All-Time Greatest Texas Athletes

[Bullaholic]

This list was compiled by "Sports Illustrated"? Got any you would add or take away?

20th Century Top 50
Rank Profile
1 Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Beaumont
Won five events at 1932 AAU track and field championships, and two weeks later took two Olympic gold medals; '47 British Amateur champ won 31 pro golf tournaments.
2 Ben Hogan, Fort Worth
Four-time PGA Player of Year; one of four men to win all four majors, including four U.S. Opens.
3 Doak Walker, Dallas
Starred at SMU from 1947 to '49 as all-purpose player; won two NFL scoring titles in six years with Lions.
4 Rogers Hornsby, Fort Worth
Second baseman won seven batting titles; .358 average from 1915 to '37.
5 Sammy Baugh, Temple
All-America quarterback at TCU; with Redskins from 1937 to '52, threw for 21,886 yards and 187 TDs; intercepted 31 passes.
6 Nolan Ryan, Alvin
Major league strikeout king (5,714) won 324 games and had record seven no-hitters in 27 seasons.
7 Byron Nelson, Fort Worth
Two-time Masters and PGA champion also won 1939 U.S. Open; won 11 straight tournaments in '45.
8 Jack Johnson, Galveston
First black to hold heavyweight championship, from 1908 to '15; lost title in controversial 26-round bout to Jess Willard.
9 Ernie Banks, Dallas
Four-sport star at Booker T. Washington High before hitting 512 home runs in 19 seasons with Cubs.
10 Michael Johnson, Dallas
Set world record in 200 meters, Olympic record in 400 at 1996 Games; four-time world 400-meter champ.
11 Earl Campbell, Tyler
1977 Heisman winner at Texas; led NFL in rushing in first three seasons, with Oilers; two-time NFL MVP.
12 Lamar Hunt, Dallas
Force behind formation of AFL in 1959; founded Dallas Texans (now the K.C. Chiefs); coined the name Super Bowl.
13 George Foreman, Marshall
Olympic gold medalist in 1968; beat Joe Frazier in '73 to win heavyweight title; regained belt 21 years later, at age 45.
14 "Mean" Joe Greene, Temple
North Texas State star; All-Pro defensive tackle with Steelers (1969 to '81); played in 10 Pro Bowls; won four Super Bowls.
15 Tom Landry, Mission
Co-captain as a fullback and defensive back at Texas; coached Cowboys from 1960 to '88; won two Super Bowls.
16 Tris Speaker, Hubbard
Batted .345 over 22 seasons (1907 to '28); led AL in doubles eight times, hits twice.
17 Dick (Night Train) Lane, Austin
Intercepted league-record 14 passes as rookie cornerback with L.A. Rams in 1952; had 68 pickoffs in 14 NFL seasons.
18 Forrest Gregg, Sulphur Springs
Nine-time Pro Bowl tackle played in 188 straight games with Packers; won five NFL titles.
19 Roger Clemens, Katy
Was 25-7 in two years at Texas; five-time Cy Young Award winner; won AL MVP and Cy Young with Red Sox in 1986.
20 A.J. Foyt, Houston
Four-time Indy 500 winner and seven-time USAC-CART champ; only driver to win Indy, Daytona and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
21 Rube Foster, Calvert
Founded the Negro National League in 1920; in '10 managed Chicago Leland Giants to 128-6 record.
22 Eric Dickerson, Sealy
All-America at SMU; led NFL in rushing four times; ran for league-record 2,105 yards with L.A. Rams in 1984.
23 Willie Wells, Austin
Negro leagues shortstop from late 1920s through early '40s; twice led league in batting.
24 Bobby Layne, Dallas
Four-time All-SWC quarterback at Texas; in 15 NFL seasons (1948 to '62) threw for 26,768 yards and 196 touchdowns.
25 Mike Singletary, Houston
Three-time All-America at Baylor; Bears middle linebacker played in 10 Pro Bowls from 1984 to '93.
26 Y.A. Tittle, Marshall
All-SEC quarterback at LSU guided Tigers to 1947 Cotton Bowl; led Giants to three NFL Eastern Conference titles; twice named league MVP.
27 Lee Trevino, Dallas
Two-time winner of three golf majors: U.S. Open, British Open and PGA.
28 Sheryl Swoopes, Brownfield
1993 NCAA player of year scored 47 points in Texas Tech's 84-82 title-game win over Ohio State; played on '96 Olympic gold medal team.
29 Bobby Joe Morrow, San Benito
Won gold in 100- and 200-meter dash and 400 relay at 1956 Olympics; tied 100 and 200 world records three times.
30 Raymond Berry, Paris
Starred at SMU; in 13 years with Colts caught 631 passes for 9,275 yards and 68 TDs.
31 Clyde Drexler, Houston
Ten-time NBA All-Star; one of only three players to have 20,000 points, 6,000 rebounds and 6,000 assists.
32 Joe Williams, Seguin
Negro leagues pitcher had 20-7 mark against white competition, including 20-strikeout no-hitter against 1917 New York Giants.
33 Ross Youngs, San Antonio
New York Giants outfielder had .322 lifetime batting average from 1917 to '26.
34 Jack Mildren, Abilene
At Cooper High in 1967 passed for 2,076 yards and 20 TDs, ran for 787 yards and 24 scores; led Oklahoma to two bowls.
35 David Clyde, Houston
Threw nine no-hitters and two perfect games at Westchester High (1970 to '73); pitched in majors at age 18.
36 Mia Hamm, Wichita Falls
Alltime leading scorer in international soccer play; helped U.S. win two World Cups and 1996 Olympic gold.
37 Gene Upshaw, Robstown
NAIA All-America offensive lineman at Texas A&I; Raiders stalwart from 1967 to '82; NFL Players Association president.
38 Ken Hall, Sugar Land
At Sugar Land High from 1950 to '53, ran for national-record 11,232 yards; played at Texas A&M and for three NFL teams.
39 Tim Brown, Dallas
Raiders receiver was All-America running back at Woodrow Wilson High; won 1987 Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame.
40 Shaquille O'Neal, San Antonio
Led Cole High to 68-1 record; two-time All-America at LSU; averaged 27.1 points a game in first seven NBA seasons.
41 Norm Cash, Post
Four-time All-Star had 377 home runs and 1,103 RBIs during 17-year career (1958 to '74) with White Sox and Tigers.
42 Harley Redin, Silverton
Coached Wayland Baptist women's basketball from 1955 to '73, winning first 76 games and six AAU national titles.
43 Charley Taylor, Grand Prairie
All-State in football, basketball and track at Dalworth High; in 13 seasons with Redskins had 649 catches, 79 for TDs.
44 Yale Lary, Fort Worth
All-SWC first baseman at Texas A&M; starred as punter-defensive back for Lions from 1952 to '64; had 50 career interceptions.
45 Johnny Rutherford, Fort Worth
Three-time Indianapolis 500 champ won five of 12 races in 1980 for CART title.
46 Jerry Levias, Beaumont
In 1966 SMU flanker became first black to get an athletic scholarship in Southwest Conference; set then school records for receptions in a season (80) and career (155).
47 Randy Matson, Pampa
Set NCAA discus and shot put records as senior at Texas A&M in 1967; won gold medal in shot at '68 Olympics.
48 Ben Crenshaw, Austin
Two-time Masters champ; 19 PGA Tour victories; captained 1999 U.S. Ryder Cup team to memorable comeback.
49 Billy Sims, Hooks
Won 1978 Heisman at Oklahoma after running for 1,762 yards and 20 touchdowns; rushed for 5,106 yards in five years with Lions.
50 Lance Armstrong, Plano
Overcame testicular cancer to win 1999 Tour de France

