In their playing days, these 15 athletes were some of the best in their sports. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, all of them have retired and moved on from professional sports. However, all of them were such great athletes and naturals at what they do that if any of them decided to come back right now, they could still compete at a high level.
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15. LaDainian Tomlinson
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LT was one of the most dominant runners of his generation and he'd still be able to make defenders miss on occasion. He had speed and a burst to get out on the edge, which would certainly still work now. With so many teams out there needing running backs, he could find work still.
LT was one of the most dominant runners of his generation and he'd still be able to make defenders miss on occasion. He had speed and a burst to get out on the edge, which would certainly still work now. With so many teams out there needing running backs, he could find work still.
14. Rickey Henderson
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Henderson may be getting up there in age, but he had so much speed and finesse that it didn't matter how old he was toward the end of his career. Plug him into an everyday MLB lineup and he'd still swipe 20-30 bases a season. Rickey turned base stealing into an art form, something he hasn't forgotten how to do.
Henderson may be getting up there in age, but he had so much speed and finesse that it didn't matter how old he was toward the end of his career. Plug him into an everyday MLB lineup and he'd still swipe 20-30 bases a season. Rickey turned base stealing into an art form, something he hasn't forgotten how to do.
13. Terrell Owens
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T.O. was one of the greatest receivers in NFL history whether you care to admit it or not. The numbers prove he was among the top five receivers. With the shape he's still in and his competitive nature, he could still get a tryout with someone in the NFL. Some of the things he was able to do on the football field don't just go away after a couple of years.
T.O. was one of the greatest receivers in NFL history whether you care to admit it or not. The numbers prove he was among the top five receivers. With the shape he's still in and his competitive nature, he could still get a tryout with someone in the NFL. Some of the things he was able to do on the football field don't just go away after a couple of years.
12. Bo Jackson
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Bo Jackson is one of the most gifted athletes to ever walk the earth and that would help him jump back into either sport he played professionally. While he's gotten a lot bigger since his playing days, Bo's instincts are still there. That would make him a dangerous runner or hitter, depending on which day of the week it is.
Bo Jackson is one of the most gifted athletes to ever walk the earth and that would help him jump back into either sport he played professionally. While he's gotten a lot bigger since his playing days, Bo's instincts are still there. That would make him a dangerous runner or hitter, depending on which day of the week it is.
11. Larry Bird
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All Larry Bird has to do is sit out on the perimeter and shoot jump shots and he'd still be an above average player in the league. Of course, it's not quite that simple, but his shooting stroke hasn't completely gone away. Get him open looks and he would knock down his fair share of jumpers in game situations.
All Larry Bird has to do is sit out on the perimeter and shoot jump shots and he'd still be an above average player in the league. Of course, it's not quite that simple, but his shooting stroke hasn't completely gone away. Get him open looks and he would knock down his fair share of jumpers in game situations.
10. Mike Modano
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Modano is one of the best American-born players to ever play in the NHL and he could still play on a team in the league if he really wanted to. Sure, he wouldn't be the same player he was, but his instincts and talent would still carry him a long way. Rumor has it the Stars could use a playmaker.
Modano is one of the best American-born players to ever play in the NHL and he could still play on a team in the league if he really wanted to. Sure, he wouldn't be the same player he was, but his instincts and talent would still carry him a long way. Rumor has it the Stars could use a playmaker.
9. Jerry Rice
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Jerry Rice is one of the most dominant player at any position in any sport ever. Even over the age of 50, Rice could burn some of today's corners. That's because he ran such crisp routes and would get open no matter what it took. Of course, he doesn't have the acceleration that he once did, but he could still be electrifying in short bursts; he's that good.
Jerry Rice is one of the most dominant player at any position in any sport ever. Even over the age of 50, Rice could burn some of today's corners. That's because he ran such crisp routes and would get open no matter what it took. Of course, he doesn't have the acceleration that he once did, but he could still be electrifying in short bursts; he's that good.
8. Dominique Wilkins
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One of the most athletic players to ever step onto an NBA court, Dominique Wilkins truly was a human highlight reel. As he's aged, he has probably lost some hops, but he wouldn't hesitate to throw down on the defenders of today. As an old man with something to prove, you better believe he would take some of today's softer players to school.
One of the most athletic players to ever step onto an NBA court, Dominique Wilkins truly was a human highlight reel. As he's aged, he has probably lost some hops, but he wouldn't hesitate to throw down on the defenders of today. As an old man with something to prove, you better believe he would take some of today's softer players to school.
