The 25 Most Badass American Athletes of All Time

Who's your pick for No. 1?

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Throughout the history of American sports we have crowned champions in domestic and international competition, but what separates one champion from the next? Is it the character or emotion they display en route to lifting a title, or is it the adversity they had to go through in order to reach the ultimate prize? No matter what criteria you use to define or rank a champion, one thing is certain, some champions have nothing more to them than the rings or the trophies, and others have that certain something that truly makes them a badass. No disrespect to Eli and Peyton Manning, but you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who finds those two synonymous with being a badass. So celebrate the 237th birthday of America by taking a break from chugging Budweiser and throwing down hot dogs. From Nolan Ryan to Iron Mike, check out, the 25 Most Badass American Athletes of All Time.

Written by Adam Silvers (@silversurfer103)

25. Andre Agassi

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24. Jeremy Roenick

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23. Serena Williams

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22. Dennis Rodman

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21. John Stockton

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20. Kurt Angle

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19. Mia Hamm

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18. Nolan Ryan

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17. Michael Phelps

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16. Kerri Strug

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15. John McEnroe

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14. Jack Youngblood

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13. Ronnie Lott

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12. Bob Gibson

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11. Jim Thorpe

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10. Jack Johnson

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9. Lloyd Mangrum

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8. Mike Tyson

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7. Ted Williams

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6. John Carlos

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5. Muhammad Ali

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4. Joe Louis

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3. Larry Bird

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2. Michael Jordan

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1. Jesse Ownens

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