The best athletes never to win a championship

Quarterbacks tackle a larger onus relating to “by no means successful a championship” than another participant in soccer or different sports activities. To that finish, Marino nonetheless stands because the foremost instance of a quarterback who by no means lifted the Lombardi Trophy. Earlier than pass-happy NFL soccer reshaped the file books, Marino’s offensive output stood out. He made one Tremendous Bowl in his time with the Dolphins, however by no means managed to win all of it.

The cloud of PEDs casts a shadow on Bonds’ profession to some. Nevertheless you slice it, he’s the house run king of MLB and, for our cash, one of the best hitter in MLB historical past. One factor isn’t up for debate, although, and that’s the actual fact Bonds by no means received a World Sequence. He didn’t win with the Pirates or the Giants, and as soon as baseball appeared to agree (collude?) he was persona non grata in MLB, he by no means acquired the prospect to maintain chasing that ring.

Malone did get to do some ring chasing. One of many NBA’s all-time main scorers, “The Mailman” had a pair possibilities with the Jazz, however bumped into Michael Jordan (and Scottie Pippen). On the finish of his profession, he jumped over to the Lakers to workforce with Kobe and Shaq to try to win all of it. Certainly, the star-studded Lakers made it to the 2004 NBA Finals, however had been bested by the star-free Detroit Pistons. No ring was delivered to Malone.

It’s early, sure, however McDavid is one of the best energetic NHL participant, nicely, interval, which suggests he’s one of the best with no Cup. He received the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP regardless that the Oilers misplaced within the 2024 Stanley Cup Closing to the Panthers. McDavid might retire at this time and stroll into the Hockey Corridor of Fame. He’s one of the best participant of his era, and primed to enter the higher echelon with names like “Gretzky” and “Lemieux.” If he doesn’t elevate a Cup, nicely, he can be by far one of the best NHL participant not to take action.

“Mr. Cub” performed his whole MLB profession in Chicago. He additionally performed throughout a time when there was no wild card. You received the pennant, you performed within the World Sequence. In any other case, you had been out of luck. Banks additionally performed throughout a notable century-plus title drought for the Cubbies. Banks received two MVPs. He by no means performed a single playoff recreation.

It virtually feels not possible that Moss by no means received a Tremendous Bowl. He performed for the Patriots within the period of Tom Brady and Invoice Belichick! Whereas maybe the second-best receiver ever set data with the Pats and performed in two Tremendous Bowls, these occurred to be the Tremendous Bowls the Pats misplaced throughout their dynastic run. Additionally, Moss solely performed three full seasons with New England earlier than he started the ultimate days of his profession.

We talked about Malone. We must also point out Stockton. The purpose guard continues to be the profession chief in assists and steals in NBA historical past (and truthfully isn’t prone to be caught on both entrance). Enjoying his whole profession with the Jazz, although, leaves him with no ring. In fact, now that Stockton is an antivax COVID-conspiracy weirdo, we don’t essentially really feel too dangerous for him.

Talking of individuals we don’t really feel too dangerous for! With Chuck, it’s not a lot due to his private life (although he’s executed loads of dodgy issues). No, it’s as a result of he’s made an insane sum of money as a TV persona and is a beloved media icon regardless that he’s in some ways empirically dangerous at his job. On the courtroom, although, he was empirically nice at his job. Barkley received an MVP and performed in 11 All-Star Video games, however the closest he got here to a title was in 1993, when the Suns misplaced to the Bulls within the NBA Finals.

There was as soon as a time when the Houston Astros weren’t perennial title contenders. Bagwell, who performed his whole profession with Houston, can attest to that. His Corridor of Fame profession made him a franchise legend, and that features his MVP win in 1994. Whereas he didn’t win a title, do you know Bagwell was sneakily a high quality base runner? He stole over 200 bases as a primary baseman, which is uncommon.

You may throw an asterisk on this if you’d like. Baylor performed 9 video games for the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers earlier than retiring. That workforce went on to win the title. The franchise gave him a hoop, however in fact they did. He’s a Lakers icon! We don’t rely that as Baylor “successful a title,” although. Provided that he performed his whole profession with the Lakers, it appears not possible he didn’t win a championship, but it surely’s true. These rattling Celtics, proper?

