Sports Flashcards
Use this deck to brush up on the major sports figures of the 20th and 21st centuries. You'll feel more in the know around your sports-obsessed friends, we promise!
Who is:
Hank Aaron
- American baseball right fielder who played for the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers from 1954 to 1976
- Best known for breaking Babe Ruth’s longstanding all-time home runs record
Who is:
Muhammad Ali
- American heavyweight boxer active during the 1960s and 70s
- Often called the “Greatest Of All Time”, he was one of the most important athletes of the 20th century
- He famously changed his name from Cassius Clay after joining the Nation of Islam
- He won historic matches against Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman
Who is:
Arthur Ashe
- American tennis player active from 1969 to 1980
- Only African-American man to have won three different major championships
Who is:
Ty Cobb
- Hall of Fame American baseball outfielder who played most famously for the Detroit Tigers in the 1900s, 1910s, and 1920s
- He still holds the records for highest career batting average and most career batting titles
Who is:
Lou Gehrig
- American baseball first baseman who played for the New York Yankees in the 1920s and 30s
- Arguably the greatest first baseman ever, he was a 6-time World Series champion and a 2-time AL MVP
- He was forced to retire in 1939 due to ALS, which claimed his life two years later
Who is:
Michael Jordan
- American basketball shooting guard for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards from 1984-2003
- Regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, he became one of the most famous athletes and celebrities in the world in the 1980s and 90s
- He is known for his signature line of sneakers, his dunking and scoring ability, and his competitive will
- He owns the highest per game scoring average in NBA history
- Won 2 three-peats of NBA championships in the 1990s
Who is:
Jesse Owens
American track and field sprinter and long jumper who famously starred in the 1936 Summer Olympics, winning 4 gold medals
Who is:
Babe Ruth
- American baseball pitcher and right fielder who played most famously for the New York Yankees in the 1910s, 20s, and 30s
- Widely regarded as the greatest baseball player ever, he became a well-known celebrity in the Roaring Twenties and helped transform baseball
- He notably held the record for career home runs until 1974, when Hank Aaron broke his record
Who is:
Jackie Robinson
- American baseball second baseman who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s and 50s
- He is best known for being the first black MLB player of the modern era, breaking the color line when he debuted with the Dodgers in 1947
- He was also a 6-time All-Star, 1-time World Series champion, and 1-time NL MVP
- His number 42 is retired by all MLB teams
Who is:
Jim Thorpe
- American athlete of the 20th century who played multiple sports
- Of mixed Native American and European American ancestry, he most famously won gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon at the 1912 Olympics
- Considered one of the greatest pure athletes ever, he also spent time playing professional football, baseball, and basketball
Who is:
Tiger Woods
- American golfer who is seen by many as the best golfer of all time
- Ever since turning pro in 1996 and memorably winning the 1997 Masters, he has broken many records and currently has the most career major wins and career PGA Tour wins of any active golfer
- After dominating the sport during the 2000s, an admission of infidelity and subsequent divorce led to a slump in 2010-11, but he has since returned to top-3 form
Who is:
Roger Federer
- Swiss tennis player who is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, if not the greatest
- Winner of a record 17 Grand Slam singles titles
- Notably has a longstanding rivalry with Rafael Nadal
Who is:
Jack Nicklaus
- American golfer who turned professional in 1961 and is widely viewed as the most accomplished golfer of all time
- He notably holds the record for most career major championships, winning his final major at the 1986 Masters
- He had a long rivalry with American golfer Arnold Palmer
Who is:
Arnold Palmer
- American golfer who turned pro in 1954 and became the first superstar of the sport’s television age
- He had a rivalry with his friend Jack Nicklaus and won 7 major championships
- His name is used to designate a drink consisting of lemonade and iced tea
Who is:
Magic Johnson
- American basketball point guard who played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s
- He is generally regarded as the greatest point guard ever, noted for his great size for the position
- He is remembered for his showmanship and passing ability, and for helping to popularize the NBA on an international level along with Larry Bird and Michael Jordan
- He won the NBA MVP award 3 times and won 5 NBA championships
