10 Most Competitive Guys in Sports

The line between ultra-competitive and completely insane is sometimes a very fine one, but after much deliberation I've come up with a list of what I believe are the 10 most competitive guys in the world of sports, along with an honorable mention list.  When I think of the most competitive athletes, I look for a few distinguishing qualities...

1-Visibility of how bad they want to win, whether it be through emotion, focus, and/or performance
2-Ability to rise to the occasion in huge moments of a competition and perform at their best
3-Lack of fear and complete confidence to go for it when the time arises
4-An ability to harness that competitiveness into something productive

This was very difficult to narrow down, and an argument can be made for many others to crack the list.  My list is slightly skewed toward the sports I watch most and know best, but why wouldn't it be.  Without further adieu, here's the list, in no particular order...

Brett Favre

Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings-maybe the greatest warrior in sports history, his streak of consecutive games played speaks for itself.

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers-closest thing to Michael Jordan the NBA has seen, he has 5 titles and a never-ending list of daggers to opposing teams.

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods, Golf-he was on his way to clearly being the best golfer of all-time before a very difficult 2010, but I expect him to return to his old form in 2011.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer, Tennis-best tennis player of all-time, 16 major titles.

Rafael Nadal

 Rafael Nadal, Tennis-could definitely be in the argument for best tennis player of all-time when he retires if his knees hold up, 9 major titles

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi, Argentinian soccer player-he's listed at 5'7", but he's arguably the best player in the world.  Enough said.

Tom Brady

Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots-clutchest QB in the game, 3 NFL titles.

Drew Brees

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints-overlooked for years because of a lack of size (6'0" is very short for an NFL QB), Drew Brees has constantly proved his doubters wrong, and he got his first title last year.

Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis, LB, Baltimore Ravens-maybe the scariest man in sports (not including UFC), no one plays with more tenacity and passion. 

Philip Rivers

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers-crazy competitor, has kept his team in contention time and time again without a lot of help.  Should have a few titles by the time he retires from football.





Honorable Mention (25)
Kevin Garnett, PF, Boston Celtics
Manu Ginobili, SG, San Antonio Spurs 
Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks 
Raymond Felton, PG, New York Knicks
Chris Paul, PG, New Orleans Hornets
LeBron James, SF, Miami Heat
Dwayne Wade, SG, Miami Heat
Paul Pierce, SF, Boston Celtics
Kevin Durant, SF, Oklahoma City Thunder
Derrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls
Carmelo Anthony, SF, Denver Nuggets
Joakim Noah, PF, Chicago Bulls 
Ron Artest, SF, Los Angeles Lakers
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, hockey
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, hockey
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Troy Polamalu, Safety, Pittsburgh Steelers
Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ers
Jon Beason, LB, Carolina Panthers
Barrett Rudd, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
London Fletcher, LB, Washington Redskins
Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears
James Harrison, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ed Reed, Safety, Baltimore RavensNnamdi Asomugha, CB, Oakland Raiders