Sports legend, professional athlete, famous, idol, name it, these are all some of the names we call to those sports athlete who has massive influence in the games they played.
Who will not know LeBron James, Michael Phelps, Tiger Woods, David Beckham, and Kobe Bryant? In some ways or another, we have heard and seen these worlds famous sports personalities be it in television, newspaper, radio, social media sites and more. They are in fact some of the most influential sports legends of this modern generation.
Who wouldn’t be captivated by the extraordinary athletic prowess and skills of these sports giants though? After all the medals trophies and multiple recognitions and championships these athletes got, they are no doubt, worthy of all the fame and adulation.
How did these athletes affect and influence the multitudes of the younger generation?
Michael Fred Phelps II
Let us begin with the swimming legend, Michael Fred Phelps II, or commonly referred to as Michael Phelps. He is the most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 medals. He earned the nicknames “The Baltimore Bullet” and “Flying Fish” for his unbelievable speed in swimming. At a young age of 15, Phelps started his swimming career and became the youngest American male swimmer to ever compete in an Olympic game.
Phelps didn’t allow his age to be a hindrance. Thus he proved to everybody that he could do it just like what other athletes did. His life stories continue to inspire a lot of teens to try their best just like Phelps did.
While training for the 2008 Olympic Games, Phelps had to prepare himself for vigorous training and self- discipline which included his diet. He is known to have food intake of at least 12,000 calories per day. This much talked about the diet of Phelps started a trend on the internet.
The online challenge called #MichaelPhelpsDiet challenges a person to eat like Phelps. A lot of competitive eaters accepted this challenge, but not many can accomplish it. Indeed, Michael Phelps is a legend of his own.
Kobe Bean Bryant
Kobe Bryant is a known versatile basketball player. He could get anywhere around the court with the blink of an eye. Bryant is the definition of all-around basketeer. He knows how to play both sides of the game offense and defense. Everyone looks up to Kobe Bryant as the ultimate weapon of his team in the hard-court.
Kobe Bryant gave himself a nickname to create an alter-ego as a way to separate his personal life and professional life. Bryant revealed in his auto-documentary “Muse” that he created “The Black Mamba” as a way to deal with the struggles he was going through off the court in 2003 and 2004.
The strike of the black mamba snake is fast as it delivers its deadly venom. Byrant also shared in the said documentary that he “went from being a person who was at the top of his game. He had everything coming his way, to a year later having absolutely no idea where his life is going or if he is ever going to be part of life as we all know it.”
As all of sports fan knows, Bryant was accused with sexual assault to a 19-year old hotel employee in Colorado back in 2003, but the charges were eventually dropped, and a civil suit was settled out of court. Due to the overwhelming pressure, he is dealing at that moment. Bryant said that he needs to separate himself that’s why he created The Black Mamba.
Bryant went on to explain that “Kobe” was tasked to deal with his personal issues and challenges and “The Black Mamba” handles all the business on the court. The way Bryant deals with his problems stirred a lot of people’s emotions.
As we face challenges that test our emotional mettle, let not forget how the legend, Kobe Bryant dealt with challenging situations and how he rose to the occasion.
Eldrick Tont Woods
Eldrick Tont Woods, better known as Tiger Woods, is an American professional golfer who is among the most successful golfers of all time. He has been one of the highest paid athletes in the world for several years. He is known for having a strong bond with his fans. Infact, he makes time to visit ailing fans who are battling with cancer.
The four-time master’s tournament winning golf legend is also the founder of the Tiger Woods Foundation, whose scholarship and academic programs seek to “break the cycle of poverty through college-access opportunities for students coming from underprivileged communities. Because of this, the multitude of fans is in awe of his concern for the less fortunate.
LeBron Raymone James Sr.
LeBron James, an elite athlete, endowed with phenomenal basketball skills. He is a professional basketball player and one of the greatest NBA players of all time.
LeBron James supports the After-School All-Stars, the Children’s Defense Fund, ONEXONE. The Cleveland Cavaliers player has also founded the LeBron James Family Foundation, whose mission is “to positively affect the lives of children and young adults through education and co-curricular educational initiatives.”
Do they affect our lives?
Altogether, we can say that sports legends affect our lives. They become a source of inspiration, a role model, somebody to look up too. They instill physical and emotional resiliency in us. Resiliency is the quality of being able to “bounce back.”
Have you experienced an injury, disappointment, or perhaps a broken heart or a failed bid at championships?
Well, resiliency is an essential quality to cultivate. Not every effort, no matter how well-planned, practiced and executed, will be a successful one, so it demands resiliency just like The Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant.
What does Sports Legend teach us?
Sports also teach us not to be serious all the time and that we need to cherish our amusing moments. Just like the trend Michael Phelps started, many people defied the odds and ate as the legend did.
Sports legends like Tiger Woods and LeBron James remind us to be compassionate and empathetic all the time. That we can work through adversity, and overcome any stumbling blocks that come our way. We have to believe that there is good in every darkness. Moreover, there are countless ways that we have a chance to help.
How do we do this?
If success goes our way, we can share it with others. We can use a helping hand. Just a few minutes of our time can make an impact on someone for a lifetime.
“Sharing your blessings,” as they say, is where real happiness begins.
May we all learn from these sports legends and be a legend in our little way, in our own time.
Finally, when all the cheers and shouts and applause from fans have died down. Long after their days as sports superstars were behind them, the legacy of love, compassion, and generosity they have shared will forever be instilled in everyone ’s memory.
