Famous Athletes Reveal Who They Idolized Growing Up (The Players That Inspired The Next Generation)
Young athletes with high aspirations live their lives a particular type of way. Sure, you can achieve greatness on your own or with little help from others, but there's one crucial aspect you can't forget about the journey to the top. Everyone needs a jolt of inspiration now and then. That helps explain why many of the best professional athletes idolized some equally sensational players while they were growing up. Read on to learn who your favorite athletes admire the most.
Troy Tulowitzki Admired Derek Jeter
While Derek Jeter undoubtedly looked up to players while grew up, he now has many fans that admire him. Someone who definitely does is Troy Tulowitzki. The shortstop admitted Jeter was his hero while he played with the Colorado Rockies.
"Ever since I've known this game from a kid, Derek was always in it," Tulowitzki said. "Watching him, playing against him, trying to be like him, it's always been in the game for me." He also wears number two, thanks to you know who.
LeBron Is Odell's Favorite Player
When Odell Beckham was a rookie, he made possibly the greatest catch in NFL history. The play was so special, it caught the attention of LeBron James who then tweeted about it. Soon after, Beckham met James as they caught dinner together and Beckham couldn't believe it.
"That's my favorite athlete," he said. "To be able to meet him and be able to talk to him and be able to share some words, it was a good time. It was very surreal to be able to meet LeBron, period."
Stafford Looked At The Best
Many players grew up in different eras, which translates to different athletes hanging on their bedroom walls as inspiration. For Matthew Stafford, he admired the greatness of several stars, not just one. That isn't all the way out of the norm.
"Obviously a Dallas kid, I really, really liked [Troy] Aikman, liked [John] Elway, liked [Brett] Favre, liked all of those guys," Stafford said. "They were true professionals, man." That is an astounding group of guys to idolize.
Big Ben Wears His Number Seven For A Reason
As one of the best quarterbacks to sling the pigskin, Ben Roethlisberger idolized one of the greatest on his rise to the top. That should come as no surprise coming from a Super Bowl champion with a lengthy career. When he almost switched his jersey number, he had to stop.
Big Ben told USA Today, "That got brought up, and I thought about it for about five seconds and said, 'No way.' Because I wear it because that's me, that's who I am. One of the main reasons I wear it is because of John Elway, one of my idols. He's still one of my idols."
Serena Has Someone Close To Her To Thank
Arguably the best tennis player for both genders, Serena Williams had someone close to her help achieve greatness. Sometimes, those we love can serve as some of the greatest inspiration outside of former players.
"I grew up watching Monica Seles and Steffi Graf," Williams said. "They inspired me a lot because they were champions," she started. "But without any doubt, my true inspiration has been Venus. She pushed me to keep going and to give my best every day."
A Pitcher's Inspiration
In 2014, if there were a pitcher's sweepstakes in the MLB, then the New York Yankees won when they signed the Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka to a seven-year deal. That same season, Tanaka had the pleasure of playing with his idol before getting traded the year after.
As a result of the trade, Tanaka was beyond thrilled to pitch against his childhood hero, Ichiro Suzuki. Tanaka said, "I've been looking forward to this, I followed him since I was little when he was at the Orix BlueWave."
Who Did The King Look Up To?
LeBron James (seated far right) came into the NBA as an 18-year-old with the title of "king." Some called him the next Michael Jordan, so you can imagine the type of pressure he faced. Thankfully, he navigated through all of that noise with ease. Could it be thanks to those he looked up to?
"I watch Jordan more than anybody for sure, but I'll watch tapes of A.I. [Allen Iverson], too," James said. "He gave it his all. A.I. was like my second-favorite player growing up, after MJ."
Von Miller Had A Thing For Cowboys
Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller is a nightmare for opposing offenses. With a unique blend of size and speed, he's quick to get to the ball and bring you down no matter who you are. Miller grew up in Dallas, so his inspiration came in the form of Cowboys.
"When I was really young, probably it was Emmitt Smith," Miller said. "They were Cowboys and when you grow up around Dallas, in Texas, Cowboys are going to be your heroes." Smith might have been a running back, but that probably only fueled Miller to become as fast as he is now.
Inspired By Greatness
For many years, Tiger Woods wasn't relevant in golf. It almost felt unreal to watch as he fell from grace and allowed others to come and try for his throne. One of those attempts came from Rory Mcllroy. It would make sense that you would want to pass someone you admired growing up.
"To think that not too long ago I was that little boy watching him on TV to where I am now," McIlroy revealed. "It's been a cool journey and I'm very lucky I get to compete with and against him because he inspired me as a kid and he inspires me now."
The New G.O.A.T. Watched A Past Great
There isn't much left to debate about who's the greatest quarterback to ever throw the ball in the NFL. The man Tom Brady idolized played a part in helping him reach the top.
Brady grew up idolizing the amazing Joe Montana. "I mean, nothing fazed him," Brady revealed. "There was a certain calmness in watching him. I always remember that when you watch him drop back, you knew he was just going to get it done."
The Greek Freak's Idol Might Surprise You...
Standing at 6'11' with a 7'3 wingspan, Giannis Antetokounmpo aka "The Greek Freak" has the right to own that nickname.
Due to his immense size and the position he plays, a likely source of inspiration growing up would be a player like Tim Duncan. On the contrary, the foreigner had someone else he watched. The Greek Freak says, "My idol was Allen Iverson." It looks like he and LeBron James have something in common.
A Pass Rusher Idolized A Quarterback... What Are The Odds?
A veteran of the NFL, Ryan Kerrigan's career wasn't that bad. The pass rusher made a living making the quarterbacks' jobs much harder than they should be. How is it he idolized one growing up?
"If I had to say one it would be Peyton Manning," he said. "Growing up in Indiana, my grandpa had season tickets to the Colts. Peyton made football a big thing in Indiana." That makes sense as it's hard to ignore a special talent from your own city.
