Champion Athletes

Episodes

1. 30

   Bill Russell (2008)(SD)

   Hailed as the greatest team player on the greatest team of all time, Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics in the longest championship streak in U.S. sports history. With a flair for defense never before seen on a basketball court, allied with an uncanny ability to excel under pressure and an...

   Jul 3, 2008

   15m
2. 29

   Andre Agassi (2007)(SD)

   Andre Agassi was prepared, literally from the cradle, to be a tennis champion. His father, an Iranian immigrant and former Olympic boxer, had him hit thousands of balls a day. By age five, Andre was practicing with pros; at 16, he was a pro himself. Freed from his rigorous upbringing, he…

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   Jun 21, 2007

   12m
3. 28

   Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (2007)(SD)

   It would be difficult to name another athlete who dominated his sport as long or as completely as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The greatest all-around player in the history of professional basketball, he ruled the sport through speed, agility and a devastating ambidextrous "sky hook" shot that...

   Jun 21, 2007

   7m
4. 27

   Peyton Manning - Part 1(2007)(SD)

   At the end of his junior year at the University of Tennessee, Peyton Manning found himself in an enviable position. The star quarterback of the Tennessee Volunteers had already acquired enough credits to graduate with honors and was certain to be the first pick in the 1997 NFL draft. He stunned…

   more
   Jun 21, 2007

   11m
5. 26

   Peyton Manning - Part 2(2007)(SD)

   At the end of his junior year at the University of Tennessee, Peyton Manning found himself in an enviable position. The star quarterback of the Tennessee Volunteers had already acquired enough credits to graduate with honors and was certain to be the first pick in the 1997 NFL draft. He stunned…

   more
   Jun 21, 2007

   11m
6. 25

   Roger Bannister

   Roger Bannister was still a medical student in 1954, when he made headlines around the world with one of the landmark events of 20th century sports history. At the time, it was thought to be impossible for a human being to run a mile in under four minutes. The world record of 4:01.3 had stood for...

   Oct 28, 2000

   18m
7. 24

   Cal Ripken, Jr.

   Calvin Edwin "Cal" Ripken, Jr. was a 19-time All-Star shortstop and third baseman of the Baltimore Orioles, nicknamed the "Iron Man" of baseball, and one of the most admired athletes of our time. He is perhaps best known for breaking New York Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig's record for...

   May 20, 1997

   14m
8. 23

   Picabo Street

   Picabo Street is an American alpine ski racer who won gold medals in the super G at the 1988 Winter Olympics and in the downhill at the 1996 World Championships, along with three other Olympic and World Championship medals. When she participated in the 1996 Achievement Summit she was hailed as…

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   Jun 29, 1996

   13m
9. 22

   Bonnie Blair

   Bonnie Blair is one of the top skaters of her time and one of the most decorated athletes in Olympic history. She competed for the United States in four Olympics and won five gold medals. Blair was heralded in the media as “the 5’-4’’ Colossus on Skates.â€� As a cheerful, bright-eyed…

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   Jun 27, 1992

   7m
10. 21

    Herschel Walker (Audio)

    Herschel Walker was born in Augusta, Georgia and grew up outside of Wrightsville, Georgia. For the first eleven years of his life, Herschel Walker showed little interest in sports; he preferred reading books and writing poetry. At age 12, however, he began a crash exercise program. Over the next...

    Jun 29, 1991

    11m
11. 20

    Steve Largent

    After a legendary career in professional football, Steve Largent entered public service, and was elected to four terms in the United States Congress. A star athlete in high school, he graduated from the University of Tulsa, where he led the nation in touchdown catches. Often called the greatest...

    Jun 30, 1990

    9m
12. 19

    Bob Feller (Audio)

    Bob Feller was born and raised in Van Meter, Iowa. His father ran the family farm, and his mother was a registered nurse and a teacher. Feller credited his arm strength and ball speed to milking cows, picking corn, and baling hay. He recalled his childhood fondly: "What kid wouldn't enjoy the…

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    Jun 30, 1990

    4m