The best athlete of the twenty first century? That is straightforward. It must be Tom Brady, the quarterback of the best dynasty America’s favourite sport has ever seen, a seven-time Tremendous Bowl champ and five-time Tremendous Bowl MVP. Yep. Tom Brady.

Besides. Besides it must be Lionel Messi, one of the best participant within the world’s favourite sport, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner because the footballer of the 12 months. Yep, undoubtedly Messi.

Besides … no … LeBron James, proper? 4-time NBA champ, four-time Finals MVP, four-time regular-season MVP, 20-time All-NBA, most factors scored in NBA historical past. No athlete has dominated the general public dialog like LeBron has. He must be No. 1.

Besides, what about Serena Williams? Winner of 23 Grand Slam titles, the Serena Slam (holding all 4 main titles on the similar time) and 4 Olympic gold medals. And she or he obtained her last Grand Slam occasion win whereas pregnant, placing her profession on maintain whereas she was at her most dominant.

Besides, if you’ll decide a tennis participant, what about Roger Federer? He reworked a complete sport along with his artistry, his chess sport on the court docket, his blazing forehand. He received 20 Grand Slam titles and have become essentially the most beloved tennis participant of all time. Gotta be Fed.

Yeah, besides Rafael Nadal received 22 Grand Slam titles and Novak Djokovic has received 24. It’s important to decide one in every of them over Federer.

Hmm. Possibly this is not really easy. We did not even point out the Olympians: Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles. Or Kobe. Gotta throw Kobe Bryant into the dialogue. Or Lewis Hamilton. Or Peyton Manning. Or Floyd Mayweather. Or Tiger. Geez, nearly forgot about Tiger Woods.

Sure, rating the highest 100 most completed athletes since 2000 wasn’t fairly really easy in any case — however it positive was enjoyable. Twenty-five years in the past, the ESPN SportsCentury mission ranked the highest 100 North American athletes of the twentieth century. Michael Jordan got here in first, adopted by Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown and Wayne Gretzky. (Ruth ought to have been No. 1, however hey, I am a baseball author). We additionally ranked a horse: Secretariat got here in at No. 35.

With so many transcendent athletes over the previous 25 years, we thought it was time to do one other rating. I promise you there are not any horses this time (sorry, American Pharoah). In contemplating one of the best athletes of the twenty first century, nevertheless, we have now expanded our selections past North America. ESPN editions from across the globe contributed to the nominations and voting course of, in addition to the person sport record rankings that can observe.

Voters have been instructed to think about solely an athlete’s efficiency since 2000. So, for Barry Bonds: He received seven MVP awards, however solely 4 of these got here after 2000, as did solely 317 of his 762 house runs. Or Ken Griffey Jr.: He performed till 2010, however all of his greatest seasons got here within the Nineteen Nineties. Tiger received 13 of his 15 majors from 2000 on, so he is in fine condition. Different athletes, comparable to Patrick Mahomes or Nikola Jokic or Shohei Ohtani, clearly have extra greatness forward of them, so we’ll see how excessive their accomplishments thus far get them on the record.

Ultimately, we acquired greater than 70,000 votes from ESPN contributors to create our prime 100. We are going to reveal 25 athletes day-after-day this week till we attain our No. 1 athlete of the twenty first century.

Let the arguments start. — David Schoenfield, ESPN senior author

76. Georges St-Pierre, MMA

Key accomplishments: UFC Corridor of Famer, UFC welterweight and middleweight champion, 9 UFC welterweight title defenses.

Arguably no fighter in UFC historical past bridged the hole higher from the game’s “older days” to its fashionable kind. Notably from 2006 to 2013, St-Pierre represented the whole lot blended martial arts was in search of. He was primarily excellent in these years, profitable 14 of 15 bouts, together with 12 title fights. At one level, he received 33 consecutive rounds. He was solely chargeable for an explosion of fan curiosity in Canada and was one of many promotion’s greatest stars globally. His model was forward of its time, recognized for mixing quite a lot of expertise seamlessly collectively. He’s additionally remembered as one of the outspoken critics of performance-enhancing medicine throughout his period. — Brett Okamoto

77. Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, observe

Key accomplishments: Eight-time Olympic medalist, three-time Olympic gold medalist, report 5 100-meter world titles, oldest sprinter (35 in 2022) to win world title.

