Author Topic: ESPN: The most overrated athletes of all time (Read 1275 times)

gofaster · « **Reply #15 on:** July 02, 2003, 10:46:48 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by funkedup
Emmitt Smith

Hey now, I'll take exception to this one. Smith holds a number of records in the NFL, some of them earned behind a good line, some of them behind one of the worst offensive lines in pro football. His longevity in the sport is sufficient to make him noteworthy as an athlete.

My nominations for most overrated not already on ESPN's list:

Dale Earnhardt - only won a handful of NASCAR Winston Cup races, yet had legions of fans after his death. Why? Because he painted his car black and pushed people around.

Danny Weurfel - Heisman Trophy winner, set passing records in college, hasn't done much in the pros.

Rashaan Salaam - #1 pick by Chicago in 1995, he held out for big money. Played 4 years and spent his last one in the XFL.

Anna Kournikova - the Minnesota Vikings have played in more championship games than her.

Keyshawn Johnson - has talent, but not enough to live up to his rep. I'll give him credit, though - he can take a hit and since he came to Tampa he's cooled his tongue-wagging for the better.

Curval · « **Reply #16 on:** July 02, 2003, 10:57:30 AM »

The most overrated atheletes of all time?

Basketball players...period.

(Right MT?)

Mini D · « **Reply #17 on:** July 02, 2003, 11:14:35 AM »

1. Joe Namath

I agree.

2. Phil Rizzuto

Don't know anything about him.

3. Lynn Swann

Disagree. Any dip in stats came from the fact that Bradshaw was quarterback (Let's swap those two names). Anyone that watched Pittsburg in the playoffs know what kind of receiver Lynn Swann was. Of course, he sucks as an anylist.

4. Jose Canseco

Disagree to a point. His first two years in the limelight were deserved. The rest was a media that didn't know when to quit. Jose did pioneer the "batspeed" aproach to hitting. Basically... the big bat era had come to an end.

5. Deion Sanders

Hmmm... seems this was based on a "I just didn't like him" preference more than anything.

Deion was the best punt/kickoff returner of all time. He was also one of the best coverage corners of all time and definately had the quickest break to the ball I've ever seen. He sucked at actually tackling, but it seldomely came to that when he played corner.

He might have been talked too much trash and been over payed... but he was the best... and that does not qualify as over rated.

6. Pete Maravich

Hmm... only heard him refered to as one of the best passers of all time. I'll challenge anyone to come up with someone better.

7. Nolan Ryan

So over rated that every a single team in the league during his entire career would have loved having him on it. Not enough credit given to being consistantly good over a long period of time. Getting a no hitter in his final year was simply icing on the cake.

Nolan ruled.

8. Pete Rose

"Jonny Hustle". Not "Jonny Hitter" or "Jonny base stealer". He was renowned for being one of the hardest workers in the league. There are things other than stats to consider when talking about someone's greatness... seems this author thinks otherwise.

BTW... anyone notice he compared his stats to Ty Cobb rather than some other proclaimed "greatest hitter"

9. O.J. Simpson

Bah... seems this guy resorted to picking the "least popular" over rated players. How can you go wrong dissing OJ and Pete these days?

O.J. was a great runningback. I don't know anyone that says he was the best (or said).

10. Apolo Ohno

Over rated? I didn't even know he was rated. Another "Love to hate him" kind of selection.

MiniD

funkedup · « **Reply #18 on:** July 02, 2003, 11:29:52 AM »

NASCAR bores me to tears, but #3 was the real deal. He won 76 races and 7 titles.

Mini D · « **Reply #19 on:** July 02, 2003, 11:34:30 AM »

Quote

Anna Kournikova - the Minnesota Vikings have played in more championship games than her.

Ummm... that should be "won more championship games than her". I do agree, except that the word was "over rated".... Anna has never really been rated. Over hyped (over exposed) might be more aplicable.

MiniD

gofaster · « **Reply #20 on:** July 02, 2003, 11:47:29 AM »

Minnesota is 0 for 4.

Anna is 0 for 1*

*=actually, Anna won 2 doubles championships with Martina Hingis, before Hingis broke up the partnership for greener pastures. The only time she's made it to the finals was the Kremlin Cup.

gofaster · « **Reply #21 on:** July 02, 2003, 11:51:56 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by funkedup
NASCAR bores me to tears, but #3 was the real deal. He won 76 races and 7 titles.

Oops, you're right. I may have been thinking about the number of times he won the Daytona 500 (1 victory).

Mini D · « **Reply #22 on:** July 02, 2003, 12:05:57 PM »

DOH! I must have been thinking about an NFC championship game from the last 4 years. Maybe last year? Both teams were winless in the superbowl and sure to wipe out the sucky Raiders.

Basically... got them confused with Tampa Bay

MiniD

john9001 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 02, 2003, 12:06:28 PM »

seems some of you are basing your decisions only on "stats", there is more to the game than "stats".

midnight Target · « **Reply #24 on:** July 03, 2003, 04:39:23 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Curval
The most overrated atheletes of all time?

Basketball players...period.

(Right MT?)

mmmmust swimm away!!!!!

aaaaaaaaaaggggggghhhhccckkk.

All sissy pants soccer players should be on the list.

And anyone intelligent enough to decifer the rules to Cricket can't be much of an athlete.

now get this hook out!

rpm · « **Reply #25 on:** July 03, 2003, 06:48:55 PM »

Tiger Woods ... OVERRATED

If he were a white guy, he'd be another face in the PGA crowd.

Mini D · « **Reply #26 on:** July 03, 2003, 06:57:17 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by rpm371
Tiger Woods ... OVERRATED

If he were a white guy, he'd be another face in the PGA crowd.

I remember colon montgomery saying something very similar just prior to the final round of Tiger's first Masters tournament.

MiniD

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #27 on:** July 03, 2003, 06:59:49 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by rpm371
Tiger Woods ... OVERRATED

If he were a white guy, he'd be another face in the PGA crowd.

Yeah just like any other white guy with ..what is it ten majors
yet?

AKS\/\/ulfe · « **Reply #28 on:** July 03, 2003, 07:06:24 PM »

Tiger Woods *IS* white!
-SW

majic · « **Reply #29 on:** July 04, 2003, 11:30:22 AM »

"Where's Gale Sayers?"

In the Hall of Fame and deservedly so.