If we didn’t embrace members of the famed Buffalo Bills groups that misplaced 4 Tremendous Bowls in a row, we’d be shirking our duties on an inventory similar to this. Smith isn’t the one Invoice to pop up right here, however we went with him first, as a result of he was one of the best participant of the bunch. He’s the NFL’s all-time sack chief, in any case. He’s the one participant to hit the 200-sack mark. If you happen to’re curious, no energetic participant is inside 70 sacks of him. His file is secure for now.

Trout is a future Corridor of Famer, although sadly accidents have put the kibosh on him taking place as top-of-the-line handful of gamers of all-time. Additionally, sadly he has pledged his profession to the Angels, who’ve time and time once more didn’t construct round him. It’s cool when a participant, particularly today, decides to be a one-franchise man. We simply want, you already know, it was a greater franchise.

Travis Kelce has most likely stolen Gonzalez’s crown as one of the best tight finish to ever do it, however not less than Gonzalez stays one of the best tight finish to by no means win a Tremendous Bowl. That’s one thing…proper? He nonetheless has essentially the most catches and receiving yards for any tight finish. Hell, solely Jerry Rice and Larry Fitzgerald (spoiler alert?) have extra catches full cease. Gonzalez was an elite receiver taking part in the place of tight finish. All that eluded him was a single Tremendous Bowl ring.

Time has marched on, and guys like Alex Ovechkin and Jaromir Jagr have pushed previous him, however let’s not get it twisted: Dionne was top-of-the-line objective scorers the NHL ever noticed. His 731 targets nonetheless rank sixth. If Sidney Crosby doesn’t actually get after it, no energetic participant this aspect of McDavid is prone to make a run at passing Dionne. Legends of the sport have come and gone since Dionne hung up his skates in 1989. Just a few have managed to move him.

A goaltender getting scorching can carry a workforce deep into the NHL playoffs. Luongo had a number of playoff alternatives, however by no means received a Cup. He acquired shut with Vancouver, inside one recreation, however he by no means acquired over the hump. Luongo’s profession is an fascinating one. He by no means received a Vezina, however completed within the high 5 in voting 5 occasions. He’s second in video games performed and, for what it’s value, fourth in wins. Luongo waltzed into the Corridor of Fame, however he didn’t deliver a lot of a trophy case with him.

Iverson was a seismic power within the NBA. The undersized level guard turned a star because of his dribbling abilities and noteworthy skill to get to the online. Whereas his inefficiency can be chastised at this time, that didn’t matter when he led the NBA in factors per recreation 4 occasions with the 76ers. Iverson carried the Sixers to 1 remaining averaging 32.9 factors per recreation, however the Lakers juggernaut of 2001 steamrolled them.

While you consider old-timey baseball names, Cobb is without doubt one of the first that involves thoughts. He was a part of the primary Baseball Corridor of Fame class and hit over .400 in three seasons. Cobb tallied a whopping 12 batting titles, however he and the Tigers by no means managed to win a World Sequence in his profession.

Again to these notorious Buffalo Payments. Smith was the star on the Payments protection, however the offense was propelled by working again Thurman Thomas in addition to quarterback Kelly. Working with a tempo and openness not frequent in offenses on the time, Thomas was capable of rack up 3,000-yard seasons and in his greatest marketing campaign had 33 landing passes. He by no means received an MVP within the NFL (however he did within the USFL!), however Kelly made it into the Corridor and did quarterback the workforce to 4 Tremendous Bowls in a row.

The change in NBA basketball has chipped into Miller’s legacy a bit. The career-long Pacer was one of many first outstanding three-point shooters. When he retired, Miller had extra threes than anyone in NBA historical past. He was handed by Ray Allen first, and since then three-happy NBA gamers of the trendy era are going to push him out of the highest 5 quickly sufficient. In his period, although, Miller was the king of the three.

