Famous Athletes and Their Top Sports Illustrated Shots
Dennis Dixon, 2008
American football quarterback Dennis Dixon was initially drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008, playing through to 2011. He became a member of the practice team for the Baltimore Ravens during the 2012 season when they won their Super Bowl, earning him a coveted ring.
Dixon has gone on to become a marketing specialist for the Jordan brand, helping train high school athletes connected to the company in Los Angeles. He secured the job and endless supply of limited edition shoes by being close friends with Nike co-founder Phil Knight and designer Tinker Hatfield.
Rob Gronkowski, 2012
Retired NFL player Rob Gronkowski was an American football tight end for the New England Patriots putting his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an end in March 2019. The three-time Super Bowl champion played alongside his best friend and legend Tom Brady and is the record-holder for the highest number of touchdown receptions by a tight end.

After announcing his retirement from the sport, Bronkowski teased in January 2022 that he may come back onto the field again with the Buccaneers. We reckon he wants to set more incredible records, and he holds quite a few. This 2012 portrait of Gronkowski appeared in Sports Illustrated.
Maria Sharapova, 2005
Many would recognize this Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova for her beauty, but she was also once ranked the number one best player in 2005. She won the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) five times; her profession started in 2001 before she went on to announce her retirement in February 2020.

Her worth is estimated at $180 million, which she got from her championship wins and many endorsements, including Tag Heuer and Nike. Sharapova got engaged to English entrepreneur Alexander Gilkes in 2020, and the two holidayed in Venice in September 2021, a nice change to their usual Santa Barbara home.
Michael Jordan, 1998
Michael Jordan is regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time since winning the NBA championship with the Bulls for the first time in 1991, then achieving his own accolades by becoming the NBA MVP six times and many more.

He has become a significant figure when it comes to endorsements, scoring brands like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Nike, where created the signature shoe ‘Air Jordan’ in 1984, and it is still popular to this day. Jordan has an incredible $1.6 billion wealth, as recorded by Forbes in February 2022.
Nadia Comăneci, 1976
The Romanian, Nadia Elena Comăneci is a retired gymnast known for becoming the first to achieve a perfect 10.0 score at the Olympic Games in 1974 at the age of 14. She then went on to win nine gold medals and four World Artistic Gymnastic Championships during her career.

Comăneci married fellow Olympic gold medalist Bart Connor in 1996. The two founded ‘Bart Connor Gymnastics Company’ in Oklahoma in the same year. They both work on ‘International Gymnast’ magazine and still contribute to the sports world today as analysts and commentators.
Mariano Rivera, 2013
Mariano Rivera was a former baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for 19 seasons with the New York Yankees between 1995 and 2013. He was known for his precise control and smooth pitching motion, which regarded him as one of the best relievers in baseball history.

Gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2013, the interview writes about his on-field brilliance and MLB record of 651 saves. The Hall of Famer joins EFI Connect in January 2022, speaking about his time in the game and the Mariano Rivera Foundation, which dedicates its work to providing help and education to children from impoverished families.
Serena and Venus Williams, 2000
Growing up in Compton, the famous Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, honed their skills in tennis and eventually became the biggest names in the sport. Venus turned pro at 14 and defeated 59th-ranked player Shaun Stafford in 1994. Serena won her first single title in 1999 against Amélie Mauresmo at the Open Gaz de France in Paris.

The girls showed their patriotic side when shooting for Sports Illustrated magazine in 2000 at the height of their fame. The Williams girls have a biopic about their father called “King Richard,” who was portrayed by Will Smith. It was released in November 2021.
Randy Moss, 1997
Former American football player Randy Moss played in the NFL for 14 seasons, starting with Minnesota Vikings and retiring in 2012 after a one-year undisclosed deal with San Francisco 49ers. The wide receiver holds the record for most touchdown receptions in a single season in the league.

In July 2016, he joined ESPN as a sports analyst for the show’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” and ‘Monday Night Countdown.’ When he wasn’t playing, Moss’s favorite pastime was fishing. The Hall of Famer hosted the 2021 Straight Bass Classic – a charity fishing tournament in memory of sports journalist Sid Hartman.
Vitali and Wladmir Klitschko, 2002
The Ukrainian Klitschko brothers are famed for being professional boxers during their peak years from 2004 to 2015, dubbed the “Klitschko era.” They are the record-holder for the most wins as brothers with the most heavyweight title wins, forty as of 2020.

