Who's your favorite athlete?

Question

abc3643 · Accepted Answer

He's retired now, but John Tavares (the uncle of the NHL star, John Tavares, and who is named after him).

This John Tavares played lacrosse - primarily box lacrosse. Box lacrosse is the indoor version of the game invented about 100 years ago in Canada as a way to have a reason to use hockey rinks during the warm months. Box lacrosse is the National Summer Sport of Canada, with ice hockey being the National Winter Sport of Canada.

In Canada, box lacrosse is usually just called lacrosse and they call the outdoor game "field lacrosse". In the US, we say the opposite: Field lacrosse is simply "lacrosse" and the indoor game is called "indoor lacrosse" or "box lacrosse".

In Canada, all types of lacrosse are governed by the Canadian Lacrosse Association The highest level of "lacrosse" (as box lacrosse is called in Canada) is "Senior Level A" and there are two professional leagues: The WLA (Western Lacrosse Association) with teams in British Columbia and the MSL (Major Series Lacrosse) with teams in Ontario. Each summer, the winner of the WLA and MSL meet in a Best-of-7 series to win The Mann Cup which is like The Stanley Cup of lacrosse.

Now, in the warm months, John Tavares played in the MSL or WLA.

HOWEVER, in the cold months, John Tavares played in the National Lacrosse League which is a professional North American indoor lacrosse league. The NLL is a much larger professional league and is the 3rd largest attended indoor league in the world after the NBA and NHL.

Many Canadian and Native American/First Peoples players play in both the CLA leagues and the NLL. Once the NLL season is over, they play in either the WLA or MSL or even in the field lacrosse league, the Professional Lacrosse League (PLL) which is new and has a unique format.

OK, that's a lot of background, but you need to understand that John Tavares is, by many, considered the greatest box lacrosse player. He is currently the head coach of the Buffalo Bandits of the NLL and played for them from their first game in 1992 until he retired after the 2015 season. He still holds many offensive records in the NLL and probably in the CLA as well. He played in either the MSL or WLA from 1989 until 2012.

And, like almost all professional lacrosse players, John Tavares has a normal job too.
He is a high school mathematics teacher in Mississauga Ontario near Toronto.

The New York Times did a human interest story on him in 2013:

A Lacrosse Star Who Is a Math Teacher FirstThe article starts like this:

"

By Jeff Z. Klein
April 24, 2013

BUFFALO — Ask the Islanders star John Tavares about his most influential role models, and he will tell you he has always looked up to his uncle John.

Uncle John is named John Tavares, too. He is a 44-year-old math teacher at Philip Pocock Catholic Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario, where he has taught algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus to students in Grades 9 through 12 since 1998.

He is also the highest-scoring player in the history of indoor lacrosse.

...

"

John Tavares, NHL star on the left, with his uncle John Tavares the NLL star on the right.

Watch this video a fan made with his phone at the 2008 NLL Championship game, Portland Lumberjax at Buffalo Bandits. I was there but did not take this video. Tavares is #11 in Buffalo's home white jersey. He weaves his way through the Portland team to get close and pull the trigger for a goal. Considering Buffalo won 14-13, this amazing goal in front of a sell-out crowd of 18690, could be considered the championship-winning goal.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/GRTkj81go9o

In 2016, the year after he retired from the NLL, John Tavares was elected to the NLL Hall of Fame and had his #11 jersey retired by the Bandits for whom he played for 24 seasons. He then joined the Bandits coaching staff and is now the head coach.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/lPdFPAnfSh4 https://www.youtube.com/embed/V6BmzFjXYRE

From the NLL's 35 Moments in 35 Years (the NLL's first season was 1987):
https://www.nll.com/35-moments/

3-11-2016 - BANDITS RETIRE TAVARES' #11 John Tavares played 24 seasons in the NLL from 1992 to 2015 all with the Buffalo Bandits, retiring at age 46. There are too many memorable moments from John Tavares’ legendary career to place into one post. The 14-time NLL First Team All-Pro is the all-time leader in multiple categories and one of the most recognizable players in league history. 18,751 fans were in attendance for his jersey retirement, a game in which the number 11 was retired in Buffalo. The Bandits would win 13-10 against Rochester with Dhane Smith leading the way with seven points (4g, 3a) and Mark Steenhuis right behind with six points (3g, 3a).

JT’s Accolades:

3-time MVP (1994, 2000, 2001)
4-time champion (1992, 1993, 1996, 2008)
7-time scoring leader
All Time Leader in:815 goals – John Grant Jr is number 2 at 668 and Dan Dawson is the active leader at 526
934 assists – Dawson is the active leader at 910
1,749 points – Jr is number two at 1,446 and Dawson is the active leader at 1,436, Shawn Evans at 1,230, Ryan Benesch at 1,061
Playoff games played (38), goals (84), assists (116), points (200),
One of 3 players with over 2,000 loose ball recoveries
Only player to play over 300 games – Dawson is number two at 297
Average 5.72 points and 7.16 loose ball recoveries per game through his entire career

https://www.nll.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/John-Tavares-Retirement-1.mp4?_=23

humanearth · Accepted Answer

World Heavyweight Boxing champion Jack Dempsey

William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey (June 24, 1895 – May 31, 1983), nicknamed Kid Blackie and The Manassa Mauler, was an American professional boxer who competed from 1914 to 1927, and reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926. A cultural icon of the 1920s, Dempsey's aggressive fighting style and exceptional punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history. Many of his fights set financial and attendance records, including the first million-dollar gate. He pioneered the live broadcast of sporting events in general, and boxing matches in particular.

