Muhammad’s Gold Medal

Muhammad won a spot on the U.S.A Olympic boxing team in 1960.  That was the year they went to Rome, Italy to compete.  He was an imposing fighter in the ring.  He was 6 feet 3 inches tall, he was one of the tallest boxers back then.  Everyone at the Olympics knew Muhammad by his amazing footwork and his powerful jab.  Ali won his first 3 fights in the Olympics, then went on to beat Zbigniew Pietrzkowski of Poland to get his gold medal.  After winning his gold in the Olympics, everyone saw Ali as an American hero.  He went professional right after the Olympics too.  Louisville Sponsoring Group is who was backing him and got is to be professional.  During the 1960’s Muhammad won every single fight he fought, almost all of them by knockouts too.  He defeated British heavy weight champion Henry Cooper in 1963 then went on to knock out Sonny Liston in 1964 to become the heavy weight champion of the world.  After winning gold in the Olympics and becoming the heavy weight champion of the world,  Muhammad Ali wasn’t afraid to brag about his skills.  He started calling himself “The Greatest” .  One of his greatest quotes was “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee in the boxing ring.”

Seth Swartz

 

Muhammad’s Awards and Achievements

Muhammad Ali has won many awards and had many achievements.  In 1959 Ali was National Golden Gloves light heavyweight champion and national amateur athletic union champion.  In 1960 he was National Golden Gloves light heavyweight champion, National Amateur Athletic Union Champion, Gold metal in the Rome Olympics for light heavyweight boxing.  In 1964-1967 Muhammad was the World Heavyweight Champion.  1970 he got the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Award.  1974 he got Sportsman Of The Year from Sports Illustrated and Fighter Of The Year from Boxers Writing Association.  1974-1978 Ali was World Heavyweight Champion again.  1978-1979 he was also World Heavyweight Champion.  1979 Muhammad got Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Southern University,  he also had a street named after him in Louisville, Kentucky.  In 1985 he was recognized for long, meritorious service by World Boxing Association. Muhammad Ali was elected into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1987.  In 1990 he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.  He was chosen to light the Olympic torch in 1996.  Lastly in 1997 he Arthur Ashe Award for Courage by ESPN and got the Essence Living Legend Award.  These are all the awards and achievements that Muhammad Ali had throughout his boxing career.

<a href=”http://sports.jrank.org/pages/96/Ali-Muhammad-Awards-Accomplishments.html”>Muhammad Ali – Awards And Accomplishments</a>

Seth Swartz

 

 

 

Muhammad KnockOuts

Muhammad Ali was known for his knockouts.  He was very quick and powerful with his hands that most of the time it only took a few punches to knock the other boxer out.  Ali’s overall record at the end of his career was 56-5.  Muhammad hardly ever lost a fight.  Out of his 56 wins, 37 of them were from knockout.  There was only one time in his career that his opponent knocked him out.  It was one of his last fight in Vegas on October 2, 1980.  Ali and Larry Holmes were fighting for the heavy weight title and Holmes ended up knocking Ali out.  That was the only fight that Ali had ever been knocked out in.

Seth Swartz

Michael Jordan (The Greatest)

Michael Jordan has become the most well known name in the game of basketball.  His credibility as the best lies in his many records, notables, championships, and fellow competitors.  His greatness arose from his rookie season in 1985.  From there he skyrocketed.  Becoming the greatest through his showmanship on the floor, and a well-spoken person off the court.  We are talking about a man who put himself on the line while he had flu like symptoms, and still pushed his team to win the game.  Michael Jordan became the man who on the court created an icon of dunks.  But yet off the court has become a successful businessman because of that icon.  The line Air Jordan represents more than his famous shoe brand.  It also represents the most famous dunk in basketball history from the free throw line.  “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career.  I’ve lost more than 300 games. 26 times I have been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.  I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life.  And that is why I succeed.”-Michael Jordan.  A quote well remembered by any body that has heard the last name Jordan.  If any quote represents Michael Jordan as a man it would be this quote.  It shows that in his eyes it wasn’t about all the game winning shots.  It was about the one’s that nobody ever remembers.  He took his failures on the court and put them into success that he is remembered by.  From missed shots, to broken records, this is why Michael Jordan is the world’s greatest athlete ever.

(Image Courtesy of BasketballWallpapers.com)

“Michael Jordan Quotes.” Brainy Quote. Web. 3 Nov. 2012

Nate Burt

Jordan (Quoted as the Best)

“There is the rest of us players in the NBA and then there is Michael Jordan.”-Magic Johnson. A quote by Magic Johnson, another player among the best, states that Michael Jordan is above all.  He is the best in every way possible.  If you want to be the best, you must be accepted by the best.  This is what is happening based on this quote. 

