The Four Athletes on Shannon Sharpe’s Mount Rushmore of Sports

In a recent episode of “Undisputed,” Shannon Sharpe, the former NFL player and current sports analyst, unveiled his Mount Rushmore of sports, a list of the four athletes he believes have had the greatest impact on the sports world. While narrowing down the choices may be challenging, Sharpe confidently presented his picks, which included Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods.

At the top of Sharpe’s Mount Rushmore is Serena Williams, a tennis legend with an impressive track record. With 23 major singles titles, the most in the Open Era, Williams has revolutionized the game. Her dominance on the court, coupled with her four Olympic gold medals, solidify her position as one of the greatest women’s tennis players of all time. Sharpe lauded Williams’ accomplishments, saying, “Twenty-three Grand Slam titles, the most in the Open Era. She won gold medals, her and her sister, so I’m good with Serena being No. 1.”

Next on the list is Michael Phelps, a name synonymous with swimming excellence. Phelps holds the record for the most Olympic medals of all time, with an astounding 28 medals, including 23 golds. Notably, he also holds the record for the most gold medals in individual events, with 13. Sharpe acknowledged Phelps’ dominance in the sport, stating, “If you think of anything swimming, he’s gotta be the first name that comes to your mind.”

LeBron James secured a spot on Sharpe’s Mount Rushmore with his unparalleled basketball prowess. As an 18-time NBA All-Star, four-time NBA MVP, four-time NBA champion, and four-time NBA Finals MVP, James has established himself as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. With his remarkable skills, longevity, and achievements on the court, Sharpe firmly believes that James deserves a place among the sports world’s elite. He passionately expressed, “LeBron James is the greatest basketball player. We’ve been following this man’s career since 2000 — it’s 2022.”

The final athlete to make the cut is Tiger Woods, the golfing icon whose impact on the sport cannot be ignored. Despite experiencing ups and downs throughout his career, Woods’ dominance during his prime was unparalleled. With 14 major championships, including an impressive four victories at the Masters, Woods showcased his extraordinary talent and skill. Sharpe recognized Woods’ dominance, remarking, “Nobody was as dominant as Tiger. I understand he does not have the most majors, but no one was more dominant.” He continued, emphasizing Woods’ peak performance in the early 2000s when he won all four major championships in a row, a feat unlikely to be replicated.

Sharpe’s choices for his Mount Rushmore of sports highlight the exceptional impact and achievements of these four athletes. Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods have all left an indelible mark on their respective sports and will forever be remembered as some of the greatest athletes in history.