The 100 Greatest Athletes of the Complex Decade

Image via Complex Original

Sport: Competitive Eating
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 6x Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Champion
We don't care how short, slow, and unathletic your are; we guarantee you're closer to dunking or hitting a home run than you are to eating 60 hot dogs in ten minutes. And before you hate on Kobayashi for being on this list, try eating 97 hamburgers in a half hour and tell us he's not a physical phenom. In the Complex era, the five-foot-eight, 130-pound Tsunami has set Guinness World Records for eating everything from meatballs to Twinkies and, before this year's Super Bowl, swallowed an unbelievable 337 chicken wings. And although there's been a recent changing of the glutton-guard with Joey Chestnut eating up (pun intended) much of the competitive consumption spotlight, Kobayashi dominated the mid-00s winning the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest an unprecedented six consecutive time.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 5x All-Star
Averaging 20 PPG over a decade is a feat in itself but that's not the real reason why Vince Carter is on this list. His amazing ability to soar through the air and deliver dunks that left fans in a frenzy is why he's one of the 100 best athletes of the Complex Decade. A 43-inch vertical made him one of the most exciting players in the NBA, but during the mid-2000s he was also one of the most solid players in the L as well, including a 29 PPG average in the 2006 Playoffs.

Sport: Baseball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 3x All-Star, 2x Golden Glove Winner, 2008 AL ROY
We remember when this dude was first coming into the league. He was all the fantasy buzz, convincing kids like us to draft him in the first five rounds without even seeing him at the plate once. It was basically obligatory for everybody to make the all-too-obvious joke about how his name was spelled so closely to the hottest desperate housewife on ABC's hit drama. It didn't take long for him to create his own brand, though, blasting 27 home runs and 85 RBIs to win Rookie of the Year honors in 2008. Since then, he's driven in at least 99 runs each year, making the Tampa Bay Rays a perennial problem in the AL East. He might just be the man with most potential on this list.

Sport: Tennis
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2008 French Open Winner
Ivanovic is no Anna Kournikova—she's won 11 WTA titles and a Grand Slam (the 2008 French Open), and she's been ranked No. 1 in the world. But we also love her for looking like this while doing it. #keepit100

Sport: Speed Skating
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 6x Olympic Medalist (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 4 Bronze)
Answer this question honestly: If it weren't for Apolo Ohno, would you really care about speed skating? Ever since winning the gold (1500m) and silver (1000m) during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Ohno has put the entire nation on notice when it comes to the sport. While an appearance by Apolo in Russia's 2014 Games seems slim to none, the Seattle native can look back at his eight Olympic medals and realize that it is because of him that speed skating has grown by leaps and bounds.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2006 Heisman Trophy Winner, 2006 All American
Like a Tim Tebow with a better throwing motion and without the culture wars, Troy Smith won the Heisman Trophy in 2006 at Ohio State as a "running" quarterback—if you can call somebody with more than 2,500 yards passing and 30 touchdowns a "running" quarterback. Smith lost just three games as a starter for the Buckeyes, and was a surprise late first round pick after his senior...wait, you say Smith wasn't drafted until the 5th round? And Tebow was a 1st round pick? Hmmm, what could be different about these two players?

Sport: Women's Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2002 WNBA Champion and Finals MVP, 2x WNBA MVP, 5x All-Star, 2x Defensive POY, 5x All-WNBA First Team
Leslie was already one of the greatest players in women's basketball history when the Complex Decade began, but she cemented her OG status by playing at the highest level in the WNBA well into the '00s (and well into her 30s). Leslie picked up two WNBA MVPs (plus a Finals MVP in '02) and two Olympic gold medals since 2002. If they ever have a Mount Rushmore for women's basketball (which, let's face it, they probably won't), Lisa would be on it.

Sport: MMA
Bonafides From 2002-2012: Former UFC Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion, 9-7-0 (3 KOs, 3 Submissions)
This dude is old. How old? He turns 50 next year. But age is just a number, and we suggest you have numbers (at least 50) if you ever decide to mess with Randy Couture. Already an MMA legend when the Complex Decade kicked off, Couture continued to kick ass well into the '00s, picking up the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in 2003, and, after a 12-month retirement, the Heavyweight 'chip (for a third time) in 2007. He's retired for now (having your orbital bone fractured becomes significantly less fun with age), but if there's one man in the world who could step into the octagon and bash the living shit out of men half his age, this is him.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2010 Super Bowl Champion and Super Bowl MVP, 2011 NFL MVP , 2x Pro Bowler
It takes a special kind of football player to patiently wait behind a quarterback legend who refuses to play the role of mentor. Rodgers' cool and steady mental attitude made it possible for him to sit back and wait for his time to shine, much like he did in the 2005 draft, dropping from a potential No. 1 pick right into the Green Bay Packers' lap at 24. None of that phased Rodgers. He knew what he was capable of, and he knew he could own Title Town once he was called to center. In his first year starting (essentially his rookie year), the California kid caught the league's attention with over 4,000 yards and a 28-13 TD-INT ratio. In the three years since, he has won a Super Bowl, earned the Super Bowl MVP, tossed his way to a 45-touchdown league-MVP season, and made the Pro Bowl twice. With his incredible down-field vision, underrated athleticism, and smart decision making, he's already got some analysts saying he could eventually be a top five quarterback of all time. If he keep up his current pace, that's exactly where he's headed.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2011 NBA Champion, 6x All-Star, 2x All-NBA First Team
People wanna know what the Kidd did? Oh nothing, he just did the impossible a.k.a. making the New Jersey Nets relevant. Six All-Star teams, a couple trips to the Finals, and some of the illest passes in the history of the league equals a surefire Hall of Famer and one of the most entertaining players of the Complex Decade.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x Pro Bowler, 2007 All-Pro First Team
A life taken too soon, former Redskins safety Sean Taylor was already a great in the NFL despite passing in only his 4th season. He was one of the most feared hitters in the league but also had the versatility to play the pass. Taylor had sneaky speed and crazy athletic ability for somebody his size that allowed him to be the Skins' defensive playmaker. Had he not passed we would be looking at him know as a perennial Pro Bowler and potential Hall of Famer leading a Redskins team to far more successful seasons. R.I.P. Sean Taylor, you had some badass moments in the far too short amount of time you were here.

