ESPN recently had their top "sports heroes" of all time.

And who did they have at #1?

Muhammad Ali? WTF? Ali, who was a brash, loud mouthed egomaniac.. also DODGED THE DRAFT... How is he a "sports hero"? I would LOVE to hear the reasoning on how Muhammad Ali is a bigger sports hero than Jackie Robinson, who put his life in danger to break down a color barrier. Or Lance Armstrong, or Magic Johnson... to name a few.

With Brett Favre having a perverted legacy through the media, I think Muhammad Ali also has been portrayed as such a good guy when he was nothing more than a loud-mouthed ass who could box...

Jim Thorpe gets my vote--either him or Bob Mathias, Olympic decathlete, 2-time gold medalist in that event, and all around gracious sportsman.

I'm always a fan of the streakers on the field. They're heroes in their own way.

Jesse Owens

Being an excellent athlete for a really long time impresses me, and for that reason, I think Nolan Ryan, who excelled for his entire 27 year career would be my vote for greatest athlete.

3.19 ERA in his career
Pitched until age 46
All time leader in strikeout
All time no hit leader with one thrown at the age of 44

Ty Cobb

Difficult to define 'best sportsman/woman' as they usually focus on one sport.
Here's a few.
Carl Lewis.
Pele
Mark Spitz
Jesse Owens

Cant see a connection between Ali dodging the Draft and how good or bad a sportsman he was tho ?

Not "sportsman" paul, even though Ali was a terrible one at that... but "Sports hero"...

Being an excellent athlete for a really long time impresses me, and for that reason, I think Nolan Ryan, who excelled for his entire 27 year career would be my vote for greatest athlete.

3.19 ERA in his career
Pitched until age 46
All time leader in strikeout
All time no hit leader with one thrown at the age of 44

this isn't "greatest athlete", it's greatest sports hero...

Being an excellent athlete for a really long time impresses me, and for that reason, I think Nolan Ryan, who excelled for his entire 27 year career would be my vote for greatest athlete.

3.19 ERA in his career
Pitched until age 46
All time leader in strikeout
All time no hit leader with one thrown at the age of 44

Remember when he got Robin Ventura in that headlock when Robin charged the mound?
He wrastled with him and threw him down just like a steer on his cow ranch.