Who is:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- American basketball center who played for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s
- A 3-time NCAA champion with John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins and famous for his Sky Hook, he went on to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer
- After converting to Islam in 1968, he notably changed his name from Lew Alcindor in 1971
- He won a record 6 regular season MVP awards and 6 NBA championships
Who is:
Larry Bird
- American basketball small forward who played for the Boston Celtics in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s
- Known for his all-around skills and shooting ability, he helped popularize basketball as a global game along with Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson
- He was a 3-time NBA MVP and a 3-time NBA champion
- He later became a coach and executive, and is the only person in NBA history to be named MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year
Who is:
Pelé
- Brazilian soccer striker who played most famously for Santos in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s
- Considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, having scored over 1000 goals in his career
- Winner of a record 3 World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970
Who is:
Wayne Gretzky
- Canadian ice hockey center who most famously played for the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, and New York Rangers in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s
- Nicknamed The Great One, he is widely regarded as the greatest hockey player ever, and holds numerous records
- Most notably, he is the leading point-scorer in NHL history, and also won 9 Hart Trophies as the league’s most valuable player
- He won 4 Stanley Cup championships with the Oilers in the 80s
Who is:
Diego Maradona
- Argentine soccer attacker who played most notably for Boca Juniors, FC Barcelona, and Napoli from the 1970s through the 1990s
- Considered the greatest player of all time along with Brazil’s Pelé
- Famously led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title
Name the sports figure:
- American baseball right fielder who played for the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers from 1954 to 1976
- Best known for breaking Babe Ruth’s longstanding all-time home runs record
Hank Aaron
Name the sports figure:
- American heavyweight boxer active during the 1960s and 70s
- Often called the “Greatest Of All Time”, he was one of the most important athletes of the 20th century
- He famously changed his name from Cassius Clay after joining the Nation of Islam
- He won historic matches against Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman
Muhammad Ali
Name the sports figure:
- American tennis player active from 1969 to 1980
- Only African-American man to have won three different major championships
Arthur Ashe
Name the sports figure:
- Hall of Fame American baseball outfielder who played most famously for the Detroit Tigers in the 1900s, 1910s, and 1920s
- He still holds the records for highest career batting average and most career batting titles
Ty Cobb
Name the sports figure:
- American baseball first baseman who played for the New York Yankees in the 1920s and 30s
- Arguably the greatest first baseman ever, he was a 6-time World Series champion and a 2-time AL MVP
- He was forced to retire in 1939 due to ALS, which claimed his life two years later
Lou Gehrig
Name the sports figure:
- American basketball shooting guard for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards from 1984-2003
- Regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, he became one of the most famous athletes and celebrities in the world in the 1980s and 90s
- He is known for his signature line of sneakers, his dunking and scoring ability, and his competitive will
- He owns the highest per game scoring average in NBA history
- Won 2 three-peats of NBA championships in the 1990s
Michael Jordan
Name the sports figure:
American track and field sprinter and long jumper who famously starred in the 1936 Summer Olympics, winning 4 gold medals
Jesse Owens
Name the sports figure:
- American baseball pitcher and right fielder who played most famously for the New York Yankees in the 1910s, 20s, and 30s
- Widely regarded as the greatest baseball player ever, he became a well-known celebrity in the Roaring Twenties and helped transform baseball
- He notably held the record for career home runs until 1974, when Hank Aaron broke his record
Babe Ruth
Name the sports figure:
- American baseball second baseman who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s and 50s
- He is best known for being the first black MLB player of the modern era, breaking the color line when he debuted with the Dodgers in 1947