In the future after Usain Bolt’s win within the 100 meters on the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Fraser-Pryce grew to become the primary lady from the Caribbean to win Olympic gold within the occasion. 4 years later, she defended her title within the 100 (as did Bolt), additional cementing Jamaica’s repute as a sprinting powerhouse. Solely 5 ft tall and sometimes sporting rainbow locks, the “Pocket Rocket” has medaled in observe and area’s quickest race up to now 4 Video games. In Paris, her fifth and last Olympics, Fraser-Pryce will line up as soon as extra with the purpose of reclaiming her title because the quickest lady alive. — Alyssa Roenigk

78. Bernard Hopkins, boxing

Key accomplishments: 55-8-2 report (32 KOs) from 1988 to 2016, oldest ever boxing world champion at age 49, 20 middleweight title defenses, two-division world champion

Hopkins’ otherworldly longevity noticed him fittingly name himself “The Alien” late in a 28-year skilled profession. He made a report 20 world middleweight title defenses (1996-2005) and stopped Oscar De La Hoya with a physique shot to turn into undisputed champion in 2004. The Philadelphia native’s ring IQ and distinctive conditioning allowed him to win world titles nicely into his 40s. In 2011, Hopkins outpointed Jean Pascal for the sunshine heavyweight title to turn into the oldest boxing world champion at 46 years outdated. Two years later, Hopkins received again a lightweight heavyweight title, and in 2014, at age 49, he defeated gentle heavyweight champion Beibut Shumenov. — Nick Parkinson

Key accomplishments: Two-time MVP (2015 and 2021), 2012 NL Rookie of the Yr, seven-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger, 2022 NLCS MVP, 2018 HR Derby champion at Nationals Park

He was on the duvet of Sports activities Illustrated at 16 with the headline “Baseball’s Chosen One” and has someway managed to dwell as much as the hype, together with among the greatest postseason numbers of all time. He even helped make baseball enjoyable once more — from his all-out model of play to his inexperienced Phillie Phanatic cleats. Hardly ever has there been a extra excellent match between ballplayer and metropolis than Harper and Philadelphia. “He brings you into his sport along with his expertise and grit. That resonates with the fan base,” mentioned former Phillies nice Chase Utley. — David Schoenfield

80. Andy Murray, tennis

Key accomplishments: Three-time Grand Slam singles champion, completed in prime 10 for 9 consecutive years (2008-16), two-time Olympic gold medalist in singles.

As soon as part of the game’s Large 4, Murray was primarily faraway from the dialog as Federer, Nadal and Djokovic emerged in a league of their very own. However even whereas his tally of three main championships pales compared to these of his prime friends, there was maybe no victory extra memorable than Murray’s first title at Wimbledon in 2013. A 12 months after coming devastatingly near profitable his house Slam, a decided Murray held off Djokovic in three convincing units to win his maiden main title. By no means one to have the ability to cover his feelings, Murray brazenly sobbed on the court docket after the victory, proving simply how a lot it meant to him. The BBC referred to as the achievement “the Holy Grail” for British sport. — D’Arcy Maine

81. Sheryl Swoopes, basketball

Key accomplishments: 4-time WNBA champion, three-time Olympic gold medalist, three-time WNBA MVP, three-time WNBA Defensive Participant of the Yr, five-time All-WNBA First Crew, Basketball Corridor of Famer.

Swoopes, a key a part of the Houston Comets’ dynasty, received the final of her 4 WNBA titles in 2000 and was the league’s MVP in 2000, 2002 and 2005. Identified for three-level scoring, she was additionally top-of-the-line disrupters of passing lanes in ladies’s hoops historical past, which helped result in her being honored because the WNBA’s greatest defensive participant in 2000, 2002 and 2003. Two of her three Olympic golds got here in 2000 and 2004, and he or she performed within the WNBA till age 40. — Michael Voepel

82. Kohei Uchimura, gymnastics

Key accomplishments: Seven-time Olympic medalist, three-time Olympic gold medalist, six-time particular person all-around world champion.

Over an eight-year interval from 2009 to 2016, Uchimura dominated males’s gymnastics, going undefeated in all-around competitors, profitable back-to-back Olympic titles and main the Japanese group to gold on the Rio Video games. He retired from the game in 2022 with a repute for pairing excessive issue with unmatched consistency and flawless execution and is extensively thought of to be the GOAT of males’s gymnastics.

