Good point!. I’d love to see where powerlifting/weightlifting records go if NFL linemen trained for the platform
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Strength wise they’re lacking but pro soccer players are pretty impressive imo - I think I read that they can run up to 7 miles in a single game, and most of that has to be done in extremely quick sprints. Coupled with the fact that they have more ball control with their feet than most do with their hands, and I find them pretty impressive.
Really though, if you reach a high level in any sport you’re impressive.
Completely agree. Wasn’t Fraser an Olympic lifted who turned cross fitter?
Noah Syndegaard should qualify as a top athlete. He’s a starting pitcher who throws 100 mph. Not only is it rare to throw 100+, but they’re usually closers. The amount of force you have to generate, with a technical movement is impressive. Especially when repeated 100 times, every 6 days.
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Top athlete, but not well-rounded. I think the title pretty much excludes top athletes who are golfers, baseball players, pool players, drivers, fishing, hunting, chess, poker, horse racing (unless your the horse), etc.
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Nobody beats boxers in terms of “strength, agility, and endurance”, as stated by the OP.
This is a thing I’ve considered in my own sport. I compete at a very high level in Strongman as a Lightweight/middleweight. I took 4th in a world championship event last year. But as cool as that is, I’m also acutely aware that probably ANY NFL running back would absolutely dominate the sport I compete in, and knock me down a few pegs if they ever decided to compete. And I don’t even think it would take all that much sport-specific training for most of them to do it. That’s how much I respect their overall athleticism.
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Seems like certain NFL players, boxers, and pro CF’ers would be up at the top.
@flipcollar said CF’ers lack the skills to be the best in “real” sports, which is true, but in terms of just being better phsycially than 99% of people on the planet, they’re winning.
Certain people involved in strength sports could maybe win, provided they were a leaner example, not the stereotypical fat strong guy.
He never made the US olympic team. Which makes him a pretty prime example of another guy who couldn’t make it to the top of his chosen, more established sport, but has been able to do so in Crossfit.
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That’s a good point. I didn’t know that.
Many footballers run further than that in games. There are quite a few who will average over 8 miles a game (90 minutes with only one break at half time).
Strength wise, they are well behind rugby players and American football players though.
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Boxers speed and strength vary greatly depending on the weight class. Compare Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz to Josh Warrington and Naoya Inoue.
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I used to agree with whoever posted that the best athletes always compete in the highest dollar sports, if they choose another its because they weren’t qualified to be the best in a top level money sport.
I’ve since however re-thought that stance. Eddie Hall was an olympic level swimmer, then turned into a WSM winner, the deadlift and axle press WR holder. Imo Eddie was the strongest static lifter to ever lift. His brother is a high level rugby player and they come from the same gene pool. Who is to say if Eddie wanted to play in the NFL he wouldn’t have been capable. I mean does anyone really think he couldn’t be a dominant DT or OL?
With all this said in terms of size,agility,strength, endurance ect. ect. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen an athlete quite like Lebron James. He seems to cover nearly every base of athleticsm at a relatively high level. Prime Tyson was another athlete that I think was just totally unique. For a man of his size the speed at which he moved was crazy, not to mention his accuracy and power. Its a shame he was so weak mentally.
Its amazing what people out there are capable of when they have amazing genetics and an indomitable will to succeed…
I do. Growing up as a Brit, with zero experience with the game, I don’t imagine he would have been too great compared to guys who are big and strong AND started playing when they were 6. Size and strength is, of course, a blessing (especially in those positions), but it only goes so far compared to good foot and handwork which comes with actual experience and knowledge of the game. If that WASN’T the case, more pro-teams would just be scouting powerlifitng meets and strongman comps.
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I’m curious how well pro Crossfit atlhetes would do on the purely physical parts of the NFL combine tests after practicing for it for about a month
I was speculating more from the view of just genetic potential. I wasn’t implying for him to start in the NFL tomorrow. I was stating that had he gotten into football at an early age I think he was a “freak” that could have excelled at any sport he chose to work at.
I imagine his uncoachableness is what played against him. He ended up in the best spot for him.
But, in turn, I don’t think it refutes the idea of the best genetics following the money. His opportunity for American football was limited due to being in Britain.
I think Rugby guys are a natural fit.
I don’t think tennis (or golf) are very comparable, as that is much more skills-based, as is baseball. American football (excepting the QB and certain receivers and the kicker, all of which are large exceptions) really just about strength and knowing how to use it.
For sure. Very transferable skillset compared to swimming or strongman.
NFL Athletes
Olympic Sprinters (100M & 200M)
Olympic Wrestlers
Those guys probably have the best overall athleticism. Such a good mix of power, strength, speed, endurance, and true athleticism.
Rugby players (back row forwards so numbers 6-8).
These guys are super human.
Players like Sam Underhill are other worldly.
I used to run 400m (not very well). 100m and 200m get more recognition but the extra grit needed to complete the 400m (with the lactic build up) along with the extra strength. To my mind made them better all rounders. Although no doubt 100/200m guys are more “power full”.