Which American heavyweight boxer, active during the 1960s and 70s, famously changed his name from Cassius Clay after joining the Nation of Islam?
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali championed religious freedom and racial justice and became known for his forceful personality.
He was stripped of his boxing title (and did not fight for almost four years during his prime) after he refused conscription into the military during the Vietnam War.
Ali won historic matches against Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman.
Which American basketball shooting guard owns the highest per game scoring average in NBA history and won 2 three-peats of NBA championships for the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s?
Michael Jordan
Known for his signature line of sneakers, his dunking and scoring ability, and his competitive will, Michael Jordan became one of the world’s most famous athletes and celebrities in the 1980s and 90s.
Which American baseball pitcher and right fielder played most famously for the New York Yankees in the 1910s, 20s, and 30s and held the record for career home runs until 1974?
Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth became a well-known celebrity in the Roaring Twenties and helped transform baseball.
Which American second baseman played baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s and 50s and was the first black MLB player of the modern era, breaking the color line when he debuted with the Dodgers in 1947?
Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson was also a 6-time All-Star, 1-time World Series champion, and 1-time NL MVP. His number 42 is retired by all MLB teams.
Which Canadian ice hockey center, nicknamed The Great One, played for the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, and New York Rangers in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, and is the leading point-scorer in NHL history?
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky won 9 Hart Trophies as the league’s most valuable player, won 4 Stanley Cup championships with the Oilers in the 80s, and had his number 99 retired by all NHL teams.
Which Brazilian soccer striker, who played most famously for Santos in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, and scored over 1000 goals in his career?
Pelé
Seen as a global ambassador for soccer and a national hero in Brazil, Pelé led his home country to 3 World Cup titles in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
His full name was Edson Arantes do Nascimento.
Which Argentine soccer attacker played most notably for Boca Juniors, FC Barcelona, and Napoli from the 1970s through the 1990s?
Diego Maradona
Diege Maradona led Argentina to victory at the 1986 World Cup, where he scored two of the most famous goals ever (both against England).
Known for his bravado and outspoken nature, he was seen as a legend in his home country.
Which American tennis player is frequently credited, along with her sister Venus, with ushering in an era of power tennis in the women’s game?
Serena Williams
Known for her unique on-court fashion sense, Serena Williams has won more than 30 Grand Slam titles and been ranked World No. 1 throughout much of the 2000s.
In 2021, the movie King Richard showed how the Williams sisters reached the top of women’s tennis together with their father Richard Williams (played by Will Smith) as their biggest supporter.
Serena’s sister Venus also ranks among the greats in professional tennis and has won multiple Grand Slams.
Which Heisman Trophy-winning American football running back played for the Buffalo Bills in the 1960s, 70s, and mid-90s, and was acquitted of the murder of two people after a highly publicized criminal trial that incited racial tensions?
O.J. Simpson
The only player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a 14-game season, O.J. Simpson had became a popular actor and broadcaster after retiring from football.
Two widely known elements of his arrest and trial were the low-speed LAPD/news helicopter chase of his white Ford Bronco and an infamous bloody glove.
He is now serving prison time for an unrelated series of felonies.
Which American swimmer notably qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics at the age of 15 and has gone on to become the most decorated Olympian of all time, with 22 total medals?
Michael Phelps
He has won a record 18 Olympic gold medals and famously won 8 gold medals at the 2008 Games alone.
Which American basketball center, known as a great rebounder and defender, played for the Boston Celtics in the 1950s and 60s and keyed a Celtics dynasty that saw him win 11 NBA titles in 13 seasons?
Bill Russell
A prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Bill Russel had a rivalry with Wilt Chamberlain.
Which American tennis player and golfer was the first black athlete to cross the color line of international tennis and won 11 Grand Slam tournaments, becoming the first person of color to win a Grand Slam with her French Open title in 1956?
Althea Gibson
In the 1960s, Althea Gibson became the first black player to compete on the women’s professional golf tour.
Which American alpine ski racer has won more World Cup races than any other woman in history, and became the first American woman to win the Olympic gold medal in downhill?
Lindsey Vonn
Lindsey Vonn is generally regarded as the face of alpine skiing in the U.S.
Which American football quarterback played for the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, and won 4 Super Bowls with the 49ers?
Joe Montana
Joe Montana also ranks among football’s all-time leaders in touchdown passes (273) and passing yards (40,551).
Which 1950s English athlete is best known for being the first man to run a mile in under four minutes, achieved in 1954?
Roger Bannister
After his retirement from athletics, Bannister spent the rest of his life practicing medicine in the field of neurology.
Which American basketball center played in the 1990s and 2000s for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, and won 3 WNBA MVPs, 2 WNBA titles, and 4 Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. women’s national team?
Lisa Leslie
Lisa Leslie continued her sports career as a coach, team owner, and commentator.
Which American heavyweight boxer, known for his powerful knockouts and eccentric behavior, held the world heavyweight titles at various points in the 1980s and 90s and famously bit Evander Holyfield’s ear in their 1997 bout?