Older brother Vitali retired from the game in 2013 and tried his hand at politics, and became Mayor of Kiev in 2014. Wladimir has successfully defended his titles until his fight with Tommy Fury in 2015. He retired from boxing following his defeat from Anthony Joshua in April 2017.
Johnny Unitas and Don Shula, 1964
Johnny Unitas held an exceptional reputation as an American football quarterback for the Baltimore Colts from 1956 to 1973. He was often considered as one of the greatest NFL players of all time. During his 18 seasons in the game, he achieved fur championship titles and was named MVP three times.

Former defensive back Don Shula was a head coach for the Colts from 1963 to 1969. Shula and Unitas individually would secure many worldwide championships, but they somehow never managed to secure the Colts a win. Author Jack Gilden published a book about their icy relationship, “Collision of Wills,” in 2018.
Arnold Palmer, 2004
Golf legend Arnold Palmer is widely recognized as one of the greatest and most captivating players with a career spanning over 50 years. He’s won seven major championship titles, including the Masters’ Tournament four times, the U.S. Open once, and The Open Championship twice.

In the top athlete’s most prolific years from 1960 to 1963, he won 29 PGA Tours and was named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year” in 1960. Palmer was the first ever to achieve $1 million in pay from playing the sport, the golfer passed away in September 2016, but his legacy is still talked about today.
Usain Bolt, 2011
Sprinter Usain Bolt is the record-holder for the 100 meters, 200 meters, and the 4 x 100 relay, recorded at 9.58 seconds, making him the fastest man globally. He’s gained worldwide fame for his talent, eight Olympic Gold wins, and his signature move, the “To Di World” pose.

The runner announced his retirement after the 2017 world championships, where he finished third in the relay race due to a tricky hamstring injury. Bolt turned his attention to his other passion: soccer, he tried out for the Australian team, the Central Coast Mariners, but it did not pan out.
Scottie Pippen, 1998
Scottie Pippen is an American professional basketball superstar; he’s played 17 seasons with the NBA and won six championships with the Chicago Bulls. He and Michael Jordan were part of the integral team to transforming the Bulls into the big leagues and popularizing the game in the ’90s.

Pippen’s long arms span 7.2 feet, and his stature and jumping ability have helped him achieve the title of one of the greatest defenders in basketball of all time. The athlete retired in 2008, but he has not stopped earning money in other ways, releasing a memoir and his bourbon DIGITS in 2021.
Anna Kournikova, 2000
The Russian beauty Anna Kournikova is a former professional tennis player and media personality. Her celebrity status planted her into the limelight along with her long-time relationship with singer Enrique Iglesias. She gave birth to their third child, Mary, in January 2020.

The tennis star did not manage to win a singles title but achieved more recognition playing doubles with her partner, Martina Hingis. They won the 1999 Doubles Team of the Year together and dubbed themselves the ‘Spice Girls’ of tennis. Despite her respectful career in sport, she made most of her wealth with endorsements from building her brand.
Richard Petty, 2004
Richard Petty, nicknamed “The King,” is a former race car driver who dominated the NASCAR series from 1958 to 1992. He became the first to win the Cup Series Championship seven times and holds a record of 200 wins in his prime, including the Daytona 500.

He finished in the top 10 at the 1991 Budweiser Glen International in his final racing years and declared his retirement after the 1992 season. He did qualify for the front row but dropped out due to oppressive heat. Later in 1995, Petty became a commentator for CBS and became a spokesperson for many brands and companies.
Larry Bird, 1977
Former American basketball player Larry Bird is also a coach and executive in the NBA. The Boston Celtics drafted him as a power forward and he improved their stats by leading them to a 32-win compared to their previous year.

Bird holds two NBA Finals MVP awards and is a 12-time NBA All-Star. He was also a part of the 1992 gold-winning Olympic men’s basketball team nicknamed “The Dream Team.” He’s even won NBA Coach of the Year in the 1997-1998 season and NBA Executive of the Year in the 2011-2012 season too!
Bobby Clarke, 1973
Bobby Clarke is a Canadian professional hockey player who played center for the Philadephia Flyers, becoming the team’s Senior Vice President in 2006. Many see him as one of the best players and captains of all time, winning them the Stanley Cup twice and being a three-time Hart Trophy Cup winner himself.

He and his family reside in their long-term home in Ocean City, New Jersey, where the player does a lot of reading nowadays and enjoys the peaceful life of a V.P. and consultant. One of Clarke’s most infamous photos is him smiling with a toothless grin and winking after winning the Stanley Cup.
Apolo Anton Ohno, 2002
Apolo Ohno is a retired American speed skater who has won eight medals during his time at the Winter Olympics. He started training at 13 and became the youngest U.S. National Champion at the age of 14. Also one of the most decorated in his profession, he rightly secured a place in the Olympic Hall of Fame in 2019.

