Who’s the most famous athlete of all time???
Posted by Media Outrage on August 29, 2008
We have a great question for all Mediaoutrage readers. Even if you don’t follow sports, there are still names and faces, that are synonymous with winning, success, competition, and greatness, that stick out to most people like a sore thumb. Now we want to know who you think is the most famous athlete of all time. It basically narrows itself down to two peopl. Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan. Ali dominated boxing and Jordan dominated basketball, and most people use the words, The Greatest to describe both. So which one do you believe is the most famous athlete of all time? And why??? And if you feel there is another athlete that should wear that title then let us know who they are, and, what your reason is.
August 29, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Oh Lord…
August 29, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I dont really follow sports too close but Im gonna say Michael Jordan.
August 29, 2008 at 3:15 pm
As much as I love Jordan I believe Muhammad Ali is the most famous athlete of all time. Jordan is definitely #2.
August 29, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I believe that is Muhammed Ali. He accomplished so many things in lifetime. that none other has.
August 29, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Since Ali was not of my age group, i would have to say the Williams sisters, they came from humble means, display class in the face of racial ignorance on the courts and by the announcers, (John McEnroe) when they lose they do it with grace, and great sportmanship.They have a great competitive spirit for the game of tennis and do not have to overwhelm the court and support each other when they are not playing…
August 29, 2008 at 3:49 pm
ima have to say muhammad ali. he was his greatest in more political times and he is known for more than boxing. mj doesnt have a movie about him. bout the only thing u can remember him for outside of sports is when his dad was tragically killed and the nice ass divorce settlement his wife is sitting on.
August 29, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Both athletes were ahead of their time and took the world by storm. It is a very close comparison, but I’m going to say Muhammed Ali is more famous. My reason for saying Muhammed is you have to look at the man’s legacy, not saying Michael Jordan’s isn’t great. Muhammed truely left a positive and thought provoking impact on not just his sport, but on the world also. He stood up for what he believed was right and paid the cost with his freedom and his title belt. I don’t know if anyone is willing to give up their careers not to mention their freedom for what they believe in, that’s powerful. I bet if you asked your readers who’s the greatest of all time without mentioning any names or sports, most of them would say Muhammed Ali. That is because he is the first athlete to be given that title.
August 29, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Muhammad ALi is the greatest. Eventhough Michael Jordin is also popular along with his brand. The title goes to Ali.
August 29, 2008 at 4:31 pm
without a shadow of a doubt, it is Muhammad Ali. Michael Jordan is extremely famous but pales in comparison to the man who originated the title of “The Greatest”. His political stance alone elevated him through the stratosphere only to land on a level that most athletes can’t even imagine. Yes Michael Jordan may have dominated sports endorsements but Ali is a larger-than-life-icon. Ali
August 29, 2008 at 4:32 pm
don’t even watch sports but know that Muhammad Ali is definitely the most famous athlete of all time. I don’t even think Michael Jordan is #2. I would have to say Pele (soccer), and Babe Ruth.
August 29, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Michael Jordan is the most famous athlete of all time not Ali.
August 29, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Jordan! Come on y’all, Ali is a little before some people’s time. But you have a lot of people that have seen Jordan’s legacy not to mention that it continues on long after he’s retired. He’s a major influence basketball stars of today not to mention his Nike’s still sale more than anyone currently playing. He could kill somebody right now and people would still be all over Jordan, that’s a living legend right there.
August 29, 2008 at 4:48 pm
I think Michael Jordan is more famous. I just asked my cousin who is a sports fanatic and he said Muhammad Ali is more famous.
August 29, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Muhammad Ali! Mike is #2. Ali is a sports icon. He’s known everywhere. People that don’t even watch sports know Ali.
