Athletes you didn't like growing up but do now
- Thread starter Bro D
- Start date
I didn’t like Bo Jackson when I was growing up because I wanted Chuck Long to win the Heisman Trophy. But, damn, that man was one of the greatest athletes of my generation.
I never disliked Tom Watson, but I met him a few weeks ago and instantly developed a man crush, asked him for some swing tips and he graciously had a down to earth conversation with me about the golf grip. Took a photo with him. I have turned into an amateur Tom Watson historian since I met him and yell “Tommy” after every good golf shot I hit now.
Emmitt Smith (49rs fan)
I thought Beckham was a queef, we was legit historically good.
Tim Duncan. (Boring)
I thought Beckham was a queef, we was legit historically good.
Tim Duncan. (Boring)
I have a picture on my downstairs mantle I took of him and Jack on either side and talking to a member of Augusta National wearing his jacket. Tee box on the par 3 course. Best pic I have ever taken.
Brady and Belichick.
Maybe my bar was low because of how they were in New England but they both have more personality than I thought they would and it's kind of growing on me.
Maybe my bar was low because of how they were in New England but they both have more personality than I thought they would and it's kind of growing on me.
Followed Tom, Fred Couple and Greg Norman at the TPC back in the 80s. Tom beat both their brains in on the round and was just such a cool guy. Fred had a bad day but was still gracious. Norman was a grade A asshat.
Never liked Jordan while he played. Once he was done playing I missed Jordan.
I also have no rhyme or reason why I disliked him.
I also have no rhyme or reason why I disliked him.
Jack Nicklaus. When he started out winning so consistently, he took away the aura of my childhood favorite, Arnold Palmer. But damn, I eventually had to recognize he was as good as it gets on a golf course.
Then when he had family start playing football at FSU, that was just icing on the cake.
Then when he had family start playing football at FSU, that was just icing on the cake.
Tim Tebow
What he's done for the special needs community puts him way on top of my favorite athlete list.
Steve Superior. Despised him as a player, primarily due to his being a Stinkin' Gator. Then, as a coach, he personified the term "asshat". But after his failure with the pros and his return to college coaching, he seemed calmer and more refined.
There's a story out there of how he paved the way for Lou Holtz's wife to get her cancer treatment at Shands that really changed my thinking on him.
There's a story out there of how he paved the way for Lou Holtz's wife to get her cancer treatment at Shands that really changed my thinking on him.
Aleksandr Karelin.
I hated him as a child because he was a dominant Soviet athlete and we were supposed to hate all things CCCP. I jumped up and down in the living room when Rulon Gardner beat him in the Olympics.
The guy was a beast and deserves recognition.
en.wikipedia.org
I hated him as a child because he was a dominant Soviet athlete and we were supposed to hate all things CCCP. I jumped up and down in the living room when Rulon Gardner beat him in the Olympics.
The guy was a beast and deserves recognition.
Aleksandr Karelin - Wikipedia
The funny thing is I have heard multiple times how terrible all 3 of those guys are. Norman was my favorite at the time, but he went the opposite…I can’t stand him now.
Lasorda got my dad into a nice restaurant one night. Iirc, dad didn’t have a tie and Lasorda basically pulled a “He’s with me.”
Mike tyson. at one time dude was brutal, totally unlikeable, even bit off a likeable guy’s ear. today tyson has morphed into a teddy bear
Tim Duncan for me. Hated him when he played, but I’ve grown to respect the hell out of him and what he accomplished.
Shaq for me, didn’t like him until he became a Laker. Then he was just fine.
I can only think of one Frank Gore Miami-
The guy was hurt most of his college career, but he played for the Canes and scored the winning TD in 04 to beat us, so I hated him.
Considering the injuries he battled through in college and the pros and still having that lengthy of a career and being that consistent, I have a high level of respect for the player. But I will not say I "like" him because of the um association.
The guy was hurt most of his college career, but he played for the Canes and scored the winning TD in 04 to beat us, so I hated him.
Considering the injuries he battled through in college and the pros and still having that lengthy of a career and being that consistent, I have a high level of respect for the player. But I will not say I "like" him because of the um association.
It's rare that I end up liking anyone from iowa state but i do like Purdy, Montgomery and Halliburton now
Gronk
Wasn't actually "growing up" during his career, per se, but he was a great player and is just kind of a funny goofball. I now regret that he was injured and didn't play when Arizona came to Kinnick in 2009.
Wasn't actually "growing up" during his career, per se, but he was a great player and is just kind of a funny goofball. I now regret that he was injured and didn't play when Arizona came to Kinnick in 2009.