When Jordan scored 63 points against the Boston Celtics Larry Bird was quoted saying, “God disguised as Michael Jordan.” Larry Bird, being one of the all time greats, was quoted saying Michael Jordan is a God.  That proves many of the best, accepted him as the best.  

Being quoted as the best is one thing.  But the way you speak also reflects on your greatness.  During an interview Michael Jordan was asked how come he is so great.  He responded, “I enjoy practicing more than performing. For me matches are breaks between my practice sessions.”  This shows his discipline as a basketball player.  Many good basketball players believe they did not even have to show up to practice.  Michael Jordan put blood, sweat, and tears when nobody was looking.  “I’m not out there sweating three hours every day just to find out what it’s like to sweat.”-Michael Jordan.  This quote shows his dedication to becoming the best.  They say that character is what you do when nobody is looking.  I believe Michael Jordan had the best character out of any athlete ever.  His character, dedication, and discipline towards the game of basketball out weighs all others. 

“Michael Jordan Quotes.” Brainy Quote. Web. 3 Nov. 2012

Nate Burt

Jordan (Record Breaker)

To be great you must have great notables.  Michael Jordan had those.  He was five time regular season MVP in 1988, 91, 92, 96, and 98.  He was all NBA first team seven straight years 87-93, and also 96-98.  All defense first team six straight years 88-93, and 96-98. He was NBA Defensive Player of the Yea in 1988.  A NBA Rookie of the Year 1985.  Won the NBA Slam Dunk Competition in 1987, and 88.  He received MVP of All-Star Games in 1988, 96, 98.  Michael Jordan’s notables just add to his credibility, not to mention his many records.  He has a total of 29,277 points for the Chicago Bulls, making him the all-time scoring leader.  Michael holds the record of 63 points, which is the highest amount of points in a playoff game.  In the season of 86-87, he scored a total of 3,041 points, which is third highest season total in NBA history.  Michael Jordan also holds highest season points per game average in the regular season, 31.5 points.

All these records are still standing today.  But to be a great player one must have records that show that they endured high-pressure situations.  NBA finals are one of those situations.  Michael Jordan’s records in the NBA finals are by far the most impressive records held in any sport.  He has the highest scoring average in the NBA finals of 1993, 41 points.  Jordan has the most points in a NBA finals six game series, 246 points.  Also he has a record of 101 field goals in the NBA finals.  Jordan holds the record of 35 points in one half, and also the highest points per game average in the playoffs, 33.5 points.

Men who deserve it break records.  Michael Jordan is one of those men.  With these records he has become the most well known athlete ever to play a sport.  Once these records are broken is when someone can be comparable to the great Michael Jordan.

(Image Courtesy of Photos.ImageEvent.com)

Henderson, Ryan.  “Why Michael Jordan is the greatest athlete of all time?” Sports Fiction.

UMW Blogs, 18 Sept. 2011. Web. 3 Nov. 2012.

Nate Burt

Jordan (Gold Medalist)

Michael Jordan was and still is the icon of sports.  On top of winning those championships Michael also was a gold medalist in the 1992 Olympics.  That year the U.S. team was an elite group called “The Dream Team”.  Leading that Dream Team to the victory, Michael Jordan.  Michael Jordan wasn’t the best in the United States, after the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona; He was the best in the world.  What made him the best were not only his skills but also mentality.  One of his teammates walked in on him watching video and said, “”I don’t even want to bother you, but why are you watching this game?” And he said, “I always take my opponent seriously. I never underestimate anyone.”(Marsalis 4)  This goes to show that he took basketball seriously, and that he never took anyone for granted.  “You ever watch a lion or a leopard or a cheetah pouncing on their prey?” (Malone)  This quote is directed towards Michael Jordan by one of his Olympic teammates.  If this doesn’t say something about Jordan then I don’t know what does.  He was the best defensively, offensively, mentally, and physically.  To sum it up, he was unstoppable.

 

(Image Courtesy of OnlineAthens.com)

Whitaker, Lang. “The Dream Will Never Die: An Oral History of the Dream Team.”  GQ.com.

