabloids, but not for anything other than a seemingly normal love life with a very famous woman. <\/strong><\/p>\n

2). Kobe Bryant.<\/strong>\u00a0 One of the very few lists on which I would place Kobe ahead of LeBron, Kobe comes in at #2.\u00a0 Maybe I am blowing this one out of proportion, but the combination of the past successes (4 NBA titles, a Gold Medal, and an MVP), potential for future successes (he is only 31), and a career that has been as polarizing as any public figure, possibly ever.\u00a0 The classy persona that enabled him to transcend basketball player to become an international celebrity was torn apart by rape allegations in Colorado.\u00a0 The alleged rape and the admitted adultery did not take away his eloquence or worldly, upper-class upbringing, but it did strip away his clean-cut image and tarnish his reputation forever.\u00a0 But even before there was any ammunition, there was a surprisingly large contingent of Kobe-haters (a group of which I am gladly a part).\u00a0\u00a0Whichever you choose–love or hate–you have to admit that Kobe is one of the more fascinating characters to hit the sports stage in a very long time.\u00a0 I could spend an entire column discussing his intrigue (but I will not–at least not now).\u00a0 Let us just say that this intrigue coupled with immense past success and an incredible opportunity for future success,\u00a0makes Kobe a gigantic figure in the world of sports and celebrity today.\u00a0 If\u00a0he were to leave us today, the world may not mourn anywhere near the extent\u00a0it would for some of the others on this list, but, in my opinion,\u00a0it would take notice and be interested in the story on a larger scale than anyone else in the sporting world, except… <\/strong><\/p>\n

1). Tiger Woods.<\/strong>\u00a0 And, the #1 was relatively easy.\u00a0 Tiger has the whole package of celebrity-ism, in the prime of his career, with uncountable successes, and still monumental achievements yet unrealized.\u00a0 The greatest golfer to ever walk the earth (and one of the most publicized, marketed, and trumpeted\u00a0people<\/em>\u00a0ever)\u00a0has not yet set the record for major championships and may not have even come close to his eventual stardom.\u00a0 Add in the fact that he is on the doorstep of becoming the first athlete in history to make a BILLION dollars and is, oh by the way,\u00a0married to a celebrity and the father of two soon-to-be-famous young children.\u00a0 I don’t even want to think about it, but a celebrity death of this magnitude may rival John Lennon, Lady Di,\u00a0and even Michael Jackson.\u00a0 Probably falling just short of John F. Kennedy or Abraham Lincoln.<\/p>\n

Again, let us hope that it will not be for a very, very <\/em>long time that any of the aforementioned celebrity athletes faces the same legacy questions that are now thrown on the careers of Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett, and Steve McNair.\u00a0 Let us take the time to be thankful that we have a chance to appreciate–in their times–these fascinating personalities–complete with their human flaws perfectly complementing their seemingly immortal athletic abilities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the wake of a week of huge deaths in music, entertainment, and sports–Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett, and Steve McNair–the idea of legacy has really hit me.\u00a0 Furthermore, it is fascinatingly interesting to see the varying “size” of the story … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[450],"tags":[651,455,280,602,650,648,320,649,301,652,647,152],"class_list":["post-339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-top-twelve","tag-david-beckham","tag-derek-jeter","tag-kobe-bryant","tag-lebron-james","tag-magic-johnson","tag-michael-jordan","tag-michael-phelps","tag-muhammed-ali","tag-roger-federer","tag-serena-williams","tag-tiger-woods","tag-tom-brady"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=339"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/339\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/broadstreetbelievers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}