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
90-81
80. Ben
Zobrist
Eureka,
Illinois
Current
Team: Oakland A's
Ben Zobrist is one of the most versatile players in Major League Baseball. He plays second base, shortstop, and outfield. Not only that, but he plays solid defense at each of these positions. Zobrist has a very high walk rate and thus a high on base percentage. To think he was once traded by the Astros for Aubrey Huff will make you cry if you are a Houston fan. Although, he was just traded to the Oakland A's, so maybe you will cry if you are a Rays fan too. Another cool thing about Zobrist is that he uses his wife's song as his entrance music. His wife is Christian singer Julianna Zobrist and the song is called "Behind Me." Additionally, Zobrist stars as himself in the 2013 movie Ring the Bell. I honestly, did not know this movie existed, but will be checking it out now because it seems interesting. Zobrist does more charity than most including being the guy who students can take to school through a contest. The above picture is Zobrist going to school with a kid in Largo and making that kid's dream come true. Ben Zobrist is also a very strong Christian, but one that doesn't believe in forcing his beliefs on others. However, when asked, Zobrist will share those beliefs. He does not smoke, do drugs, or drink. Additionally, every interview I have seen with Zobrist has him mentioning how blessed he has been through his career and in life. That is a likable guy. A guy that can always talk about their blessings and praise others and not a me first guy.
79. Candace
Parker
St. Louis,
Missouri
Current
Team: Los Angeles Sparks
Candace Parker is the first and only female basketball player on this list. However, she is someone that absolutely does belong on it. Parker is the first woman to ever dunk in a NCAA Tournament game and 1st to dunk twice in a pro game. She is the 2nd woman to ever dunk in a WNBA game. At Tennessee, she was listed as a Guard, Forward, and Center while she went on to win 2 National Championships. Additionally, in 2009, Parker was voted favorite female athlete at the Teen Choice Awards. The icon was also a guest star on
Nickelodeon's Figure It Out. She has been on the last two gold medal teams for Team USA. Two WNBA MVP awards belong to her as well. At one time Parker was listed in People Magazine's 100 most beautiful people. She is an incredibly beautiful person as she has volunteered time and money to the following charities, D.A.R.E., Loaves and Fishes, PETA, March of Dimes, and the Ronald McDonald House. Now not everyone loves PETA, but we can expect her work with them. Everyone can admit that those other charities are some of the best ones we have. Parker is a really great person.
78. Jason
Witten
Elizabethton,
Tennessee
Current
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Jason Witten is easily the most likable player on the Dallas Cowboys. While many fans despise the Cowboys, everyone likes Witten. I like Witten eventhough I wrote a
piece that he was overrated (which I stand by).In fact, it is easy to argue that he is overrated all-time because he is so liked. The dude does his job, is Romo's safety valve and is a very good blocker. Add that to the fact that he is low key while on the Cowboys and I think you know why people like him so much. Then, the charity work seals the deal. No NFL player does substantially more charity work than Jason Witten. He is very involved in many charity efforts. His Score Foundation does a lot of good in Texas and Tennessee. You can find more about his foundation on his
website.
77. Ryan
Suter
Madison,
Wisconsin
Current
Team: Minnesota Wild
Suter is a defenseman for the Minnesota Wild that was on the National Hockey Team. His dad was on the "Miracle on Ice" team so there is some legacy to Suter's likability and hockey ability as well. He was an alternate captain on the 2010 team that won silver for the US and has represented the US 10 times in international competition. Suter won 3 gold medals as a junior player. On international play, Suter says "I feel it's an honor to wear the Team USA Jersey and every time I'm on the ice I play my hardest and give everything I have. Playing for Team USA is one of those things you look forward to. When I got the call and was asked to play on this team, it was an easy answer. It didn't matter who was on the team or who the coach was. It's just an honor to wear the jersey and compete for your country."
It doesn't get much more likable than that.
76. Ali Krieger
Dumfries, VA
Current
Team: Washington Spirit
Krieger is a legend at her high school in Woodbridge, VA and at Penn State. With Krieger, Penn State won four consecutive Big 10 Titles. Then she graduated and moved on to the National Team where she gained her fame as an excellent defender. She was the only national player playing club overseas until 2013 when she decided to play in the US. Unfortunately, she didn't play much in 2012 CONCAF Olympic Qualifying because she tore her ACL in that first match. Back in 2011, she was awesome though. Krieger was one of 4 women to play every minute of the Women's World Cup. Her claim to fame that season was connecting on the fifth penalty kick to win a shootout thriller against Brazil in the World Cup Quaterfinal. Back in 2008 she earned her first spot on an international roster other than the youth national teams she was already on. Krieger was also on the 2010 Women's World Cup Qualifying Team. It seems that she will be on the National Team for a good chunk of time.
