Who is the Most Accomplished Athlete of All Time?
By
Will Brown
Contributor Updated: 27 December 2024
Will Brown Contributor
William Brown is a Content Writer with strong expertise in US and global gambling industry trends. Having covered the local sports betting market since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, William approaches his gambling guides with passion and diligence. He is a keen player of online slots, blackjack, and a regular sports bettor.
Most Accomplished Athlete
American sporting history is dotted with countless top athletes who have left an indelible mark on culture and their respective sports. So when we consider the most accomplished athlete of all time, it’s better to look at who has achieved the most in their field rather than all of sports. It’s also important to take into account not just their sporting wins but their status as global icons. In this guide, we’ve highlighted these top successful athletes.
Who is the Most Succesful Athlete?
Before we start exploring who is the most successful athlete, we’ve outlined what it is that makes these sports stars so memorable and impactful. We then looked at the top athletes in the sports and leagues that are most popular in the USA.
These include the NBA, MLB, golf, boxing, football, ice hockey, athletics, and tennis. You’ll find informative recaps of each of these athlete’s achievements as well as some insights about why they remain so iconic. Use the following links to jump to each section or keep scrolling to learn about them all.
- What Makes a Top Athlete
- Basketball: Michael Jordan
- Baseball: Babe Ruth
- Golf: Tiger Woods
- Boxing: Muhammad Ali
- Football: Tom Brady
- Ice Hockey: Wayne Gretzky
- Tennis: Novak Djokovic
Factors That Make A Most Succesful Athlete of All Time?
When we consider what makes an athlete successful, we understand that it’s important to weigh up an athlete’s achievements in their sport. Whether it’s by setting unbeatable records or leading their teams through long winning streaks, these achievements are a powerful indicator of an athlete’s immense skills.
However, we also understand that what happens off the field is often just as important. Some of the top stars on this list have leveraged their athletic prowess to become business tycoons, further cementing their place as cultural icons. This is especially so for the first athlete on this list, Michael Jordan.
Michael Jordan
When considering the question, “Who is the most successful athlete of all time?” Michael Jordan’s name almost always is the first to come to mind. Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player in NBA history, Michael Jordan revolutionized the sport and transcended its boundaries.
He played in the NBA for 15 seasons, primarily with the Chicago Bulls, and led them to six championships. Jordan’s unrivaled scoring ability, combined with his tenacious defense, earned him 5 MVP awards, 10 All-NBA First Team selections, and 9 All-Defensive First Team honors. A 14-time All-Star, he also won two Olympic gold medals with Team USA.
His Air Jordan brand, a partnership with Nike, revolutionized athletic footwear and remains a cultural icon. Jordan’s impact on the sport, his business acumen, and his philanthropic efforts all contribute to his enduring legacy as both a groundbreaking performer and one of the highest paid athletes of all time.
Babe Ruth
George Herman “Babe” Ruth was a larger-than-life figure in American sports history, dominating Major League Baseball as a power hitter and charismatic personality. He is considered the most successful athlete of all time for baseball not just for his achievements, but for his ability to inspire a generation of fans during the Great Depression.
Ruth’s 22-year career began with the Boston Red Sox in 1914, where he excelled as a pitcher, before transitioning to a full-time hitter with the New York Yankees. Ruth smashed records and hammered home runs, ultimately amassing 714 homers in his career, a record that stood for almost four decades.
He won seven World Series titles and was one of the first five inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Ruth’s impact on the game was immeasurable, as he helped rescue baseball from the 1919 Black Sox Scandal, ushered in the “live-ball era” and became an American folk hero during the Roaring Twenties.
Tiger Woods
Anyone who has experience betting on a golf tournament will know just how much Tiger Woods’ legacy still casts a shadow over the game of golf. Eldrick “Tiger” Woods exploded onto the golf scene in 1996 and won the Masters in 1997 by a record 12 strokes. At 21, he was the youngest champion ever.
He continued to shatter records and dominate the PGA Tour through the following decades, going on to win 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour victories. His most successful period was during the “Tiger Slam” era between 2000 and 2001 when he held all four major championship titles at once.
As the first athlete to earn $1 billion from sports, Woods was at one point the most successful athlete of all time. His impact helped to revitalize golf and brought in legions of new fans, and despite a momentous fall from grace due to personal issues, made a stunning comeback with a 2019 Master victory.
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., was a legendary figure in the world of boxing and a defining symbol of the 20th-century civil rights movement. Ali became a three-time world heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist, known for his unorthodox fighting style, lightning-fast footwork, and powerful punches.
His nickname, “The Greatest”, indicates that he was the most accomplished athlete of all time in boxing. His public persona was also lauded, with his witty and provocative trash-talking making him a polarizing figure in and out of the ring. Ali’s refusal to be drafted for the Vietnam War due to his religious beliefs and his outspokenness on social issues also made him an influential cultural icon.
His rivalries with George Foreman and Joe Frazier have gone down in history, with The Rumble in the Jungle, the Fight of the Century, and the Thrilla in Manila storied events in sports folklore. His battles with Parkinson’s disease later in life demonstrated his indomitable spirit, and he continued to inspire millions with his courage and humanitarian work.
Tom Brady
Tom Brady is considered by many to be the most accomplished athlete of all time among NFL players. During his career, he won an astounding seven Super Bowl rings, six with the New England Patriots, then one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady has also won more games than any other NFL quarterback, plus has the most career touchdown passes, completions, and passing yards.
Brady recently retired at the age of 45, an incredible age for a professional athlete. What’s more, he was still performing to a high level before he retired. Brady was also beloved for his charismatic and friendly personality off the field and has now grown a sizable following on social media. He is now certain to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as soon as he’s eligible.
Wayne Gretzky
Known as “The Great One”, Wayne Gretzky is widely recognized as the greatest hockey player of all time for his contribution to the sport. Throughout his 20-year NHL career, the Canadian-born Gretzky set 61 league records, including the most goals, assists, and points in a career.
A 10-time Art Ross Trophy winner and 4-time Stanley Cup champion with the Edmonton Oilers, Gretzky’s remarkable vision and playmaking ability revolutionized the sport. He was the first player to reach 200 points in a season and did so four times, a feat unmatched by any other player.
Gretzky’s impact on the US sporting world was undeniable, and he helped to boost interest in the sport between 1979 and 1999. His time playing with the Los Angeles Kings helped to fuel significant growth and expansion of the NHL in the country, making him the most successful athlete in hockey when considering his impact.
Novak Djokovic
And finally, the most accomplished athlete of all time in the world of tennis is Serbian star Novak Djokovic. Breaking through the ranks in 2008, Djokovic experienced a dramatic transformation from a promising talent into the sport’s most formidable opponent. In 2011, he won all the challenger events and crushed countless records.
He has amassed 24 Grand Slam singles titles, the most of any man, and tied with Margaret Court. He also holds the record for most weeks at World No. 1 and is the only player to win every Masters 1000 tournament several times. His achievements are especially amazing when considering he played alongside other legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
During 2015-2016, Djokovic also held all four major Grand Slam titles simultaneously. While he has at times been a controversial figure off the court, his unbridled commitment to success has made him an icon. With no indication that he will retire any time soon, who knows how many more achievements Djokovic will earn?
