Collaboration of the Week
	Every week or two we will collaborate to throw out some of our favorite, or least favorite things is sports as a group, or just talk about some current things going on in the sports world.

Top 3 Athletes of All Time   We've revived the Collaberation of the Week page and here's what me and some of the guys came up with for each of our "Top 3 Athletes of All Time"   Adam   #1 - Michael Jordan, AKA Air Jordan - No surprise here. Even as a rookie you always had the feeling he would find a way to win for your team. He constantly improved his game to the point where he literally was unbeatable in his prime, and completely revolutionized the game of basketball. Far and away the best.    #2 - Muhammad Ali, AKA The Greatest - Anyone who has ever tried to go three consecutive rounds would know that boxers are easily the most conditioned athletes on the planet. Ali was the best of the best. He combined decent size with ridiculous speed, and his candor outside of the ring is simply legendary. I probably could have put Rocky Marciano here, but admittedly (sad to say) I just don't know enough about him (outside of his records).   #3 - Walter Payton, AKA Sweetness - His spirit for the game typified everything about a sport's hero you could wish for. He never went down without a fight, he turned two yard losses into fifty yard scampers, and he could just as easily run you over as he could catch a pass out the backfield. He was the prototype for the modern running back we see today (L.T. anyone?) Plus, how cool was it that he rocked the Roos?    Honorable mention - Sometimes I look at old footage of Spud Webb and think "That just shouldn't be possible". He was an inspiration to millions, and I'm not even kidding.   Joe    #1 -  Jim Thorpe - Olympic gold medals in decathlon and pentathlon, professional baseball and football careers.  The greatest ever.   #2 - Jesse Owens - Others have won more medals, but he showed up Hitler in his house.  His greatness is also shown by the fact that he is a Ohio St. alum, and I still included him on my list.   #3 – Pele - two reasons A) Everyone outside of the US and Canada would choose him.  B)  He made Americans enjoy soccer.  Hasn't really been done since (but does Brandi Chastain's celebration count?)    Honorable Mention - Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson, Babe Didrikson-Zaharias     Ron   #1 - Cal Ripken, Jr. - Completely redefined his position for future generations. Played every day no matter what, shattering Lou Gehrig's mark for durability that no one ever thought could even be touched, and did so while playing one of the most demanding positions on the field. Never whined, pouted or complained about anything. Along with his Hall of Fame classmate Tony Gwynn, was the epitome of class in a sports world mostly populated by spoiled little boys.   #2 -  Mildred "Babe" Didrickson-Zaharias - Some athletes transform their sports, e.g Tiger Woods and golf, Magic, Larry and Michael and basketball. But those are individuals changing one sport. Babe Didrickson changed an entire country's outlook on sports, paving the way for women and girls to pursue any sport, not just the "girlie" ones. Without her trailblazing, Pat Summitt doesn't win 930+ (and still counting) games at Tennessee (with an insane .838 winning percentage), Annika Sorenstam would still be in Sweden (probably modeling) and Mia Hamm would have never met, let alone married, Nomar Garciaparra.   #3 - Richard Petty - Ok, don't get me started on the whole "drivers aren't athletes" thing. If you don't think so, get in your car wearing two sweat-suits, a wool knit cap and a scarf around your face. Roll up the windows and turn on the heater full blast. Now get on the freeway and drive 65 miles an hour three inches behind the car in front of you and six inches from the car on your left AND the car on your right. Do this for three hours straight without a mistake and tell me how you feel. Then take into account the pros go THREE TIMES FASTER. All that being said, Petty did this for 30-40 weekends a year for 34 years in the days before "cool suits" and the safety advances in today's cars. During his career, he won 200 races, nearly twice as many as the second-place driver, David Pearson, who has 105. His complete domination of the sport, coupled with his legendary devotion to his fans (known for spending hours AFTER a race signing autographs) and continued presence in NASCAR today merits him this position.    Travis   #1 - Jim Thorpe – I do not think there should be much of an argument here, but just in case someone disagrees, he dominated in every sport or athletic event he decided to try. He was Jordan, Elway, Mays, and Michael Johnson all rolled into one.   #2 - Babe Didrikson – While I am quite sure I am the only one to put her on my list if you do a little research you find some amazing facts. I know it was a long time ago, and like my #1 choice I never seen her compete but just a little history on the woman will show why this is not an oddball choice. She started her athletic career in high school earning AAU All-American honors from 30-32. In 1932 she qualified for five Olympic events in Los Angeles when women were allowed to compete in only three, in 1933 she turned to golf and in 1948, Babe won her first U.S. Women's Open, the World Championship and the All-American Open. She continued her impressive performance on the LPGA Tour for the next several years, by winning 55 tournament victories among them were two more U.S. Women's Opens. Oh and she helped found the Ladies Professional Golf Association in 1949.   #3 - Bo Jackson – Due to an injury shortened career we were unable to see him at his full potential. However in the short time he played 2 professional sports, at the same time, he was an all-star/all-pro in both and had it not been for injury he may have become a hall of famer in both.   Out on a limb with these picks I am sure, but they are good.     Dan   #1 - Brett Favre - 256 consecutive starts, 3-time MVP, his countless records, during which he's suffered through his father's death, his wife's cancer, Katrina, his addiction to pain-killers.  Oh, yea and he won a Super Bowl for Green Bay.   #2 - Michael Jordan - Very cliche, but for a reason.  The three-peat began when everyone my age wanted to be like Mike, so its hard to leave out "His Airness"  His baseball stint is another story, as well as the gambling, but what other athlete has starred in a movie with Bugs Bunny?   #3 - Joe Montana - There are plenty of other athletes who might deserve the third spot (Muhammad Ali, Jackie Robinson, Pete Sampras, Wayne Gretzky) but what kind of ND fan would I be if I didn't name the former Irish QB, Niners star, 3-time Super Bowl MVP, and "comeback kid" including one against Houston in the famous chicken soup game.   Don   #1 - Jim Thorpe - The consummate athlete - he was at the top of every sport in which he played.   #2 - Bo Jackson - Last player to really dominate in both professional baseball and football.  (Deion tryed and wasn't quite the dominator in baseball)   #3 - Jim Brown - One of the greatest running backs of all time he also was an All-American in LaCrosse in college.  Because of his ability, there was a rule change in LaCrosse making it illegal to cup the ball against your chest when running.  Any one player who can cause the NCAA to change the rules, gets the vote in my book. 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