I'm not a big sports fan, but one person comes to mind:
GEORGE FOREMAN
I've never liked the idea of boxing, and don't care for people beating each other up, but George made quite an impression on me a few months ago in the TV series BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, in which several celebrity geezers .... Henry Winkler, William Shatner, Terry Bradshaw and George Foreman, accompanied by Henry Winkler's nephew who is a comedian, made a buddy road trip around Europe and into North Africa. There was a lot of cutting up and tomfoolery, including quite a bit of nudity that thankfully was pixilated, as the crew tried out all kinds of new foods and experiences and got on each others' nerves.
There were some very touching moments, as Henry Winkler traced his family roots in Germany, especially his uncle who perished in the Holocaust. William Shatner found his relatives in Lithuania.
George Foreman was very quiet and stayed above the antics of the rest of the group as they journeyed, but toward the end, he connected with a youth boxing club similar to a club that he sponsors. He told the story of how hard his life was growing up with a single mother who often had nothing for them to eat. George got into boxing so he could rise above his circumstances and told how proud he was when through his boxing he could provide food for his mother. Now he dedicates his life to helping other young men in difficult circumstances train as boxers so they can better their lives and help their families as well. He is such a sweet humble generous loving man.
One of the highlights of the show was when the group were locked into an "escape room," where you are given clues you have to solve in order to get out of the room. As the others clowned around, they realized they would have to get serious to get out of the room .... and some of them were getting anxious/claustrophobic in the process. George just stood to the side surveying the mayhem. As the tensions mounted, suddenly George said, "Is that the door?" pointing to a section of one of the walls. "I think it is ..." the others observed. George walked over to the door and rammed his fist into it, creating a gaping hole. Another punch or two and he had totally blown open the door with his sheer strength enabling them all to escape.
Brains and brawn and a humble heart! What's not to like?
If I had to pick two more athletes, I'd probably pick:
#2 PHIL MICKELSON because he has done so well playing golf in spite of having psoriatic arthritis, which can cause crippling joint pain and damage.
#3 JOSE ALTUVE, one of the big stars of the World Series Champion Houston Astros, who came from Venezuela and basically was a walk-on with a big heart who has slugged his way into the record books and inspired a whole city, especially in the wake of all the destruction of Hurricane Harvey. Another very talented humble guy.
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