[Durham Giant]

O/T Sporting heroes : Thu Jul 16, 2009 10:46 am  

who are your sporting Heroes

there are so many that i would need to sit down and have a good think.

For me the Heroes bit is not just about their sporting success or their personalities it is a combination of both. I often find that i am drawn to flawed geniuses people like Alex Higgins, John Mc Enroe or George Best. all of them great in their particular sport but all of them being REAL Characters who all stuck two fingers up at the establishment.

Probably one of the best though was Cassiuis Clay not just for what he did in the ring but also what he did as a person. refusing to go to Vietnam and being stripped of his titles but still coming back to be a true champion.

: Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:27 am  

I think for me its got to be the ones that get the titles, on top of something else. The ones that push themselves almost past the limits of human endurance and ability.

Lance Armstrong springs immediately to mind

but then also people that set benchmarks that have never been surpassed, like Vince Lombardi

: Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:46 am  

not really got any general heroes.

in Football it was people like - David Hirst, John Sheridan,Zico, Gary Lineker, Paul Gascoigne,Chris Waddle -and most of the Sheffield Wednesday Team of 1990 -1992

Cricket - Ian Botham, David Gower,Robin Smith - the West Indies fast bowling attack eg - Garner,Marshall, Holding etc were always a joy to watch.

dont really bother with any other sports

: Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:11 pm  

For me it's
George Best
Mohahmed Ali
Ian Botham
Geoff Boycott
and last but not least Jimmy Nicholson and Frank Worthington,

Sorry I've never idolised rugby league players but I seem to remember thinking Tommy Smales and spanky Dyson were great when I was a nipper.

By the way who's Vince Lombardi ????

: Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:22 pm  

Vince Lombardi was the one time coach of the Green Bay Packers in the NFL, hailed as the greatest coach of all time - and for my money perhaps of any sport. Certainly the most quoted and emulated motivator of players ever. "I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle-victorious." Since 1971 the Super Bowl trophy has been known as "The Vince Lombardi Trophy."

Vince Lombardi was the one time coach of the Green Bay Packers in the NFL, hailed as the greatest coach of all time - and for my money perhaps of any sport. Certainly the most quoted and emulated motivator of players ever. "I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle-victorious." Since 1971 the Super Bowl trophy has been known as "The Vince Lombardi Trophy."

[Durham Giant]

: Thu Jul 16, 2009 6:47 pm  

Tommy smith, John Carlos and Peter Norman. If you do not know who they are follow the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olymp ... wer_salute Great athletes and principled. Another three who stuck two fingers up at the establishment

Tommy smith, John Carlos and Peter Norman. If you do not know who they are follow the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olymp ... wer_salute Great athletes and principled. Another three who stuck two fingers up at the establishment

: Thu Jul 16, 2009 7:04 pm  

Durham Giant wrote: Tommy smith, John Carlos and Peter Norman. If you do not know who they are follow the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olymp ... wer_salute Great athletes and principled. Another three who stuck two fingers up at the establishment I watched a documentary on those 3 last year when the limpicks wre on - very moving story i thought and very brave of them too

Durham Giant wrote: Tommy smith, John Carlos and Peter Norman. If you do not know who they are follow the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Olymp ... wer_salute Great athletes and principled. Another three who stuck two fingers up at the establishment I watched a documentary on those 3 last year when the limpicks wre on - very moving story i thought and very brave of them too

: Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:38 pm  

ShelleyGiant wrote:

For me it's
George Best
Mohahmed Ali
Ian Botham
Geoff Boycott
and last but not least Jimmy Nicholson and Frank Worthington,

Sorry I've never idolised rugby league players but I seem to remember thinking Tommy Smales and spanky Dyson were great when I was a nipper.

By the way who's Vince Lombardi ????

I'm a founder member of the Reading University Frank Worthington Appreciation Society. A dozen of us set it up but, apart from the first newsletter, we never received any further communication.

: Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:40 pm  

Ivor C&G Scarf wrote:

I'm a founder member of the Reading University Frank Worthington Appreciation Society. A dozen of us set it up but, apart from the first newsletter, we never received any further communication.