[pirate44]

i bet it would change slightly if 21st century was included.

[Phil C]

Lance seems to be a little high on the list doesn't he?

[pirate44]

Originally posted by Phil C
Lance seems to be a little high on the list doesn't he?
i was thinking not high enough:thinking:

[Phil C]

In a few years make room for the CAT and Megan Denny. Also a strong possibility that Tiffany Jackson will need to be added.

[Phil C]

Originally posted by Phil C
In a few years make room for the CAT and Megan Denny. Also a strong possibility that Tiffany Jackson will need to be added.

My bad - this would be a 21st Century List even though by 2105 these athletes may be forgotten. :(

[Phil C]

Originally posted by pirate44
i was thinking not high enough:thinking:

That is what I met Pirate but then again he may be more in the 21st century since he won more this century than last. He is at an awkward spot being at the end and beginning of a century.

[Bullaholic]

I think addition of 21st centuy athletes would be fine and rename the list. This list was compiled by SI in 1999.

[Phil C]

Like many lists there is always debate on who was left out but then again who would you drop to make room.

One on my mind is Kyle Rote the great All American at SMU that was runner up for the Heisman Trophy in 1950. He went on to play 11 great years with the New York Giants and was on four conference and one NFL championship (which was the equivalent of today's super bowl at that time).

