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You know greatness when you witness it. There is no true definition for it. It just is. There have been some great athletes that have achieved success in their respective sports. Then there are the those that qualify for G.O.A.T. status. These athletes emerge only once in a lifetime. The ones whose gifts somehow come to impact the world on levels that can’t be measured, only experienced. That is what it means to be the Greatest of All Time. Read about these athletes that came to change our lives.
Chicago has produced some extraordinary men!
Muhammad Ali
His mama may have named him Cassius Clay, but there is no denying that Muhammad Ali forever changed sports. He was great inside the ring having won Olympic gold and the heavyweight title numerous times. He defeated every top heavyweight in his era, which has been called the golden age of heavyweight boxing. But it was his actions outside of the ring that won over millions. In his prime, he was a social activist and philanthropist who put his life on the line in his refusal to be drafted to fight in the Vietnam War. He suffered for it, but this single act also made him revered worldwide. Forget about what Jay-Z says in “Otis.” Muhammad Ali invented swag! He was loud, sometimes brash, always charming, and as he often reminded people, he was pretty. Ali danced in the ring and will float like a butterfly in our hearts forever. He truly shook up the world.
Michael Jordan
There is nothing new that can be said about the career of Michael Jordan that we don’t already know. While Bill Russell won more NBA titles (11), Jordan has to be the best player that ever played the game. Sure his on-court achievements will always take precedence. The man won six NBA titles and probably would have won more if he hadn’t taken a break and pursued baseball. But it’s his global impact that places him on this G.O.A.T. list. Jordan didn’t just leave his mark on basketball. He forever altered pop culture. He redefined the power of an athlete’s endorsement deals. His Jumpman logo can easily be identified by people of all ages around the world. He built an empire and Nike would never have become the multi-billion dollar machine that it is today without MJ. In fact, men everywhere have him to thank. If not for Jordan rocking the baggy shorts in the mid-80s, basketball players might still be wearing the teeny-weeny shorts that were the norm back in the day. Think about that. Saying Michael Jordan is an icon is truly an understatement. There will never be another MJ. Never. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