It’s a little bit shocking Nash received MVP twice, however he was undeniably an ideal participant. The Canadian level guard is within the 50/40/90 membership 4 occasions over and led the NBA in assists per recreation 5 occasions. With the Suns, Nash helped orchestrate the “Seven Seconds or Much less” offense that helped revamp the NBA. He then joined the Lakers and, nicely, it labored out even worse for Nash than it did for Karl Malone.

In case you are debating one of the best working again of all-time, Sanders is a well-liked choose. He would have retired because the all-time main rusher in NFL historical past if he hadn’t determined to abruptly retire. In fact, he could not have determined to abruptly retire if the Lions had proven any actual potential for successful the Tremendous Bowl. He did really make 5 playoff appearances with the Lions, however they by no means performed in a Tremendous Bowl, a truth that continues to be true in regards to the franchise.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of many Authentic Six NHL groups. In franchise historical past, they’ve 13 Cups. None of them have been received since 1967, giving the Leafs the longest title drought within the NHL at current. Although he began his profession with the Quebec Nordiques, Sundin made his identify with the Maple Leafs. He turned the workforce’s captain, a beloved determine in Toronto, and the franchise’s all-time chief in targets and factors. What Sundin didn’t do, although, is assist ship a Cup.

Whereas Paul continues to be taking part in, his ring-chasing days is likely to be over. That’s the sensation on condition that he joined a Spurs workforce that, whereas that includes the thrilling Victor Wembenyama, isn’t a title contender. Properly, CP3 is about to show 40, and he turned an afterthought with the Warriors in his final grasp at a hoop. Even when he doesn’t get a title, the person they name “The Level God” is within the high three in profession assists and steals. He’s mainly the inheritor obvious to John Stockton, although the “no title” half isn’t a very good a part of that.

The Chargers didn’t remorse buying and selling out of the prospect to draft Michael Vick and ending up with Tomlinson. He led the NFL in dashing yards twice, and in dashing touchdowns thrice. In 2006, when he received NFL MVP, LT set an NFL file for dashing touchdowns with 28, and complete touchdowns with 33. Oh, and as soon as he had 100 catches in a season as a working again.

Very similar to Banks, Williams is a franchise legend who spent his profession with a franchise that was within the midst of an notorious title drought. The final participant to hit .400 in a season (most likely ever, at this charge), Williams received two MVPs and hit for 2 Triple Crowns. In fact, taking part in for the Purple Sox via the ‘40s and ‘50s, he didn’t win a World Sequence. Not like Banks, he did play in a single.

Sure, Harden is polarizing. His protection is spotty, his effort comes and goes, and his type of play isn’t for everyone. You may’t argue together with his success, although. Harden averaged over 30 factors per recreation three seasons in a row. He’s additionally led the NBA in assists per recreation twice as nicely. “The Beard” goes to retire within the high 15 in factors, assists, and three-pointers. Prefer it or not, Harden is a transparent future Corridor of Famer. He would possibly simply make it with no ring.

In her first three seasons within the WNBA, Charles led the league in rebounding. Throughout that point, she would win Rookie of the 12 months and MVP. Later, she would win two scoring titles. Whereas Charles skilled loads of successful at UConn, within the WNBA she has but to win a title.

How about a little bit love for the oft-overlooked offensive linemen? Munoz is a positive place to start out on that entrance. In 2022, the offensive sort out was named one of the best ever at his place by a panel of consultants introduced collectively by ESPN. The Bengals’ icon was first-team All-Professional 9 occasions! Sadly, the Bengals are nonetheless ready for his or her first title.

McGrady knew the right way to get buckets. He averaged over 24 factors per recreation seven seasons in a row, main the league twice. T-Mac was additionally well-known for his lack of playoff success. As one of many high guys on a workforce, he by no means made it out of the primary spherical. In his remaining season, McGrady was a hanger-on with a Spurs workforce that made it to the NBA Finals, however they misplaced to the Warmth, so no ring for T-Mac.

