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Kurt Warner
Rags to riches
We couldn't make up a story about a guy rising up from working in a grocery store to become an NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP. And we shouldn't leave out the Arena League and World League days, his deep religious faith and devotion to his family. What's not to like? |
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Rulon Gardner
Greco-Roman wrestling hero
Gardner defeats mighty Russian Alexandre Karelin, who had never lost an international competition, to win gold in the 130-kilogram event. Karelin hadn't been scored upon in 10 years until the Afton, Wyo., native wins 1-0.
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Cathy Freeman
Aboriginal Australian hero
Marion Jones won more medals, but Freeman's is more significant. Freeman, the first Aborigine to win an individual Olympic gold, captures the women's 400-meter race in one of the most emotional moments of the 2000 Olympics. |
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Tiger Woods
Golfing legend
A year with nine victories, three straight majors and a career Grand Slam; just wait until he hits his prime. |
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Michigan State basketball
Flint-stones, meet the Flint-stones
Mateen Cleaves and his mother, Frances, are two of the reasons we go yabba-dabba-doo over the Flint, Mich., connection on Michigan State's 2000 NCAA men's basketball championship team. |
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Chris Weinke
Elder Heisman winner
Everybody deserves a second chance. Not everybody makes as much out of it as Weinke. After ditching pro baseball, Weinke returns to college to become one of the nation's best QBs, wins the Heisman Trophy at 28 and takes his team to the national championship game. |
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Anna Kournikova
Tennis pinup
Athletic competition for Cindy Margolis. Obviously thousands can't get enough of Anna. Pretty good tennis player, though we're always reminded of her number of tournament victories. |