Sport: Baseball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2004 ALCS MVP, 4x All-Star, 2x Silver Slugger Award Winner
There's no accurate word to describe the life of Josh Hamilton in the last decade. The Texas outfielder went from being touted as the next big baseball superstar to losing it all to getting right back into the swing of things. After getting his off-the-field issues with drug addiction and alcoholism sorted out, Hamilton took a second hack at getting into the MLB. But it wasn't until he was traded to the Rangers in 2008 that his career took a meteoric rise which culminated in his 2010 AL MVP season where he hit .359 with 32 homers and 100 RBIs. How this guy doesn't have a movie made about him yet is remarkable.

Sport: MMA
Bonafides From 2002-2012: Former WAMMA Heavyweight and Pride Heavyweight Champion, 23-3-1 (7 KOs, 11 Submissions)
Thoroughly looking the part of the MMA badass, with a bowling ball head and a goofy "Now I will have to break your body" grin, Emelianenko was undefeated for much of the Complex Decade. His mid-decade run in the Pride Fighting Championships is the stuff of legend, featuring submissions both sublime (kimura) and ridiculous (his 26-second defeat of Wagner Martins via a metric shitton of blows to the head). He suffered three defeats in a row in 2010-11, but his place as one of the titans of MMA is secure.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2006 BCS National Champion, 2x Pro Bowler, 2005 All American
The NFL version of Vince Young still needs some refining. The college version, however, was a sight to behold. During his 2004 season with Texas, Young amassed 1,000+ yards passing and rushing while scoring 26 touchdowns. But all that was tune-up for his remarkable junior year where he passed for 3,036 yards with 1,050 rushing yards and scored 38 TDs. Then, he had that memorable 2006 Rose Bowl Game where he single-handedly defeated the USC Trojans. Former Trojans coach Pete Carroll commented that VY had "the best [performance] I've seen by one guy." And rightly so when consider that dude had 467 yards of offense by himself (267 passing, 200 rushing).

Sport: Women's Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x WNBA Champion, 2009 Finals MVP and WNBA MVP, 5x All-Star, 6x All-WNBA First Team
The first issue of Complex hit newsstands in April 2002, the same month that sophomore Diana Taurasi led the UConn Huskies to the first of three consecutive national championships. Taurasi's impact on the college game was pretty accurately summed up by her coach Geno Auriemma's explanation of why he thought the Huskies would win a third 'chip: "We have Diana, and you don't." Taurasi has gone on to have a similar impact in the WNBA, making five first-team All-WNBA squads and doing her best MJ impression with a regular season and Finals MVP in 2009.

Sport: Skating
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x X Games Gold Medalist
Koston revolutionized street skating in the pre-Complex decade, and dominated the sport in the early '00s. He lands on this list for continuing to be an OG in the sport, including his Nike signature shoe last year.

Sport: Women's Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x NCAA Champion, 2011 WNBA Champion, 2011 ROY, 2009 Naismith Trophy Winner
Maya Moore is only 22 years old and she's already racked up more awards than most of the OGs in the game. From earning the Naismith Prep Player of the Year (which is awarded to the best high school baller in the nation) in 2006 and 2007 to helping lead UConn to an undefeated championship season to getting Rookie of the Year honors to winning her first WNBA chip, this girl's clearly got the Maya-das touch. Let's hope she likes bad puns, too.

Sport: Baseball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x World Series Champion, 2004 World Series MVP, 7x All-Star
Steroid suspension and the assault of an elderly traveling secretary notwithstanding, Man-Ram's had one hell of a decade. Not only did Ramirez hit his 500th home run and collect some $176 million in salary, but he also etched himself forever in Red Sox lore by helping to snap 86-year long championship drought, winning the World Series MVP in 2004. His trade to Los Angeles late in the '08 season instantly made the Blue a contender. And his .520 average, 4 home runs, and 11 RBIs in the playoffs had the Dodgers three wins away from the World Series. From C-Town to Bean-Town with a stint in Mannywood, Ramirez has torched the Complex era.

Sport: Baseball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2004 World Series Champion, 3x All-Star
The best pitcher in baseball during the BC (Before Complex) years, Pedro was a crafty genius for much of the Complex Decade. After nearly pitching the Red Sox to the World Series in '03, he was on deck when the Sox finally broke their curse a year later. The little man with the big arm ran shit in Boston, and will forever be a legend in Bean Town. The greatest Dominican pitcher in baseball history, Martinez also possessed a vicious head game.

Sport: Skier
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 10x X Games Medalist (6 Gold, 4 Silver)
Hall's spent the last decade collecting X Games gold and silver, but as the most famous dread-locked skier in the world, he's also collected his share of green, too. Yes, we'd have to be high as hell to try

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 9x Pro Bowler, 5x All-Pro First Team
One of the most badass names in sports history, Champ Bailey has lived up to the hype his parents gave him. It's hard to truly equate how good he is unless you really watch the game, but just now, he's been a fucking monster in the Complex decade. One of the few legit shutdown corners the league has ever seen, let alone this past decade has, QBs know you just don't throw 24's way. He doesn't have a ton of interceptions in this era because offenses don't test him as much but he had a great run from '04-'06 when he racked up 21 picks and 3 touchdowns helping Denver make a deep playoff run in '05. He's what every corner strives to be and he's what every team wants in a player. Hell he's STILL making Pro Bowl's and its not just off the respecting your elders tip. #respect

Sport: Tennis
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 12x Grand Slam Winner (4 single, 8 doubles)
When Complex launched in the spring of 2002, the Williams sisters were beginning an unprecedented—in any sport—rein of dominance, and while Serena ended up having the greater overall career, Venus appeared on the scene first. In February '02 she became the first black woman to be No. 1 in the Open era, and beginning at the French Open in June '02, she and Serena played each other in the final of four consecutive Grand Slam tournaments. Venus won the French and Australian Opens during that run, and added three Wimbledon titles ('05, '07, '08) in the Complex Decade to go with the two Wimbledons and two U.S. Opens she won before '02. Simply put, she's one of the greatest to ever do it.

