BF2S Forums Who is the most famous and recognizable athlete ever?

KEN-JENNINGS wrote:

The Sheriff wrote:

I'd say among them are Ali, Tyson, Schumacher, Beckham, Woods, Jordan, Torvill & Dean, Pele, Jesse Owens can't think of any others right now.

Llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooollllllllllllllllllll.

Pele, Ali, Jordan.  Everyone else is far behind.  Tiger is popular now with most of the world, but I think it's too early to say his legacy will last longer than Pele, Ali or Jordan.

Babe Ruth was and probably always will be the most popular athlete in the history of professional sports. Babe Ruth was so popular that his accomplishments and legacy will forever be etched in the minds of those who only wish they could have seen him play.

Ruth is arguably the only athlete of all-time who can be described as mythical. He was more than the ultimate sports celebrity. He was the ultimate celebrity. During the 1920's, a time when sports were the considered the Golden Age of the Century, Ruth transcended sports onto the front pages of newspapers. Babe Ruth single-handedly made baseball the national pastime.

Ruth's unbelievable popularity was so widespread that even his enemies knew of him. In World War II, Japanese troops would charge American troops and sometimes yell, “To hell with Babe Ruth.” Not “to hell with FDR,” but “to hell with Babe Ruth.” What bigger compliment could an athlete receive?

His accomplishments can only be described as “Ruthian”. Has any other athlete had his last name changed into an adjective? He single-handedly changed the game of baseball from a pitcher's game into a hitter's game. He introduced the world to the home run—now the most exciting play in sports. He promised home runs to sick kids in the hospital. He pointed over the outfield fence in the World Series to announce where he was going to hit the next pitch—and then he did.

When pointed out that his salary of $80,000 in 1930 was more than President Hoover, he responded, “I had a better year than him.”

He was the best player on the best team in history. Babe Ruth and the Yankees are synonymous with each other. Yankee Stadium will always be remembered as the “House That Ruth Built.” Babe Ruth will always be known as the face of the franchise, the greatest franchise in the history of professional sports.

His story has become famous. He was wild in the streets as a kid, and placed in St. Mary's Industrial School. From there, he was introduced to baseball. More appropriately, baseball was introduced to Babe Ruth.

No athlete ever had more fun playing a game than Babe Ruth—not Michael Jordan, not Tiger Woods, not even Brett Favre. He was a big, goofy, loveable kid. He appealed to adults and kids at the same time.

The intensity for which fans loved Babe Ruth will never again be equaled, not for any athlete in any sport. He could have ran for President during the Depression—and probably won. His name is often the first athlete's name a child can recollect learning. Every five-year-old in the world has heard of Babe Ruth.

AussieReaper wrote:

It should be these guys:

http://singaporesportsfan.files.wordpre … salute.jpg

Kmarion wrote:

KEN-JENNINGS wrote:

The Sheriff wrote:

I'd say among them are Ali, Tyson, Schumacher, Beckham, Woods, Jordan, Torvill & Dean, Pele, Jesse Owens can't think of any others right now.

Llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllloooooooooollllllllllllllllllll.

Pele, Ali, Jordan.  Everyone else is far behind.  Tiger is popular now with most of the world, but I think it's too early to say his legacy will last longer than Pele, Ali or Jordan.

ever? forevah, fo evah-evah, fo evah-evah.

wow: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/8299 … /show_full

Babe Ruth was and probably always will be the most popular athlete in the history of professional sports. Babe Ruth was so popular that his accomplishments and legacy will forever be etched in the minds of those who only wish they could have seen him play.

1. Babe Ruth
2. Michael Jordan
3. Muhammad Ali
4. Tiger Woods
5. Jackie Robinson

Ty wrote:

People know who Babe Ruth is but they don't care. No-one really cares about baseball outside the US. Most people know Babe Ruth through pop culture reference and John Goodman rather than the man himself anyway. Baseball and American Football stars don't really register on the international sporting radar unless they get famous for other things as well, (see OJ Simpson.)

Ty wrote:

Well I don't know, I mean is OJ Simpson a famous athlete or is he a famous murder-accused? Is Babe Ruth a famous baseball player or is he a famous John Goodman character slash chocolate bar?

VspyVspy wrote:

Both OJ and Babe meet the topic title, ie Famous and recognisable athlete but like Ty said, outside the US they aren't that well known.

Kmarion wrote:

Again, if Tiger Woods gets a candy bar or a movie in 90 years I will put him up there.

Ty wrote:

Kmarion wrote:

Ty wrote:

Well I don't know, I mean is OJ Simpson a famous athlete or is he a famous murder-accused? Is Babe Ruth a famous baseball player or is he a famous John Goodman character slash chocolate bar?

OJ aside (since I didn't mention him). I think the marketability is reflection of their athletic accomplishments/persona. Again, if Tiger Woods gets a candy bar or a movie in 90 years I will put him up there.

Point taken, although I knew about the Babe Ruth bar because of "The Goonies" before I had even heard of the man himself.

Good point about historical context too and lastability is certainly a thing to consider. Will David Beckham be as noteworthy in 20 years? Hopefully not.

Come to think of it David Beckham is more famous as a media-slut than a footballer.

DesertFox- wrote:

Reciprocity wrote:

would sir edmund hillary be considered an athlete?

If he is, he's famous but most people don't know who he is.