- He was also a 6-time All-Star, 1-time World Series champion, and 1-time NL MVP
- His number 42 is retired by all MLB teams
Jackie Robinson
Name the sports figure:
- American athlete of the 20th century who played multiple sports
- Of mixed Native American and European American ancestry, he most famously won gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon at the 1912 Olympics
- Considered one of the greatest pure athletes ever, he also spent time playing professional football, baseball, and basketball
Jim Thorpe
Name the sports figure:
- American golfer who is seen by many as the best golfer of all time
- Ever since turning pro in 1996 and memorably winning the 1997 Masters, he has broken many records and currently has the most career major wins and career PGA Tour wins of any active golfer
- After dominating the sport during the 2000s, an admission of infidelity and subsequent divorce led to a slump in 2010-11, but he has since returned to top-3 form
Tiger Woods
Name the sports figure:
- Swiss tennis player who is considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, if not the greatest
- Winner of a record 17 Grand Slam singles titles
- Notably has a longstanding rivalry with Rafael Nadal
Roger Federer
Name the sports figure:
- American golfer who turned professional in 1961 and is widely viewed as the most accomplished golfer of all time
- He notably holds the record for most career major championships, winning his final major at the 1986 Masters
- He had a long rivalry with American golfer Arnold Palmer
Jack Nicklaus
Name the sports figure:
- American golfer who turned pro in 1954 and became the first superstar of the sport’s television age
- He had a rivalry with his friend Jack Nicklaus and won 7 major championships
- His name is used to designate a drink consisting of lemonade and iced tea
Arnold Palmer
Name the sports figure:
- American basketball point guard who played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s
- He is generally regarded as the greatest point guard ever, noted for his great size for the position
- He is remembered for his showmanship and passing ability, and for helping to popularize the NBA on an international level along with Larry Bird and Michael Jordan
- He won the NBA MVP award 3 times and won 5 NBA championships
Magic Johnson
Name the sports figure:
- American basketball center who played for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s
- A 3-time NCAA champion with John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins and famous for his Sky Hook, he went on to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer
- After converting to Islam in 1968, he notably changed his name from Lew Alcindor in 1971
- He won a record 6 regular season MVP awards and 6 NBA championships
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Name the sports figure:
- American basketball small forward who played for the Boston Celtics in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s
- Known for his all-around skills and shooting ability, he helped popularize basketball as a global game along with Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson
- He was a 3-time NBA MVP and a 3-time NBA champion
- He later became a coach and executive, and is the only person in NBA history to be named MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year
Larry Bird
Name the sports figure:
- Brazilian soccer striker who played most famously for Santos in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s
- Considered by many to be the greatest player of all time, having scored over 1000 goals in his career
- Winner of a record 3 World Cups with Brazil in 1958, 1962, and 1970
Pelé
Name the sports figure:
- Canadian ice hockey center who most famously played for the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, and New York Rangers in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s
- Nicknamed The Great One, he is widely regarded as the greatest hockey player ever, and holds numerous records
- Most notably, he is the leading point-scorer in NHL history, and also won 9 Hart Trophies as the league’s most valuable player
- He won 4 Stanley Cup championships with the Oilers in the 80s
Wayne Gretzky
Name the sports figure:
- Argentine soccer attacker who played most notably for Boca Juniors, FC Barcelona, and Napoli from the 1970s through the 1990s
- Considered the greatest player of all time along with Brazil’s Pelé
- Famously led Argentina to the 1986 World Cup title
Diego Maradona
Who is:
Jim Brown
- American football running back who played for the Cleveland Browns from 1957-65
- He is regarded as one of the greatest players in NFL history
- He was an 8-time NFL rushing champion and 3-time NFL MVP
- He was a multi-sport athlete in high school and in college at Syracuse, where he was a first-team All-American in lacrosse
- After retiring he had a mildly successful acting career
Who is:
Usain Bolt
- Jamaican sprinter who won Olympic gold medals in his three events at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games
- Holds the world record in both the 100m and the 200m
Who is:
Lionel Messi
- Argentine soccer attacker who plays for FC Barcelona
- Currently regarded as the world’s best player, and one of the greatest ever
- Broke the world record for goals scored in a calendar year in 2012
Who is:
Cristiano Ronaldo
- Portuguese soccer attacker who plays for Real Madrid, and formerly for Manchester United
- Named the world’s best player in 2008 and 2013
Who is:
LeBron James
- American basketball forward who has played for the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers
- Winner of 2 NBA championships with the Heat and 4 NBA MVP awards
- He controversially left Cleveland to join the Heat in 2010 despite growing up in Ohio, but returned to the Cavs in 2014
- Widely considered at present to be the best basketball player in the world
Who is:
Shaquille O’Neal
- American basketball center who played most notably for the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat
- Winner of 4 NBA championships and the 2000 NBA MVP award
- Famed for his enormous size and accompanying larger-than-life persona
Who is:
Kobe Bryant
- American basketball shooting guard who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers
- Winner of 5 NBA championships and the 2008 NBA MVP award
- Considered the greatest shooting guard since Michael Jordan, he is also renowned for his competitive spirit
Who is:
Novak Djokovic
- Serbian tennis player ranked no. 1 in the world as of mid-2014
- Winner of 7 Grand Slam singles trophies
- With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, he formed part of the longest stretch of dominance by three men in tennis history, winning 29 of 30 Grand Slam titles available from 2004 to 2012
Who is:
Andre Agassi
- American tennis player who played in the 1980s, 90s, and 2000s
- Winner of 8 Grand Slam singles titles, with wins at all 4 majors giving him the career Grand Slam
- Famously had a rivalry with fellow American Pete Sampras throughout their careers
Who is:
Rafael Nadal
- Spanish tennis player
- Considered the greatest clay court player of all time, with a record 9 French Open titles
- Winner of 14 Grand Slam singles titles
- Notably has a longstanding rivalry with Roger Federer
Who is:
Moses Malone
- American basketball center who played in both the ABA and NBA from the 1970s through the mid-90s
- He is noted for his ferocious rebounding and for being the first player to successfully jump from high school to the pros
- He won the NBA MVP award 3 times and led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA title in 1983
Who is:
Pete Sampras
- American tennis player who played in the 1980s, 90s, and 2000s
- Held the record for most Grand Slam singles titles with 14 until Roger Federer broke his record in 2009
- Famously had a rivalry with fellow American Andre Agassi throughout their careers
Who is:
John McEnroe
- American tennis player who played in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s
- Winner of 7 Grand Slam singles titles
- Famed for his short temper and furious outbursts on the court
Who is:
Serena Williams
- American tennis player who is the first female player to have won over $50 million in prize money
- As of mid-2014, she has won 17 Grand Slam singles titles and 13 Grand Slam doubles titles, all with her sister Venus
- She won the gold medal in women’s singles at the 2012 Olympic Games in London
Who is:
Bill Russell
- American basketball center who played for the Boston Celtics in the 1950s and 60s
- Known as a great rebounder and defender, he keyed a Celtics dynasty that saw him win 11 NBA titles in 13 seasons
- A prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement, he had a rivalry with Wilt Chamberlain
Who is:
Wilt Chamberlain
- American basketball center who played for the Philadelphia (later San Francisco) Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s
- A rival to Celtics great Bill Russell, he set multiple NBA records (including the single-game scoring record, 100 points) and is remembered as an imposing athletic specimen
- He won 4 NBA MVP awards and 2 NBA titles
Who is:
Julius Erving
- American basketball small forward who played in both the ABA and NBA in the 1970s and 80s
- Nicknamed Dr. J, he popularized midair play and dunking, serving as an inspiration to later stars like David Thompson and Michael Jordan
- He won the NBA MVP award in 1981 and won a championship with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983
Who is:
Jerry West
- American basketball guard who played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1960s and 70s
- Nicknamed Mr. Clutch, his silhouette was incorporated into the NBA’s logo
- A 14-time NBA All-Star, he won the NBA championship in 1972
