This is kinda like a part 2, to my steroids thread. There are dudes out there that were always considered clean athletes or are the epitome of hard work. Who do you have the most respect for (on and/or off the field)?
Barry Sanders. I wish he wouldn't have retired when he did, but I think he was the greatest RB of all time.
Walter Payton. As dumb as it sounds with what I just said, I think he was the greatest football player of all time.
Michael Jordan. Kind of a douchebag off of the court at times but he is the greatest ever. His work ethic was almost without equal. People criticized his game, so he worked relentlessly to improve in those areas, especially on defense and ended up being one of the best defensive players in his era (if not THE best). Super clutch obviously.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Incredibly hard worker. Fought for everything he ever earned. Small for a middleweight and his biggest fights were against guys moving up in weight to fight him but he is as blue collar of a fighter that existed.
Ricardo Lopez Nava. Tiny fighter but incredibly skilled. Incredible punching power for a small guy but looked like he was floating on air in the ring. Some might disagree but his movement was actually better than Muhammad Ali's to me and at a weightclass that he shouldn't be able to have move around that easily and make other guys look slow. Retired undefeated with a record of 51-0-1. Defended his belt 21 times.
Bernard Hopkins. He's a turd in a lot of ways but he's a student of the game. Extremely technically sound. Oldest champion in any sport in a young man's game. Exceeded everyone's expectations for a dude that started his career late because of a stint in prison.
I'm sure there are more but I'll have to think about it
Barry Sanders. I wish he wouldn't have retired when he did, but I think he was the greatest RB of all time.
Walter Payton. As dumb as it sounds with what I just said, I think he was the greatest football player of all time.
Michael Jordan. Kind of a douchebag off of the court at times but he is the greatest ever. His work ethic was almost without equal. People criticized his game, so he worked relentlessly to improve in those areas, especially on defense and ended up being one of the best defensive players in his era (if not THE best). Super clutch obviously.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Incredibly hard worker. Fought for everything he ever earned. Small for a middleweight and his biggest fights were against guys moving up in weight to fight him but he is as blue collar of a fighter that existed.
Ricardo Lopez Nava. Tiny fighter but incredibly skilled. Incredible punching power for a small guy but looked like he was floating on air in the ring. Some might disagree but his movement was actually better than Muhammad Ali's to me and at a weightclass that he shouldn't be able to have move around that easily and make other guys look slow. Retired undefeated with a record of 51-0-1. Defended his belt 21 times.
Bernard Hopkins. He's a turd in a lot of ways but he's a student of the game. Extremely technically sound. Oldest champion in any sport in a young man's game. Exceeded everyone's expectations for a dude that started his career late because of a stint in prison.
I'm sure there are more but I'll have to think about it