Yes another countdown

Can you tell I have runout of ideas thus far? I'm not getting into the Superbowl yet and after that we'll get pretty draft intensive since that is my thing. I got some good feedback on my last countdown so I'll be rolling with that for a bit. I must apologize for the time off, but I've been playing Metal Gear Solid 4 on my PS3 and that pretty much dominated all of my time the last few days. So here it is, the Big Cat's list of his top 10 favorite athletes. My last top 10 (favorite movie characters) did meet some opposition when someone questioned my list. So to clarify this is not who I think are the top 10 greatest, they are my top 10 favorites. I cannot even begin to tell people what is the greatest because it's all opinion, so here we go from 10-1.


10. Josh Hamilton - OF - Texas Rangers

I remember when I heard the Rangers had made a trade for a potential game changer named Josh Hamilton, I didn't know anything about him and had to ask my friend Steven about him. He told me a little about his story and I became instantly interested. After reading some articles about his amazing story I was hooked and then came his play on the field. It didn't take long, in the second game of the season, J-Ham hit a game winning homerun and showed the raw power that made him the #1 pick. He also flashed his glove in that game and over the next few months raced out to be the leading RBI man in the league. My man crush came to a full culmination at the home run derby when he hit 28 in the first round. I wont tell his story because it's been told but watch this video. He's at 10 on the list because I've only known about him for a year but I have a feeling he'll be moving up as the years go on.

9. Ryan Howard - 1B - Philadelphia Phillies

The first time I saw this guy play I knew the league was about to see something special. Being a big fan of the over sized, raw-power, left handed hitter I was instantly drawn to him. Howard did not disappoint winning rookie of the year in less than a full season. The next year he followed that up by winning the NL MVP and hitting 58 home runs. It seemed like every night I turned on sportscenter, the Ryanocerous was hitting bombs all over the ballpark. The next 2 years Ryan struggled with strikeouts, but continued to hit near 50 homeruns (47, and 48). The future is certainly bright for Howard.

8. Reggie White - DE - Green Bay Packers

I know he was an Eagle too, but he retired as a Packer, he won a Superbowl as a Packer, and he cemented his legacy as a Green Bay Packer. For some reason growing up I was a big fan of watching defensive ends, and there were none better than "the Minister of Defense." All due respect to my main man Bruce Smith, but Reggie White was definitely the jack of all trades. He was big enough to stop the run, quick enough to rush the passer, and strong enough to overpower an offensive tackle. White was a sure fire hall of famer his whole career and everyone knew it, and White never failed to deliver on that promise. He came to Green Bay when the Packers couldn't get free agents and became the missing piece to bringing a championship to title town. His life was tragically cut short, but he will go down as one of the greatest ever.

7. Ricky Williams - RB - Texas

Sure he smoked a lot of pot and threw away a probable hall of fame bid, but Ricky Williams will go down as one of the greatest players to ever tote the rock in college. One of the most enigmatic characters to ever grace the 40 acres, Williams inspired many Horns fans to rise to their feet and yell "Run Ricky Run." Ricky was the first key cog in the Longhorns turn around in the 90's. The best recruiting job Mack Brown has ever done, was getting Ricky to stay for his senior year after being underutalized by the previous regime. Ricky returned and ran for the single season record, and the Heisman trophy. The other strike that should be against him is that he is part of one of the teams I hate the most, the Miami Dolphins, but that didn't deter my love for Ricky. For a while he was one of my favorite players to ever play for the Horns, but we'll get to that later.


6. Ken Griffey Jr. - OF - Seattle Mariners/Cincinnati Reds

He was "The Chosen One", the one who would break all the records and ascend to the throne as the greatest to ever play the game. He was the quintessential 5 tool player who had the glove, the arm, the speed, the power, he could hit for average, and he had that beautiful, fluid, smooth, unforgettable swing. He's the first player who was real to me in baseball as I was growing up. I wanted to wear 24 in baseball and be like him but sadly I didn't have the glove, arm, speed, or bat of Jr. He's still had a fantastic career and has eclipsed 600 home runs and is a sure fire bet for the hall of fame, but his injuries caused by playing all out and recklessly have stopped him from being the home run king.