Lindros acquired himself on the incorrect foot with many throughout the NHL, and with many NHL followers, by refusing to play for the Nordiques after they drafted him first general. Hockey being the final word “sacrifice for the workforce” sport, that didn’t go over nicely. He was additionally then plagued with a fame for not being “robust” as a result of he didn’t need to play via post-concussion syndrome, which is an space by which the overall consensus, luckily, now sides with him. Lindros’ profession was lower brief by his concussion points, however he averaged over some extent per recreation in his profession and made the Corridor of Fame. He performed in a Cup remaining with the Flyers, however was swept by the Purple Wings.

With eight batting titles and 5 Gold Gloves, Gwynn was expert in some ways. Most likely one of the best participant in Padres historical past, he made 15 All-Star Video games. Whereas he by no means batted beneath .309 in a full MLB season, Gwynn additionally by no means received a World Sequence. Sadly, he additionally died younger, as most cancers and cardiac arrest joined forces to deliver Gwynn’s life to a detailed on the age of 54.

Fittingly, McCoughtry was a dream choice for the Atlanta Dream. Along with main the league in scoring twice, she made first-time All-Protection a whopping seven occasions. The one nightmare? An absence of a title for the Dream, or for McCoughtry. She additionally had the misfortune of transferring from the Dream to the Las Vegas Aces however retiring earlier than the Aces received two titles in a row in 2022 and 2023.

Griffey was the most important star in baseball for some time there within the ‘90s. He even had his personal online game! Because the centerpiece for the Seattle Mariners, Griffey led the AL in residence runs 4 occasions and received 10 Gold Gloves. Enjoyable truth: The Mariners are the one MLB franchise by no means to play within the World Sequence! Even when he moved to the Reds, Griffey didn’t discover a lot postseason success, and he additionally wasn’t the identical participant.

The focus of the primary NBA Draft Lottery (and maybe the NBA’s grandest conspiracy concept), the hype was justified. Ewing received Rookie of the 12 months with the Knicks to start out off his Corridor of Fame profession. He additionally performed within the Japanese Convention alongside Michael Jordan and the Bulls for the majority of their respective careers. It’s not a coincidence his journey to the Finals got here in 1994, throughout Jordan’s transient retirement. The Rockets beat the Knicks, and Ewing by no means acquired his ring.

Let’s keep in New York, the place Lundqvist is essentially the most beloved goalie in Rangers historical past. They name the Corridor of Famer “King Henrik” for a purpose. Lundqvist by no means left the Rangers, and holds most of their goaltending data. He received a Vezina with the workforce as nicely. Sadly, whereas Lundqvist went to the ultimate in New York, he didn’t get that ring. To be truthful, the Rangers have one title since 1940.

That Rangers title? It got here in 1994, and it got here in opposition to Bure and the Canucks. “The Russian Rocket” was so dynamic on the ice, even in a profession waylaid by knee accidents (and a tempestuous persona). He scored over 50 targets 5 occasions, and this was in an period the place you possibly can rely on one hand the variety of guys who hit 50 in a given season. Bure had 16 targets in that 1994 run to the finals, but it surely was not fairly sufficient.

Successful a number of Cy Youngs and successful a World Sequence are likely to go hand-in-hand. The overlap isn’t 100%, although. Santana received two Cy Youngs, and in addition pitched the primary no-hitter in Mets historical past. Whether or not with the Mets or Twins, although, he didn’t win a World Sequence. Perhaps he simply wanted one other Cy, as each pitcher with three or extra does have a hoop.

We talked about Fitzgerald earlier, and right here he’s. When arguments abound in regards to the second-best receiver ever after Rice, Fitzgerald doesn’t normally come up. That’s not simply because he was a career-long Cardinal. Fitzgerald performed for a very long time, and he was nice, however he simply by no means had the dynamism of a Moss or Terrell Owens. He was solely first-team All-Professional as soon as in a 17-season profession. Even so, a man who’s within the high six in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns with no Tremendous Bowl clearly belongs on this checklist.

Soccer gamers are primarily not discovered on this checklist. A lot of the all-timers have a home title in Europe, or a Champions League title. Nevertheless, an inventory like this has to incorporate Kane, even when he stands in for all of the soccer gamers who would possibly belong right here. He’s one of the best English objective scorer ever. He’s additionally by no means received a trophy of be aware, a lot much less a league title. Even when he moved to Bayern Munich, its decade-long Bundesliga title reign was snapped that very season!

