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
80-71
70-61
60-51
50-41
Every athlete from here to #1 has a strong case for that top spot. However, the cases get stronger the closer we get. Here are your top 20.
20. Mike
Trout
Millville,
New Jersey
Current
Team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
After three full seasons as a pro, Trout has appeared in three all-star games. Last season, he was the American League MVP. His two previous seasons he finished as a runner-up for the MVP Award to Miguel Cabrera and many thought he should have won. Now, most people would consider him the best player in baseball and everyone seems to enjoy his play. After only three seasons in the league it is hard to put Trout any higher than this, but he could not have had a much better three years than he has had. Mike Trout has been absolutely fantastic and the best is yet to come. Hard to believe he wasn't the #1 overall pick in the amateur draft. As you can see the cases are getting really strong for #1.
19. Missy
Franklin
Pasadena,
California
Swimming
The most recognizable female swimmer from the past Olympics has got to be Missy Franklin. She got nearly as much airtime as Phelps did in London. It helps that she won 4 gold medals and a bronze during those Olympics at just 17 years old. Franklin, now 19 has simply dominated international competition and has a lot more of it to do. This girl is going to break a ton of Olympic and international records. She has 22 international medals to her credit already. 14 of those medals are gold, 5 are silver, and 3 are bronze. It is amazing the amount of medals she has picked up in such a short period of time. It is more amazing that her first international medal was won at age 15. I was nowhere near an Olympic athlete at age 15 and I doubt any of you were. As a sophomore in HS this girl was destroying the world's best athletes. In order to remain an amateur during these events, Franklin refused prize money and endorsements. Despite refusing prize money, Frankling is heavily involved in charity work. There is not much not to like about Franklin.
18. Kawhi Leonard
Los Angeles, California
Current Team: San Antonio Spurs
Kawhi Leonard is my second favorite player in the NBA. It is tough not to like the hustle, the dedication to defense, the unselfish play, and the pure excellence. I feel that it is safe to say that his improvement from day 1 in the league is pretty much unparalleled. This guy is young and he is getting better. He is such a lockdown defender and key member of this San Antonio Spurs machine. I believe that he has been spectacular for a while, but the rest of the world caught on during these past NBA Finals. When you outplay LeBron in the NBA Finals, people notice. LeBron still got his, but Kawhi had him flustered in each of the past two finals. You can not ignore the impact that Kawhi Leonard has had on lengthening the Spurs run. If the Spurs are going to do damage again this year, Leonard will have a major role. The 2014 NBA Finals MVP has only good things to come.
17. Charles
Tillman
Chicago, Illinois
Current
Team: Chicago Bears
If Charles Tillman was not hurt this past season, then he would be Top 5 with a very strong argument for #1 overall. However, Tillman suffered his 2nd consecutive season ending injury this past season. It is hard for you to stay very high on the list when you can't stay on the field. Still, Tillman has to be in the Top 20 because you don't get much more likable than him off the field. His dedication to community service is truly amazing. Tillman was the 2013 NFL Man of the Year and contributes to numerous charitable causes. His Cornerstone Foundation improves the lives of critically ill children and is one of the greatest charities out there. In fact, there have been several stories from people inside the foundation and the recipients of help who have been speaking about how wonderful a person Tillman is. Add in how great he is with NFL fans everywhere and Tillman is a treasure for this league. They do not come much better than Charles "Peanut" Tillman.
16. Clint
Dempsey
Nacogdoches,
Texas
Current
Team: Seattle Sounders FC
Clint Dempsey was the Captain of the United States during this past World Cup run and affectionately called Captain America by many throughout the country. He has been an outstanding leader for the US in soccer as he has represented the team admirably in international play. Dempsey has participated in 3 World Cups and scored goals in all three. By scoring goals in multiple World Cups, he joins and elite club of two. He also happened to score the quickest goal in US World Cup history scoring a goal 30 seconds into a match against Ghana. That is my kind of soccer! Quick with lots of scoring is the way to play! Dempsey is 2nd all-time in goals scored for the national team and doesn't look to be done. In fact, Dempsey is only one behind Landon Donovan in World Cup scoring. Most endearing by him may be the fact that he chose to continue to play in the United States instead of internationally. In addition to all of this, Dempsey is very involved in charity pursuits and is a Roman Catholic (like me!). He is a great person and well deserving of a high spot on this list.
15. TJ Oshie
Mount
Vernon, Washington
Current
Team: St. Louis Blues
TJ Oshie is the highest ranked hockey player on this list and for good reason. To me, he is the face of the last US Olympic Hockey Team. After he scored a game winning goal during those Olympics he said "the American heroes are wearing camo. That's not me." This was after someone asked him how he liked being the hero for the team. How do you not like the guy after a statement like that? Forget about the game winning goal, that statement alone was enough for inclusion on the list. His play in the NHL and internationally for the US put him firmly in the Top 20.
14. Madison
Bumgarner
Hickory,
North Carolina
Current
Team: San Francisco Giants
Madison Bumgarner soared up this list with a historic postseason run in 2014. I was very tempted to put MadBum in the #1 overall spot. These past playoffs he had as good a postseason as I have ever seen in any sport. His World Series performance was just other worldly. There are no words to describe how good he was. Then you add in that this is his 3rd WS title already and that he is so young and wow! It isn't just a postseason thing either. While he rises to the occasion in the postseason, Bumgarner is just a flat out stud. He does it with class too and he makes you like the way he carries his business. The devout Christian is about as likable as it gets in sports.
13. Gabby
Douglas
Virginia
Beach, Virginia
Gymnastics
Gabby Douglas had an epic run in the 2012 Olympic Games. She was absolutely dominant and the face of the United States gold medal team. During those Olympics she became the 1st American woman to win an individual all-around and a team gold medal in the same Olympics. That is a pretty fantastic accomplishment and was the highlight of the games for much of the country. The Virginia native has a lot of quality gymnastics left in her and does not look to be stopping anytime soon. Her faith in God keeps her grounded and adds to that likability. Gabby Douglas is a great American and a very likable athlete.
12. Drew
Brees
Austin,
Texas
Current
Team: New Orleans Saints
In the same Forbes
survey that listed a Steelers safety as the NFL's most liked player, Drew Brees was listed as the #2 player. Brees is widely acknowledged as the most liked QB in the game. He doesn't have any of the baggage that some of the other QBs have and puts on a show every Sunday. While his skills have diminished at this point, Brees is still quite good at what he does. He isn't perceived as a choke artist ala Peyton, he isn't a cheater ala Tom Brady, and he seems to be liked by everyone as a result. Brees is the guy you root for if you don't like the other elite QBs and a guy you root for even if you do. There is very little not to like about Drew Brees. In addition to all of the obvious on the field stuff, Brees is an absolute superstar off the field. This guy does as much charity work as any athlete and is just a great person. I had Brees in the Top 5, but dropped him down to #12 due to his diminishing skills. The guy is an absolute treasure though.
11. Stephen Curry
Akron, Ohio
Current Team: Golden State Warriors
The 2nd ranked basketball player on this list and #11 athlete overall is Stephen Curry. Curry will likely be the MVP this year and everyone will be happy with it. There is absolutely nothing to hate about this guy. He slipped in the draft because of his size. Before that, he received no big school scholarship offers and took a scholarship at Davidson. While at Davidson he led them on one of the biggest Cinderella runs in NCAA history. Really this guy is about as good as it gets and a rising star in the sports world. He proves it day in and day out and has to earn his keep. His story is the American Dream, well other than the NBA dad part. Not everybody has those genes haha. Curry was able to overcome his obstacles and prove that he belongs and everyone loves him for it.
-Noland
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