5. Michael Jordan - SG - Chicago Bulls

Come on, who doesn't have Michael Jordan in their top 10 favorite athletes? Who here has never dunked on a miniature goal with their tongue hanging out? Hell, when I make a shot in beer pong now I give the famous shrug Jordan gave his opponent after making it rain from beyond the arc. I know its an easy pick to take the greatest to ever play his sport, but Jordan is the reason LeBron James, Marshawn Lynch, and countless other athletes wear the number 23. It may be the most famous number in sports and Jordan made his basketball career into a money making machine. The jumpman logo can be seen on everything from shoes, to mp3 players, to cologne. Nike is joined at the hip with Jordan and all because he was simply the greatest ever to play the game. When I was young I wasn't much of a basketball fan, but if you asked me I was a Bulls fan because of Jordan. When my dad coached my youth soccer team we named it the Bulls, and even though I didn't appreciate the intricacies of basketball at that age, I knew I was watching something special.


4. Muhammad Ali - Boxer - The Greatest of All Time

I'm not a big boxing fan, but after reading stories, biographies, and watching documentaries I was instantly intrigued by the "Louisville Slugger." Ali or Cassius Clay as he was originally named was the center for controversy and the originator of trash talk. Ali spoke his mind and although it ruffled some feathers, he stood behind his words and showed backbone for what he believed in. Ali openly refused to enter the draft for religious reasons, and although I love America and believe in doing what's right for your country, I respect Ali for doing what he believed in knowing they would take everything away from him.

3. Jim Kelly - QB - Buffalo Bills

The first jersey I ever owned was a Jim Kelly jersey. The first game I watched that I actually remember was the infamous Wide Right Superbowl XV against the Giants. I was instantly hooked from that point and that didn't go over too well growing up in Dallas. Kelly doesn't have any championships and is rarely mentioned among the all time greats, but he is a hall of famer and in my mind one of the greats in a great era of QB's. Kelly's onfield leadership and enthusiastic style made him a pleasure to watch. Kelly was one of the first QB's in the modern era of offense to call his own plays from the QB position, and his versatile play caused the Bills coaching staff to make the no huddle offense a part of the regular offense. Their version was called the K-Gun. I no longer own the original jersey my parents bought for me, but a few years ago they did get me an authentic throw back Kelly jersey and it is my favorite that I own.


2. Vince Young - QB - Texas

Remember earlier when I said Ricky was my favorite player from Texas for a while? He was replaced January 4th, 2006. Before that VY was racing up the charts but reached the pinnacle with his herculean effort in the National Championship Game. The first time Young ever played in a Texas uniform, my father and I knew he had a lot of potential, but didn't see the true QB in him. At that point he was a redshirt freshman who knew to just get out there and run. As the years went on Texas fans questioned whether or not VY was the guy to get them where they wanted to be. Fans and pundits said he should be moved to wide receiver, but the Texas coaching staff never stopped believing. They took the reins off of Young and he became the most dynamic player in the country and in my opinion the greatest college player of all time. He's ahd some trouble making the pro transition after winning rookie of the year, but I believe he has enough in him to get off the mat, but even if he doesn't he will remain on this list.


1. Brett Favre - QB - Green Bay Packers

Favre's legacy may have been tainted over the past few years as he's tried to hold on in the twilight of his career. Like many greats he has tried to push his career (Michael Jordan, Joe Montana, Muhammad Ali) and some have criticized his offseason antics. I can't sit here and say he's handled everything the right way, but he has handled everything his way. He's done it like he did his whole career, with enthusiasm, heart, and his own style. He's the last of the QB's of my childhood, and no matter what the task was, Favre always seemed up to the challenge. Many will criticize saying he's blown games and while that is true, anyone who has watched his full career can't say they haven't enjoyed it. The young Mississippi kid who played like every game was his last, and blossomed into a superstar, and then into a larger than life icon who had grown old is the example of how to play the game when on the field. The image of Favre running around the field at Superbowl XXXI excited is forever in my mind, and his toughness is what made him a legend.