25 Athlete Activists That Motivate, Inspire, & Influence

24 Athlete Activists That Motivate, Inspire, and Influence

Athlete activists generally don’t get the respect and credit that they deserve. In fact, they’re often ridiculed, taken advantage of, not taken seriously, or completely ignored. A good example of this is when Laura Ingraham infamously told LeBron James to ‘shut up and dribble’ back in 2018.

The truth is athletes are more than just the sport they play. Sure, athletes are people, just like the rest of us, but they hold an immense amount of influence in the society we live in today and they have a lot of fans that look up to them. When they talk, people listen and they listen carefully. 

An athlete’s voice matters and while all athletes project that voice in different ways, they will always be remembered for their efforts both on and off the court or field. If it weren’t for the dedication and courage from athlete activists, many of our social issues today would be ignored. 

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Who Are the Most Memorable Athlete Activists?

25 Athlete Activists That Motivate, Inspire, & Influence
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In 2020, we started to witness a new rush of athlete activists stand up for what they believe in and it’s ushering in a new wave of influence, inspiration, and motivation. Of course, athlete activists are nothing new in sports and there are plenty of historic legends that fit the description. 

Over the past century, we’ve seen plenty of athlete activists step up to the plate in hopes of spreading awareness and advancing conversations around a particular social issue — including civil rights, freedom of speech, war and violence, poverty, equality, sexual orientation, and more.

Of all the athlete activists to stand up for what they believe in, there are several that stand out above the rest. They’re the ones that we turned to when things needed to be said or actions needed to be taken. Let’s take a look at our top 24 athlete activists to ever voice their opinion. 

24. Rudy Galindo

https://twitter.com/ben_literal/status/1319464387942305792

Rudy Galindo is one of the most impressive figure skaters of all-time. He was named US National Champion once as a single and twice as a pair, World Junior Champion once as a single and once as a pair, and was a World Bronze medalist as a single from 1987-1996. 

Galindo was also the first openly gay figure skating champion the sport has ever seen. He wasn’t shy about it, coming out to the world in a 1996 book by Christine Brennan. Four years later, he announced he was HIV positive. He has also stood by the LGBTQ+ community. 

23. Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson is regarded as one of the most talented and versatile point guards to ever step foot on a basketball court. He’s a five-time NBA Champion, three-time MVP, 12-time All Star, and made it to the Finals nine times in his career. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.

Johnson’s NBA career came to an abrupt ending in the early 1990s when he announced he was HIV positive in 1991. He quickly created the Magic Johnson Foundation, which aims to help combat and educate about HIV and AIDS, while advocating for safe sex — among other things. 

22. Dan Rooney

Dan Rooney is known for his efforts as General Manager, President, and Owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1969-2016. During his time with the team, the Steelers won 15 Division Championships, eight AFC Championships, and six Super Bowls — which is an NFL record. 

Of all the ways he helped revolutionize the game of football, the Rooney Rule is perhaps his most prominent. It’s a rule that requires an NFL team to interview at least one (now two) minority candidates for all head coach and general manager vacancies to promote equal opportunity. 

21. Bill Russell

Bill Russell will forever be remembered as one of the NBA’s greatest players of all-time. He dominated the league with the Boston Celtics from 1956-1969, winning 11 NBA Championships, being named an All-Star 12 times, and winning five MVP awards in his illustrious 13-year career. 

Not only was Russell the first African American superstar in the NBA, but he was also the first to be named a head coach in any sport and first to win a championship. His efforts on the court and in the Civil Rights Movement earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. 

20. Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente enjoyed an incredible 18-year career in the MLB, playing in 2,433 games while batting .317 over his career, hitting 240 home runs, and recording 1,305 runs batted in. He was a 15-time All-Star, one-time MVP, two-time Champion, and 12-time Gold Glove winner.

He will go down as one of the biggest humanitarians the sport has ever seen, helping pave the way for Latino baseball players today. He tragically passed away in a plane crash in 1972, delivering aid and supplies to Nicaragua — which needed relief from massive earthquakes. 

19. Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson helped pave the way for African American female athletes. In 1950, she became the first African American to compete in the US Open, then known as the US Championships. Six years later, she became the first African American female to win a Grand Slam title. 

Gibson would go on to win five singles Grand Slams, five doubles Grand Slam, and one mixed doubles Grand Slam in her career. She helped break the color barrier in tennis and even became the first African American to compete on the Women’s Professional Golf Tour. 

18. Michael Sam

Michael Sam never played a regular season NFL game, he will forever be remembered as the first publicly gay player to be drafted in the NFL. In fact, his jersey was the second best-selling rookie jersey in the NFL at the time. He helped pave the way for gay players in the NFL today.

Sam had a successful rookie season, despite many considering him too small to play defensive end. He played in all four preseason games for the Rams, tallying 11 tackles and three sacks during the preseason. Unfortunately, he never made the 53-man roster and teams lost interest.

17. Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson is one of the most well-known baseball players of all-time. Becoming the first African American to play in the MLB, he helped break baseball’s color barrier in the late 1940s. The MLB decided to retire his No. 42 across all teams, which had never been done before. 

The MLB also named April 15th as Jackie Robinson Day, a day in which all MLB players honor Jackie Robinson by wearing his No. 42. His efforts helped pioneer the Civil Rights Movement and helped give African Americans a voice in a time when they didn’t have one consistently.

16. Ann Meyers Drysdale

Ann Meyers Drysdale was one of the first females to break the gender barrier in basketball. She not only became the first female to sign a four-year collegiate athletic scholarship at UCLA, but went on to have an illustrious and dominant basketball career at UCLA from 1974-1978. 

In four years at UCLA, she averaged 17.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 4.2 steals, and 1.0 block per game. She drew praise from Bill Russell, became the first female to sign an NBA contract — before the WNBA existed — and was the first female to broadcast an NBA game. 

15. Jim Brown

Jim Brown is regarded as one of the best running backs of all-time and one of the best football players ever. Though he only played nine seasons in the NFL, he made the Pro Bowl every year, won three MVP awards, was a one-time NFL Champion, and is in the Hall of Fame. 

Off the field, he was the founder of the Black Economic Union, which helped make African Americans competitive in the business world. He would also break barriers as an actor after his playing days, earning prestigious roles over white actors — such as his role in ‘100 Rifles.’ 

14. Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka is the first Asian player to be ranked No. 1 in singles tennis, as well as the first Japanese tennis player to achieve No. 1 status. She has won a Grand Slam title in four consecutive years and is widely regarded as one of the best female tennis players today. 

She was recently named one of Sports Illustrated’s five Sportspersons of the Year for her continued activism — showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, denouncing anti-Asian hate crimes, and spreading awareness for mental health during her young career.

13. ‘The Syracuse 8’

‘The Syracuse 8’ were a group of nine college football players at Syracuse University. In 1969, they decided to boycott a practice in hopes of ending the discrimination of African Americans and bring much-needed reform to the campus’ football program. The boycott lasted all season.

The group had four demands — equal access to tutors and academic advisors, better medical treatment, playing time based on merit (not skin color), and diversification of what has been an all-white staff for over 70 years. They helped athletes of color gain both respect and equality. 

12. Arthur Ashe

Arthur Ashe is one of the most revered tennis players of all-time, so much so that the main stadium for the US Open is called Arthur Ashe Stadium. Through his career, he won three Grand Slam singles titles (seven appearances) and two Grand Slam doubles titles.

Beyond that, Ashe will forever be remembered for his activism. He was once arrested for protesting against how Haitian refugees were treated and helped expose social injustices in South Africa. He also helped educate others about HIV and AIDS after contracting HIV in 1983.

11. Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner made a name for herself as one of the greatest female college basketball players in history, becoming the first college player to score 2,000 points and record 500 blocked shots.  She has continued that stellar play at the pro level, winning a championship in 2014. 

As an LGBTQ athlete, Griner has long advocated for equal opportunity at all levels. She is also known for taking a stand against the National Anthem, vowing to not to stand or be on the court when the song is played before a game. She finds comfort in standing up for what’s right. 

