15 Most Motivational Sports Figures of All Time

Aside from being publicly shamed, Armstrong fought cancer from October 1996 to February 1997. Armstrong’s cancer spread to his brain, lungs and abdomen. Doctors told him there was 20-50 percent chance that he would live, but it was much more bleak than that and they didn’t have the heart to tell him. Armstrong founded the LiveStrong Foundation which supports people with cancer.

Haskins made history when he was the first to start five African-American players in a championship game. When he was asked about his decision to start them, he countered the question by saying he was starting his five best players and the fact that they were all African-American had nothing to do with his decision. Haskins was not only enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame but his then-controversial decision was depicted in the film Glory Road.

Pat Tillman was a professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals. He was so patriotic that he left his football career behind and enlisted in the army in 2002. Unfortunately, Tillman passed away in Afghanistan. The NFL honored Tillman and his service in 2004, and the Pat Tillman Foundation was created to support those who strive for positive world change.

Billie Jean King is an American tennis player with 39 Grand Slam titles under her belt. King has been honored multiple times because not only is she an excellent athlete, but she is a leader for gender equality. King was the first professional female athlete to come out of the closet when she came out in 1981.

Stuart Scott is a longtime sports broadcaster for ESPN. Scott was diagnosed with cancer in 2007, 2011 and 2013. His numerous cancer battles have resulted in complications with his organs, including kidney failure and liver complications. Scott received the Jimmy V award in 2014 at the ESPYs, and said in his speech that he had four surgeries in the week prior to the ceremony.

Jim Abbott was a professional baseball player who retired in 1999. He was a pitcher despite being born without a right hand. Abbott is the definition of determination because he didn’t let his handicap affect or derail his professional baseball-playing dreams. Abbott now works as a motivational speaker.

Robin Roberts worked for ESPN for 15 years. Roberts was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and with myelodysplastic syndrome, a bone marrow disease in 2012. She has been honored numerous times because of the awareness she raised of her diseases and allowing people to take the journey with her. She received the Arthur Ashe for Courage Award in 2013 and gave a memorable, heartfelt speech.

Jimmy Valvano was a college basketball coach and announcer. He was diagnosed with cancer in June of 1992. He received the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian award at the 1993 ESPYs. He gave such a motivational and memorable speech. During his speech, he stated that he founded the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Valvano’s speech is legendary in the sports world.

Magic Johnson is well respected by both fans and peers. Johnson is not only a fixture in HIV awareness, but upon retirement he went to work on expanding his brand and business in spite of his disease. Johnson now owns a little bit of everything and his story inspires others to persevere through anything.

When Dale Earnhardt lost his life in 2001, the NASCAR world was shaken to its core. Not only was Earnhardt one of the greatest drivers of all time, he was one of the most respected drivers of all time. To this day on the third lap of every Daytona 500 race, the race in which Earnhardt lost his life, the crowd has a moment of silence and holds up three fingers in unison to pay homage to the champion.

Lou Gehrig was a professional baseball player who spent his entire career with the New York Yankees. Gehrig was diagnosed with ALS (more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) in 1938 after his playing efficiency and health began to decline. Gehrig achieved multiple records during his playing career, and was one of the first people to bring awareness to ALS.

Ashe was the first African American tennis player selected to the U.S. Davis Cup Team, and the only black man to ever win the singles title at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open or the Australian Open. Prior to his death in 1993, Ashe founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the defeat of AIDS, and the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health.

Jackie Robinson was the first African-American professional baseball player. He was a well-rounded athlete in high school and college and after his military service ended, he was relegated to the Negro Leagues for a season. He then played with the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 to 1956, where he was an All-Star six times and a champion in 1955. Robinson is known for breaking the color barrier in professional baseball.

Everyone who knows sports knows Michael Jordan. Everyone who doesn’t know sports knows Michael Jordan. Jordan is possibly the greatest basketball player of all time, and the player who every aspiring basketball player looks up to.

Muhammad Ali is a former professional boxer who is considered to be one of, if not the the greatest of all time. Though obviously well known for his boxing career, Ali is also well known for his image. He was one of the most outspoken athletes of his time, and he truly controlled his media image with very few apologies to anyone. Whether what he said was controversial or not, he believed it and stood by it.