He was widely acknowledged for his talents and became a motivational speaker and philanthropist. The athlete moved over to star in TV and became a published author, releasing the self-help book “Hard Pivot” in February 2022.
Paul (Bear) Bryant, 1979
Paul’ Bear’ Bryant was best known for being the head coach of the University of Alabama football team. During his 25-year reign, he collected six National Championships and 13 Conference Championships. Before retiring in 1982, he held a record-breaking 323 win in college football.

Most are familiar with his trademark white houndstooth hat and deep voice. Interestingly his nickname ‘Bear’ was given to him when he was offered $1 from a circus promotor to wrestle a bear, which he agreed to; however, he didn’t pay up, and the bear ended up biting Bryant’s ear.
James Harden, 2014
James Harden started in the NBA when he was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009, recording the most consecutive 3-pointers by a rookie. He was traded over to the Houston Rockets in 2012, having the best statistical seasons in the team’s history. After a nine-year term, he was drafted by Brooklyn Nets in 2021 as part of a four-team trade.

Harden’s skills have earned him the title of the best shooting guard in the NBA and easily one of the most prolific scorers. Rightly so, in October 2021, he was honored by the NBA 75th Anniversary Team as one of the league’s greatest players of all time.
Danica Patrick, 2008
Most are familiar with Danica Patrick for being the most successful female in American race car driving history. In 2008, she became the only woman to win the Indy Car Series held in Japan. She never set out to break ‘female’ records but always trained to be the best she could be.

When she was ten, she started her love for racing and quickly achieved success shortly after winning the World Karting Association Championship three times in the ’90s. Patrick stopped racing full-time in 2017 but completed the 2018 Daytona 500 and Indianapolis 500 races before officially retiring.
Dennis Dixon, 2008
American football quarterback Dennis Dixon was initially drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008, playing through to 2011. He became a member of the practice team for the Baltimore Ravens during the 2012 season when they won their Super Bowl, earning him a coveted ring.

Dixon has gone on to become a marketing specialist for the Jordan brand, helping train high school athletes connected to the company in Los Angeles. He secured the job and endless supply of limited edition shoes by being close friends with Nike co-founder Phil Knight and designer Tinker Hatfield.
Charles Barkley, 1986
Charles Barkley is another legend in the NBA, playing for 16 seasons between 1984 to 2000. His versatility in the sport made him a huge favorite among fans, and in the media, his strength on the court has helped him become one of the NBA’s most dominant rebounders.

The sportsman holds many accolades, including two gold medals from the Olympic games on the U.S. National team. After retiring from the game, he became a successful sports analyst alongside Shaquille O’Neal on ‘Inside The NBA.’ The MVP was announced as honorary co-chair for the World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama.
Yao Ming, 2008
Many people are familiar with Yao Ming. He started his profession playing for the Shanghai Sharks in the CBA and was drafted as the first pick by the Houston Rockets in 2002. He went on to be the first international player to be selected without previously playing U.S. college basketball.

Ming is one of China’s best-known athletes for his talent and incredible seven-foot-six height. He had to retire in July 2011 due to a series of foot injuries leading him to miss several games. The three-time Olympian was among the first to carry the flame at the Olympic Torch Relay in February 2022 ahead of the Beijing games.
Emmitt Smith, 2002
Emmitt Smith has had an incredible 15-season run in the NFL, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys. His expertise has donned him the league’s all-time leading rusher, among other accolades. He was signed in the 1990 NFL draft and rushed for an impressive 18,355 yards breaking Walter Payton’s record.

Smith is the only running back ever to win a Super Bowl Championship as well as many MVP awards. He will be partnering up with NASCAR driver Jesse Iwuji to form a NASCAR Xfinity Series team that will compete full time in 2022.
Bobby Bowden, 1998
College football coach Bobby Bowden nurtured the Florida State Seminoles from 1976 to 2009 and had a fruitful career winning many awards, including the 1992 U.S. Sports Academy Amos Alonzo Stagg Coaching Award for his outstanding achievements in sport.

Bowden spent the last of his career competing with Joe Paterno to become the greatest college football coach of all time. Due to an academic scandal, FSU ruled to remove 12 wins, and he came second to Paterno in the end. After his sudden passing on August 2021, the FSU announced many plans to commemorate the sportsman through the season.
Jay Buhner, 1996
Jay Buhner, also known as Bone, is one of the most recognized players to this day in baseball for his trademark shaved head and thick goatee. The right-fielder debuted in the major league debut in 1987 and was inducted into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame in 2004.

Since retiring from the sport, he became a TV spokesperson for the truck dealership Northwest Motorsports. Buhner’s comedic Sports Illustrated cover was adorned by many as it featured his son Chase as a baby. The duo recreated the adorable shoot in March 2016.
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