Sport: Baseball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x World Series Champion, 2004 ALCS MVP, 7x All-Star, 5x Silver Slugger Award Winner
A famous New Englander named John Kennedy once said that "victory has a thousand fathers" but in New England, there's only one Big Papi. Boston has its share of amazing moments in its rich history, but Ortiz is the only athlete to deliver two of them in two different games on the same day, both from the Red Sox' epic 2004 American League Championship Series comeback: his 12th inning walk-off home run to win Game 4 and his 14th inning walk-off single to take Game 5. Ortiz was an excellent regular season player (he owns the all-time record for home runs hit by a designated hitter), and most of that damage was done as a Sox during the Complex Decade, but he's a regional icon for October 18, 2004.

Sport: Nascar
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 5x Nascar Cup Series Champion, 55 wins, 150 Top 5 finishes, and 226 Top 10 finishes
We're still debating whether driving a souped-up Impala in circles for three hours constitutes a sport, but there's no debating the greatness of Jimmie Johnson. Between 2006 and 2010, JJ had NASCAR on lock—no really, he won the Sprint Cup every year during that span. If you hoist that many trophies, we don't care if you sit on your ass all day and turn—you deserve to be called great.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2008 NBA Champion, 2004 NBA MVP, 9x All-Star, 2008 Defensive POY, 4x All-NBA First Team
By the time the Complex Decade began, KG was already in his seventh season in the NBA but he built his legacy over the last 10 years. The Big Ticket became a consistent All-Star (named to 9 teams over 10 seasons), won MVP honors in 2004, and finally won a title in 2008. The best thing to happen to dude was getting the hell out of Minnesota and becoming the leader of the O.G. Big Three. Yeah, he's slowed down a little on the court but his intensity is definitely still there. Plus, with the way the Celtics whooped on the Heat the other day, who says the oldheads don't have a chance in this year's playoffs? Anything is possible!

Sport: Snowboarder/Skateboarder
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 4x X Games Medalist (2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze)
Snowboarder Magazine didn't name him Rider of the Year (twice), National Geographic didn't nominate him as an Adventurer of the Year, and Red Bull didn't let him create an entirely new fusion snowboarding competition this year for nothing. Rice is the epitome of a sports icon, hitting everybody with fresh powder both on and off the mountain since 2001. He has won multiple X Games medals, he's created two ground-breaking competitions, and starred in two legendary films that take you to the outer limits of pure backcountry skiing. He's also a major art fanatic, designing boards and building his own art and photography projects both online and in his hometown of Jackson Hole, Wyo.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2003 NCAA Champion, 5x All-Star, 3x All-NBA 3rd team
After leading Syracuse to a national title in 2003, Melo continued schoolin' grown-men on the court by taking the Denver Nuggets to the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons. In 2010, he took his talents to the Big Apple in search of a ring and has caught some flack for shooting "too much," but the Melo Stat duo ended New York's six-year playoff drought and has one again sparked basketball interest in the Mecca.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2006 NFL MVP, 5x Pro Bowler, 4x All-Pro First Team
For a couple years during the middle of the Complex Decade, LT was the man in the NFL. The former Chargers great ran for over 1000 years in each of his first eight seasons and led the league twice. In 2006 he scored more touchdowns (31) than any other player in NFL history and won back-to-back rushing titles the following year with over 1,400 yards. The only thing that's eluded Tomlinson is a title, but when you play for Marty Schottenheimer, Norv Turner, and Rex Ryan, it's not all your fault.

Sport: Golf
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 4 Major wins, 21 PGA Tour Wins
Although Phil Mickelson has lived in Tiger Woods' shadow for almost his entire career, Lefty has actually remained consistently competitive with the golf God. When you are considered Woods' No. 1 archrival for a number of years, you know you're doing something right. During the past 10 years, Phil won four majors (three at The Masters) and finished in the Top 10 in 14 others. He's also been in the Top 3 on the money list seven of the past 10 years and is about to pass Vijay Singh as the second-highest all-time moneymaker. His fellow golfers might think he's a prick, but the fans love him. And so does his hot wife.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 9x All-Star, 2005 All-NBA First Team
“The Answer”, or the answer to the question of who might be the toughest pound for pound player the NBA has ever seen. His greatest years were BC (Before Complex) but even in the twilight of his career, AI was tough and kept ankle doctors in business. Don't let his money troubles, women troubles, and a failed return to the NBA skew your opinion of him, Iverson can still ball out.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x NBA Champion, 2002 Finals MVP, 7x All-Star, 5x All-NBA First Team
If this were a list of the best athletes of, say, the Death Row Records Decade (or half decade, whatever), then Shaq would be vying for the No. 1 spot. As it is though, the Big Fella still had a very good Complex Decade. He picked up his last 'chip with the Lakers in '02, and after fighting and bickering his way out of L.A. in 2004, the Diesel found a new sidekick in Dwyane Wade and won a championship two years later. It all went downhill once he left Miami for the Suns, then the Cavs, and finally the Celtics, but he was consistently entertaining throughout his run, and even found time to drop a hot freestyle.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 5x All-Star, 2006 ROY, 1x All-NBA First Team
Here's one for the basketball purists out there: CP3, the point guard's point guard and current mayor of “Lob City” for the LA Clippers. Arguably the best pure point in the league and the unquestioned leader for the Clips, Paul has always been one to get his teammates involved first and get his when he needs to down the stretch with a Kobe-esque desire to win. Only 6 feet tall, he's still one of the toughest dudes on the court at all times and got more heart in his pinkie than most players do in their whole bodies. Always toward the top of the league in assists and steals, CP3's just a baller in every sense of the word and there isn't a fan out there that wouldn't love to have him on their team.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2007 Super Bowl Champion, 5x Pro Bowler, 2x All-Pro First Team
In an era where athletes' personalities are often bigger than their accomplishments on the field, calling Marvin Harrison an anomaly would be an understatement. While wide receivers like T.O. and Chad Ochocicno scored TDs and danced their way into becoming household names, Harrison flew under the radar and into the record books. Harrison and Peyton Manning hold the record for most completions (953), TDs (112) and reception yards (12,756) between a wide receiver and QB. No huge endorsement deals or extensive interviews, just breaking records and that whole unsolved shooting incident from 2008. #realgsmoveinsilence

