The Best Athletes At Their Peak In Every Major Sport

Sports are so specialized that no one person can be the best at everything -- and that's awesome. What kind of watered-down world would that be if one dude (or lady) were the best at every sport spanning the planet? It's not this world of awesome athletes. Let's begin the debate and let's hear your comments on Facebook!

The Best Athletes At Their Peak In Every Major Sport

Sports are so specialized that no one person can be the best at everything -- and that's awesome. What kind of watered-down world would that be if one dude (or lady) were the best at every sport spanning the planet? It's not this world of awesome athletes. Let's begin the debate and let's hear your comments on Facebook!

Andrew Luck - Football

Just wait friends, wait and behold what will become Andrew Luck’s ascent to Olympus. 4,761 yards was nothing in 2014. With T.Y. Hilton and T.Y. Hilton's gridiron double Phillip Dorsett, Luck will breach 5,000 yards through the air and break former Indy star Peyton Manning's mark when he surpasses 5,477 by week 17. For those who would claim Aaron Rodgers to this throne, I’ll settle any tiebreakers with Luck's proven durability.

Andrew Luck - Football

Just wait friends, wait and behold what will become Andrew Luck’s ascent to Olympus. 4,761 yards was nothing in 2014. With T.Y. Hilton and T.Y. Hilton's gridiron double Phillip Dorsett, Luck will breach 5,000 yards through the air and break former Indy star Peyton Manning's mark when he surpasses 5,477 by week 17. For those who would claim Aaron Rodgers to this throne, I’ll settle any tiebreakers with Luck's proven durability.

Mike Trout - Baseball

If Miguel Cabrera took away outs hawking in centerfield, this might’ve shaken out a little differently. There are few 5-tool players in baseball and Mike Trout wields six. The final tool in Trout’s tray is his ability to keep his head on straight and handle “the Show” both on and off the field.

Mike Trout - Baseball

If Miguel Cabrera took away outs hawking in centerfield, this might’ve shaken out a little differently. There are few 5-tool players in baseball and Mike Trout wields six. The final tool in Trout’s tray is his ability to keep his head on straight and handle “the Show” both on and off the field.

LeBron James - Basketball

Huh, I thought this was “post-apex LeBron.” Turns out, James was just a dragon at rest, primed to breathe fire in the Finals. Averaging 40+ points per game against the NBA’s best defense? Sounds like something Michael Jordan would do.

LeBron James - Basketball

Huh, I thought this was “post-apex LeBron.” Turns out, James was just a dragon at rest, primed to breathe fire in the Finals. Averaging 40+ points per game against the NBA’s best defense? Sounds like something Michael Jordan would do.

Lionel Messi - Soccer

Lionel Messi may be the best athlete of this group or at least in close competition against LeBron. Avoiding redundancies when reveling in Messi’s brilliance is impossible; he holds dribble at full speed as if the ball were on silk strings, threads defenses in lieu of flying by defenders and can strike the back of the net as soon as he breaches the center circle. Watching Messi doing what Messi does is the most beautiful part of the beautiful game.

Lionel Messi - Soccer

Lionel Messi may be the best athlete of this group or at least in close competition against LeBron. Avoiding redundancies when reveling in Messi’s brilliance is impossible; he holds dribble at full speed as if the ball were on silk strings, threads defenses in lieu of flying by defenders and can strike the back of the net as soon as he breaches the center circle. Watching Messi doing what Messi does is the most beautiful part of the beautiful game.

Patrick Kane - Hockey

Patrick Kane didn’t invent stickhandling, but he now owns the license. CGI-enhanced video or no, the verdict’s been levied on the ice.

Jimmie Johnson - NASCAR

The peak of a NASCAR driver is often a plateau as the greats remain great for epochs. Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon… but Jimmie Johnson has fastened his place at the top and appears to reign for a long time to come.

Jimmie Johnson - NASCAR

The peak of a NASCAR driver is often a plateau as the greats remain great for epochs. Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon… but Jimmie Johnson has fastened his place at the top and appears to reign for a long time to come.

Rory McIlroy - Golf

Nearly a dozen wins each on the PGA and European tours, Rory McIlroy is just beginning to bite into his prime. Although golf can also be an old man's game, Tiger Woods is too worn down to challenge McIlroy as the nouveau elite.

Rory McIlroy - Golf

Nearly a dozen wins each on the PGA and European tours, Rory McIlroy is just beginning to bite into his prime. Although golf can also be an old man's game, Tiger Woods is too worn down to challenge McIlroy as the nouveau elite.

Ronda Rousey - MMA

Ronda Rousey is the most intimidating force in sports not named LeBron James. Genetic draws aside, what Rousey does to her competition is frightening. Don’t agree with me? Then maybe you should settle this with the current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.

Ronda Rousey - MMA

Ronda Rousey is the most intimidating force in sports not named LeBron James. Genetic draws aside, what Rousey does to her competition is frightening. Don’t agree with me? Then maybe you should settle this with the current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion.