Which sport has the best athletes? - Page 3

We could sit here all day and argue for our favorite sports. To make this a good discussion, we will all have to realize that our favorite sport might not produce the best athletes. NASCAR? Yes, it does take some skills, both mental and physical, but come on, it does not have the best athletes in the world. Volleyball? Yes, it isn't the easiest sport in the world, and like all sports it requires athletic ability, but please, it does not have the best athletes.

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(I would even go so far as to say that volleyball players have the best vertical jump of any sport.)

Give me a good vertical leap for a volleyball player. Most receivers and backs in football can jump over 30", some close to 40". Around 3 feet, sometimes more, come on, how many volleyball players can do that?

And the reason I pick football as the top sport for the best athletes is because of the diversity of varoius players. Some can jump over 3 feet, some have a 40 times of under 4.5 seconds, some are strong enough to compete in world weightlifting competitions, some have amazing agility, look at Dante Hall.

And most don't just specialize in one ability. Take Keyshawn Johnson, he can jump vertically almost three feet, can run about a 4.5 40 time, and he ways over 200 pounds, he can block well, too.

In general, the average Hockey players is more well rounded then an average football player. Better strength, better speed, etc. Hockey is a sport that takes more agility than most.

I've played all of the sports mentioned except ice hockey, because I can't skate for crap. So, I have a lot of respect for hockey players. But, I still think that football has the best athletes. The fastest, the strongest, and the smartest play in this sport.

If the average player of each sport went to compete against each other in an event that tested agility, speed, strength, and endurance, I think the football player and hockey player would be close to the top. Followed by basketball, soccer, then baseball.

I'll agree that Hockey players are some of the best athletes but I wouldn't think they have to concentrate on skating at all because they've been doing it so long, it would be almost like walking like you said. I doubt they even think about skating while they're out there playing.

Son of Zhang Fei made some awesome points about football players. I still think they have the most athletic talent.

quote Son of Zhang Fei

Give me a good vertical leap for a volleyball player. Most receivers and backs in football can jump over 30", some close to 40". Around 3 feet, sometimes more, come on, how many volleyball players can do that?

My vertical is 32" which is decent for the level I play at. On the team I was on last year everybody on the team had a vertical of at least 26", most over 30". If you look at national men's volleyball teams you'd be hard pressed to find anybody with a vertical jump of less than 40". There was a guy that used to play for the Brazilian national team (not sure if he still does) that had a vertical of 50".

At a tournament last year I saw a guy that plays volleyball for Texas A&M who is about 5'8" dunk a basketball with 2 hands.

So to answer your question:

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Most receivers and backs in football can jump over 30", some close to 40". Around 3 feet, sometimes more, come on, how many volleyball players can do that?

Quite a few.

OK, put skates on a football player, give them a stick, some pads, and give them a breakaway 1 on 1 with a..let's say Junior league goalie. Good luck to the football player....even if it's a fit player, like a wide reciever or a quarterback.

Take a hockey player. Give him some pads and a practice or two. I bet he could make a catch in a game.

hockey players are actually better athletes, they are definitely in better shape, have you ever seen a fat hockey player, come on now be honest, any hockey player in a competitive league must be in great condition, sure, alot of football players arre in good shape but look at the fat guts hanging out of all those guards, imagine that on ice skates...I've always tried to avoid those mental images.

You people are nuts to place football players as the fittest guys. On average there is no way that the average football player can match up to say, the average Hurdles runner, or the average Aussie Rules Rugby player... In fact, for Aussie Rules, everyone on the field is in damn amazing shape, and believe me, those guys can jump as well...

Have you ever seen a fat
Hockey player? NO
Baseball? Yes David Wells
Basketball? Yes Keith "Tractor" Traylor
Football? Hell yeah too many to name.
Soccer? No
Tennis? No

So it has to be between Tennis, Soccer, and Hockey. When you combine agility and strength Hockey Wins. Not only do you have to skate, be fast, and balance, but you have to hit too. Hockey players are built solid. Soccer is all speed and skill. You have to have strength in your legs but it does not need any upper body strength. Tennis, needs both but its more of an agily sport.