7. Randy Moss
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Randy Moss was one of the best receivers of his time and a lot of that relates to his size and athleticism. He's not that far removed from the league, so there's no doubt he has a little bit left in the tank. If there was a team looking to sell some tickets and upgrade at receiver, they would give Moss a look. After all, he could still take modern corners to the woodshed.
Randy Moss was one of the best receivers of his time and a lot of that relates to his size and athleticism. He's not that far removed from the league, so there's no doubt he has a little bit left in the tank. If there was a team looking to sell some tickets and upgrade at receiver, they would give Moss a look. After all, he could still take modern corners to the woodshed.
6. Brett Favre
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Hopefully Brett Favre doesn't read this because it might prompt him to try and make another comeback, but he could do it if he wanted to. Who knows if he can compete anymore after all of his injuries during his playing career, but he can still sling it. Once again, though, let's hope this doesn't stoke the fire to force him into another comeback.
Hopefully Brett Favre doesn't read this because it might prompt him to try and make another comeback, but he could do it if he wanted to. Who knows if he can compete anymore after all of his injuries during his playing career, but he can still sling it. Once again, though, let's hope this doesn't stoke the fire to force him into another comeback.
5. Wayne Gretzky
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He's 'The Great One' for a reason. Gretzky truly is the greatest hockey player to ever live. The former skater isn't old enough to completely deteriorate yet, so he'd still score 20 or so goals a season. Sure, guys in the league are faster now than when he played, but he'd find a way to adapt in order to keep scoring goals. That's what he did during his playing days consistently.
He's 'The Great One' for a reason. Gretzky truly is the greatest hockey player to ever live. The former skater isn't old enough to completely deteriorate yet, so he'd still score 20 or so goals a season. Sure, guys in the league are faster now than when he played, but he'd find a way to adapt in order to keep scoring goals. That's what he did during his playing days consistently.
4. Ken Griffey Jr.
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Griffey was a natural from the time he was a teenager until he was in his 40s. If it hadn't been for injuries, he might be the all-time home run king in MLB. It would be nice to see him get some of those years back by coming back and crushing the baseball. In the end, we all just want to see a bright-eyed, backward-capped teenager hitting 400-foot homers again.
Griffey was a natural from the time he was a teenager until he was in his 40s. If it hadn't been for injuries, he might be the all-time home run king in MLB. It would be nice to see him get some of those years back by coming back and crushing the baseball. In the end, we all just want to see a bright-eyed, backward-capped teenager hitting 400-foot homers again.
3. Herschel Walker
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A couple years ago, Herschel Walker actually did almost attempt an NFL comeback and he probably could have done it. It wouldn't have been wise to play such a physical sport in his old age, but he still runs a sub-par 40-yard dash and could beat plenty of current players in a foot race. His natural ability could take him a long way even as he gets further over the hill.
A couple years ago, Herschel Walker actually did almost attempt an NFL comeback and he probably could have done it. It wouldn't have been wise to play such a physical sport in his old age, but he still runs a sub-par 40-yard dash and could beat plenty of current players in a foot race. His natural ability could take him a long way even as he gets further over the hill.
2. Deion Sanders
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How fun would it be to see 'Prime Time' suit up one more time? He was absolutely explosive in his playing days both in NFL and MLB and still could be today, as he's stayed in incredible shape for his age. He might be a little more sore after games, but he would still burn guys on kick returns like he did back in the day.
How fun would it be to see 'Prime Time' suit up one more time? He was absolutely explosive in his playing days both in NFL and MLB and still could be today, as he's stayed in incredible shape for his age. He might be a little more sore after games, but he would still burn guys on kick returns like he did back in the day.
1. Michael Jordan
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MJ was the most dominant player in any sport ever and even today, he could step onto the court and pour in 15-20 points a game. After all, when he was over the hill with the Wizards, he was still an above average player. It seems like a new video of him owning a young stud surfaces every month, so who's to say he couldn't still play in the NBA if he really wanted to?
MJ was the most dominant player in any sport ever and even today, he could step onto the court and pour in 15-20 points a game. After all, when he was over the hill with the Wizards, he was still an above average player. It seems like a new video of him owning a young stud surfaces every month, so who's to say he couldn't still play in the NBA if he really wanted to?