- Since retiring as a player, he has held multiple executive positions for NBA teams, earning praise for his savvy personnel decisions
Who is:
Oscar Robertson
- American basketball guard who played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks in the 1960s and 70s
- Nicknamed The Big O, he is the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season
- He won one NBA MVP award and one NBA title
Who is:
Johann Cruyff
- Dutch soccer attacker and manager who played most notably for Ajax Amsterdam and FC Barcelona from the 1960s to the 1980s
- Centerpiece of the “Total Football” Dutch and Ajax sides of the 1970s
- Brought his football philosophies to Barcelona, and later managed the side to its first European crown
Name the sports figure:
- American football running back who played for the Cleveland Browns from 1957-65
- He is regarded as one of the greatest players in NFL history
- He was an 8-time NFL rushing champion and 3-time NFL MVP
- He was a multi-sport athlete in high school and in college at Syracuse, where he was a first-team All-American in lacrosse
- After retiring he had a mildly successful acting career
Jim Brown
Name the sports figure:
- Jamaican sprinter who won Olympic gold medals in his three events at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games
- Holds the world record in both the 100m and the 200m
Usain Bolt
Name the sports figure:
- Argentine soccer attacker who plays for FC Barcelona
- Currently regarded as the world’s best player, and one of the greatest ever
- Broke the world record for goals scored in a calendar year in 2012
Lionel Messi
Name the sports figure:
- Portuguese soccer attacker who plays for Real Madrid, and formerly for Manchester United
- Named the world’s best player in 2008 and 2013
Cristiano Ronaldo
Name the sports figure:
- American basketball forward who has played for the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers
- Winner of 2 NBA championships with the Heat and 4 NBA MVP awards
- He controversially left Cleveland to join the Heat in 2010 despite growing up in Ohio, but returned to the Cavs in 2014
- Widely considered at present to be the best basketball player in the world
LeBron James
Name the sports figure:
- American basketball center who played most notably for the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat
- Winner of 4 NBA championships and the 2000 NBA MVP award
- Famed for his enormous size and accompanying larger-than-life persona
Shaquille O’Neal
Name the sports figure:
- American basketball shooting guard who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers
- Winner of 5 NBA championships and the 2008 NBA MVP award
- Considered the greatest shooting guard since Michael Jordan, he is also renowned for his competitive spirit
Kobe Bryant
Name the sports figure:
- Serbian tennis player ranked no. 1 in the world as of mid-2014
- Winner of 7 Grand Slam singles trophies
- With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, he formed part of the longest stretch of dominance by three men in tennis history, winning 29 of 30 Grand Slam titles available from 2004 to 2012
Novak Djokovic
Name the sports figure:
- American tennis player who played in the 1980s, 90s, and 2000s
- Winner of 8 Grand Slam singles titles, with wins at all 4 majors giving him the career Grand Slam
- Famously had a rivalry with fellow American Pete Sampras throughout their careers
Andre Agassi
Name the sports figure:
- Spanish tennis player
- Considered the greatest clay court player of all time, with a record 9 French Open titles
- Winner of 14 Grand Slam singles titles
- Notably has a longstanding rivalry with Roger Federer
Rafael Nadal
Name the sports figure:
- American basketball center who played in both the ABA and NBA from the 1970s through the mid-90s
- He is noted for his ferocious rebounding and for being the first player to successfully jump from high school to the pros
- He won the NBA MVP award 3 times and led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA title in 1983
Moses Malone
Name the sports figure:
- American tennis player who played in the 1980s, 90s, and 2000s
- Held the record for most Grand Slam singles titles with 14 until Roger Federer broke his record in 2009
- Famously had a rivalry with fellow American Andre Agassi throughout their careers
Pete Sampras
Name the sports figure:
- American tennis player who played in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s
- Winner of 7 Grand Slam singles titles
- Famed for his short temper and furious outbursts on the court
John McEnroe
Name the sports figure:
- American tennis player who is the first female player to have won over $50 million in prize money
- As of mid-2014, she has won 17 Grand Slam singles titles and 13 Grand Slam doubles titles, all with her sister Venus
- She won the gold medal in women’s singles at the 2012 Olympic Games in London
Serena Williams
Name the sports figure:
- American basketball center who played for the Boston Celtics in the 1950s and 60s
- Known as a great rebounder and defender, he keyed a Celtics dynasty that saw him win 11 NBA titles in 13 seasons
- A prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement, he had a rivalry with Wilt Chamberlain
Bill Russell
Name the sports figure:
- American basketball center who played for the Philadelphia (later San Francisco) Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s
- A rival to Celtics great Bill Russell, he set multiple NBA records (including the single-game scoring record, 100 points) and is remembered as an imposing athletic specimen
- He won 4 NBA MVP awards and 2 NBA titles
Wilt Chamberlain
Name the sports figure:
- American basketball small forward who played in both the ABA and NBA in the 1970s and 80s
- Nicknamed Dr. J, he popularized midair play and dunking, serving as an inspiration to later stars like David Thompson and Michael Jordan
- He won the NBA MVP award in 1981 and won a championship with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1983
Julius Erving
Name the sports figure:
- American basketball guard who played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1960s and 70s
- Nicknamed Mr. Clutch, his silhouette was incorporated into the NBA’s logo
- A 14-time NBA All-Star, he won the NBA championship in 1972
- Since retiring as a player, he has held multiple executive positions for NBA teams, earning praise for his savvy personnel decisions
Jerry West
Name the sports figure:
- American basketball guard who played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks in the 1960s and 70s
- Nicknamed The Big O, he is the only player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season
- He won one NBA MVP award and one NBA title
Oscar Robertson
Name the sports figure:
- Dutch soccer attacker and manager who played most notably for Ajax Amsterdam and FC Barcelona from the 1960s to the 1980s
- Centerpiece of the “Total Football” Dutch and Ajax sides of the 1970s
- Brought his football philosophies to Barcelona, and later managed the side to its first European crown
Johann Cruyff
Who is:
Venus Williams
- American tennis player who in early 2002 became the first African-American woman to become ranked no. 1 in the world during the Open Era
- She has won 7 Grand Slam singles titles and 13 Grand Slam doubles titles, all with her sister Serena
- She won the gold medal in women’s singles at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney
Who is:
Alfredo DiStefano
- Argentine soccer striker who played most notably for Real Madrid in the 1950s and 1960s
- Led Real Madrid to the first 5 European Cups to establish them as arguably the biggest soccer club in the world
Who is:
Ronaldo
- Brazilian soccer striker who played most famously for Inter Milan and Real Madrid during the 1990s and 2000s
- Named the world’s best player 3 times around the turn of the millenium
- Led Brazil to its record 5th World Cup win in 2002
- Was the all-time leading scorer in World Cup tournaments until 2014
Who is:
Ronaldinho
- Brazilian soccer attacking midfielder who played most notably for Barcelona and AC Milan in the 2000s
- Voted the world’s best player in 2004 and 2005
- Won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002
- Regarded fondly worldwide because of his showmanship, enthusiasm, and flamboyant playing style
Who is:
Zinedine Zidane
- French soccer attacking midfielder who played most notably for Juventus and Real Madrid in the 1990s and 2000s
- Led France to the World Cup in 1998, which was held in France
- Infamously sent off with a red card for headbutting an opponent in his last game ever in the World Cup Final of 2006
Who is:
George Best
- Northern Irish soccer winger who played most notably for Manchester United in the 1960s and 70s
- Became one of the world’s first celebrity soccer players when starring for Manchester United, winning the European Cup and being named European footballer of the year in 1968
- Suffered from alcoholism as his career was cut short
Who is:
Franz Beckenbauer
- German soccer sweeper who played most famously for FC Bayern Munich in the 1960s and 70s
- Only man to have won the World Cup as both captain and coach of his national team
- Arguably considered the greatest defender in soccer history
Who is:
David Beckham
- English soccer midfielder who played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and the Los Angeles Galaxy from the 1990s to the 2010s
- A global icon with his wife Victoria, formerly Posh Spice of the Spice Girls
- Became the first marquee soccer player to join the MLS in 2007
Who is:
Bobby Charlton
- English soccer midfielder who played for Manchester United in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s
- Considered the greatest English player of all time, he led England to its only major tournament victory at the 1966 World Cup held in England
