The Goat

Good morning everyone. The greatest of all time. What a statement. No matter what the team sport, it's a big deal to be considered one of those guys. Michael Jordan, Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Babe Ruth, LL Cool J. Sorry, I digress. My question is simply, "Is it fair? I read separate articles that considered Barry Sanders, Jerry Rice and Jim Brown the greatest athletes of all time.


Looking at the career stats of these athletes, It would be hard to deny these athletes their due. Jordan, six titles. Babe Ruth hit more than 700 career home runs (pre steroid era). Sanders, ten time Pro Bowler with over 15,000 yards rushing. Jerry Rice, owner of the most career wide receiver records in NFL history. Jim Brown, college Hall of Famer in both football and lacrosse. Wow.

As Malcolm would say, "let me make it plain". These guys (and gals too) are some of the greatest players who have played their respective team sports. The operative word for me is the word team. Jordan played with at least two probable Hall of Famers in his running mate Scotty Pippen and one of the greatest rebounders for his era, Dennis Rodman. Barry Sanders during his great run (pardon the pun) did have two Pro Bowlers that blocked for him (Lomas Brown - 7 times and Kevin Glover - 3 times). Aside from the offensive line blocking, Jerry Rice got most of his catches from two Hall of Famers in Joe Montana and Steve Young.

Jordan still had to get the pass from someone, after he came off a pick from a teammate, to hit the jumper. Barry still needed a crease (albeit, not a big one) the get that extra yard. Jerry Rice still needed his offensive line to give his quarterback time to get the pass to him.

Understand I am in no way shortchanging these talented stars. This just comes from a guy who enjoyed team sports in a previous life and knows that even the bench riders and the "holla guys" have a place on championship teams. At the end of the day, there still is no I in the word team. Even if the I stands for incredible.