No quarterback was more beloved and successful than Peyton Manning when he was at his prime. This fierce, striking, NFL player is considered one of the greatest of all time and played for both the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos. Manning won 14 Pro Bowl and two Super Bowls throughout his career and currently holds the record for most passing touchdowns and most passing yards in one season.
By 2009, Manning was one of the most recognizable figures in sports and continued to become the oldest quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl until Tom Brady surpassed this record. Manning has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, and will likely find himself in the NFL’s as-well.
Jeff Gordon- NASCAR
Jeff Gordon is consistently ranked as one of the best stock car drivers. Gordon started racing at the ripe age of five in quarter midgets. By age 6, he had already won 36 races, setting five records along the way. Known as the “Kid” at the start of his NASCAR career, he started professionally racing at age 16. By age 20, he became the youngest person ever to win the USAC Silver Crown.
Not only does he have a hunky, Tom Cruise look, but he has also brought a much-needed freshness to the sport. Nowadays, Gordon isn’t too far from NASCAR racing and can be found as a NASCAR broadcaster for Fox Sports.
Manuel Neuer - Soccer
Neuer is the only goalie on this list as he is, without a doubt, the best keeper in the world. In 184 league games, Neuer has kept a clean sheet in 101 of them. He had won four Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, a Champions League, and was awarded the best goalkeeper when Germany won the World Cup in 2014.
Neuer has taken the term “sweeper-keeper” to a new level as he often plays extremely far up the field. His ability to play the ball with his feet makes him a unique talent, but his reflexes in the net are what separate him from the rest.
Rafael Nadal - Tennis
Of course, Rafael Nadal makes this list. The man’s a walking legend...and a pretty handsome guy if you ask us. Nadal started his professional tennis career in 2001 and so far has earned over 78 million dollars, has 69 career titles to his name with 14 Grand Slam Singles Titles: 1 Australian, 9 French, 2 US Open, and 2 Wimbledon.
Talk about impressive. After his 9th French Open title, Nadal became known as “The King of Clay” because he dominated all others on the clay court. Despite injury bouts, Nadal will go on to win more titles and climb up the world rankings.
LeBron James - NBA
In the last 50 years of sports, no player has had more pressure to succeed than LeBron James. Entering the league as the “Chosen One,” the gorgeous and talented James was expected to light the league on fire with his enormous body and freakish athleticism. He’s fulfilled those expectations, and then some. Although the majority of his career has been spent donning No. 23, two of his three NBA titles have come while wearing No. 6, justifying this distinction.
The four-time MVP is well on his way to breaking the league’s all-time scoring record and remains the NBA’s top player 15 years into his career. With no signs of slowing down, the longevity James has sustained unprecedented.