In one in every of his most memorable all-around performances, Uchimura averaged increased than a 9.0 execution rating on each equipment to take the all-around title on the 2011 world championships in Tokyo, which have been held seven months after an earthquake and tsunami devastated northeast Japan. — Alyssa Roenigk

Key accomplishments: NBA seventy fifth Anniversary group, 12-time All-Star, 11-time All-NBA choice, nine-time All-Protection, 2013 All-Star Recreation MVP, 2005-06 Rookie of the Yr, six-time steals chief, five-time assists chief.

Paul has run 1000’s of pick-and-rolls to perfection and dished the ball out for almost 12,000 assists, however his best accomplishment might need been remodeling the LA Clippers from annual punching luggage to perennial playoff contenders whereas orchestrating the unforgettable Lob Metropolis groups. Earlier than Paul’s arrival in Los Angeles, the franchise had made the postseason simply seven occasions in its historical past.

Paul’s Clippers made the playoffs six consecutive occasions as he delivered among the most scintillating alley-oops in NBA historical past to Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Clippers followers will not overlook Paul’s Recreation 7-winning working financial institution shot that capped off a 27-point efficiency in opposition to the defending champion San Antonio Spurs within the first spherical in 2015. — Ohm Youngmisuk

84. Lauren Jackson, basketball

Key accomplishments: Two-time WNBA champion, 2010 Finals MVP, three-time Olympic silver and one-time bronze medalist, three-time WNBA MVP, 2007 WNBA Defensive Participant of the Yr, seven-time All-WNBA first group, two-time WNBA All-Defensive first group, Basketball Corridor of Famer.

Jackson is one of the best ladies’s basketball participant from Australia, and top-of-the-line from anyplace. Drafted No. 1 by the Seattle Storm at age 19 in 2001, she is one in every of three gamers to be a three-time WNBA MVP. She led the Storm to the 2004 and 2010 league titles, and her 2007 and 2006 seasons are the highest two in participant effectivity ranking in WNBA historical past. Jackson was recognized for her highly effective inside presence offensively and defensively. Her WNBA profession ended after the 2012 season due to damage points, however she later resumed her profession in Australia and has made her fifth Olympic group this 12 months at age 43. — Michael Voepel

Key accomplishments: Two-time Finals MVP, two-time NBA champion, six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA choice, two-time Defensive Participant of the Yr.

Not even an LA Clippers tenure marred by accidents can diminish a legacy that solely a handful of gamers in historical past can match or prime. Leonard is one in every of 12 gamers to ever win two NBA Finals MVP trophies. None of them, nevertheless, led a Canadian group to the nation’s first NBA championship. In main Toronto to the title in 2019, Leonard cemented himself as one of many sport’s most clutch gamers when wholesome within the playoffs. He delivered one of the legendary buzzer-beaters in playoff historical past when his twisting nook jumper softly bounced on the rim 4 occasions and in to get rid of Philadelphia in Recreation 7 of the Japanese Convention semifinals that season.

Even throughout his five-year Clippers tenure, Leonard has proven indicators of dominance when wholesome. He simply has to complete a postseason wholesome once more, one thing he hasn’t carried out because the 2020 bubble. — Ohm Youngmisuk

Key accomplishments: Seven-time main singles champ, five-time Wimbledon champ, 270 main match wins (fifth most by a lady within the Open period), a report 89 profession main appearances in singles.

The elder Williams sister burst onto the tennis scene as an enthusiastic and joyful teenager, and certain would have received many extra titles if not for the arrival of Serena. Whereas Williams’ outcomes have been outstanding, and he or she has essentially the most main titles amongst lively ladies on tour, she has been equally influential off the court docket as a champion for gender equality in tennis and past.

Whereas advocating for equal pay at Wimbledon, Williams requested match officers at a gathering a easy query: “Would you need your daughter or your sister or your mom or your spouse or a liked one to be a lady paid much less?'” Wimbledon began providing equal prize cash for women and men in 2007. Williams referred to as the achievement “one of the best second of my profession” in 2023. — D’Arcy Maine

87. Ronaldo Nazário, soccer

Key accomplishments: Two-time FIFA World Cup winner, two-time Ballon d’Or winner, two-time Copa América winner, three-time FIFA World Participant of the Yr, Golden Ball winner 1998 males’s World Cup, Golden Boot winner 2002 males’s World Cup.