Blackcupcake · Accepted Answer

Aaron Rodgers dancing to nickelback while eating an avocado and drinking Pepsi… sexy as fuck

dustybiker · Accepted Answer

Tough.. I have a lot. Probably Steven Gerrard. .

exitseven · Answer

Besides @msputiton I like Bobby Orr. He revolutionized the game of hockey and was a great role model for kids. Even after he retired he continued to serve the community. He shoots- He scores

mattissebfan5 · Answer

I know some people will say drivers aren't athlete they are but my idol is F1 driver Sebastian Vettel Funny and nice person have been a fan from the 1st day I started watching F1 2011 and he know has 2 races left in his F1 career as he's retiring also a 4 Time world champion I don't support him because he was a world champion that was a bonus though

Jaximus-Lion · Answer

I have a few of every sport that i like... So Basketball! Bill Russ and Kobe. Rugby The Great Jonah Lomu, Marshal arts! Bruce Lee and Iron Mike, Football! Nazario Ronaldo R9 and Ibrahimovic, F1 Michael Schumacher, Tennis! Björn Borg and the Williams sisters. Honorable mention to MJ23, M. Ali, Richie McCaw, Maldini, Ronaldinho, Alonso, Thierry Dusautoir, Dwayne Johnsson, Shaq and Kelsey Plum.

Sixgunsound · Answer

Honestly I’d have to say you, because as far as I can see you don’t let your abilities go to your head and you don’t behave like the overpaid adult children on TV.

ThoseCognacEyes · Answer

I have a few: - Muhammad Ali - Mike Tyson - Francesco Totti - Andrea Pirlo - Paolo Maldini  - Cristiano Ronaldo  - Rafael Nadal

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Michael Phelps, Jenny Thompson, Katie Ledecky, Annika Sorenstam, Michele Mouton, Mia Hamm, Eliud Kipchoge, my dad, my brothers, my husband, myself.

jennifer_bloom · Answer

I only know the big names and Kobe Bryant has an amazing personality according to the people who discuss him. I followed figured skaters on TV as a child and Elvis Stolko is the only one I remember now.

NathanDavis · Answer

it is... @TheNicestOne... that guy @TomBrady though...

Summeroflove · Answer

I really don't know to be honest. I don't keep up with sports much. I used to really love Dale Jr from NASCAR but I don't even really watch that anymore. You can be if you want to be

htmndg183 · Answer

Jonny Wilkinson Kevin Pietersen Frank Lampard Lisa Leslie Blanka Vlasic Ekaterina Lisina

Zolly99999 · Answer

Of all time or current? Of all time... Michael Jordan  Current... Sydney Crosby

_Just_A_girl_ · Answer

Eddie Guerrero count?  Robin Van Persie Used to be rondo in ball  sorry didn't have one

loveslongnails · Answer

Lou Gehrig, Mary Lou Retton, Mark Johnson (1980's Olympic Ice Hockey hero - the real hero, not Eruzione)

NerdInDenial · Answer

Shohei Ohtani because his dedication and talent is very impressive.

simptopia · Answer

all time - Tracy McGrady or Mike Vick still playing - LeBron, Simone Biles or Ja Morant

Anonymous · Answer

Allison Stokke:  Alica Schmidt:  Lieke Klaver:

JPresidente · Answer

MJ - the goat and no one even comes close. The game hasn't been the same since he retired.

ChiTown33 · Answer

My s/n is ChiTown33 as in jersey #33. Figure it out. 🤣🐂

Anonymous · Answer

Manuel Neuer - Soccer Lionel Messi - Soccer Cho Seong-ju (Maru) - Starcraft II

BJP21 · Answer

Retired Ozzie Smith aka "The Wizard" of the St. Louis Cardinals.

bayoubob · Answer

I can name many a Twin. Bert Blyleven. Most in my regard, might say Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett, or Danny Gladden.

Luckycharms12 · Answer

Basketball Kobe, Luka Dončić , soccer Roy Keane , Denise Irwin , hurling Owen Kelly

SnowedIn · Answer

Emma Raducanu. Mary Cain.

Anonymous · Answer

one of the Botez sisters. The super hot chess "athletes" :D

kellytheman · Answer

Walter Payton aka Sweetness. Known as the all time GOAT at RB playing for the Chicago Bears.

Fuentes · Answer

Growing up Allen Iverson

HorggleThorp · Answer

My sister. I’m not interested in celebs.

User3191989 · Answer

My idol, The Rock

michael00007 · Answer

Stephen Curry Novak Djokovic

LavLavLuv · Answer

Luka dončić 🏀

Debbie14217 · Answer

dont have one

Charliefretz329 · Answer

Msputiton…

BLP11520 · Answer

Don't do sports anything so I pick Barry Sanders

bigpauly · Answer

Curry

pascal_climbs · Answer

Alex Puccio

Bethany22 · Answer

Tiger Woods

Erron_Black · Answer

Cristiano Ronaldo

Degenerate · Answer

Kobe Bryant

Iron_Man · Answer

Myself

TallAnon · Answer

Don't have one.

Anonymous · Answer

Earl Harland.

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