There are such a lot of NASCAR races that one of the best drivers, and even the second- and third-tier drivers, are likely to win not less than one of their profession. Childress ran in 285 NASCAR races. He completed within the high 10 76 occasions. Nevertheless, he by no means received a NASCAR race. Does his identify ring a bell, although? Properly, he owns Richard Childress Racing, the workforce that has featured drivers similar to Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, and, oh yeah, Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Okay, with tennis it was successfully not possible to incorporate a notable participant with no single match win. So, we opted for a slight caveat of a tennis participant with no Grand Slam match win, and thus additionally restricted ourselves to 1. Rios was a simple selection there. He’s, so far, the one man to be ranked primary on the planet sooner or later however to by no means win a Grand Slam title in his profession. The Chilean topped out in making the finals of the 1998 Australian Open.

What about on the ladies’s aspect of issues, tennis sensible? Dementieva is our choose. She by no means acquired to primary, however the Russian hit as excessive as third-ranked, and he or she was within the high 10 for half a decade. Dementieva made it to 2 finals, each in 2004, however misplaced each of them. She made the semis on seven different events, however there was no title to be discovered.

For golf now we have the identical guidelines as tennis, however change “Grand Slam” with “main.” Monty had such a profitable profession we’d have assumed he received not less than one main. To be truthful, he was oh-so-close sufficient you possibly can persuade your self he did it. The Scottish golfer was as soon as ranked second, which is the defining ordinal variety of his profession. He was the runner-up at 5 main tournaments.

Rankin was Tiger earlier than Tiger… kind of. Clearly, she didn’t have related success, or she wouldn’t be on this checklist. What we imply is that she was on the duvet of Sports activities Illustrated at 16 and joined the LPGA tour as an expert at 17. She would win 26 LPGA occasions in her Corridor of Fame profession. Twice she was the LPGA Participant of the 12 months. For no matter purpose, Rankin simply by no means received a significant. On 4 events she was a runner-up, however she didn’t get a win in any of the majors tournaments of her period.

First, Carter was identified for his dynamic athleticism. He was liable for what is going to probably go down because the quintessential Dunk Contest efficiency. Then, he was identified for taking part in ceaselessly. Carter debuted in 1999 and retired in 2020, taking part in into his forties. Yeah, he acquired right into a little bit of a journeyman factor, taking part in for eight groups complete, but it surely was a enjoyable, profitable profession, apart from the dearth of a hoop.

Iginla debuted within the thick of the neutral-zone entice period, misplaced a season of his prime to a lockout, and nonetheless completed with 675 profession targets. Now that’s a high quality participant. The Flames legend acquired them to a remaining, however they misplaced in seven to the Lightning. Even when he began chasing a hoop, he fell simply brief with the Penguins and Bruins. Now, his son Tij has develop into the first-ever choose of the Utah Hockey Club, as a result of time comes for us all.

If Marino is one of the best (retired) quarterback by no means to win a Tremendous Bowl, Fouts has a very good argument for being one of the best to by no means even play in a single. He was the primary sign caller elected to the Corridor of Fame by no means to play in a championship recreation. Because the set off man within the “Air Coryell” offense for the Chargers, Fouts led the NFL in passing yards 4 occasions. He performed in three AFC Championship video games. He simply by no means acquired to the massive recreation.

We did for a second assume, “Wait, did Gervin win an ABA title, and would that rely?” In the long run, we didn’t must hem and haw, as a result of he didn’t win a title within the ABA or NBA with the Spurs. “The Ice Man” was a bucket getter of the best order, main the league in scoring a whopping 4 occasions. Finally, San Antonio would develop into a quasi-dynasty, however not in Gervin’s days.

You get identify dropped by Adam Sandler AND you make the Baseball Corridor of Fame? You earn a spot on this checklist! Carew performed in a whopping 18 All-Star Video games. If you happen to don’t take into account that a perfect measurement for fulfillment, he received seven batting titles as nicely. These don’t get voted on. Each the Twins and Angels retired his quantity, regardless that he didn’t win a World Sequence with both.

