re: Who is your favorite “Great Man” in sports?

Didier Drogba. He builds hospitals, schools and pays for students from the Ivory Coast to go to school in the UK and USA.

As an Arsenal fan, I HATE him as a player, he fricking owned Arsenal. As a man, he's as good as they get.

I absolutely hate the Cowboys and really hated them when I was a kid in the 70’s. But now as an older man I agree with Roger Staubach, I also think he is now one of the most underrated QB’s ever.

Brian Dawkins played at a top 1% intensity level on Sundays without cussing or saying the N word.


John Croyle at Big Oak Ranch, Brodie is now CEO but it was really John's vision. They've given a home to over 2,000 kids at this point

Warrick Dunn

In hockey: Mike Fisher.

As a player, he was relentless to play against. Fantastic 2nd/3rd line center, and held other teams' top lines in check.

As a man, as solid as they come. Plus, he was found worthy by Carrie Underwood, so, I mean, he absolutely won at life.

In football: Warrick Dunn is hard to pick against, as someone else stated. Fantastic back, even better human being. Does a ton for families who are severely less fortunate, just as he was.

In baseball, gotta go with John Smoltz. Starting pitcher, closer, whatever. Still in the HoF. And I've never heard anyone say a cross word about meeting Jim or interacting with him in person. Strong Chrstian who doesn't shy from his beliefs.

Nolan Ryan

John Cappelletti, 1973 Heisman winner.

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During his Heisman Trophy acceptance speech, John held back tears as he talked about his little brother who would die of childhood leukemia three years later.

“If I can dedicate this trophy to him tonight and give him a couple days of happiness, this is worth everything,” Cappelletti said during his speech. “I think a lot of people think that I go through a lot on Saturdays and during the week as most athletes do. You get your bumps and bruises, and it is a terrific battle out there on the field. Only for me, it is on Saturdays and it’s only in the fall.

“For Joseph, it is all year round, and it is a battle that is unending with him. He puts up with much more than I’ll ever put up with, and I think that this trophy is more his than mine because he has been a great inspiration to me.”

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When Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was to follow Cappelletti's speech with a closing benediction, he said "'There is no need for a benediction. God has already blessed you with John Cappelletti.'

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Roger Staubach

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Novak Djokovic is 

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Tied for 2nd with Nadal as runner up great men and tennis players.