What athlete completely redefined their sport?

Over time we have witnessed athletes that have basically altered the way their sport is played. They have not only altered the way it is played, but the way it is perceived. Which athletes do you feel have changed the way their sport is played. Any athlete from any sport is welcome.

 

Babe Ruth changed Baseball, nobody has ever seen anyone with power such as him, nobody was close to his power. I think the previous home run king before him had about 100 some homers, while Ruth racked up 700+. He changed the way the game was played.

 

Jackie Robinson. Although I don't follow baseball much, I believe that Robinson changed the fact that people of any race can play baseball, regardles of skin color or background. He was brave and although he received lots of negative comments and criticism, he hung in there, and influenced many players. Without him, baseball wouldn't be the same.

 

-The key
-No dunking in college
-Hack a Shaq rule.

 

Yes, Babe Ruth was very influential to the game of baseball, but the pitchers during his era were awful. Babe Ruth swung at every pitched ball, making him one of the leaders with the most strikeouts. He was a great player and all, but he didn't fully change the game.

 

I believe Pele changed the way football is played. When he began his international career for Brazil he and his team made it much more lively, or what they call "The Beautiful Game."

 

I'm surprised you didn't put TMac...

 

In Wushu - Yuan Wen Qing, Zhao Chang Jun, Luo Jing, Xu Xiang Dong, and a lot more other athletes. A lot of them developed many different styles for Wushu, Drunken, Long Fist, Southern Fist, weapons and et cetera.



Wing Chun - Ip Man and his Students: Leung Sheung, Leung Ting, Chu Shong tin, Wong Shun Leung, Wong Kiu, Yip Bo ching, William Cheung, Hawkins Cheung, Bruce Lee, Wong Long, Wong Chok, Law Bing, Lee Shing, Ho Kam ming, Moy Yat, Duncan Leung, Derek Fung Ping-bor, Chris Chan Shing, Victor Kan, Stanley Chan, Chow Sze chuen, Tam Lai, Lee Che kong, Kang Sin sin, his nephew Lo Man kam, and his sons Ip Ching and Ip Chun.

That's the list of students of Ip Man, from the Yip Man Wikipedia page.



-LeetNeo.

 

mean joe green was one of the greatest defensive players the Steeler's ever had and he forever changed how people think about steelers defense

 

Mcgrady : They'll never know... i coulda been great.





Arenas: He's so beautiful....

Bryant: That nigga coulda been better than me.. wtf..

 

A second round virgin better then Kobe? Ha

 

I'd have to say MJ because he wrote history and even came back wearin the 45.

 

FAKE PIC.... LOSER TACTIC.......ALLEN IVERSON, TRACY MCGRADY, MICHAEL JORDAN, THAAAAS IT.

 

/Thread.

 

MJ came back from a SUSPENSION, not a retirement.

 

Maurice Richard: First hockey player to score 50 goals in 50 matches.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Richard

 

Jackie Robinson. He proved that you can play baseball, no matter what race.

 

Rodney Mullen- Skateboarding

 

Without forgetting the famous Tony Hawks lol. Know due to his multiple games.