Greatest Athlete of All-Time?

[Winkathomelygirl]

Is this not what we are arguing?

It really isn't excellent barometer for athleticism, because it is arbitrary in its scoring. The scoring changes over time. I think it use to be tied to relative performance against current world records in the events, but it still isn't that way. An arbitrary barometer is useful in measuring a single competition, but not in measuring even the relative athleticism of the athletes within that competition. Scoring a lot of points for shot putting doesn't necessarily make you a better athlete than the guy who beat you in the sprints.

So where is Jesse Owens in this discussion?

 

[HeavyPetter]

Herschel is greatest COLLEGE rb of all time, not pros.

How many pro rb's were good enough to be traded for the players who created a Super Bowl dynasty?

 

[HeavyPetter]

Didn't Herschel also try boxing?

MMA. Killed 9 opponents.

 

[TheTwinAndreBen]

But Eaton and Hardee are still better all-around athletes than Bo Jackson and AP -- without a doubt.

Eaton's father and grandfather were football players, and he could have played football collegiately as well. I think he would have been a fine football player (or find success in baseball, soccer, or wrestling, all sports that he excelled at in high school), but I have no doubt that he would not have been the best in the world.

Bo Jackson was also an excellent track and field athlete -- his personal best at 100 meters, however, was 10.39. Eaton has run 10.21, and it is one of his weaker events.

Right, but no one tackles you during the 100. At Auburn, Bo was a football and baseball player who also ran on the track team bc he was fast and they could use him. If track were his main sport, he would have slimmed down to get faster. Bo played at 225 at Auburn. Justin Gatlin and most of the best sprinters run at around 180. Bolt is 6'5" and he only runs at like 205.

He never trained to be fast at track.

 

[dmcheatw]

bo

 

[dmcheatw]

know

 

[dmcheatw]

fo sho

 

[Dispatch Deac]

C.J. Leak

 

[VaDeac]

Hershel tried bobsledding too IIRC.

 

[wakephan09]

Just an update: Ashton Eaton just won the World Championship in Decathlon, with a world leading total of 8809 points.

"Eaton now holds World titles indoors (Heptathlon) and outdoors, the Olympic title and World records indoors (Heptathlon) and outdoors. He is also the first athlete to hold all three titles at the same time with the addition of holding both World records at the same time as well."

Some of his Personal Bests are staggering for a decathlete:

100 Metres	10.21	+0.4	Eugene, OR	22 JUN 2012
200 Metres	20.76	+1.8	Walnut, CA	19 APR 2013
400 Metres	45.64		Santa Barbara, CA	05 APR 2013
1500 Metres	4:14.48		Eugene, OR	23 JUN 2012
110 Metres Hurdles	13.35	+1.8	Eugene, OR	04 JUN 2011
High Jump	2.11		Burnaby, CAN	10 JUN 2012
Pole Vault	5.30		Eugene, OR	23 JUN 2012
Long Jump	8.23	+0.8	Eugene, OR	22 JUN 2012
Shot Put	15.40		Palo Alto, CA	30 MAR 2013
Discus Throw	47.36		Chula Vista, CA	14 AUG 2011
Javelin Throw	66.64		San Luis Obispo, CA	16 MAR 2013
Decathlon	9039		Eugene, OR	23 JUN 2012
Decathlon Junior	7155		Indianapolis, IN	21 JUN 2007

 

[gridirondeacfan]

How has no one mentioned Gretzky? A different type of athlete than some others listed here perhaps, but hands down the most dominant player in his sport ever by a long shot. He has more assists alone than any other players has points (goals + assists). He also is the only player to accrue 200 points in a season and he did it 4 times.

I can see arguments for guys like Jim Thorpe, but I don't see how you can have a poll like this without at least including Gretzky - especially if you include LeBron who isn't even the best at his own sport!

 

[dalbertthekid]

How has no one mentioned Gretzky? A different type of athlete than some others listed here perhaps, but hands down the most dominant player in his sport ever by a long shot. He has more assists alone than any other players has points (goals + assists). He also is the only player to accrue 200 points in a season and he did it 4 times.

I can see arguments for guys like Jim Thorpe, but I don't see how you can have a poll like this without at least including Gretzky - especially if you include LeBron who isn't even the best at his own sport!

Well LeBron has received more votes than Ali. And everyone knows LeBron could be a two-sport athlete if he wanted to. Arguably the most ridiculous physical attributes of all time.

 

[DeaconBrews]

How many pro rb's were good enough to be traded for the players who created a Super Bowl dynasty?

not sure if this is an actual argument