Two weeks ago, I started looking at the most likable athletes in this country following the retirements of Derek Jeter and Champ Bailey. That continues today with the latest look at some awesome American athletes. First, let's look back at what we have gone over so far... Preview 100-91
90. Damian
Lillard
Oakland,
California
Current
Team: Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard is a guard for the Portland Trail Blazers. He is a fantastic player who was Rookie of the Year during his rookie season and is an all-star level player currently. Lillard has also become quite involved with charity work including hosting a New Years Eve party for the Brian Grant Foundation. That event which ran a few weeks ago ran from 8pm to 2am and benefited Parkinson's research. He refuses to openly campaign for himself for an all-star spot although he is deserving and just plays the game. This guy is awesome he only calls attention if it is a charity event like the one I mentioned. His play on the court is the biggest reason he is on this list, but his work on it adds to his popularity. With only 2 NBA seasons under his belt following a career as a mid-major star in college, we can expect to see a lot more of Damian Lillard.
89. John
Carlson
Natick,
Massachusetts
Current
Team: Washington Capitals
John Carlson was on Team USA of the 2014 Winter Olympics and also represents the Washington Capitals. He was a strong defenseman on that USA squad and represented our country well. Who doesn't like rooting on the old red, white, and blue anyway? He even scored the first goal of that 2014 tournament enduring him with American hockey fans. During the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, Carlson scored the winning goal in the Gold Medal Game against Canada. Carlson was the alternate captain of that 2010 squad. His international success is a big reason why Carlson made the cut for this list.
88. Jozy
Altidore
Livingston,
New Jersey
Current
Team: Sunderland
Jozy Altidore is obviously best known for being on the US Men's National Team in this country. Altidore represented the United States in both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. He had to be carried off the field though in that 2014 World Cup opener against Ghana. Because he did not play more in the actual World Cup, I don't think he can be higher than this. However, Altidore became very popular with American sport enthusiasts during the qualifying stage. Altidore does not appear to be going anywhere anytime soon.
87. Heath
Miller
Richlands, Virginia
Current
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Heath Miller is a tight end and football player that just goes about his business. I tend to think that Americans respect that. In my opinion, he is one the best blocking tight ends in football (was the best at one time) and has been a consistent player for the Steelers for years. He just does impressive things on the field without calling attention and always gets the job done. Miller even has a fan page talking about why he is so likable. After browsing through that page, you can see why people love Miller as a player and a person. This guy does a ton of charity work and is just an all-around great guy. The Steelers love Heath Miller and he is a guy that any fanbase would love to have on their team.
86. Cullen
Jones
New York
City, New York
Swimming
Cullen Jones is one of the most recognizable swimmers that we have here in America. He won the 4x100 meter medley relay at the 2012 Olympics on Michael Phelps' team. Jones also won 2 silver medals in 2012 at those game. His American team holds the 4x100 freestyle World Record. This guy's story is very interesting as he learned to swim at 5 following a near death experience from drowning. Years later he is an Olympic athlete and one of the most famous ones we got. Of course, let's be honest we remember him for this back in 2008 and being on this team...
85. JJ Hardy
Tucson,
Arizona
Current
Team: Baltimore Orioles
The first current Oriole of the list. JJ Hardy is the perfect professional baseball player. Great team leader that doesn't run his mouth and is awesome in the community. Many consider him the best and most consistent shortstop in the American League. Because of this great consistency at defense, Hardy has won 3 straight gold glove awards. Luckily for O's fans he also signed a three year extension back in October and will remain an Oriole for the next few seasons. The fact that he signed for less money to stay on his current team is not lost amongst sports fan and it is a rare site today. He could have easily taken the money that the Yankees would have thrown at him, but that would have made Hardy far less likable as a baseball player. Hardy also as mentioned does his own charity work and volunteers for causes of other athletes. Here is an example of that as Hardy volunteered at this baseball clinic for Shelley Duncan's cause.
84. Klay
Thompson
Los Angeles,
California
Current
Team: Golden State Warriors
Klay Thompson this season has seemed to take the step from really good player to superstar player. He has gone from scoring 16.6 PPG to now over 21 PPG. This leap has been accompanied by the Warriors having the best record in basketball and a certain all-star game appearance for Thompson. Last season, he and Steph Curry set an NBA record for most three pointers in a season by a duo. That record will likely be crushed this season. Thompson was a member of the gold medal winning FIBA Basketball World Cup team this summer. Picking up the gold increased his popularity and likability as did picking up his game. The most recent feat that Thompson accomplished of scoring 37 in a quarter, really set him up to be loved. He set social media on fire with that one and it leads many to believe some more spectacular play is coming.
83. Kyla
Ross
Honolulu,
Hawaii
Gymnastics
Kyla Ross is the least popular member of the Fab 5 team from the 2012 Olympic Games. People remember Gabby Douglas and Jordyn Wieber dominating. They remember McKayla's vault and they remember Aly's grace. A lot of people forget that Kyla was on the team. However, everyone that remembers loves her for it. Those that don't remember, tend to get a refresher when reminded. The girl was awesome at the games and it would have been hard to win gold without her.
82. Matt
Bonner
Concord, New
Hampshire
Current
Team: San Antonio Spurs
The first Spur on this list is Red Mamba. This team has gone from one of the most hated in sports to one of the most likable in a very short period of time. Most people hated them because they always won, but now respect them because of their team first attitude. They love that a guy like Matt Bonner who is nothing outside of San Antonio is a stud in this system. This guy had crazy fanfare at the 2014 All-Star Game where he almost won the 3 point contest. Eventhough he finished 2nd in the contest, Bonner impressed a lot of people. He impresses them more with his unselfish play as a key member of the San Antonio machine. Matt Bonner has made a name for himself in San Antonio.
81. Anquan
Boldin
Pahokee,
Florida
Current
Team: San Francisco 49ers
Anquan Boldin is my personal favorite football player. Nobody plays with the same passion that this guy does. No receiver I have seen has been more fearless going across the middle. There aren't guys that get more out of what they have. He was a clear first rounder, but went in the 2nd because he ran a 4.7 40. The fact that he ran that speed shows that he isn't a speedster. I ran 4.7 as an offensive lineman in HS and I am not fast. Boldin also isn't the fastest or the greatest leaper. Boldin is a guy with reliable hands that runs fantastic routes. He is a rock in the offense and you don't have to worry about him dropping passes. Every team that has had Boldin has loved Boldin. Despite WR being a loaded position during his career, Boldin has appeared in 3 Pro Bowl Games. The wideout was also the 2003 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. During his first game in the NFL, Boldin made a quick impression by setting a rookie receiving record in his first game. Those 217 yards receiving in his NFL debut left quite the impression. During the 2009 season, Boldin became the 5th fastest player ever to reach 7,000 yards receiving in his career. In 12 NFL seasons, Boldin has 12,406 yards receiving. That puts Boldin 4th among active players and 19th all-time in receiving yards currently.
Boldin is also likable for his Q81 foundation. That foundation does fantastic work and provides the following services. The NFL sure could use more individuals like Anquan Boldin.
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