The unique Ronaldo was most likely the quickest, strongest striker working with the ball within the historical past of the sport, able to variations at tempo and capable of decelerate, preserve his head nonetheless and shoot at purpose with cool precision. All of those virtues have been greatest seen within the twentieth century — however the twenty first got here up with one of the best storyline. Twice his knee collapsed beneath him and he was left howling in grotesque ache. Many thought the second time was the tip of his profession.

Within the buildup to the 2002 World Cup, Inter Milan, his Italian membership, couldn’t get him match. Brazil took cost, and he took the match by storm, carrying a facet that just about did not qualify all the best way to a memorable triumph. It is without doubt one of the nice comeback tales within the historical past of sport. — Tim Vickery

88. Roy Halladay, baseball

Key accomplishments: Since Jan. 1, 2000: Corridor of Famer, two-time Cy Younger winner (one in every of seven gamers to win Cy Younger in each American and Nationwide leagues), eight-time All-Star, two no-hitters.

Halladay was the product of a bygone period through which a pitcher endeavored to complete what he began. By no means gifted with overwhelming velocity, Halladay killed with paper cuts. He walked hitters at an nearly an identical price to Greg Maddux and logged 220-plus-inning seasons like they have been nothing. His proper arm obtained the glory, however it was Halladay’s mind — his innate sense of how you can pitch to each hitter — that received him 203 video games. When he died in a aircraft crash in 2017, a profound unhappiness unfold by way of the game. The nice pitching artisan was gone, by no means to be replicated. — Jeff Passan

89. Annika Sorenstam, golf

Key accomplishments: Since Jan. 1, 2000: Eight main wins (most throughout span); earned 54 of her 72 profession LPGA Tour victories, competed in PGA Tour occasion in 2003.

It isn’t solely that the Swedish-born golfer received 97 occasions all over the world, captured 10 main championships and is the one lady to card a 59 in knowledgeable match. Or that Sorenstam received 11 occasions in 2002 — essentially the most on the LPGA Tour in almost 40 years — and have become the primary lady to play in a PGA occasion in additional than a half-century when she competed within the Financial institution of America Colonial Event in 2003. It is that when Sorenstam retired from full-time aggressive play at age 38 in 2008, she nonetheless had a few of her greatest golf in entrance of her. Throughout her Corridor of Fame profession, Sorenstam set scoring information for 72- and 54-hole tournaments. — Mark Schlabach

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ESPN’s Prime 100 Athletes: Annika Sörenstam

Take a look at the athletic feats of Annika Sörenstam, one of many best golfers in historical past and No. 89 on ESPN’s record of the highest 100 athletes of the previous 25 years.

Key accomplishments: Two-time WNBA champion, 2023 Finals MVP, 2020 Olympic gold medalist, two-time WNBA MVP, two-time WNBA Defensive Participant of the Yr, 2018 WNBA Rookie of the Yr, three-time All-WNBA first group, two-time WNBA All-Defensive first group, 2017 NCAA champion and Closing 4 Most Excellent Participant, 2018 Wade Trophy winner.

Wilson helped lead her hometown South Carolina Gamecocks to their first Closing 4 in 2015 and first NCAA title in 2017. The No. 1 decide in 2018, she was drafted by the newly relocated Las Vegas Aces and has been an ideal match there. She not too long ago grew to become the franchise’s main profession scorer and can take part in her second Olympics. She is favored to win a 3rd WNBA MVP award and is on observe to have one of the best participant effectivity ranking in league historical past. She turns 28 in August however already has a statue exterior her school area. — Michael Voepel

Key accomplishments: 4-time NFL MVP, 10-time Professional Bowler, four-time first-team All-Professional, HOF All-2010s group, Tremendous Bowl XLV MVP, 475 go TDs (Packers’ profession chief).

Of all of the superlatives and milestones that can be utilized to clarify Rodgers’ greatness, this is one that always will get neglected. He is the NFL’s profession chief in touchdown-to-interception ratio (475 TDs, 105 INTS). In that method, he was the anti-Brett Favre, but he carried on Favre’s outstanding run of success in Inexperienced Bay earlier than getting traded to the Jets. Packers coach Matt LaFleur maybe described Rodgers’ impression greatest when he mentioned close to the tip of Rodgers’ run with the Packers: “Lots of people have been rewarded, fairly frankly, due to his capacity to go on the market and play.” — Rob Demovsky

Key accomplishments: Since Jan. 1, 2000: Corridor of Famer, 2000 Cy Younger Winner, four-time All-Star, three-time ERA title, 2004 World Sequence winner, 2000 and 2002 strikeout chief.

