These are merely seven of what could certainly be triple that many athletes who forever changed their sport through their combination of skill, innovation and influence:
1. Michael Jordan (Basketball)
- Career: 1984-2003
- Career achievements: 14× NBA All-Star, 5 x MVP, 6 x NBA Champion
- Revolutionized: Jordan's one-of-a-kind mix of athletic ability, artistry and cold-blooded competitiveness made the NBA must-see TV around the world. Off the court, his Air Jordan brand redefined sports marketing and culture.
2. Serena Williams (Tennis)
- Career: 1995-present
- Career achievements: 4 Olympic gold medals, 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
- Revolutionized: One of the most powerful serves in the women's game, combined with her aggressive style, made Williams a game-changer but not until 1999 was she number one; 12 years after winning the US Open and wearing beads in her hair. Men compete at a higher level, but she will always have the title of the fastest woman alive and her impact extends far beyond times in sport.
3. Usain Bolt (Track and Field)
- Career: 2004-2017
- Career achievements: 11 Gold Gongs at World Championships, Eight Olympic titles
- Revolutionized: The Thunderbolt became a sensation worldwide due to his lightning-fast speed and flamboyant personality. His sprinting world records, 100 and 200 meters, transcended what we thought is humanly possible and made track & field more a global must-watch.
4. Muhammad Ali (Boxing)
- Career: 1954-1981
- Career achievements: 3× Heavyweight champion (56–5, 37 KOs)
- Revolutionized: Muhammad Ali revolutionised boxing with his unorthodox techniques and lightning speed His controversial talking and his position during the civil privileges movements designed that along with in the diamond ring, boxing became a car or truck for greater sociable change.
5. Pelé (Soccer)
- Career: 1956-1977
- Career achievements: 3 World Cup; 1,000 goals+career
- Revolutionized: Pelé brought the game global popularity with his creativity and goal-scoring ability. (Credit: Pinterest) The profile of the sport was further raised by the success of drivers like him — work developed largely influenced and piloted by his direct input — as Nascar gained a foothold in the United States.
6. Tiger Woods (Golf)
- Career: 1996-present
- Career achievements: 15 Major Championships, 82 PGA Tour wins
- Revolutionized: Golf changed too, dominated by Tiger Woods and his commitment to being supremely fit. This strategic philosophy combined with his high-stress training techniques that were unlike anything professional golf had seen before created a new benchmark for professionals everywhere.
7. Jackie Robinson (Baseball)
- Career: 1947-1956
- Career achievements: 1 time MVP Award Winner, 6 All-Star Team (1952,1953,1958-1960 and 1962), World Series Champion(1955)
- Revolutionized: Jackie Robinson shattered Major League Baseball's color line in 1947, changing the game and the door for upcoming generations of African-American competitors. His feats paved the way for other blacks to play Major League Baseball, as well leading to much racial advance.
Each of these athletes is not just hailed for making her mark on their sport but lasting footprints, as they inspired some along the way while also setting up a legacy that will pervade the sport after they are long gone.