10. Carlos Delgado

Carlos Delgado enjoyed a 17-year career in the MLB and played for the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and Florida Marlins. He hit 473 career home runs, 1,512 career RBIs, 1,241 runs scored, and had a career batting average of .280. He was also a three-time Silver Slugger.

Outside of his stellar play, Delgado was heavily against war and violence. In fact, he decided to continue sitting in the dugout while the National Anthem played before the game, while everyone else was standing — something that players in all sports continue to do to this day in protest. 

9. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf was drafted third overall by the Denver Nuggets in 1990 and went on to enjoy a nine-year career in the NBA. He averaged 14.6 points, 1.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 0.8 steals per game throughout his career, including a career-high 19.2 points in 1992 and 1995.

He is one of the first basketball players to refuse to stand during the National Anthem. He believed the United States flag was a symbol of oppression and wanted to spark change in the country he grew up in. This decision created a lot of controversy and even led to a suspension.

8. Pat Tillman

Pat Tillman was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He would end up playing four years in the NFL, recording three interceptions, three fumble recoveries, 2.5 sacks, 15 passes defensed, 374 combined tackles, and 5 tackles for a loss. 

Tillman was a player that loved his country and wanted to fight for citizen freedom and rights. His NFL career came to an end in 2002 when he enlisted in the US Army following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Two years later, Tillman was killed in combat during a tour in Afghanistan. 

7. ‘The Fierce Five’

The Fierce Five, formerly known as the Fab Five, represented Team USA in gymnastics at the 2012 Summer Olympics and won the gold medal in the team competition. The team consisted of Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross, and Jordyn Wieber. 

The five women were most known for exposing team doctor Larry Nassar — among other staff, coaches, and gym owners — for engaging in sexual abuse. The sexual abuse spanned several decades, but the Fierce Five were instrumental in exposing and finally bringing that to an end. 

6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will go down as one of the greatest basketball players to ever play. He spent 20 years in the league and was a 19-time All-Star, two-time scoring champ, six-time NBA Champion, four-time blocking champion, one-time rebounding champion, and Hall of Famer. 

Abdul-Jabbar was also known for his activism. He’s the author of several books that talk about African American history, he doesn’t shy away from voicing his opinion on race, faith, equality, and religion, and helped spread awareness about the Muslim and Islamic culture and belief. 

5. Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick was a second round draft choice by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011. He started to impress coaches in 2012 and became the regular starting quarterback in 2013. Over his six-year career, he had a 28-30 record and threw for 72 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. 

His career took a surprising turn for the worse in 2016 when he decided to kneel during the singing of the National Anthem. He sparked a lot of controversy both inside and outside the league as he protested against police brutality and racial inequality in the United States. 

4. John Carlos and Tommie Smith

John Carlos and Tommie Smith were representing Team USA in the 200-meter dash during the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Carlos would go on to win bronze and Smith won gold as they showcased their intense speed in front of the entire world — but that’s not all they did. 

During the medal ceremony, Carlos and Smith proceeded to raise their fist during the National Anthem in what became known as the Black Power Salute. It was one of the most symbolic moments in sports history and helped spur the human rights movement at the time.

3. Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King will go down as one of the most influential tennis players and female athletes of all-time. As a player, she won 39 Grand Slam titles — including 12 singles, 16 doubles, and 11 mixed doubles. In 1972, she won the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in the same year.

During her career, she was a heavy advocate for gender equality and is a big reason why men and women receive the same winning purse in tennis. She was also the player that organized the Women’s Tennis Association, which is the governing body of women’s tennis to this day. 

2. LeBron James

LeBron James has the most influential and powerful voice in all of sports. When he speaks, the entire world is listening and it’s not just because he’s one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. He’s an advocate for racial equality and frequently protests against police brutality.

James continues to use his voice for good to this day and it’s something that will follow him the rest of his life — both on and off the court. At the same time, he continues to dominate the basketball world as he enters his 19th season in the NBA — fourth with the Los Angeles Lakers.

1. Muhammad Ali

Perhaps no other athlete has ever had a voice that’s more powerful and influential as Muhammad Ali. He was more than one of the greatest boxers of all-time and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind — even when it sparked a lot of controversy or went against common belief. 

Ali converted to Muslim faith in 1961 and was a heavy advocate for the religion, even changing his name in the process — he was born Cassius Clay. Five years later, he refused to be drafted into the Army due to his religious beliefs, even sacrificing much of his boxing career as a result.

Athlete Activists Prove It’s More Than Just a Sport

Over the past 100 years, athlete activists have worked tirelessly to prove that they are more than just athletes and it’s more than just a sport. They understand that their voice holds more weight than the average person and they can use that voice to spread positivity and reform. 

Although some athlete activists stand out more than others, we fully appreciate the work that every athlete activist dedicates to the growth, development, and maturing of the world we live in. When others say, ‘shut up and dribble,’ we like to say, ‘speak up and stand up for what’s right.’

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With the amount of injustice in the world, especially in the United States, athletes must feel comfortable using their stage to promote change where it’s needed the most. When they speak up, we all listen. When they step forward, we step with them. Together, we unify and prosper.

RANKED: Most Inspirational Athletes in 2022

The most inspirational athletes are known for making the most of their spotlight, both on and off the court, rink, field, or wherever else they showcase their talent. They aren’t afraid to use their voice to inspire change and they’re always in-tune with what’s going on in the world today.

It’s not something we see from every athlete, but that’s what separates the most inspirational athletes from everyone else. They understand the power and influence they have over the society we live in and are dedicated to finding a solution to some of the world’s biggest issues.

The most inspirational athletes in the world today are not only featured on ESPN, but also CNN, The New York Times, MSNBC, Fox News, and other national news sources. Their efforts and achievements aren’t just talked about in the sports community, but in other communities as well. 

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Who Are the Most Inspirational Athletes in 2022?

RANKED: Most Inspirational Athletes in 2022
Salty View / Shutterstock

When you look at the most inspirational athletes in 2022, they all share one thing in common. Despite being from different backgrounds and having different talents, they all know how to use their voice to inspire change. Furthermore, they all take that responsibility extremely seriously. 

They know when to speak up, they know when to take action, and most importantly they know when to be quiet. They understand that the smallest sentence can inspire the best out of someone, but they’re also aware that the same sentence can belittle or disparage others. 

Either way, the most inspirational athletes today are the ones we turn to when issues arise. Whether those issues are social justice issues, personal issues, or worldwide issues, we’re always quick to give them center stage because we know they’ll find the right words to say.

20. Gabby Williams

Gabby Williams is a forward for the Chicago Sky of the WNBA. She has been heavily involved in raising awareness for social justice issues and was a key player in the launch of the ‘Sky Takes Action’ initiative in 2020 that resulted in various donations being made to nonprofits. 

Williams was drafted by Chicago with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft. She has averaged 6.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.2 blocks in 20.8 minutes per game through her first three years, but missed the 2021 campaign due to scheduling conflicts. 

19. Anthony Rizzo

Anthony Rizzo is a first baseman in the MLB that has spent time with the Yankees, Padres, and Cubs. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2008 and created the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation in 2012 to raise money for cancer research and help families battling cancer. 

Rizzo is one of the most respected baseball players in the league. He’s a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, one-time Silver Slugger, one-time Platinum Glove winner, and one-time World Series Champion. He has hit 251 home runs since his MLB debut in 2011.

18. Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton is a British formula one driver for Mercedes and is widely considered one of the most influential black people in the UK. He uses his voice to advocate for a post-prejudice tomorrow and has been a long-time supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Hamilton has 288 Grands Prix entries since 2007 and has a record 182 podium finishes, a record 103 wins, a record 103 pole positions, and a joint-record seven world championships – 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 – which he holds with Michael Schumacher. 

17. Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani is a two-way baseball player that currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels of the MLB. He has quickly risen to global phenom with his ability to pitch and hit with the best of them, but has also gained a lot of attention for his overall likeness and love for the game. 

Ohtani made his MLB debut in 2018 and won Rookie of the Year honors with 22 home runs, 61 runs batted in, and a 4-2 record in 10 starts as a pitcher. He showed massive improvement in 2021 with 46 home runs, 100 runs batted in, a 9-2 record in 23 starts, and MVP honors. 

16. Becky Hammon

Becky Hammon is a former point guard in the WNBA, but has since turned to coaching. She originally made headlines in 2014 when she became the first full-time female assistant coach in NBA history – something that hasn’t been achieved in any of the other three major pro sports. 

She further made history in 2020 when she became the first female acting head coach in NBA history when Greg Popovich was ejected. In 2021, Hammon was announced as the new head coach of the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA and signed a record-setting contract in doing so.

15. Trinity Rodman

Trinity Rodman is a forward for the Washington Spirit of the NWSL and the United States Women’s National Team. She’s an inspiration to all young female soccer players after signing the biggest contract in NWSL history at 19 years old, one year after being drafted No. 2 overall.

Rodman, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, started 22 of 25 games in her first NWSL season. She finished her rookie year with seven goals and seven assists en route to winning the 2021 NWSL Rookie of the Year. She recently made her debut with the USWNT. 

14. Adonis Lattimore

Adonis Lattimore is a high school senior wrestler that made headlines just a few days ago after winning the Virginia High School League Class 6 state championship (106-pound weight division). Lattimore was born without legs and only has one finger on one of his hands. 

He always dreamed of winning a state championship. After making it to regionals as a freshman, he missed out his sophomore year and had his junior season canceled due to COVID-19. That dream came true as a senior and now he plans to take his talents to college. 

13. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is an Indian right-handed batsmen that currently plays for Delhi in domestic cricket and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. He is one of the most famous athletes in the world and has quickly become one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history. 

Kohli has 7,962 runs in Test formats, 12,311 runs in ODI formats, 3,296 runs in T20I formats, 10,211 runs in FC formats, 13,753 runs in List A formats, and 10,273 in T20 formats. He has 156 hundreds and 306 fifties across all formats between his debut in 2006 and now in 2022. 

12. Megan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe is a winger for the OL Reign of the NWSL (a team she captains) and the United States Women’s National Team. She’s regarded as one of the greatest female soccer players of all-time, but also uses her voice to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and equal rights. 

Rapinoe has made 187 international appearances for the USWNT since 2006, scoring 62 goals and dishing 71 assists in that time. She’s a two-time World Cup winner and one-time Olympic gold medalist. She’s also married to one of the greatest WNBA players of all-time, Sue Bird. 

11. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is a forward that currently plays for Manchester United of the Premier League. He also played for Real Madrid and Juventus over his illustrious 20-year career in professional football. Of course, you can’t forget he’s the captain of Portugal’s national team.

Ronaldo is one of the greatest soccer players of all-time and one of the most recognizable names in the sport’s history. He has made 924 club appearances since 2003, scoring 689 goals and dishing 231 assists in the process. He also has 115 goals in 184 international appearances.

10. Shaun White

Shaun White is an American snowboarder and skateboarder that has captured the hearts of many over his 20+ years in extreme sports. He represented Team USA at five consecutive Winter Olympics, winning three gold medals – the most gold medals in snowboarding history.

White made headlines just a few weeks ago when he finished his final Olympic run before retirement. Though he failed to win a medal (he finished fourth), he stayed optimistic and remained his true self throughout. He also has a record 13 gold medals at the X Games. 

9. Nathan Chen

Speaking of Americans that made headlines at the 2022 Winter Olympics, we’d be wrong not to include Nathan Chen on this list. The 22-year-old figure skater had an impressive comeback story after a disappointing finish at the 2018 Winter Olympics, where he fell multiple times. 

He set a new world record in the men’s short program with a score of 113.97 before scoring a 218.63 in the free skate, securing his first gold medal. He also helped Team USA win a silver medal (possibly a gold, depending on Kamila Valieva’s situation) in the mixed team event. 

8. Alex Ovechkin

Alex Ovechkin is a winger that currently plays for the Washington Capitals of the NHL. He’s currently in his 17th season in the league, but looks like the youngest player on the ice every time he plays. At 36 years old, he has scored 31 goals this season – fourth in the NHL. 

With 761 goals in his career, Ovechkin has the fourth-most goals all-time. He’s five away from Jaromir Jagr, 40 away from Gordie Howe, and 128 away from Wayne Gretzky. He has nearly 200 more goals than the next closest active player – Patrick Marleau has 566 career goals. 

7. Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry is easily one of the most-liked NBA players in the league today. He never gets caught up in drama, he knows when to use his voice to spark change, and he’s fully-dedicated to his role as a father – he married his longtime girlfriend, Ayesha, and they have three kids.

On the court, Curry is one of the most lethal shooters of all-time – which he put on full display at the 2022 All-Star Game. He put up 50 points and made a record 16 three point field goals in the game, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest shooters and point guards of all-time. 

6. Tom Brady

Tom Brady is a former quarterback that played for the New England Patriots for 20 years and Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two seasons. In that time, he made 10 Super Bowl appearances and won seven rings in the process. For reference, that’s more than any franchise in the NFL. 

Brady’s commitment to the game will be remembered forever, but it’s likely we will never see him take another snap in the NFL after he announced his retirement this offseason. He will go down as the most dominant, talented, committed, and decorated player in football history. 

5. Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick did what many athletes aren’t willing to do – put his career at risk by speaking out against the racial biases, discrimination, and police brutality that happens around the world. He made a statement when he kneeled during the singing of the National Anthem in 2016. 

Kaepernick was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. While he hasn’t played since 2016, he doesn’t regret the route he took and continues to work towards change. He recently announced he’s offering free autopsies for police-related deaths.

4. Serena Williams

Serena Williams is one of the most recognizable and inspirational female tennis players of all-time. She turned professional in 1995 and continues to play to this day, though she may be nearing retirement soon. She has earned over $94 million in prize money, the most all-time. 

With an 855-152 career record in singles matches, it’s clear Serena isn’t too fond of losing. She has the second-most career Grand Slam titles with 23 – one behind Margaret Court. Outside of her incredible play, she has always been an advocate for equal rights and Black Lives Matter. 

3. LeBron James

LeBron James is one of the most popular and widely-recognized athletes in the entire world. He has made a living as one of the greatest basketball players of all-time, but also takes his role as an icon and role model very seriously. He isn’t afraid to speak up for those that don’t feel heard. 

James is currently in his 19th season in the NBA and has never averaged less than 20.9 points per game in any one season. He’s a 18-time All-Star, 17-time All-NBA, four-time champion, four-time MVP, four-time Finals MVP, three-time All-Star MVP, and 2003 Rookie of the Year. 

2. Simone Biles

Simone Biles is an American gymnast that has captured the hearts of many since making her senior international debut in 2013. Since then, she has won seven Olympic medals – including four gold medals – and 25 medals at the World Championships – including 19 gold medals. 

Biles was heavily criticized for backing out of most of her events during the 2020 (2021) Summer Olympics due to mental health concerns. She used that criticism to spread awareness about mental health, something that many athletes have echoed in support of her decision. 

1. Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka is one of the brightest names in women’s tennis today. She is a huge supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement and has taken the role of activist seriously in recent years. Her voice is heard by millions of people around the world and they’re always ready to listen. 

Osaka, like Biles, took a small hiatus from her sport, citing mental health issues. While she too received criticism for her decision, she used it to spread awareness about mental health and helped many people see that famous athletes are normal people just like everyone else. 

Who Are the Most Inspirational Athletes of All-Time?

Athletes have always played an enormous role in the society we live in. And while some athletes leave their legacy on the field, others have extended their influence beyond the playing field. Those ‘others’ are the ones we consider the most inspirational athletes we’ve ever seen. 

That list contains the likes of Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Joan Joyce, Michael Phelps, Magic Johnson, Jesse Owens, Lance Armstrong, Lou Gehrig, Manny Pacquiao, Jim Abbott, Babe Didrikson, Pat Tillman, Diego Maradona, Usain Bolt, and Bill Russell.

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Athletes will always hold a special place in the hearts of their fans, but it’s what those athletes do with that influence that separates them from others. Needless to say, the most inspirational athletes that we listed above will see their legacy celebrated for many years to come.

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