15 Athletes on Santa’s Nice List for 2012

Athletes on Santa's Nice List

Sleigh bells are ringing and it’s time for Santa to come out with his nice list. Athletes and coaches that have performed good deeds or had an excellent performance will be featured on the nice list.

A few of them have just had amazing comebacks while others are new to their league and pulling the team to the win. Anyway you look at it, they have done something good in the last year and have managed to keep themselves out of trouble.

A special recognition goes to all of the teams that supported breast cancer during October and all of the teams that held a military appreciation night. Any form of fundraising for a good cause shows respect, even if you do have to wear some pink or camouflage.

Any athlete or coach that donates to charity deserves some recognition but some just stick out more than others. It’s unfortunate that we don’t get to see how much some of these people do for others in their free tim2.

With the Olympics happening this year, we were able to learn more about athletes from other nations and see how much respect their countries give them. There are a few different Olympians that are on the list in a well-deserved spot.

Many of the names on this list are role models for today's youth. It is important for them to maintain their respect and be responsible.

Everyone on this list should be seeing presents under their tree and no coal in their stockings this Christmas. Santa has considered them the best candidates for the nice list of athletes.

Montee Ball

Ball was attacked and sent to the hospital on the Wisconsin campus this summer and treated for body trauma. He went through the pain and suffering to comeback and break the NCAA football record for most touchdowns this past weekend.

Adrian Peterson

This one is kind of a long shot but Peterson has brought the Vikings back into the game. With this weekends game against the Packers, the Vikings have the potential to put themselves into a 2nd place tie for the NFC North title. The Vikings went 3-13 last season but Peterson has led the team to 6-5 thus far this season.

Usain Bolt

Bolt had complete dominance for the track and field portion of the olympics. This Jamaican is now the fastest man in the world and loved by fans everywhere. He holds numerous world records for his sprinting speed and even has his own trademark stance that everyone now mimics.

Tina Charles

Charles played on the USA Women’s Olympic Basketball team but did something better for underprivlaged children in Africa. She helped to fund money in order to build a school in the African village of Ganale. She spent around $32,000 because she grew up understanding the importance of education and the act of giving to others.

Robert Griffin III (RG3)

The quarterback has one of the toughest positions in the game this rookie for the Washington Redskins was the #2 overall draft pick. The Redskins were coming off a previous record of 5-11 so they had high hopes for RG3. They're currently only 5-6 but it looks like RG3 has the potential to lead the team thanks to his fast speed and powerful throw.

Pau Gasol

Gasol is a member of the Los Angeles Lakers and got the honor to play for his home country of Spain during the Olympics. However, many people do not know that he has a large role with the Unicef organization. Over the summer, Gasol spent part of the off-season in Chad on a Unicef mission to service malnourished children.

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps is now the most decorated Olympian in history. He has earned 22 medals in total, 18 of which are gold. He is now retired at the young age of 27 and can sit back and enjoy his glory.

Andrew Luck

This Indianapolis Colts quarterback has turned their team around. Coming into an NFL team where Peyton Manning previous played, there were high expectations for Luck. In 2011, the Colts went 2-14 and he has now led them to a 6-4 record. Without him, the team would be facing a repeat of their 2011 season.

Notre Dame Fightin' Irish

If you asked anyone in August about the Notre Dame Fightin' Irish Football team, I guarantee you nobody said they would go undefeated and be the #1 team in the nation. They probably wouldn't have even been considered to be in the top 5. But they proved everyone wrong with their undefeated season and will be hoping for to gain the National Championship for the first time since 1988.

Oscar Pistorius

Pistorius is the first athlete with two prosthetic legs to participate in the Olympics track and field. He was on the team for South Africa as a sprinter; with two prosthetic legs, sprinting is no easy task. It was a very debatable case on if he would be allowed to participate but eventually the Olympic committee approved him. He didn't come out with a win but it was a major mark in history for the first Olympic amputee.

Peyton Manning

The old Manning has made a surprising comeback for the Broncos. The team is 8-3 and 1st in the AFC West which is a great comeback from their 2011 season of 8-8 if they continue to win. They are considering it his best comeback in history and he is a likely candidate to get the MVP of the season.

Lamarr Woodley

This Pittsburg Steelers performed a good deed. He donated $60,000 to Sanginaw, MI public schools in order to allow the district to waive participation fees for student athletes. He believes that the money shouldn't prevent kids from doing something they love and enjoy.

Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders

Two Colts Cheerleaders shaved their heads in honor of coach Chuck Pagano. Pagano has leukemia and is going through extensive chemotherapy. Their goal was to raise $10,000 and they ended up receiving over $22,000 for leukemia research.

Miguel Cabrera

Cabrera is a member of the Detroit Tigers baseball team. He managed the Triple Crown by leading the league in batting average, home runs and RBI's for the first time since 1967 when Boston’s Carl Yasterzemski did it. He also earned the AL MVP and Hank Aaron award this season.

Johnny Manziel

Better known as Johnny Football, he has completely turned the Texas A&M Aggies football team around. Last year they went 7-6 but this redshirt freshman took control this year and led the team to a 10-2 record. He may be young but he is being considered a strong candidate for the Heisman award this season.