Sport: Hockey
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x Stanley Cup Winner, 6x All-Star, 6x James Norris Memorial Trophy Winner
Don't know Lidstrom? Imagine a combination of Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, James Harrison, Charles Woodson, and Troy Polamalu; in the Complex Decade, Lidstrom has won as many defensive player of the year awards in the NHL as those guys have in the NFL combined. Lidstrom's also won two Stanley Cups with the Red Wings in that time (becoming the first European-born player to captain a Cup champ in '08), picked up an Olympic gold with Sweden in '06, and become the NHL's active leader in games played.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 6x All-Star, 2x All-NBA First Team
Despite his status as a role player now, T-Mac was killing them softly pre-injuries for the Magic and Rockets. He was on the short list for best scorers in the league and at one point even had a mini-rivalry with Kobe for the “Best Shooting Guard in the NBA” title. Clearly Kobe ended up winning that battle, but Tracy still gave the world the straight ridiculous 13 points in 35 seconds clip to go along with the super ill in game off the backboard dunks. Those back injuries will put a number on you, but his early Complex Decade years cemented him as a great player.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 3x All Star, 2008 ROY, 2x All-NBA First Team
Ah the young Durantala; despite his best years probably coming in the near future, he still gets the nod for this list. The 6-foot-9 forward has always had a small build but also has had the dribbling and shooting ability of a 2 guard, which makes KD pretty much impossible to cover. These rare skills for a big guy have paved the way for him to become the youngest player to ever nab the scoring title and has also gotten him multiple All Star appearances. He's a quiet, humble guy who says and does all the right things and seems to have that killer instinct every fan wants their best player to have. Oh and he did this to Pau Gasol and the Lakeshow last week. He'll probably be on our next decade list with some rings to show for his hard work.

Sport: Soccer
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2010 World Cup Winner, 3x Champions League Champion, 5x La Liga Champion
If you're not into soccer, you probably don't know Xavi, so take a moment to get familiar. The best passer in the game, the playmaking midfielder for FC Barcelona is the guy you see at the beginning of those SportsCenter highlights setting up Messi and the gang. He is the definition of sports teamwork and unselfishness as all he really does is deliver perfect passes for easy scores which have helped equate to a lot of winning for Barca and his international team Spain. He's won on both levels, bagging multiple La Liga titles with Barcelona and is the reigning World Cup Champion with Spain. Xavi's like the John Stockton of soccer (except with a bunch of titles), that's damn good if you ask us.

Sport: Skateboarder
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 14x X Games Medalist (6 Gold, 6 Silver, 2 Bronze)
The half Brazilian, half Swedish skateboarder Robert Dean Silva Burnquist, or Bob for short, is reppin for the grinders out there. A pioneer of the sport and consistent competitor, Burnquist was one of the extreme sports athletes you knew and loved. He won plenty of X Games gold and silver, and stepped up the level of extreme when he completed the Grand Canyon grind into a base jump, and later completed the first fakie to fakie 900.

Sport: Women's Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x NCAA Champion, 2x Wooden Award Winner, 2008 WNBA MVP and ROY
Yo Ladies! Candace Parker, a beast female baller who's not too bad on the eyes either. She took the women's bball game by storm when she killed it as the star forward for Pat Summit and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers. While in college she only won two national championships, two Naismith Player of the Year awards, and dunked on some girls, no big deal. Then she took her talents to the WNBA and pulled off the second dunk in pro history, and won Rookie of the Year AND the MVP in her first season. She may have a “Beauty and the Beast” thing going with fellow baller/hubby Shelden Williams, but we give her props for being a game changer nonetheless.

Sport: Baseball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2009 World Series Champion, 8x All-Star, 5x Golden Glove Winner, 4x Silver Slugger Award Winner
In terms of endorsements, bagging chicks, on the field performance and respect from peers and the media, Jeter is the last star left. He always speaks from the heart instead of giving us bullshit statements that athletes love so much. The captain isn't as good as he once was, but he still has that aura around him like he's untouchable. One knock on DJ has always been his fielding. Guess what? He's won all 5 of his Gold Gloves over the course of the last ten years.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2004 BCS National Champion, 2011 Super Bowl Champion, 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, 2x All-American
Hey—we see your eyes rolling, but we're talking college, not pro here. According to the NCAA, Reggie Bush doesn't exist (not literally, but close)—they vacated a USC National Championship and Bush's '05 Heisman Trophy when it was discovered that marketing agents put his family up in a townhouse, but we all know what No 5 and the Trojans accomplished in the mid 2000s. In the '05 season, Bush amassed over 2,600 all-purpose yards and scored 18 touchdowns during USC's Rose Bowl run. And although he'd later lose it, he dominated the Heisman voting with 784 first-place votes (Vince Young was the runner-up with 79 first-place votes). He only started 14 games at USC, be he finished tenth in NCAA history with 6,541 total yards.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 3x Pro Bowler, 2x All-Pro First Team
Mr. “I play when I want to” might be the most gifted wideout to ever lace them up. He had the size, 6-foot-4, the ridiculous speed, ran a 4.25 40 time in college, had unrivaled leaping ability, and a pair of some of the greatest hands known to man that almost made you think he was a "Create a Player" on Madden. You know you're good when the term “Mossed” is recreated as a verb meaning, “to make a ridiculous catch jumping over your opponent like Randy Moss” and is used by football fans everywhere. Not to mention arguably the league's greatest deep threat gave us the epic “Straight Cash Homey” and “Lambeau Moon” clips, to go with the record-breaking 23 receiving touchdown '07 season. A second decade of Complex without him wouldn't have been the same; thankfully the 49ers saved us from it.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 8x All-Star, 2x All NBA Second Team, 3x All NBA Third Team
You wanna talk game changers? Tell your kids about Yao Ming. He stood 7-foot-6 and was voted to eight All-Star teams (seven consecutively) one even came during a season where only played in five games! Sounds like some old fable, right? But nope, next to MJ, Ming has spread NBA action to more people across the globe than anyone in the sport's history. Don't front like he was just another ridiculously tall sideshow in the NBA either (word to Shawn Bradley and Manute Bol). Yao averaged 19 PPG and 9 RPG throughout his eight seasons in the NBA, before his career was cut short by foot and ankle injuries in 2011, but his true impact will be measured in the revenue streams the L will reap from China for years to come.