75. Allison
Schmitt
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Swimming
This young lady made the list for her success with USA Swimming in the Olympics. During the last Olympic Games in London, Schmitt won 5 medals, 3 of which were gold. In all major international competition, Schmitt has won 9 gold medals and 14 medals in all. In addition she won 4 National Championships at Georgia and led the Lady Bulldogs to a team national championship in 2013. She began training with Michael Phelps in preparation for the Olympics in 2008. After starting her career at Georgia, she trained with Phelps and coach Bob Bowman in Baltimore during the summers and breaks. Now that her college career is over, we look forward to what Schmitt can accomplish in 2016.
74. Aries
Merritt
Chicago,
Illinois
Track &
Field
Aries Merritt is the fastest short distance hurdler in the United States. He currently holds the World Record in the 110m hurdles with a time of 12.80. That time was set back on September 7, 2012. It was a record set in Brussels right after his Olympic Gold Medal win in London. His gold medal winning time was 12.92. He also won the World Indoor Championships that year in Istanbul. Merritt won a gold medal at the World Junior Championships back in 2004. In 2012, Merritt was the USATF Fans' Choice Breakthrough Athlete of the Year. Merritt is 29 and should have one more great Olympics in him.
73. Tim
Hudson
Columbus,
Georgia
Current
Team: San Fransisco Giants
Tim Hudson has been a starting pitcher in Oakland, Atlanta, and now San Francisco. It is with the San Francisco Giants that Hudson finally got that World Series Ring. However, Hudson has been very good for a very long time and beloved by his peers and fans. Heading into his final season in 2015, Hudson will have much fanfare, although it will not get to Derek Jeter level. The longtime pitcher has 2,016 strikeouts, 214 wins, and 13 shutouts over his career. He has somehow managed to do that while maintaining a 3.45 E,R,A, Those stats during the steroid era where he never had any hint of suspicion on himself. Hudson also had the most wins of any pitcher in 2000, is a 4x All-Star, and was the Comeback Player of the Year in 2010. While those numbers appear to fall just short of the Hall of Fame, there is no doubting that Hudson is one of the best players in the game. In addition to those on the field exploits, he received a nomination for the Roberto Clemente Award in both 2006 and 2007. That award is given for the player who best combines excellence on and off the field. Time Hudson is as good as they come.
72. April Ross
Costa Mesa, California
Professional
Volleyball
As you can tell by the
photo, April Ross is a USA Beach Volleyball Player. She burst onto the beach
scene in 2006 winning the AVP Rookie of the Year award. She teamed with
Jennifer Kessy to beat the #1 team of May-Treanor and Walsh-Jennings in 2008 in
a monumental upset. They then won the silver medal in the Olympics of 2012
losing to the same duo they upset. In June 2013, Ross began training with
Walsh-Jennings in preparation for the 2016 Olympics. She will likely soar up
this list following her performance with her new partner. In fact, the
duo went undefeated in this past 2014 season. However, she is still able to make the
list now at this spot and a strong choice for it given her international success
representing the USA.
71. Zach
Johnson
Iowa City,
Iowa
PGA Tour
Johnson is one of the most famous PGA Tour Golfers around. He has 11 tour wins and everyone seems to like the guy. His best season as a pro was 2003, where he was the tour's leading money winner and he was player of the year for the Nationwide Tour. That raised him to the PGA level the following season. This guy was only the number 2 player on the Drake University golf team and somehow managed to get to that elite status in the pros through lots of hard work. He has a great work ethic without some of the physical tools that some of the other golfers have. It is part of the reason that Johnson is so liked. His best result by far, is a win at the 2007 Masters. That win is his only major title and he hasn't come incredibly close to another major win. Although he did finish 3rd at the 2010 US Open. Still, people love and remember Johnson for that win and how he goes about his business. Another reason that this guy is likable is the work of his
foundation. Through the link I provided you can learn more about the foundation and even look at its tax returns. I hope for a very strong 2015 for Zach Johnson on the tour.
-Noland
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