Mike Tyson
After his boxing career, Mike Tyson published an autobiography about his life called Undisputed Truth.
He then went on to play in several blockbuster films such as Rocky VI, The Hangover, and Ip Man 3.
Which American basketball player and coach, most famous for coaching the UCLA Bruins from 1948-1975, won 10 NCAA championships in a 12-year period as coach of UCLA?
John Wooden
John Wooden was the first person inducted into the Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.
Which 20th-century American football coach, for whom the NFL’s Super Bowl trophy is named, led the Green Bay Packers to six NFL Championships and to victories in the first two Super Bowls?
Vince Lombardi
Due to Lombardi’s efforts in the NFL, the sport’s popularity skyrocketed and he became a model of successful leadership.
Which American baseball first baseman played for the New York Yankees in the 1920s and 30s and was forced to retire in 1939 due to ALS, which claimed his life two years later?
Lou Gehrig
Gehrig was a 6-time World Series champion and a 2-time AL MVP.
He played in 2,130 consecutive games, a record that stood for 56 years and was only beaten by Cal Ripken in 1995.
Since Gehrig’s death due to ALS, the medical condition has often been referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease” in the U.S.
Which American track and field sprinter and long jumper famously starred in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, winning 4 gold medals?
Jesse Owens
The performance by Jesse Owens in Berlin was notable in that it countered Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler’s promotion of supposed Aryan racial superiority.
Which American golfer, whose name is used to designate a drink consisting of lemonade and iced tea, turned pro in 1954 and became the first superstar of the sport’s television age?
Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer had a rivalry with his friend Jack Nicklaus and won 7 major championships.
Which American basketball point guard, noted for his great size for the position, played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, and retired in 1991 after contracting HIV?
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson is remembered for his showmanship and passing ability, and for helping to popularize the NBA on an international level along with Larry Bird and Michael Jordan.
Since he famously retired, he has served as an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness, as well as a successful businessman.
Which American basketball small forward, known for his all-around skills and shooting ability in spite of his lack of elite athleticism, played for the Boston Celtics in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, winning 3 NBA MVPs and 3 NBA titles?
Larry Bird
Larry Bird helped popularize basketball as a global game along with Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.
He later became a coach and executive, and is the only person in NBA history to be named MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year.
Which Jamaican sprinter won Olympic gold medals in his three events at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, and holds the world record in both the 100m and the 200m?
Usain Bolt
Known for his marketability and showmanship, Usain Bolt famously slowed to celebrate his win in the 100m final (2008) before reaching the finish line, yet still broke the world record.
Which English soccer midfielder, famous for his bending free kicks, notably played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and the Los Angeles Galaxy from the 1990s to the 2010s, and is a global pop culture and fashion icon?
David Beckham
David Beckham became the first marquee soccer player to join the MLS in 2007.
He is married to Victoria, formerly Posh Spice of the Spice Girls.
Which Swedish golfer competed during the 1990s and 2000s and won more tournaments than anyone, including 10 LPGA majors?
Annika Sörenstam
Annika Sörenstam is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished female golfers in history.
She received the Best Female Golfer ESPY Award six times, and the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year in 2004.
Which American baseball center fielder played for the New York Yankees in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, famously married Marilyn Monroe, and is best remembered for his record 56-game hitting streak?
Joe DiMaggio
A 3-time AL MVP, Joe DiMaggio won 9 World Series championships, and his brothers Dom and Vince also played in the major leagues.
Which American figure skater became the most decorated figure skater in American history while competing in the 1990s and 2000s, winning 9 U.S. titles, 5 world championships, and 2 Olympic medals in singles?
Michelle Kwan
Kwan was appointed as the first U.S. Public Diplomacy Envoy in 2006 by the U.S. Secretary of State.
In 2010, President Obama appointed her to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.
Which American baseball left fielder played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants in the 1980s, 90s, and 2000s, and holds the records for career home runs and home runs in a season?
Barry Bonds
The son of a former MLB All-Star, Barry Bonds won a record 7 (NL) MVP awards.
In recent years his career has been called into question, due to his alleged use of illegal steroids.
Which American cyclist won a record 7 straight Tour de France competitions from 1999-2005 and, to support cancer patients and survivors, founded the a foundation known for its yellow wristbands?
Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong had famously overcome testicular cancer in the 1990s to return to professional cycling, and thus created the Livestrong foundation.
In 2012, he was stripped of his Tour de France wins for having used performance-enhancing drugs.
Which multi-position American baseball player is the all-time MLB hits leader, but is banned from induction into the Hall of Fame because of his gambling on baseball games while playing and managing the Cincinnati Reds?
Pete Rose
Playing from the early 1960s until 1986, Pete Rose won 3 World Series titles and 1 NL MVP.
He was penalized with permanent ineligibility from baseball in August 1989 for gambling on baseball games while he played for and managed the Reds.