Sport: Soccer
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 3x MLS Cup Champion, 4x US Soccer Athlete of the Year, 7x Honda Player of the Year
Whether you love soccer or loathe its very existence, there's no denying that Landon Donovan is responsible for bringing more Stateside attention to the sport than other American player. After bursting onto the international scene in the same year as Complex, Donovan's career has grown exponentially with every personal accolade bestowed upon him. But aside from all the numerous trophies, there was no greater career-defining moment than his legendary goal against Algeria in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Yup, those are goosebumps you feel.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2004 Defensive POY, 8x Pro Bowler, 5x All-Pro First Team
The ball-hawking safety from the Ravens was elite throughout the Complex Decade and makes the list for all the fans of defensive football out there. Rarely do you see a defensive back with hands that are better than some receivers, but Reed has had just that. He reads QBs like Dr. Seuss and nabs picks with ease. In '04 he grabbed DPOY honors with nine INTs and two defensive touchdowns including a ridiculous 106-yard pick 6, then outdid himself in '08 with another nine picks and three defensive touchdowns including an even crazier 107-yard pick 6. We know all you Madden players know Reed is not one to mess with cause he's probably won or lost a game for you too. Ed and Ray Ray have been strapping up for years and the only thing that could get in their way now is father time.

Sport: MMA
Bonafides From 2002-2012: Former UFC Welterweight Champion, 14-6-0 (5 KOs, 4 Submissions)
Half man, half ground-and-pounding tank, Hughes held the UFC Welterweight title for much of the first half of the Complex Decade. He has more than 50 MMA fights under his belt, and owns the record for most wins in UFC history, with 18. Yes, he's got a certain doofus deer-in-the-headlights look, but notice we're saying that from the safety of our blog hovel, and not to dude's face.

Sport: Skier
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 5x X Games Medalist (4 Gold, 1 Silver)
Sarah Burke has the most difficult and sad story of anybody on this list. At the age of 29, Burke had already achieved what many couldn't dream of doing in 80. Unfairly, those 29 years turned out to be the only time she had. In a horrific accident during practice at Park City Ski Resort in Utah, she hit her head on the halfpipe, fell into a coma and subsequently passed away due to a ruptured vertebral artery. Burke has truly been one of the most inspirational and most accomplished women in sports history, breaking down every barrier in the female action world. She used her freeskiing talents to win four X Games gold medals and was the first female to land 720s, 900s, and 1080s. Had she not had the accident there is no doubt she would likely be a major player in the next Complex Decade as well.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 4x Pro Bowler, 3x All-Pro First Team
No matter how much you don't like him or think he's a locker room cancer, there's one thing you can't deny, Terrell Owens brought it on the field. Stats wise he's second to only the GOAT Jerry Rice and when you take the eye test for him throughout the Complex Decade, he passes with flying colors. T.O. could go long, he could go over the middle, he could get a jump ball, he was a good route runner, he yelled at his quarterbacks, wait, that last one isn't good, but you get the point. He didn't always get along with his teammates (or the world for that matter), but he came back from a broken leg in just over a month, so you can't question dude's dedication. We just won't talk about what he's done since his failed return to the NFL.

Sport: Soccer
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2002 World Cup Winner, 2x FIFA POY, 2006 Champions League Champion
It wouldn't be a complete list without at least one Brazilian footballer with a mean shoe game. “Little Ronaldo” helped start out the Complex decade in soccer when, along with super OG Ronaldo, he helped Brazil win the '02 World Cup. Since then he's been tearing defenses apart with his patented elastico flip flap move and other breathtaking displays of foot skill. Before Messi, Ronaldhino was the man on Barcelona as he won two championships and a couple FIFA player of the year awards. He did his thing off the field too, with swag most soccer players lack, including one of the first videos to ever reach 1 million views on YouTube, and he rocked the stage with 50 Cent, nuff said.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 4x Pro Bowler, 2x All-Pro First Team, 2007 ROY
AD, All Day, AP, Purple Jesus, Adrian, Mr. Peterson, doesn't matter what you call him, just know that he is a man amongst boys on the field. The electrifying running back for the Vikings has been making defenses look silly since he got to the league in '07 with his elite combo of power, speed, and an unmatched motor. When people say, “That guy is like a video game” they are talking about guys who might be as good as Adrian. I mean the man broke the single game rushing yard record as a rookie when he racked up 296 yards on 30 carries to go along with 3 touchdowns against the Chargers. When healthy many feel Peterson is the best all around back in the league and we'd have a hard time arguing otherwise.

Sport: MMA
Bonafides From 2002-2012: Former UFC Welterweight and Lightweight Champion, 13-7-2 (4 KOs, 6 Submissions)
He's a psycho (this is what you call people who lick their opponents' blood off their gloves), but it's not like we watch MMA to indulge our rational instincts, so this dude is just about perfect for what he does. Along with Randy Couture, Penn is one of two MMA fighters to have held UFC 'chips in two different weight classes (Lightweight and Welterweight), and has been a participant in some of the biggest matches in UFC history. He announced his retirement after a loss to Nick Diaz last October, and while MMA retirements are far from iron clad, Penn has done more than enough to leave his mark on the sport.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2003 Defensive POY, 8x Pro Bowler, 4x All-Pro First Team
As impressive as Ray Lewis' career accolades are (rings, All Pros, and MVPs), his most amazing quality is his energy—dude's shown no signs of slowing down. Linebackers are paid to inflict punishment, but are often the ones who bear it. While Lewis has seen many of his contemporaries fall to slipped discs, torn ACLs, and concussions, Ray Ray has made eight of the last ten Pro Bowls and has forced more fumbles in the last five years of his career than he did in his first ten. Could he be getting better at 36 years-old? Probably not, but he's had an amazing ten-year run. Dude also gives one hell of a pre and post game speech.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2010 Super Bowl Champion and Super Bowl MVP, 6x Pro Bowler, 2008 Offensive POY
Remember when Drew Brees was football's pariah? In 2006, the quarterback was thrown out of San Diego quicker than you could say "Phillip Rivers." The Dolphins had a shot at him but passed for Daunte Culpepper. How'd that work out for y'all? Brees is one of the league's elite quarterbacks, brought a Super Bowl championship to New Orleans and, if the Saints needed him to, could probably player-coach in the wake of Sean Payton's suspension. In addition to throwing 46 touchdowns last season, the six time Pro Bowler set NFL records for completion percentage (.712) and passing yards (5,476). With Peyton Manning hanging by a staple, Brees sits between Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers on the football's Mount Rushmore—while Daunte Culpepper takes the picture.