Earlier than Martinez and his 2004 Boston teammates ended the franchise’s epic World Sequence title drought, each Pink Sox star needed to area infinite questions in regards to the “Curse of the Bambino.” Certainly one of Martinez’s solutions summed up how a brief, skinny righty may turn into one of the dominant hurlers ever: “I do not imagine in rattling curses. Get up the rattling Bambino and have me face him. Possibly I am going to drill him within the a–.” From 1997 to 2003, the peak of one in every of baseball’s most explosive offensive eras, Martinez was nearly as good as any pitcher has ever been, going 118-36 with a 2.20 ERA, 213 ERA+ and over 250 strikeouts per season and profitable three Cy Younger Awards. — Bradford Doolittle

Key accomplishments: 122 weeks spent as world No. 1 golfer, 26 PGA Tour victories (together with 4 main wins), a Masters victory shy of finishing profession Grand Slam.

After McIlroy received his first two main championships, the 2011 U.S. Open and 2012 PGA Championship, by eight strokes after which added two extra majors in a three-week span in 2014, The Guardian of London declared that it was “the dawning of a brand new period.” There is not any query McIlroy has been one of the constant and widespread golfers of his technology. He has received 40 occasions, together with 26 occasions on the PGA Tour. He’s a three-time PGA Tour Participant of the Yr and a five-time winner of the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai. Nonetheless, McIlroy’s almost 10-year drought within the 4 majors since capturing the 2014 PGA Championship leaves him a step beneath legends comparable to Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and others. Except, after all, McIlroy nonetheless has a number of extra victories coming. — Mark Schlabach

94. Ronaldinho, soccer

Key accomplishments: FIFA World Cup winner, Ballon d’Or winner, Copa América winner, two-time FIFA World Participant of the Yr, two-time LaLiga winner.

If longevity weren’t a think about defining the best of all time, then Ronaldinho will surely be a candidate for his feats in his first three years with Barcelona. Between 2003 and 2006, there was no higher present in soccer. There have been few, if any, extra proficient gamers within the historical past of the worldwide sport, and all too briefly Ronaldinho captivated along with his childlike glee at his personal achievements, reminding so a lot of why they fell in love with the game within the first place. A disappointing 2006 World Cup was a turning level, and he appeared to develop weary of the sacrifices wanted to remain on the prime stage. However these three years have been unforgettable. — Tim Vickery

95. Zlatan Ibrahimović, soccer

Key accomplishments: 511 profession targets, scored at the least one Champions League purpose with six groups, 12 league titles with 5 European golf equipment, named to UEFA’s group of the 12 months 4 occasions, Sweden’s main profession scorer, represented Sweden at six main tournaments.

“I can not assist however snigger at how excellent I’m.” There has by no means existed an athlete who was nearly as good as Zlatan Ibrahimović mentioned he was, however the 6-foot-5 striker did in addition to anybody may — and for so long as anybody may — at approaching that stage. He was the purest scorer this facet of Cristiano Ronaldo; he put the ball within the internet at the least as soon as in 4 totally different a long time, and he saved enhancing into his 30s. He scored at the least 30 targets in all competitions six occasions between 2011 and 2019, peaking with an unimaginable 50-goal marketing campaign with PSG in 2015-16. He was the personification of artistry and brute pressure on the similar time. — Invoice Connelly

96. Darrelle Revis, soccer

Key accomplishments: Corridor of Famer (2023), seven-time Professional Bowler, four-time first-team All-Professional, HOF All-2010s group.

Revis took man-to-man protection to a brand new stage in 2009 when the Jets’ teaching workers made the unconventional choice to place him on the opponents’ prime receiver with no security assist. He was on his personal island, so to talk, spawning the “Revis Island” moniker. The end result was top-of-the-line cornerback seasons in historical past. Revis held Andre Johnson, Randy Moss (twice) and Terrell Owens (twice) — all Corridor of Famers — underneath 35 receiving yards. He did the identical to Torry Holt, Steve Smith Sr., Reggie Wayne and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. He completed with six interceptions and a staggering 31 passes defended, incomes the primary of 4 first-team All-Professional choices. — Wealthy Cimini

97. Virat Kohli, cricket

Key accomplishments: ODI World Cup champion, T20 World Cup champion, two-time T20 World Cup Participant of the Event, 2023 ODI World Cup Participant of the Event, two-time ICC Cricketer of the Yr, most centuries in ODI historical past (50), second-highest scorer in T20Is, third-highest scorer in ODIs, India’s most profitable Check captain.

