What professional athlete inspires you the most and why?

No professional athlete has ever inspired me. I always looked up to pioneers who overcame hardships and obstacles to achieve their individual successes. Some not so successful but perseverance on the road to their goals.
My grand uncle Joe Harris b in 1890 played professional baseball between 1910 and 1930. He stepped away to 'participate in WWI in 1918 and was badly wounded in a jeep accident. Upon return, he returned to baseball. There are a few other males in there somewhere, but none particularly impressive.
I did follow ladies such as Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Golda Meir, just to name a few who became very successful overcoming their own brands of difficulty.
Many obstacles that came my way were easy to overcome because I had experienced similar instances when reading about these ladies.

None of them.

Enos Freedom. He is more American that all of congress

I personally connect with Pat Tillman as the most powerful inspiration in my lifetime of selflessness, courage, and dedication to a greater purpose. "Ironman" traded a three-year $3.6 million NFL contract to serve as "Corporal Tillman" in the Army making $1,500 a month. This was a life-altering decision that I think only a few would make, and many would find it extremely difficult to grasp fully.

Pat Tillman dedicated himself to the service of his country as a more significant and noble endeavor than a career in the NFL. His service to the country and the well-being of others held a higher level of importance and purpose compared to any other pursuits. This is what sacrifice means to me. Three years after joining the Army he paid the ultimate sacrifice. I respected Pat Tillman's legacy during my years in the service and I still draw inspiration from him.

Great question and a very difficult one to answer as you mature in life there are many different athletes (pro/am) that inspiration can be drawn from. I have had the opportunity to witness many athletic feats in both team and individual achievements. For me there are none greater than these few: Deion "Prime Time" Sanders for his complete body of work being a dual sport athlete from High School he was drafted to MLB by the Royals in 1985 but decided to play both sports again at Florida State, winning National Championships in both sports there. He would go on to Playing professionally for Baseball first (Yankees '89) and then for the Falcons in the same year, he would go on to win two Super Bowls (co-MVP in one of them) and a World Series. The many charities he dedicated time to would go unnoticed and he ability to coach and mentor is a testament to all of the great coaches that have molded him. Hershel Walker is two on my inspiration list as one we are from the same area of the world and his personal/athletic achievements are amazing not only a Heisman and National Championship MVP in college (UGA) he was almost the first to win two Heisman Awards, he would enter the USFL and play for the NJ Generals (w/ Doug Flute) winning league championships and MVP honors before entering the NFL playing first for Tom Landry as a Dallas Cowboy - we all know when Coach Landry was fired and the 1-15 1989 (Jimmy Johnson Coached) Team and Hershel was traded in a blockbuster historic trade that gave the Cowboys three championships in the 1990s. Beyond Hershel's historic football career he has a Winter Olympic Gold Medal for Bobsledding and multiple track and field speed wins, also MMA wins as his perseverance is unmatched. Both of these men credit the many coaches and mentors that molded them and when you look at the list of greats that have made them it is more than impressive. The reason these two men of God have been such an influence in my life is their message and neither have ever been afraid to speak on their faith publicly, both have been inspirations to hundreds of millions and continue to change the world making it better for others.

Tim Tebow, through success and failure he has never faltered or lost his faith, and is now stronger than ever.

Jim Thorpe (The first Native American to win an Olympic gold medal for the U.S., Jim Thorpe won the pentathlon and decathlon at the Stockholm 1912 Olympic Games. He later played pro baseball and football.)

None.

For me is Lionel Messi because he has overcome many challenges in order to play soccer at the highest level, he's had to fight off numerous injuries, his humility grounds him to his biggest aspiration of wanting to be a better person for himself and for others. He's always quick to credit his teammates and opponents. Undoubtedly, he is an excellent role model for young footballers, and he has used his platform to raise awareness for important causes. No doubt Messi is one of the greatest soccer players of all time.

Pat Tillman hands down. Any pro athlete that would give up millions to sacrifice for his country is a true patriot