Sport: Baseball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 9x All-Star, 9x Golden Glove Winner, 2x Silver Slugger Winner
The Complex Decade is littered with over-hyped, Japanese baseball imports (Kaz Matsui and Kosuke Fukudome come to mind) but Ichiro Suzuki left the island for Seattle and became a baseball legend. The Mariner right fielder has averaged well over 200 hits per season and will likely reach 3,000 in his career despite playing nine (yes, nine) seasons in Japan. Ichiro will probably never get the respect he deserves with his paltry power numbers and lack of postseason exposure, but pound for pound he's been the most entertaining baseball player of the last ten years.

Sport:
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 11x X Games Medalist (7 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze)
This is a guy that'd you'd never, ever want to face in a truth or dare competition. He could likely eat a tarantula while quadruple backflipping on a dirt bike off a plane naked in a snowstorm without spilling his cup of green tea. Travis Pastrana is one of the biggest entertainment pioneers in the history of sports, as he made X Games history year after year with his biking and rally racing prowess. He owned the MotoX competition, winning gold in the first four competitions ever, made history when he won three golds in a single X Games, was the first person to ever land a double backflip on a motorbike, and holds the record for car jump from ramp to ramp at 269 feet. His dozens of injuries, including a separated spine, broken tibula and fibia, and torn ACL, PCL, LCL, and MCL on his left knee, have never stopped him. He's even run his own television show, Nitro Circus, and plans on participating in his first NASCAR race this year. We aren't sure how many he has left, but he originally started witih 199 lives.

Sport: Women's Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x Big 12 Player of the Year, McDonald's All-American revolutionized the woman's game setting a record for blocks in the NCAA Tournament.
Brittney Griner is legit. Now, before you hit up the comments section with some cruel, sexist response about women's basketball, believe us when we say the Baylor phenom would swat your shit. It's not her fault she can dunk and you can't, remember that. The most famous person in Texas college basketball has racked up almost 600 blocks in three years at Baylor (including an NCAA record 223 during her freshmen season). But her most lasting legacy may be in her silencing our insufferable need to condescendingly ooh and aah every time a woman dunks. The new female athlete is one who can put the ball cleanly through the net without a clumsy takeoff. Over the next Complex Decade we'll see women throwing down on the regular and we'll have Brittney to thank for it.

Sport: Surfer
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 5x ASP World Champion, 28 Wins
Kelly is an icon. He has dominated surfing for nearly three decades. He even has a video game (Kelly Slater's Pro Surfer) and had a recurring role on Baywatch. At 40, Kelly is still the man to beat. Kelly's biographer, Jason Borte likened Slater's impact on surfing to the 90's internet revolution. Kelly made the sport and its stars viable to sponsors and brought in a new generation of fans. No one has ever had the success he's had and is the Michael Jordan of his sport. Kelly was the youngest No. 1 surfer at 20 and the oldest at 38. RIP to the competition.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 3x NBA Champion, 2x Finals MVP, 2x NBA MVP, 10x All-Star, 5x All-NBA First Team
The Big Fundamental won the bulk of his championships and awards during the Complex Decade. His game is boring and he seems to be moving in slow motion, but that didn't stop him from being considered the greatest power forward to ever do it. Timmy has made a career of going to the bank and protecting the rim (he's the active leader in blocks). He and Gregg Popovich have methodically built a dynasty in San Antonio during this decade and are looking to make some noise during this year's playoffs, too.

Sport: Baseball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 3x NL MVP, 4x All-Star, 2x Hank Aaron Award Winner, 3x Silver Slugger Award Winner
Steroid allegations make it easy to dismiss Barry Bonds, but before you get too self-righteous, ask yourself this: What would you do to save your job and make millions of dollars? Would you do performance enhancing drugs? Probably. So, stop being such a prick. His 2004 season, in which he posted an clinically insane 1.422 OPS was rejected by video game companies for being too outlandish. Bonds' home run numbers are totally bonkers (his 762 are the most all-time) but lost are the home runs he never got a chance to hit. Bonds walked an astonishing 165 times per season during the Complex Decade (that's more than one free pass every game), and then was curiously not offered a contract after posting a 1.000+ OPS. Translation: any pitcher stupid enough to leave a ball in the zone for No. 25, had it blasted out of the ballpark. We see you BALCO, but we'll still clap for Barry.

Sport: Soccer
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2003 FIFA POY, 2002 Champions League Champion
An amazing name and the game to match, Zinedine Zidane gave us gems throughout this decade. A well respected Frenchman with a trademark smile, fancy footwork, true toughness, and scoring ability not rivaled by many, Zidane was a megastar of the football world. His biggest accomplishment to us however was when he gave the world arguably the most badass soccer moment in the history of soccer on its biggest stage when he went headbutting in the 2006 World Cup final against Italy. Refreshing to see a soccer player laying out opponent's headbutt-style for talking shit instead of faking injuries. Thank you Mr. Zidane, thank you.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 3x Pro Bowler, 4x All-Pro First Team
Devin Hester has destroyed more records over the last three years than Pitbull. The Bears returner has single-handedly turned special teams into the most important phase of Chicago's game and made coordinator Dave Toub one of the most coveted coaches in football (watch your back, Lovie). When the Bears struggled to create offense during their 2006 Super Bowl season, there was actually talk of having D-Hest line up in shotgun and just create with his feet. Yes, Rex Grossman is that bad Devin Hester is that good. Twelve punts, five kicks, and one missed field goal, all taken to the house. The greatest returner ever, Devin Hester you are ridiculous.

