Was at Rich and Leigh Becker’s house the other night, cooking out in the backyard, when the conversation turned to icons. Who’s an icon? Who’s not an icon? It all stemmed from Michael Jackson—odd, yes, but an undeniable all-time icon. To be, an icon is someone who transcends; who moves people beyond their confined worlds. Or, in simpler terms, if my mother has heard of you …
So we played the game: WHICH LIVING CELEBRITIES ARE SPORTS ICONS? (Side note: I laughed aloud when Michael, Rich and Leigh’s son, asked whether Wayne Chrebet is an icon).
Here’s my take—feel free to chime in … (I’ll add as suggestions are made)
ICONS:
Muhammad Ali.
Bobby Orr.
Tiger Woods.
Arnold Palmer.
Jim Brown.
Michael Jordan.
Jack Nicklaus.
Hank Aaron.
Ernie Banks.
Willie Mays.
Sandy Koufax.
Derek Jeter.
John Wooden.
Larry Bird.
Magic Johnson.
Kareem.
Joe Namath.
John Elway.
Bill Russell.
Joe Torre.
Wayne Gretzky.
Mario Lemieux.
Dean Smith.
•
NEAR ICONS (but not quite):
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Joe Montana
Jerry Rice (calling oneself “G.O.A.T” does not an icon make)
Lawrence Taylor.
Reggie Jackson.
Shaquille O’Neal.
Dr. J.
LeBron James (waaay too young)
Jerry West.
Earl Monroe.
Rickey Henderson.
Mark Messier.
Mary Lou Retton.
Brett Favre.
Tom Brady.
Kobe Bryant.
Peyton Manning.
Michael Irvin (oddly)
•
FOR VARIOUS REASONS—NO CHANCE.
O.J. Simpson.
Barry Bonds.
Ken Griffey, Jr.
Troy Aikman.
Emmitt Smith.
Dan Marino.
Jim Kelly.
Dale Murphy.
Jim Rice.
Gary Carter.
Hosken Powell.
