I figured I would try and rank my all-time favourite athletes. I am only 21 so most of my sports knowledge is in recent times. As a kid I only followed my favorite teams, and that will be quite apparent in my list.
1. Tom Brady - The ultimate champion. Throughout his career Tom has played his best in the biggest games. He won three superbowl rings in his first 4 years as the Patriots starter, and led the team to their 16-0 season last year, in which he set the all-time record for touchdowns in a season. He plays for a "hometown" discount to help the patriots acquire other players and stay with their winning ways.
2. Mats Sundin - Growing up a leafs fan, there was only one constant. Sundin led the beloved leafs in scoring seemingly every year, he wore the "C" with pride and was an elite centre. When he had the chance to go elsewhere he stuck with the leafs, even last year when he could have left to a true contender, he wanted to stick it out with "his" team. He has taken a lot of criticism, as any captain in the hockey hot-bed would over the years, and has never said a harsh word about it.
3. Roy Halladay - Halladay may be the most intense athlete I have ever watched. No one takes their job more seriously than "The Doctor". Halladay is a workhorse in the true sense of the word, leading the league in Complete games most years. He faced a lot of adversity early in his career being sent back to the minors and having to fight back. Halladay won the 2003 AL Cy Young award. He is supportive of the Blue Jays franchise and does his bes to get others to come and stay.
4. Chris Bosh - I was sold on Bosh in his rookie season when Vince Carter threw a towel at him during a lopsided game and said something along the lines of "Don't worry chris there will be other days" Bosh took the towel threw it back at Vince and said "This game isn't over Vince" and walked back onto the floor.
5. Tiger Woods - I don't think an explanation is needed here. I remember the 97 masters that this kid was just incredible, and a legend was born.
6. Carlos Delgado - The leader of the Jays while I was growing up, Delgado was an intimidating force in the middle of the lineup. A perennial all-star, Delgado was called up in late fall 1993, but wasn't on the roster in the post-season for the world series. Delgado was the one constant from the world series' years to the new crop of Jays trying to make another run.
7. Wendel Clark - My first sports hero. Wendel was the definition of what Toronto hockey fans want. A skilled player, who when the time was right would drop the gloves and tussle with anyone. Wendel was an incredible captain and then was also the chip that got us Sundin who would be the captain for the next era of Leafs.
8. Teddi Bruschi - A hero in all three superbowls, Bruschi was the emotional leader of a defensive team. The image of bruschi celebrating in the end zone of the Snow bowl sticks with me. Bruschi suffered a stroke in February 2005 that had negative affects on both his vision and motor skills. He managed to come back to football the following year mid-way through and remains an inspiration for stroke survivors as he is still an effective player today.
9. Michael Jordan - Although i was young, and not the biggest basketball fan growing up, looking back, I wish I had watched more of MJ live. I constantly am looking on youtube and tuning into the odd ESPN classic game to watch him work on the court. In the time I have watched sports, no one has dominated a sport, and been as clutch as Michael Jordan.
10. Troy Brown - The ultimate patriot. Brown did whatever Bill Belichick asked whenever he asked during the Patriots superbowls. Whether it was being the Number one wide receiver, being a 3rd or fourth option or even playing defensive back, Troy Brown would do it. Belichick doesn't smile much, and doesn't give his players too much credit, but the times Troy Brown comes up in press conferences, Bill gushes about him.
11. David Ortiz - If anyone remotely into baseball, or sports for that matter was not captivated by the 2004 MLB playoffs, then please step forward. David Ortiz had the entire sports world on hold with each at bat, hitting multiple clutch homers. Ortiz is a perennial all-star, an intimidating bat in Boston's line-up, an overall good guy, and a fun personality for baseball.
12. Morris Peterson - Peterson came to the Raptors as a rookie and immediately produced. He won the city over with big shots and an attractive personality. He left on bog terms, but any who follows the Raptors remembers the circus shot in Washington his final year. He noe starts on the Hornets, a championship contender this year.
13. Brett Favre - Favre is a guy who truly loves to play football. You have to love his gunslinger approach, it isn't always pretty, but overall Favre has gotten the job done, capturing the 1996 superbowl. He continues to play the game with the joy of a child even now that he is 38, which is a truly refreshing thing in sports.
14. Curtis Joseph - Toronto Maple Leafs fans fell in love with "Cujo" during his time in Toronto, riding him as far as the Eastern conference finals. Cujo was a local kid playing for his favorite team. He made the leafs an immediate contender and was a cinderella for a team that had not won a championship in over 30 years. Cujo had an accomplished career in Edmonton before he was a leaf, and had success in Detroit, he came back to the leafs and is the backup this year.
15. Paul Kariya - Kariya was truly a good guy in the NHL in the 90s. He and Selanne made one of the most exciting duos in recent memory. Kariya was also one of the headliners for Canada in Nagano, a very much hyped Olympics, although it ended in disappointment. Kariya was back in Salt Lake city and paired with Lemieux for the famous goal in the gold medal game.