Sport: Tennis
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 3x Grand Slam Winner, 2004 WTA POY
Miss Sharapova turned pro in 2001 but she didn't pop up on our radar until 2004 when she won Wimbledon and had us all wondering: Who is the long-legged dime in that short white skirt? Thankfully, she had just turned 18 a few months earlier so our thoughts weren't on that To Catch A Predator steez. But unlike one Russian tennis hottie from the past (yes you, Kournikova), Sharapova proved that her game on the court is on par with her looks. In 2010 she signed an 8-year $70 million deal with Nike, the largest contract for a woman in sports history. If only she weren't engaged to Sasha Vujabitch. Excuse us while we take another sip of Haterade.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2011 NBA Champion and Finals MVP, 2007 NBA MVP, 10x All-Star, 4x All-NBA First Team
Reigning NBA Champion and Finals MVP, the Hasselhoff loving German has been putting in work throughout the Complex Decade. He's easily the closest we've seen to Larry Bird and has an extremely strong case for best European player to ever crack the league. Despite initial toughness questions, Dirk has grown into an offensive powerhouse using his elite combo of a 7-foot frame, great shooting touch, and patented one-legged fade-away jumper to torch teams for years. You know you got game when Kobe and KD are trying to steal your move.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x MVP, 8x All-Star, 3x All-NBA First Team
Lets get a little Nashty and talk one of the best PGs the league has seen. A consummate teammate, brilliant passer, great shooter, and nifty going to the basket, he ripped off a historic 2004-2006 run winning two consecutive MVPs and making Phoenix relevant again. He's cooler than the other side of the pillow and has been great on and off the court giving us web gems like the Amare dunk contest header, and the Baron Davis Step Brothers clip where he shows off some very underrated dance moves. And next year he's going to make the world explode and join the Heat!

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 6x All-Star, 3x Defensive POY, 4x All-NBA First Team
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's the second center to play for Orlando and call himself Superman! The league's best center since the original superman, Howard has been stockpiling first-team All NBA and Defensive Player of the Year awards for the past few years, and doesn't show any signs of slowing down (unless his team is hopelessly out of it in the 4th quarter).

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 9x Pro Bowler, 6x All-Pro First Team
There's not a lot of people on this list who you can call the best ever at their position, but Tony Gonzalez is one of them. Antonio Gates, Vernon Davis, Ron Gronkowski, any other TE, they all bow down to this guy until further notice. During the Complex Decade T-Gon has been downright nasty, setting the all-time records for catches in a season, catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns for tight ends. He's never had elite athleticism or speed but the guy has hands for days and all you young tight ends should study him to learn how to run routes. It's hard for anybody to be as consistent as he has been and the old man is still kicking with Atlanta. You can't hate on greatness people, you just watch and admire.

Sport: MMA
Bonafides From 2002-2012: Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, 11-7-0 (9 KOs)
He might not be the best mixed martial artist of all time (actually, he's definitely not), but Chuck Liddell is arguably the most popular fighter in MMA history, and has done as much as anyone to make the sport the juggernaut it is today. During the mid-'00s, Liddell fought a series of bouts (vs. Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz, Wanderlei Silva, and Rampage Jackson) that put the UFC on the map. Along the way he crafted a personality—partying before fights, fighting with torn knee ligaments—that established the no-holds-barred ethos of MMA. Still the record holder for most knockouts in UFC history, Liddell started getting knocked the fuck out himself toward the end of his career, but he's still the face of the sport for many fans.

Sport: Skating
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 5x X Games Medalist (5 Gold, 1 Silver)
In a sport dominated (mostly) by young guys, Way proved his viability well into his 30s, taking home four gold medals at the Summer X Games, and pulling off a series of impressive stunts along the way (jumping the Great Wall of China, setting the land speed record on a skateboard). Oh, and he basically invented a new form of skating with the Mega Ramp. Not bad for an old dude.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2011 NBA MVP, 3x All-Star, 2009 ROY
Derrick Rose is only 23 years old and is already an NBA legend. Why? Since entering the NBA, he has gone 3-4 in All-Star appearances, he was the youngest MVP in the history of the league at 22, he's averaged 25 points, 7 assists, and five rebounds in his three playoff appearances, and he's successfully reignited a passionate Chicago fan base whose heart will forever be indebted to Michael Jordan. If we were ranking people on their likability, Rose would be top 10, as he is possibly the most level-headed, humble and, respectful superstar the NBA has ever seen. His sponsor from the beginning, adidas took notice and gave him the second-largest shoe deal ever. He's struggled this season with multiple injuries, making him ineligible for a back-to-back MVP award, but we're positive he'll be hoisting more trophies in the near future. Hold on to this guy, Chicago.

Sport: Baseball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young Award Winner, 4x All-Star
So you throw baseballs for a living and you're looking to join a fraternity. The rules are you have to win an MVP to be in the club. This is a big deal because pitchers—being that they only play every five days if they're a starter, only an inning or two if they're a reliever—very rarely make the cut. Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax: you're in. Greg Maddux, Mariano Rivera? You're out. Justin Verlander? Climb on into the treehouse, you're a member. Verlander's 2011 season, in which he put the American League in a headlock to the tune of 250 strikeouts, 24 wins, and a .92 WHIP (thereby uniting the SABREs and the TROGLOs for a moment) would qualify him for this list in itself, but his body of work (107 wins through his age-28 season) suggest he might be something more: the greatest pitcher of his generation.

Sport: Soccer
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2003 Premier League Champion, 2011 MLS Cup Champion
You cannot talk about soccer without mentioning David Beckham. Whether you're discussing his performance on the pitch (past or present) or his presence in everything from gossip mags to a feature film off of it, Beckham is seemingly everywhere. And while some soccer players see the transition to the MLS as a death wish, the transition has only made Becks even more popular—and successful as he helped lead the L.A. Galaxy win their third MLS Cup in 2011.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x BCS National Champion, 2007 Heisman Trophy Winner,
Relax. He's not here for his NFL career. Love him or hate him, Tebow is the greatest college football player living not named Jim Brown. He holds damn near every record at Florida and the SEC. He led the Gators to two National titles and after he gave that post game speech after a home loss to Mississippi in 2008 he captured the hearts of not only his teammates, but the nation as well. He took that same will and spirit to the NFL where he silenced critics week in and week out taking a 1-4 Broncos team to an 8-8 record and a playoff win vs. the Steelers. He still has a ways to go to be a legitimate NFL QB, though.

