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Post by behindthebook on Sept 11, 2006 9:47:17 GMT -5
I was listening to the local sports talk station today, and they described U.S. Open winner Roger Federer as the “greatest individual sport athlete” in the world today. I was wondering who everyone here would give that nod to? I know it's apples to oranges, but I think it's an interesting topic.
Me? I picked Tiger.
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Post by Chris Ingersoll on Sept 11, 2006 10:12:58 GMT -5
Can a golfer even really be considered an "athlete" though? That's probably a discussion for a separate thread, come to think of it.
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Post by swarm on Sept 11, 2006 10:21:48 GMT -5
Can a golfer even really be considered an "athlete" though? That's probably a discussion for a separate thread, come to think of it. Yes and no. It is a tough subject, but I totally see where you're coming from. I don't really consider golfers "athletes", but I can also understand how someone else might... anyone ever see George Carlins stand-up about this? |
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Post by behindthebook on Sept 11, 2006 10:36:34 GMT -5
anyone ever see George Carlins stand-up about this? I think that's my favorite Carlin bit ever. I use it to mercilessly tease my buddy the lacrosse fan.  My personal definition of “athlete” is pretty flexible. . . It includes golfers, NASCAR drivers, cheerleaders, and competitive eaters. |
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Post by Joe on Sept 11, 2006 14:14:40 GMT -5
I went with other for one reason.
The gap between Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and the guy closest to him in boxing (in my opinion, Marco Antonio Barrera), it is wider than than in any other sport, including golf.
Mayweather is not as far in front of the rest of the sport as Roy Jones was in his prime, but he is pretty damn dominant.
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Post by Chris Ingersoll on Sept 11, 2006 15:19:18 GMT -5
My personal definition of “athlete” is pretty flexible. . . It includes golfers, NASCAR drivers, cheerleaders, and competitive eaters. Whereas I'd only agree with cheerleaders on that list (and even then only competitive cheerleaders as opposed to sideline eye-candy). I consider an athlete to be someone who has to use his/her entire body intead of only a couple specialized limbs. Like Swarm, I do see how some people might think otherwise, but it doesn't jive for me personally. |
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Post by blueraider1 on Sept 11, 2006 15:23:40 GMT -5
i chose other because all jocks bust their butts to be the best you know.
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Post by Darth Turkish on Sept 11, 2006 19:09:54 GMT -5
I smirked at the matt Hughes nod
I would have to go with either some pro hockey or pro soccer player.
Props have to be given to Olympic caliber distance runner, who can essentilly do a full sprint 800.
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Post by gwffantrav on Sept 11, 2006 23:08:00 GMT -5
I've played about every sport and, like golf, I consider it more of a skill sport. I don't consider it a true sport.
I consider a sport of you competing against another athlete. Sure there are other golfers you are competing against, you aren't directly competing against them. You are competing against the course, rather than another golfer (same as bowling and I love bowling, but I gotta be real).
But there are sooo many factors as to what each person puts into their sport, it's almost impossible to measure. It's probably easier to say "Who is the Best Athlete in Their Chosen Field".
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Post by Darth Turkish on Sept 12, 2006 6:33:00 GMT -5
My personal definition of “athlete” is pretty flexible. . . It includes golfers, NASCAR drivers, cheerleaders, and competitive eaters. Whereas I'd only agree with cheerleaders on that list (and even then only competitive cheerleaders as opposed to sideline eye-candy). I consider an athlete to be someone who has to use his/her entire body intead of only a couple specialized limbs. Like Swarm, I do see how some people might think otherwise, but it doesn't jive for me personally. I agree. Circle gets the square! (sorry running on 2 hours of sleep right now) |
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Post by behindthebook on Sept 12, 2006 18:41:55 GMT -5
Perhaps it would have been better to phrase this using the word competitor instead of athlete.
BTW Joe, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a nice pick. If I had it to do over again, I’d have put him on the list as boxing’s entry instead of Klitschko. I also would have included Takeru Kobayashi, the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating champ. . . I shouldn't be allowed to start polls.
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Post by Knapik on Sept 12, 2006 20:15:52 GMT -5
I think this question was much easier when Aleksander Karelin was actively competing.
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Post by BDS on Sept 14, 2006 5:33:34 GMT -5
Tiger all the way. His dominance over his sport (yes, I'm in the golf as sport camp) is just ridiculous. I go so far as to say that when he's done he'll be our greatest sportsman/athlete ever. Put me in the camp that says golf is a sport, and golfers are athletes. I don't think that anyone would argue about whether or not baseball is a sport and baseball players are athletes, and golfers do more in the course of their "season" than your average DH or left-handed relief specialist does. My definition of sport is something that is competitive (either directly or via a scoring system) and that requires physical strength or dexterity. Golf makes the cut, as does NASCAR and competitive cheerleading. Not professional eating, though. |
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Post by gatekeeper on Sept 14, 2006 9:43:12 GMT -5
I went with "other."
This may be the toughest question to answer in a long time as there are a lot of very good athletes in each sport but not many "Jordan's" in any sport.
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Post by Wildfire on Sept 14, 2006 12:08:04 GMT -5
This is definately a loaded question...
I assume you taking about the guy who most dominates his chosen sport... That being the case, I'd have to say its a tie between Lance Armstrong and Bill Russell.
If you talking active guys, I'd say Federer.. Tiger's kinda streaky.
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Post by Avarice on Oct 4, 2006 23:22:07 GMT -5
Besides Lance Armstrong as the "greatest," because everyone knows the adversity there, but Cael Sanderson. He was a wrestler from Iowa State University who have never tasted defeat. Undefeated in high school, college, olympics and even the world championships or something I think. Those 2 definitely.
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Post by behindthebook on Oct 5, 2006 16:24:37 GMT -5
Sanderson and Armstrong are both phenomenal, but neither made the poll for the same reason Muhammad Ali wasn't on the poll. They're retired from competition.
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IPPON!!