Who is:
Sandy Koufax
- American baseball pitcher who played for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1950s and 60s
- Noted for retiring at the young age of 30, he nonetheless won 4 World Series championships, 3 Cy Young Awards, and 1 NL MVP
- In 1972 he became the youngest player ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
Who is:
Joe DiMaggio
- American baseball center fielder who played for the New York Yankees in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s
- A 3-time AL MVP, he won 9 World Series championships
- He is best remembered for his record 56-game hitting streak, which still stands
- He famously married Marilyn Monroe, and his brothers Dom and Vince also played in the major leagues
Who is:
Mickey Mantle
- American baseball center fielder who played for the New York Yankees in the 1950s and 60s
- Widely considered to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, he is remembered for his hitting ability, winning the Triple Crown in 1956
- He won 3 AL MVPs and 7 World Series championships
Who is:
Cy Young
- American baseball pitcher who played for 5 teams in the 1890s, 1900s, and 1910s
- He holds the records for most career wins and innings pitched
- An MLB award was established in his memory to honor each season’s best pitcher
Who is:
Johnny Unitas
- Lituanian-American football quarterback who played most famously for the Baltimore Colts in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s
- Considered by many to be the first great modern QB, he set many records and was named NFL MVP 3 times
- He won 2 NFL championships and 1 Super Bowl championship
Who is:
Jerry Rice
- American football wide receiver who played most famously for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders in the 1980s, 90s, and 2000s
- Considered the greatest wide receiver of all time, holding many receiving records, and among the greatest players in the history of the sport
- Winner of 3 Super Bowls with the 49ers
Who is:
Joe Montana
- American football quarterback who played for the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s
- Winner of a record 4 Super Bowls as quarterback of the 49ers
- Considered by many as the greatest quarterback of all time
Who is:
Dan Marino
- American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins from 1983 to 1999
- Winner of the NFL MVP award in 1984
- Held many single-season passing records until most were broken in recent years as the league has become more pass-oriented
Who is:
Bobby Orr
- Canadian ice hockey defenseman who played for the Boston Bruins and Chicago Black Hawks in the 1960s and 70s
- A high-scoring playmaker as a defenseman, he revolutionized the position and is the only defenseman to have won the league scoring title, doing so twice
- He won 3 MVP awards and 8 straight Norris Trophies, awarded to the NHL’s top defenseman
Who is:
Gordy Howe
- Canadian ice hockey right winger who played professionally from the 1940s through 1980, notably for the Detroit Red Wings and Hartford Whalers
- Considered one of the greatest players of all time, he is nicknamed Mr. Hockey and won 6 Hart Trophies and led the league in scoring 6 times
Who is:
Bobby Hull
- Canadian ice hockey left winger who played for the Winnipeg Jets, Hartford Whalers, and Chicago Black Hawks from the 1950s through 1980
- Widely viewed as the best left winger ever, he was noted for his speed and powerful slapshot
- A 2-time Hart Trophy winner and 1-time Stanley Cup champion, his son Brett became a Hall of Fame hockey player himself in the 1980s, 90s, and 2000s
Name the sports figure:
- American tennis player who in early 2002 became the first African-American woman to become ranked no. 1 in the world during the Open Era
- She has won 7 Grand Slam singles titles and 13 Grand Slam doubles titles, all with her sister Serena
- She won the gold medal in women’s singles at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney
Venus Williams
Name the sports figure:
- Argentine soccer striker who played most notably for Real Madrid in the 1950s and 1960s
- Led Real Madrid to the first 5 European Cups to establish them as arguably the biggest soccer club in the world
Alfredo DiStefano
Name the sports figure:
- Brazilian soccer striker who played most famously for Inter Milan and Real Madrid during the 1990s and 2000s
- Named the world’s best player 3 times around the turn of the millenium
- Led Brazil to its record 5th World Cup win in 2002
- Was the all-time leading scorer in World Cup tournaments until 2014
Ronaldo
Name the sports figure:
- Brazilian soccer attacking midfielder who played most notably for Barcelona and AC Milan in the 2000s
- Voted the world’s best player in 2004 and 2005
- Won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002
- Regarded fondly worldwide because of his showmanship, enthusiasm, and flamboyant playing style
Ronaldinho