To us, Tarkenton is so quintessentially a Viking we are likely to neglect in the course of his profession he spent 5 seasons with the Giants. These 5 seasons are surrounded by 13 with the Vikings. Additionally, he was actually good late into his profession. Tarkenton debuted in 1961 and received his MVP in 1975. He led the NFL in passing yards (and, um, interceptions) in 1978, the identical season he retired. Even with that prolonged profession, there can be no Tremendous Bowls.

Johnson’s profession was not akin to Tarkenton’s. He solely performed in 9 seasons earlier than getting out of the NFL (and into the hashish enterprise). And but, he was so good in these 9 seasons that he was inducted into the Corridor of Fame. “Megatron” was a star for the Lions, and set a brand new NFL file for receiving yards in a season. Like Barry Sanders, although, he didn’t play in a Tremendous Bowl in Detroit, which is one thing no participant has executed.

Carmelo’s legacy suffers a bit from the actual fact his pals and classmates within the 2003 NBA Draft LeBron James and Dwyane Wade had higher careers and received rings. Chris Bosh, additionally drafted in 2003, didn’t have fairly nearly as good of a profession, however he’s within the Corridor, and he has rings. That doesn’t imply he didn’t have an ideal profession. Certain, he by no means made First-Staff All-NBA, however he was Second-Staff twice and Third-Staff 4 occasions. Melo is tenth in profession scoring. He’s not LeBron or Wade, however he’s a Corridor of Famer.

For all his generosity, Oates didn’t obtain any thanks from the Stanley Cup. Which, to be truthful, is an inanimate object. Oates is one among 14 gamers with over 1,000 profession assists and ranks eighth all-time. His groups made deep playoff runs on a couple of events, and he even performed within the finals twice. Sadly, although he helped his teammates time and time once more, he couldn’t assist his workforce win all of it.

Whereas ladies’s basketball gamers are, clearly, not as tall as males’s gamers, Hammon was brief even for the ladies’s hoops, standing a mere 5’6″. Perhaps that’s why she ended up at Colorado State, and why she went undrafted by the WNBA. After she discovered a spot within the league, although, the purpose guard would make six All-Star Video games and lead the league in assists as soon as. Although she didn’t win a title as a participant, she has received two WNBA titles because the coach of the Aces.

If we requested you, “Who had essentially the most factors within the NHL within the Nineteen Eighties?” you’ll say Wayne Gretzky, and you’ll be proper. If we requested you who was second, and also you weren’t studying this text and thus clued into the reply, would you say Peter Stastny? Most likely not, but it surely’s true. Peter and his brother Anton shook up the hockey world after they defected from their native Czechoslovakia, then each extant and a part of the Japanese bloc, for the NHL. They had been then joined by their brother Marion and the three had a grand outdated time taking part in for the Quebec Nordiques. With all due respect, Peter was one of the best participant of the brothers, and in addition apparently had one of the best genes. His sons Yan and Paul each performed within the NHL. Fittingly, neither ever received a Cup.

You would possibly assume, “Yeah certain, Yao was a trailblazer, and he made eight All-Star Video games as a result of he had all of China voting for him, however was he actually all that good?” Properly, China didn’t vote him onto three All-NBA third groups, or two All-NBA second groups. He was an ideal participant who, sadly, solely lasted eight seasons as a result of accidents. All that measurement made him nice. It additionally made it very laborious to face up to the pains of being an expert basketball participant.

The collapse of the Falcons in Tremendous Bowl LI, the place they memorably led the Patriots 28-3 however would lose 34-28, has by some means come down on the top of Ryan. We’re sorry, was he taking part in protection there within the second half? Ryan has an MVP to his identify, which is greater than 99 % of NFL gamers can say. He revitalized the Falcons franchise within the wake of the Michael Vick fiasco. Sure, a hoop was snatched from his finger in a painful manner, however he was not the primary wrongdoer.