Kohli received the World Cup early in his profession, however he was vulnerable to fading away into mediocrity within the early 2010s. A fierce fitness-driven method — the sort that was unusual in cricket then — coupled with unrelenting drive catapulted him from “expertise” to titan. The hearth inside interprets onto the sector. The Indian batter is the final word competitor and has received video games on willpower alone. The depth of his ardour sparks worry within the opposition and bedlam within the stands. Kohli wasn’t born to be one of the best; he simply willed himself to be. — Shubi Arun

Key accomplishments: 5-time Artwork Ross Trophy winner, three-time Hart Trophy winner, seven 100-point seasons in first 9 NHL seasons, 2024 Conn Smythe winner.

It could possibly be formidable to be touted as The Subsequent One behind Edmonton Oilers legend Wayne Gretzky. McDavid is not like the remainder, although. Edmonton’s captain has embraced that highlight as Gretzky’s inheritor obvious. It was becoming when McDavid broke a report Gretzky set in 1987-88 along with his thirty second help of the 2024 postseason throughout Edmonton’s run to a Stanley Cup Closing. McDavid had lengthy been an distinctive playmaker in his personal proper, however the best way he carried the Oilers again from a 3-0 sequence deficit within the Closing to pressure a decisive Recreation 7 was spectacular. And it rightly earned McDavid a Conn Smythe Trophy within the shedding effort. — Kristen Shilton

99. Ed Reed, soccer

Key accomplishments: Corridor of Famer (2019), nine-time Professional Bowler, five-time first-team All-Professional, HOF All-2000s group, 2004 Defensive Participant of the Yr.

Reed was the final word defensive sport changer of his technology. In 2004, he set an NFL report by returning an interception 106 yards for a landing in opposition to the Browns. 4 years later, he broke his personal report with a 107-yarder in opposition to the Eagles. Reed is the one participant in NFL historical past to attain touchdowns off a punt return, blocked punt, interception and fumble restoration.

“You see the security’s out in the course of the sector and have a wide-open throw on the precise. The subsequent factor you already know he is intercepting it,” former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger mentioned. “The place did he come from? It is unattainable. That is what made it such a problem. He made the unattainable attainable.” — Jamison Hensley

100. Charles Woodson, soccer

Key accomplishments: Corridor of Famer (2021), nine-time Professional Bowler, three-time first-team All-Professional, HOF All-2000s group, 2009 Defensive Participant of the Yr.

Woodson’s profession was a three-act play. In Oakland, as a Heisman Trophy-winning No. 4 decide, he was a hard-partying, hard-playing Corridor of Fame expertise. In Inexperienced Bay, he grew to become a Corridor of Famer. And along with his return to the Raiders, he grew to become a legend, making the swap from wild teenager at cornerback to sage vet at free security. And if he misplaced a step, it was one valuable few others ever had. “It was an attractive transition,” Woodson mentioned, “if you’ll.” And his first NFL coach, Jon Gruden, most definitely would. The slower-paced life-style of Inexperienced Bay helped Woodson, nicely, decelerate and middle himself. “And he met and married the precise lady and had children,” Gruden mentioned. — Paul Gutierrez

Methodology

Consultants in particular person sports activities have been requested to vote to rank the highest athletes of their sport since Jan. 1, 2000 (no accomplishments earlier than this date have been to be thought of). These votes pared down swimming pools in every sport to lists of 10 to 25 athletes every, which constituted the general candidate pool for the highest athletes of the twenty first century thus far. Every voter was offered two randomly chosen names and requested to choose which one has had the higher profession within the twenty first century. Throughout repeated, randomized head-to-head matchups, greater than 70,000 votes have been forged at this stage, and utilizing an Elo ranking system, the record was pared down from 262 to 100. That record was then evaluated by a panel of specialists for any inconsistencies or oversights, ensuing within the prime 100 rating seen right here.