Jeff Gordon is consistently ranked as one of the best stock car drivers. Gordon started racing at the ripe age of five in quarter midgets. By age 6, he had already won 36 races, setting five records along the way. Known as the “Kid” at the start of his NASCAR career, he started professionally racing at age 16. By age 20, he became the youngest person ever to win the USAC Silver Crown.
Not only does he have a hunky, Tom Cruise look, but he has also brought a much-needed freshness to the sport. Nowadays, Gordon isn’t too far from NASCAR racing and can be found as a NASCAR broadcaster for Fox Sports.
Julius Peppers - NFL
A complete stud of an athlete - Peppers played for both the North Carolina football and basketball teams. After finishing college, Peppers decided to focus primarily on the gridiron.
That ended up being the right choice, as he’s collected a career total of 154.5 sacks and will go down as one of the best pass rushers in NFL history. In 2009, Peppers donated half a million dollars to a scholarship program that supports black students at his alma mater of North Carolina.
David Robinson - NBA
Standing at an impressive 7 ft. 1, the incredibly handsome David Robinson is hard to miss. Before Tim Duncan, the Spurs were led by ‘the Admiral," nicknamed for his service with the U.S Navy. The two-time Olympic Gold medal winner is considered by many to be one of the best centers in college basketball, as well as NBA history.
Robinson’s muscular build would make you believe he was carved from granite. From 1989 to 2003, Robinson received 10 All-Star appearances, 10 All-NBA nods, a scoring title, an MVP Trophy, and two NBA championship rings.
Manuel Neuer - Soccer
Neuer is the only goalie on this list as he is, without a doubt, the best keeper in the world. In 184 league games, Neuer has kept a clean sheet in 101 of them. He had won four Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, a Champions League, and was awarded the best goalkeeper when Germany won the World Cup in 2014.
Neuer has taken the term “sweeper-keeper” to a new level as he often plays extremely far up the field. His ability to play the ball with his feet makes him a unique talent, but his reflexes in the net are what separate him from the rest.
Peyton Manning - NFL
No quarterback was more beloved and successful than Peyton Manning when he was at his prime. This fierce, striking, NFL player is considered one of the greatest of all time and played for both the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos. Manning won 14 Pro Bowl and two Super Bowls throughout his career and currently holds the record for most passing touchdowns and most passing yards in one season.
By 2009, Manning was one of the most recognizable figures in sports and continued to become the oldest quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl until Tom Brady surpassed this record. Manning has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, and will likely find himself in the NFL's as-well.