Will any athletes approach these 5 men in overall greatness?

[Remote]

The past few years has seen major sports celebrate the careers of legendary athletes.

Shaquille O'Neal
Kobe Bryant
Tim Duncan
Pedro Martinez
Greg Maddux
Randy Johnson
Jerry Rice
Deion Sanders
Jonathon Ogden...just to name a few (the list is too long)

But 5 major athletes from another era are in the twilight of their lives:

Bill Russell (81 years old)
Jim Brown (79 years old)
Willie Mays (84 years old)
Hank Aaron (81 years old)
and Muhammad Ali (73 years old)

Personally, I'm not moved by celebrities or athletes but if there's 1 man I am in awe of, it's Hank Aaron.
That guy is pure class and greatness.

But all 5 men are on another level, even among the greatest to play their sport.

Do you think any athletes today will transcend their peers the way Russell, Brown, Mays, Aaron and Ali have?

 

[ManxOfxThexYear]

 

[Remote]

I didn't mean to omit Jordan.
It's simply that I chose to reference athletes that retired rather recently.

But yes, feel free to include Michael in the discussion.

Personally I don't think he'll be revered the same way those 5 men are.

 

[ManxOfxThexYear]

I didn't mean to omit Jordan.
It's simply that I chose to reference athletes that retired rather recently.

But yes, feel free to include Michael in the discussion.

Personally I don't think he'll be revered the same way those 5 men are.

I dunno, Jordan's greatness is still talked about to this day and so much has come from him, especially on here.

 

[Remote]

I dunno, Jordan's greatness is still talked about to this day and so much has come from him, especially on here.

What I meant was...

A lot of people admire Jordan's greatness on the court.
But a lot of people think he's kind of an a$$hole and don't respect him off it.

 

[fifth column]

What I meant was...

A lot of people admire Jordan's greatness on the court.
But a lot of people think he's kind of an a$$hole and don't respect him off it.

Who doesn't respect Jordan off court. Respect is different from likability

 

[Still Benefited]

What I meant was...

A lot of people admire Jordan's greatness on the court.
But a lot of people think he's kind of an a$$hole and don't respect him off it.

You sure that's not just a internet thing,I honestly don't recall people not liking Jordan unless they bitter he beat they team...Im a Kobe stan but I've heard worst things in real life said about all the basketball players you named...Outside of Bill Russell who nobody ever talks about.

Outside of Ali I would say all 5 men you named have been arguably transcended.

 

[THE MACHINE]

LeBrons social impact will age well I think. Already in a really good spot but one more ring (in Cleveland) and a few more of these massive deeds and he will be straight.

Floyd has the sporting resume but he just can't get right out of the ring....he's better but he still has too many moments.
Tiger has the sporting resume but he hates his skin
Venus and Serena are in a good spot....they need a major social moment though
Richard Sherman maybe

 

[NoGutsNoGLory]

You know.........Jordan really isn't revered as much now that I think about it. Muhammed Ali is like a myth, and yet its like Jordan is an afterthought.

 

[TheSpook]

Ali and Aaron are the only ones on the list that were special to me .

 

[William F. Russell]

The best thing about those 5 men highlighted in the OP was that they wholeheartedly fought for black rights and weren't bought off by million-dollar companies. c00ning wasn't an option for them.

:blackpower:

 

[Codeine Bryant]

Ali was special because of what he stood for during the era he lived in.

Almost every respectable list has Ray Robinson as the better boxer. Floyd has the same cocky brashness Ali exhibited.

Ali just happened to be the right face of the African American/Muslim nation at the right time. Yes, he was damn good, but let's not act like his aura and legacy isn't greatly enhanced by his outside-the-ring circumstances.

 

[Darealtwo1]

LeBrons social impact will age well I think. Already in a really good spot but one more ring (in Cleveland) and a few more of these massive deeds and he will be straight.

Floyd has the sporting resume but he just can't get right out of the ring....he's better but he still has too many moments.
Tiger has the sporting resume but he hates his skin
Venus and Serena are in a good spot....they need a major social moment though
Richard Sherman maybe

:neeeeeeww:

gtfo.....this nikka that is scared to cover the best wr talkin bout I only stay on one side.

Sherman gotta defend 3 routes. Deep ball, comeback, slant

 

[Slaimon Khan Shah]

May Allah guide Kobe to Islam. I see potential in Kobe.

 

[The God Poster]

The lack of Jordan respect on here

The coli yall