      N.p, July 2012. Web. 3 Nov. 2012

Nate Burt

 

Bo Knows Best

Bo Jackson has achieved feats many would only dream of and he’s accomplished those feats with enough grace to make them look effortless. He was a two sport professional All-Star, the face of one of the most successful ad campaigns in history, and a true role model. Bo Jackson has stood the test of time and it wouldn’t be crazy to think he could be the first athlete in history to be in both the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame and the National Football Hall of Fame. Bo has proven his humbleness and selflessness through his charity work and attitude of the field. He’s a legend and has done everything imaginable to earn that status. Bo knows success, Bo knows disappointment, but more importantly Bo knows Bo…

(Image courtesy of Foxnews.com)

Bo Knows Character

Bo Jackson may be the greatest athlete to ever live but he’s also something much more, and by that I mean Bo Jackson is a damn good man. Bo was raised without a father and as a result cares very much for his family. When Bo had a day off at the height if his career he’d spend the whole thing with his wife and kids. Bo has 3 children (Garrett, Nicolas, and Morgan) and has been married since 1982 to his wife Linda. Bo’s been retired for nealy 20 years now and isn’t in nearly as good of shape as he once was, but is still a monster of a man. His size means nothing to his family though, neither does his past achievements. They love him unconditionally and judge him by the caliber of man he is; by the father and husband he is to his family. Most former athletes end up bankrupt after they’ve been retired for a few years, but not Bo. His mind still races, and he still has to keep himself occupied. Bo’s drive and humble upbringings have prevented him from squandering his fortunes. He wants to set a good example for his children, and make life better for them. He’s invested wisely, and is still worth $16 million. Bo also has his own charity. It’s called the “Give Me A Chance Foundation” and it gives inner city kids academic and athletic training. It surrounds them with positive influences and helps them become well rounded individuals.
Weinreb, Michael. “Bo Knows Best.” ESPN.com. ESPN, 2011. Web. 04 Nov. 2012. .

(Image courtesy of Trekhp.com)
– Zach Briscoe

Bo Knows Football

Bo Jackson was a great baseball player, but his baseball skills paled in comparison to his football skills. He chose to go to school at Auburn University in 1982 on a football scholarship rather than accept a $250,000 offer to play for the Yankees, and in college he set the SEC record for average yards per carry (6.6) and he achieved the 4th most rushing yards in SEC history (4,303). Auburn achieved a 31-12 record while Jackson played there. They also won 3 bowl games and only lost 1. He scored 43 touchdowns while attending college. Bo admittingly had a different running style his freshmen year. He was more of a speed runner than a power runner, but that all changed when he got hit in a game against Alabama and fumbled. After that Bo knew he had to be the kind of back defenders feared; he knew he had to be able to handle himself physically out tere on the field. Jackson was named an All-American in 1983 and 1985(Bo wasn’t an All-American in 1984 because he didn’t get very much playing time due to an injury). After the 1984 Sugar Bowl game(that Auburn won) Bo was awarded the MVP, but rejected it, claiming the true winner was teammate Lionel James. In 1985 he also won the Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp Award, the Chic Harley Award, and was named the UPI Player of the Year Award. Bo was ranked the 8th best football player in college history by ESPN. In 1987 Bo was drafted by the Oakland Raiders as the 187th overall pick, because in 1986 the Tamp Bay Buccaneers did not agree to allow Bo to play baseball at the same time and he did not sign during the draft. Bo rushed for an incredible 2,782 yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry despite being a “second string” running back, in his four seasons with the Oakland Raiders. On November 30, 1987 Bo set the Monday Night Football rushing record with a 221 yard performance. That record still stands today. Sadly, in a 1990 playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals Bo sufferered a career ending hip injury. Bengals linebacker Kevin Walker was the man responsible for the tackle and injury. Despite being so successful, Bo wasn’t playing for fame or glory. Bo played for the love of the game; none of the other stuff phased him. Bo used to walk past the Heisman Trophy quarterback Pat Sullivan won in 1971 that sat in the lobby of Auburn’s Memorial Coliseum like there was nothing to it. “I don’t pay it no mind,” he once said. He played because he loved what he did, and his enthusiasm and love for the game was evident. He knew what it felt like to succeed at something he loved. If Bo hadn’t have been injured in that 1990 playoff game it’s safe to say there’d be a special place for him in the Football Hall of Fame, and who knows; Bo may actually be admitted into it sometime in the future. Whether he be admitted or not, his four seasons in the NFL were incredible, and his level of talent unparalleled.
Wolff, Alexander. “Bo on the Go.” Academic Search Complete. EBSCOhost, n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2012.

(Image courtesy of Raiders.com)
– Zach Briscoe