Which American soccer player played forward in the 1980s, 90s, and 2000s for the U.S. women’s national team and scored a then-record 158 international goals during her career?
Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm is generally thought to have helped popularize soccer in America.
Which American tennis player competed professionally in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, and famously won the Battle of the Sexes tennis match against Bobby Riggs in 1973?
Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King won 12 Grand Slam singles titles and 16 Grand Slam doubles titles.
After she retired from competition in 1983, she coached the U.S. Fed Cup team and led them to victory in ‘99 and ‘00.
Which American skateboarder competed professionally in the 1990s and 2000s, was a pioneer of vertical skateboarding, and further popularized the sport thanks in large part to his series of licensed video games?
Tony Hawk
Tony Hawk launched the Tony Hawk Foundation in 2022, which helps finance public skateparks in low-income areas.
Since its creation, the foundation has given away millions to hundreds of skateparks throughout the U.S.
Which American basketball coach and former player is known as the Zen Master for his holistic and philosophical approach to coaching, and won a record 11 NBA championships as a coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers?
Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 2007.
He earned several awards throughout his career including the NBA Coach of the Year Award and Best Coach ESPY Award.
Which former American football player coached the Oakland Raiders to victory in Super Bowl XI in 1977, then later became a successful broadcaster and gained enormous popularity for an NFL video game series?
John Madden
John Madden became a color commentator after retiring as a coach in 1979. He provided commentary until 2008, a career which earned him 16 Sports Emmy Awards.
Madden’s name became known worldwide after lending his name and voice to the Madden NFL videogames by EA. The game series became incredibly popular and grossed millions of dollars.
Which American gymnast famously won the gold medal in the all-around competition at the 1984 Olympics, becoming a national celebrity in the process?
Mary Lou Retton
Mary Lou Retton was the first American female gymnast to win the Olympic individual all-around gold medal.
After her career in gymnastics, Retton became the fitness ambassador for Nature’s Bounty.
Which Romanian gymnast competed in the 1970s and 80s and became the first female gymnast to record a perfect score of 10 in the 1976 Olympics?
Nadia Comaneci
One of the most famous gymnasts of all time, Nadia Comaneci won three gold medals at the 1976 Games, including one in the all-around competition.
Which retired Indian cricketer played professionally from the 1980s to the 2010s and led India to the 2011 Cricket World Cup title?
Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar received the Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honour, in 1997.
After retiring from competition, Tendulkar became the co-owner of several Indian Super League (ISL) franchises.
Which sprinter became the first American woman to win 3 gold medals in track and field during a single Olympic Games in 1960 and later became a civil rights activist?
Wilma Rudolph
During her youth, Wilma Rudolph actually wore a leg brace due to suffering from polio and scarlet fever. Her doctor told her she would never walk again.
Rudolph was considered the fastest woman on Earth in the 60s.
Which American race car driver was nicknamed “The Intimidator,” won 76 races during his career, and had a son who is a highly successful driver in his own right?
Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt died at the age of 49 as the result of a crash on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.
His son, Dale Earnhardt Jr., also participated in professional stock car racing, and was a team owner, author, and an analyst for NASCAR on NBC.
Which retired German racing driver was a 7-time Formula One World Champion, racing for Benetton, Ferrari, and Mercedes from the 90s through the 2010s?
Michael Schumacher
Known for his humanitarian and charitable efforts, Michael Schumacher has served as a UNESCO ambassador and spokesman for driver safety.
In late 2013, while skiing with his son, he suffered a traumatic head injury that paralyzed him for life.
Which retired South Korean figure skater won the 2010 Olympic gold in ladies’ singles, broke world record scores many times, and throughout her entire skating career never finished a competition off the podium?
Kim Yuna
One of the most famous celebrities in her home country, Kim Yuna is also a 2-time World Champion.
Which American former women’s college basketball coach is seen by many as the most successful coach in NCAA history, for both men’s and women’s basketball, regardless of division?
Pat Summitt
Pat Summitt coached the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team from 1974 to 2012, winning 8 national titles.
A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012, she left coaching that year due to Alzheimer’s disease.
Which American basketball coach has coached the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team since 1980, and was the first Division I men’s basketball coach to reach 1000 wins?
Mike Krzyzewski
Mike Krzyzewski won 5 NCAA titles with the Duke Blue Devils and 2 gold medals as coach of the U.S. men’s national team.
Which 20th-century Australian cricketer, nicknamed The Don, was and is a national icon in his home country and holds the record for highest career Test batting average (99.94)?
Donald Bradman
Donald Bradman’s accomplishments are considered by many as the greatest and most unbreakable sporting achievements ever.
Bradman played from 1927 to 1933 for New South Wales and from 1935 until 1946 for South Australia.
Which American auto racing driver is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing, having raced in both IndyCar and NASCAR?
Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick famously placed third in the 2009 Indy 500, the highest finish ever for a woman.
She is also a popular advertising spokesperson and occasional model.