August 29, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I have to say Michael Jordan
August 29, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Anyone who says Michael Jordan probably grew up in the Jordan era of sports. I have been privileged enough to witness both athletes in their primes and all of the hoopla that surrounded them. Muhammad Ali without a doubt is the most celebrated and famous athlete of all time! Not Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, Pele, or Michael Jordan. I will say that Mediaoutrage hit the nail on the head by narrowing the list of athletes down to these two gifted individuals. Ali.
August 29, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Ali
August 29, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Muhammad Ali for sho
August 29, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I’d have to say Ali!
August 30, 2008 at 12:19 am
Muhammad Ali is the most famous and rightfully so. This man took on the Govt in the hight of his career and told them to eat a fat one and did it while being a Muslim, now thats power people. Came out of jail to whoop The baddest dude around at the time who was 10 years his junior. He was the first to get on tv and say what he was going to do and back it up 100% percent. As a Muslim he continued to holler Im black, Im pretty and Im bad in the 60s and 70s and white people loved him the whole time he was doing his thing. Hands down Ali. And it dosnt hurt that his daughter is the greatet female fighter of all time thus far. Ali yall
August 30, 2008 at 12:45 am
I say Michael Jordan everyone. he’s bigger and in more commercials with way more endorsements.
August 30, 2008 at 5:11 am
I have to go with Michael on this one..this bamma was making more $$$ from endorsements than his NBA contract!!!
August 30, 2008 at 7:46 am
Ali no question, Ali transcends sports. He is a black icon for the struggle. He epitomizes Black progression. Jordan may be the G.O.A.T. on the hardcourt, but he is best known now for some shoes.
August 30, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I have to say Muhammad Ali is the most famous athlete of all time. As so many other readers have already stated, he transcends the world of sports. He’s a political figure as well a cultural icon.
September 30, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Most famous athlete in the world? Pele no doubt whatsoever.
However if you want to limit your discussion the the United State, its one of Ali or Jordan.
December 18, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Ali, Ali and Ali. I can’t believe there are people that even doubt that. I’m a big fan of M Jordan, but they guy isn’t as famous in the world as he may be in the US. Ali is the most famous and loved athlete of all time. A phenomenon can’t be compared to athletes…the comparison should be with greatest leaders.
February 4, 2009 at 3:03 am
Let’s take bias and opinion out of it. Here are some historical facts, look them up. Michael Jordan is a great athlete, one of the greatest, but Muhammad Ali in his prime was the most recognized FIGURE in the WORLD. A lot of the younger generation who have posted here do not know this. They grew up in the Jordan era. Only three other individuals challenged Ali for world recognition in his prime… Nelson Mandela, Ghandi, and The Pope. Jordan cannot be discussed among these men.
February 4, 2009 at 6:46 am
Good point Darian. The young heads don’t know anything about that.
March 13, 2009 at 4:06 pm
i am only 16 and i wasnt really around during either of these two athletes primes. but from what i read and i see about ali on tv and how he could communicate to his people so easily its hands down ali
May 30, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Who’s the most famous athlete of all time???
Muhammad Ali – No Doubt, No Contest. Absolutely. End of.
If fact the only people in history that are more famous than Muhammad Ali are probably Jesus of Nazareth, Adolf Hitler and Elvis Presley.
Going back to athletes: then it would be Pele at No.2
Michael Jordan??!! He doesn’t even come close. Mike Tyson is more famous than Jordan, as is Diego Maradona, as is Tiger Woods (that is of course, the question is open to the whole world, NOT just America.)
June 16, 2009 at 10:16 am
its of course micahel jordan without a doubt, ali’s boxing era is not well establish unlike the times of oscar delahoya there were so many people playing boxing. in comparison with michael jordan the bastketball i s well known and well played worldwide even in eurpopes and africa… so the most popular athlete of all time is michael jordan …
June 16, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Wow MO i never checked this post.
Muhammad Ali is the most famous Athlete of all time. What he did in the political arena by getting locked up transcended the sports world. There are people that don’t even watch sports that know who Muhammad Ali is.
I would say Jordan is the second most famous of all time.
Great question though.