The Chiefs would admittedly not win a Tremendous Bowl for years after the top of Thomas’ profession, however one continues to be left to marvel. Thomas’ profession ended together with his life. Rushing via a snowstorm, Thomas drove his automotive off the interstate. We don’t need to sound preachy, however the passenger who was carrying a seatbelt was unhurt, and the 2 who weren’t, together with Thomas, died. Among the finest move rushers to ever do it (126.5 profession sacks, one Defensive Participant of the 12 months award) was lower down on the age of 33 coming off a seven-sack season.

Thornton was a first-overall choose for the Boston Bruins, and he was an excellent participant for them. The franchise additionally didn’t at all times do nice by him, and finally dealt him to the Sharks. There, he turned an ideal participant, successful the Artwork Ross and the Hart the season he was traded. Thornton turned a large playmaker and “Jumbo Joe” additionally turned extra disciplined. He could not fairly get the Sharks their first title, although, and makes an attempt to win a Cup with Toronto and Florida additionally fell brief.

Peterson is the newest non-running again to win NFL MVP, and generally it looks like he would be the final. He’s fifth in all-time dashing yards, and whereas he’s behind his up to date Frank Gore, no person thinks Gore is a greater again. After his implausible run with the Vikings, Peterson turned a journeyman, but it surely gave the impression to be extra in regards to the valuation of the working again place than a quest to win a hoop.

It looks like Westbrook is the one man who could lead on the NBA in assists per recreation (which he has executed thrice) and get accused of it being as a result of his selfishness. The man turned the second participant ever to common a triple-double, after which he did it so many occasions he’s executed it 4 occasions, the final with the Wizards. Intriguingly, Westbrook begins the 2024-25 season with the Denver Nuggets, so a title might positively be within the offing.

If offensive linemen don’t get a variety of love, inside offensive lineman get even much less. Martin will probably be within the Corridor of Fame sometime. Enjoying his whole profession so far with the Cowboys, he’s been a first-team All-Professional a whopping seven occasions (and second-team twice). In fact, it’s been some time for the reason that Cowboys have received a Tremendous Bowl, a truth you may hear repeated on ESPN each 5 seconds or so.

An incredible athlete, Peppers is without doubt one of the main legends in Carolina Panthers historical past. Although he was by no means Defensive Participant of the 12 months, 10 occasions in his profession he hit double-digit sacks. He performed in a Tremendous Bowl in his sophomore season, however the Patriots beat the Panthers, and Peppers by no means made it again. When he retired, Peppers was fourth in profession sacks.

We are going to pair the Sedins collectively, as a result of they at all times did issues collectively. Like, in that bizarre manner solely an identical twins do. They performed collectively in Sweden as teenagers. They finagled an opportunity to be drafted second general (Daniel) and third general (Henrik) by the Canucks. They spent their whole profession with Vancouver, after which retired at the very same time. The Sedin twins are the 2 highest scorers in Canucks historical past, with Daniel the highest objective scorer and Henrik the highest help man. Henrik has a couple of extra factors having performed in 23 extra video games. At the least the Sedins didn’t get injured collectively as nicely.

Biggio most likely would have been one of the best base-stealing catcher of all-time, had the Astros not moved him to second base. That labored out positive, as Biggio received 4 Gold Gloves there, and in addition 4 Silver Sluggers. He joined forces with Jeff Bagwell to be the cornerstones of the Astros for a very long time. As we famous with Bagwell, although, the workforce by no means received a World Sequence throughout that run.

There are two guys with over 500 profession saves. They’re additionally the 2 guys with over 600 profession saves. Considered one of them is Mariano Rivera. We don’t have to let you know he has a couple of rings. The opposite is Hoffman. One of many sport’s defining closers, Hoffman spent the majority of his profession with the Padres, a franchise with no World Sequence to its identify. San Diego made it to the World Sequence in 1998, however was swept by the Yankees. Rivera had three saves in that postseason.

Who among the many energetic NBA gamers we haven’t talked about is in a “the clock is ticking” state of affairs? Luka Doncic is one of the best participant within the NBA with no ring, however he’s additionally most likely acquired a decade left to his profession, so we received’t go there but. Lillard is in his mid-thirties, although. He’s most likely punched his ticket to the Corridor of Fame at this level, however a hoop can be nice for his legacy. Having left Portland to workforce with Giannis in Milwaukee, he has an opportunity, however…the clock is ticking for Dame Time.

