What professional athlete inspires you the most and why?

The image of the professional athlete can be a totally objective topic. Each generation has had it's share of individual's who faced adversity, overcame obstacles and made an impact on the game they play as well as their fans, communities and even society at times. As a lifelong sports fan, I can honestly say that there have been numerous athletes who have perhaps motivated me, but none have truly inspired me. Pat Tillman will always and forever be the standard bearer of the selfless professional athlete. Many athletes answered the call during WW2 and served with distinction. Some chose to do the same in Korea and even Vietnam. To each and every one of them I stand, salute and honor.
The question of whether the athletes of today would make such an enormous decision is a conversation for another day. But there are a couple of athletes today who I hold in high regard, not because of their stats or achievements, but because of their resilience in the face of adversity. That alone gives me reason to respect and cheer for them.
Above them all is Rex Chapman, my favorite basketball player as a kid. He had high expectations and did have a long successful career... but struggled after taking the uniform off, like many of us. He faced demons and could have become a statistic, but instead, he owned his mistakes, pull himself up by his bootstraps and regained control and purpose in his life. Hail King Rex!

Sara and Ryan Hall
Runners are the toughest athletes… they have to be strong mentally and physically. These two share their life with others to inspire a strong marriage, positive and loving family life and their training journey. They love God and are grateful for what they have been blessed with. I believe they are using their gifts to glorify Him any way they can. I am 38 like Sara and hope to break 3 in a marathon. She keeps me motivated.

Brock Purdy keeps coming back through injury on his throwing arm and will lead his team to a victory in the Super Bowl. His men trust him to do the right thing at the right time. That is a leader.

Pat Tillman, AZ Cardinals. Patriot first. Multi-millionaire athlete second.

I would have to go with Troy Polamalu as who inspired me to want to always try to be the best at whatever I do in life. He always carried himself with respect and integrity and always played hard.

MJ; the drive. ##Real Goat

Pat Tillman...without a doubt.

This is a great program. I want to see an event in the SF Bay Area.

For me it was Reggie Miller. His style of play inspired me to also be a sharpshooter on the basketball court and because I spent so much time imitating him on my backyard basketball court, I avoided the trouble that many of my friends found themselves in.

The professional athlete that inspires me the most is Michelle Alonzie. She’s currently playing in the Women’s World Cup and a microbiologist who studied a Yale. She works part time as cancer researcher at Texas children’s hospital. She inspires me because she proves she can have a successful career in her sport and researching to fight cancer. That requires dedication and time management. She has inspired me to pursuer my passions even if they lie in different domains. She also challenges the stereotypes. She’s succeeding in both a traditionally male dominated field like soccer and a STEM field like microbiology as a black women.