One of the most amazing facets of sports is leadership. Some people are just born to be leaders. Over the years, there have been some incredible men at the helm of teams. Coaches like Vince Lombardi, Phil Jackson, Dean Smith, and Mike Krzyzewski are just a few. However, there have been some great leaders on the field as well. In my opinion, the players that follow are the five greatest athlete leaders in modern sports.
Five Greatest Athlete Leaders in Modern Sports #5: Drew Brees
Drew Brees may be smaller than most quarterbacks, but he is also more outspoken than most signal callers, at least when it comes to pregame pep talks. Most of the time, you see big, intimidating defensive players getting their teams fired up, but when it comes to the New Orleans Saints, Brees is always in the middle of pregame huddles. Not only that, but when it comes time for the game to start, Brees is in the center of everything there as well, leading one of the league’s best offenses to score after score.
Five Greatest Athlete Leaders in Modern Sports #4: Peyton Manning
I have never been a huge fan of Peyton Manning, but since his return from multiple neck surgeries, I’ve gained a new respect for perhaps the greatest regular season quarterback in NFL history. Playing for a Denver Broncos team that has few household names other than him, Manning has looked just as good as he always has, leading his team to a 4-3 record. To me, that legitimizes his spot on this list. Some Indianapolis Colts fans will tell you that he did the same thing for them, but I think the majority of his teams in Indy were more talented than the one he currently plays for. The fact of the matter is, Manning makes everyone around him better.
Five Greatest Athlete Leaders in Modern Sports #3: Tom Brady
Speaking of making everyone around him better, Tom Brady has done just that time and time again. After many years of futility, he put the New England Patriots back on the map. Thus far, he has led the Patriots to five Super Bowls, winning three of them, while garnering two NFL Most Valuable Player awards. The most impressive thing is the fact that he has done so with fewer superstars than either of the preceding quarterbacks. I also love Brady’s demeanor, which is generally calm, cool, and collected. With that said, he also knows when to speak up and lay into his teammates to try to get the most effort out of them.
Five Greatest Leaders in Modern Sports #2: Derek Jeter
Known as “The Captain” to fans of the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter has been a member of the Bronx Bombers ever since they took him with the sixth pick in the 1992 draft. A lifelong Yankees supporter, Jeter has been quoted as saying that he knew he was going to be with New York from the time he was a kid. Maybe that’s why he’s such a great leader. He isn’t overly flashy and although his personal life has been in the tabloids many times over the years, when it comes time to take the field, the only thing he brings attention to is winning. With a career batting average of .313 to go along with over 3,300 hits, nearly 1,900 runs, and over 1,250 RBIs, Jeter has the potential to be – and this is no joke – the greatest Yankee of all-time.
Five Greatest Leaders in Modern Sports #1: Ray Lewis
I honestly believe that Ray Lewis could motivate me to do anything. The guy just has an aura about him that pumps people up. His speeches before and after games are the stuff of legends, as is his on-field acumen. Lewis has helped make the Baltimore Ravens defense one of the most stalwart ones in the NFL for the better part of two decades. In addition, he has etched his name in history as perhaps the greatest linebacker who ever lived. Nevertheless, that’s enough of me talking. Let’s listen to Ray:
Ray Lewis Leadership
Source: ESPN.com
Other articles by Josh McKinney:
Five Greatest San Francisco Giants Players of All-Time
Five Greatest Detroit Tigers Players of All-Time
Five Greatest Running Backs in Texas Longhorns History
Five Greatest Number 13s in NBA History
Five Greatest MLB Players Who Wore the Number 4
