Reply to Was OJ Simpson the most well regarded athlete in U.S. history? (Before the murders)

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[quote=Anonymous]I think you have to think about reach and influence.

OJ was a sports star, of which there are many.  He did sports commentary - a number of retired athletes do that and achieve name recognition success.  He also had a number of commercials that had broad appeal (see the running through the airport thing, which was real) - fewer athletes, but still a lot, have that level of broad commercial appeal.  AND, add in a small but still broad movie/television career as an actor (not himself) - that's where it becomes relaly really rare.

And all this before super saturation of commercial product.  Michael Jordan certainly approaches this level, due to the aboslute saturation of the market with Be like Mike commercials and NIKE and then his own shoes. And, he had TV appearances and even a movie.  Not a good actor though.  Shaq has also had TV/movie appearances, but not a good actor.

OJ wasn't a great actor, but he could hit the baseline and had that charisma that translated on screen.

Muhammad Ali I'd agree might be the most well regarded, and did all of it before there were really opportunities for the type of media saturation that other althetes had.  And he started as hated when he changed his name to Muhammad Ali and tore up his draft card.  His natural charisma just won out.

Jesse Palmer was a standout in college, not as well regarded in the pros, does a competent job as a football broadcaster and was a Bachelor.  Now he also hosts a bunch of TV shows (a bunch on the Foodnetwork).  But I'd in no way say he's as well regarded.

Who else.  LeBron is trying to broaden his appeal.  Terry Bradshaw.  Of course:  JOE NAMATH - maybe before all our time, but he probably is the only one I can think of who approached OJ levels?  Maybe Joe Dimaggio, with his public life/marilyn monroe?

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