There’s a variety of strain on quarterbacks to win a hoop, however they aren’t the one ones. Different greats of the sport might get the “by no means received a title” designation in the event that they by no means elevate the Lombardi Trophy. McCaffrey is definitely within the working for one of the best again of his era as a three-time first-team All-Professional with an Offensive Participant of the 12 months award as nicely. By the best way, he didn’t win that award the yr he turned the third again to ever have over 1,000 dashing yards and 1,000 receiving yards. He’s been to the Tremendous Bowl with the 49ers, however the lifetime of the NFL working again is hard. Already in his late twenties, and having handled accidents, what number of extra cracks will McCaffrey have?

Harper has justified all of the hype. We received’t hear arguments on the contrary. He received Rookie of the 12 months and he’s received MVP twice. He’s even beloved in Philadelphia, laborious to do as an area athlete that hasn’t introduced a title to city. Harper continues to be in his prime, and baseball gamers have longer careers than NFL working backs, however there’s positively a highlight on the man Sports activities Illustrated referred to as the “Chosen One” when he was in highschool.

Some have quibbled with Karlsson’s defensive acumen. We are saying that in case you have the puck on a regular basis and are producing offense, you’re nonetheless serving to your workforce defensively. Karlsson is a three-time Norris winner and top-of-the-line offensive defensemen to ever do it. Through the 2015-16 season, he led the NHL in assists. Not simply amongst defensemen. General. In 2022-23, he turned the fifth defenseman to have over 100 factors in a season. After that, Karlsson joined the Penguins, however that workforce’s title-winning core is growing older. Is he too late to get a hoop?

Sure, it’s early, as Jackson continues to be in his twenties and has solely accomplished six NFL seasons. Nevertheless, the polarizing quarterback will probably be “Yeah however he by no means received a hoop!”-ed greater than anyone in NFL historical past if he doesn’t win a hoop. His unorthodox type (and the colour of his pores and skin) has performed a component for his skeptics and naysayers from the start. Jackson’s passing abilities have dipped right here and there, however his working abilities haven’t. He’s one of the best dashing quarterback in historical past, and he already has two MVPs with the Ravens.

Freshly retired, Votto is within the pantheon of Canadian baseball gamers, and he’s probably going to make it to the Corridor of Fame. When he does, he will probably be a mirrored image of the trendy Corridor of Famer. Votto solely hit 356 homers and had simply over 2,100 hits general. Nevertheless, he hit .294, and extra importantly had a .409 OBP. He led MLB in OBP thrice, and in addition received a Gold Glove and MVP. Nice participant, fascinating persona, by no means a champion.

Now that Sergei Bobrovsky is a champ, just one participant with a number of Vezina trophies doesn’t have a Stanley Cup ring. Maybe fittingly, he received his second Vezina the identical season Bob acquired his Cup. One of many final workhorse goalies in existence, Hellebuyck is one of the best goalie any iteration of the Winnipeg Jets has ever had. Now he wants a Cup to keep away from being the one particular person with a number of Vezinas and extra Wings. Properly, or he wants Igor Shesterkin or Linus Ullmark to win a second Vezina with out getting a title.

Solely three folks have ever received Defensive Participant of the 12 months thrice. Each Lawrence Taylor and Aaron Donald received Tremendous Bowls. Watt by no means did. In the end he did to raise the Houston Texans, Watt by no means acquired to play within the NFL’s greatest recreation. T.J., J.J.’s brother, has one Defensive Participant of the 12 months and continues to be energetic, but when he doesn’t get a title he’ll most likely be on an inventory like this sooner or later.

Embiid is the face of the 76ers post-“The Course of” in good methods and dangerous. He’s develop into an ideal participant and received an MVP. Embiid has led the NBA in scoring twice. He’s additionally executed all of it with a ton of accidents and hasn’t made it to an NBA Finals. Additionally, Embiid is older than you would possibly notice, as he turned 30 through the 2023-24 season. As a seven-footer with a historical past of accidents, he could solely have so many bites left on the apple. Good luck to him.