[Phil C]

Another debate could be for Harvey Martin even though he had as drug problem at the end of his life. He played great football in college at East Texas State and was a great defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys and on the Super Bowl Game when Dallas beat Denver he was Co-MVP with Randy White and that was the first and only time that the Super Bowl has had two MVPs.

[nutcrackin]

"Dandy" Don Meridith - Mt. Vernon (northeast) more for his personality and tv career but was a good qb.

[nutcrackin]

Larry Centers-- Tatum
How many of you guys and gals knew that Larry is the NFL' all time leader in receptions by a running back.. over 800 which is more than Micheal Irvin. He played the fullback position at only 215 lbs and IMO was the most difficult person to tackle on the field during his prime. A product of SFA and wasn't even the best player on his high school team, that being Larry Horton who went on to play at A & M but just worked his tail off. If he doesn't get into the Hall of Fame then i think it would be a first for someone who holds an all time offensive stat in any sport.. Highway Robbery.

[LH Panther Mom]

Originally posted by Bullaholic
41 Norm Cash, Post
Four-time All-Star had 377 home runs and 1,103 RBIs during 17-year career (1958 to '74) with White Sox and Tigers.

:clap: :clap:

[big daddy russ]

Tom Landry and Lamar Hunt aren't "athletes." I'd move Tris Speaker up a little... he's one of the greatest center fielders of all time, one of the elite (five best) of all time. He's in that Willie Mays/Mickey Mantle/Ty Cobb/Joe DiMaggio class of CF's.

[pirate44]

Originally posted by big daddy russ
Tom Landry and Lamar Hunt aren't "athletes." I'd move Tris Speaker up a little... he's one of the greatest center fielders of all time, one of the elite (five best) of all time. He's in that Willie Mays/Mickey Mantle/Ty Cobb/Joe DiMaggio class of CF's.
not an athlete? Tom Landry was an all-pro DB for NY Giants

[big daddy russ]

Originally posted by pirate44
not an athlete? Tom Landry was an all-pro DB for NY Giants Sorry, 44, what I meant is that he's up there for his coaching career, not his career as an athlete. Didn't he only play like four years? Would that make him the 15th best athlete in Texas history, especially with a baseball player that was voted one of the 25 greatest of all-time by the BWAA one spot behind him?

[pirate44]

Originally posted by big daddy russ
Sorry, 44, what I meant is that he's up there for his coaching career, not his career as an athlete. Didn't he only play like four years? Would that make him the 15th best athlete in Texas history, especially with a baseball player that was voted one of the 25 greatest of all-time by the BWAA one spot behind him?
im not sure the reasons he's on the list, but maybe the title of the list should have been greatest Texas "Sports Figures" of the 20th century

[Bullaholic]

Originally posted by pirate44
not an athlete? Tom Landry was an all-pro DB for NY Giants

I thought about Tommy Nobis, former great UT/Atlanta Falcon linebacker. I think he was from Jefferson, TX.

[Phil C]

Originally posted by Bullaholic
I thought about Tommy Nobis, former great UT/Atlanta Falcon linebacker. I think he was from Jefferson, TX.

Good one Bull!! I am ashamed I didn't think of him. He was one of the best linebackers ever and until his career ending injury at Atlanta was considered one of the top three linebackers in the NFL with the other two being Ray Nitsche (spelling?) at Green Bay and Jim Butcus at Chicago. I wonder what would have happened had he gone to Houston Oilers instead of Atlanta.

[Gobbler Fan]

I enjoyed going thru the whole list thanks for taking the time to do that .:thumbsup:

[scotty]

Ernie Koy, Sr. Sealy High School graduate now in his 90’s was All-America in both football and baseball at the University of Texas in the 1930’s and went on to play Major League Baseball. If time would have allowed he would have made a big splash in track as well as the big fellow could run.
His Major League career was cut short due to WWII and when the war ended he never went back.
To give you an idea how fast he was one night before a game between the Dodgers and Reds, Koy and a player from the Reds were pitted in a race with the great Olympic sprinter Jesse Owens.
Owens was to spot the two some few yards with him in his track uniform and Koy and the Red in their full baseball uniform. Owens caught the Red but he couldn’t catch Koy.
Koy still lives in Bellville and I understand works out at the gym several times a week and gets around real well.
Both of Koy’s sons Ernie Jr. and Ted starred in football at UT in Austin. He may not have been the best ever from Texas, but he must be rated up there somewhere.
Eric Dickerson is another great athlete whom we had the pleasure to watch in our area. He made his name in football but he was also state sprint champion in his class as well as a great basketball player. When he played baseball he was also the best player of the field at that as well.

[injuredinmelee]

It is my opinion that Mia Hamm should be in the top 10. An AMAZING athlete.