Sport: Tennis
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 8x Grand Slam Winner, 2011 ATP POY
Federer who? Nadal what? In a decade dominated by one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history, Djokovic emerged in 2007 to make it a trio of sublime players in what might be the greatest era in men's tennis. The current reigning champ in three of the four majors (Australian, U.S., Wimbledon), Djokovic needs only to win the French to complete a career Grand Slam at the age of 25 (he turns 25 in May before the French Open begins). Oh, and he's got one of the hottest chicks in the WAG game to boot.

Sport: Formula 1 Racing
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2008 Formula One Champion, 17 wins, 44 Podiums
We know what you're thinking: "Lewis Hamilton? Where's Michael Schumacher? You know, the guy who won three consecutive F1 driver championships during the Complex Decade and is arguably the best race car driver of all time?" Chill. Breathe. Hear us out. There's never been a come up quite like Hamilton's. On his way to F1, Lewis won chips in, what were at the time, the three biggest development racing series (British Formula Renault, Formula Three Euroseries, and GP2). He was a downright phenom. When he finally suited up for McLaren in 2007 he broke numerous records including the one for being the youngest driver to lead the league in points. In 2008, at 23-years-old, he became the youngest and first black driver to ever win a championship. Oh, we didn't even mention the that he wifed up former Complex cover girl Nicole Scherzinger. We'll just mark that down as another win.

Sport: Baseball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x Cy Young Award Winner (1 in AL,1 in NL), 8x All-Star
If you looked up the word "complete" in the dictionary, you would see a picture of Roy Halladay's face with a tip that says "see also: Roy Halladay's left arm." He has easily been one of the most consistent and most reliable baseball players on the face of the planet since '02, winning at least 16 games in eight of the nine completed seasons and maintaing a sub-3.00 ERA six times. Add that to the fact that he's racked up 42 complete games over the past five seasons, pitching no less then 225 innings per year over that span, and it's tough to find somebody more impressive. Plus we love that he was doing most of his damage in the AL East against the Yankees and Red Sox.

Sport: Hockey
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 8x Grand Slam Winner, 2011 ATP POY
Sid the Kid was supposed to be the heir to the throne. His game is patterned after the Great One and was on his way to save professional hockey in the States. Sadly, the NHL refuses to change its ways and now have to deal with the fact that their marquee player can't stay on the ice due to concussions. Crosby finally returned last week and so far looks healthy, but you never know with head injuries. He has helped the Penguins to two Cup appearances (and one win) in his young career, and if he can stay healthy, there should be plenty more where that came from.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2006 NBA Champion and Finals MVP, 8x All-Star, 2x All-NBA First Team
One third of the most hated on “Big 3” to ever be assembled, the elder spokesman for the group has wowed throughout the Complex Decade. This dude wins, and with style. He led Marquette to a Final Four in 2003, then won a title and Finals MVP in 2006. He can ball out of his mind when it counts in the 4th quarter and the playoffs, and has an uncanny ability to take it the hole strong and finish with contact. Not to mention he's just a really likable dude, bagged Gabrielle Union, and has toughness to him that the greats do. D Wade is just winning at life, and he's definitely worthy of being called one of the best athletes of this era.

Sport: Tennis
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 10x Grand Slam Winner, 2x ATP POY
Raffy burst on the scene at the age of 19 coming straight for Roger Federer's throat. He's the best clay-court player in the game today, but knee problems have slowed him down somewhat. Nadal plays an aggressive game and covers the court from baseline to baseline like no other. He plays with a determination that'll make the casual fan take heed. Rafael doesn't have as many endorsements as Roger, but we bet he's winning the battle with the ladies. Speaking of which, Nadal called out Federer for being about himself and not the game. He must really feel some type of way because he has owned Federer over the past couple years. Although there isn't an American male we can root for, you should still watch tennis because of Nadal alone.

Sport: Hockey
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 4x All-Star, 2x Hart Memorial Trophy Winner, 3x Ted Lindsay Award Winner
Since he hit the ice with the Washington Capitals in the 2005-06 season, few players have been as entertaining as Alex Ovechkin. With too many SportsCenter Top 10 plays to even count on two hands and two feet, Ovechkin has proven to be more than just a human hockey highlight machine (say that three times fast). In his six years with the Caps, Ovi has eclipsed the 100-point mark four times and landed in the mid-80s those other two years. Oh, and did we forget to mention the boatload of awards he's won, including the Hart Memorial Trophy twice, plus many, many more? #plaquesonplaquesonplaques

Sport: Cycling
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 4x Tour de France Winner, 4x AP Sportsman of the Year
Before Lance Armstrong, cyclists didn't date rock stars or hang out with movie stars, and chances are, they won't again. Of course Armstrong was probably an exceptional case; surviving nut cancer and going on to win the Tour de France seven times is a little out of the ordinary. He won four of those during the Complex Decade ('02, '03, '04, '05), but it was also during our era that he became a cultural icon. Remember those little yellow wristbands that approximately everybody on the face of the planet was wearing from '04-'06? Yeah, that was because of Lance. When you set off a phenomenon in accessories that features men wearing bracelets (and make a ton of money for cancer research as well), it doesn't matter exactly how you won all those *cough* doping *cough* races.

Sport: MMA
Bonafides From 2002-2012: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Former USKBA Light Heavyweight Champion, 15-1-0 (8 KOs, 5 Submissions)
Jon Jones was named Fighter of the Year by ESPN last year 2011, he currently holds the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, and he's already captured a nation of MMA fans with his unorthodox fighting style. All of this and he's only 24 years old. The biggest challenge of his career is coming when he meets Rashad Evans in the Octagon on April 21, 2012 in UFC 145, but hey, Bones has turned doubters into believers before.

Sport: Soccer
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2008 FIFA POY, 3x Premier League Champion
Putting all his, uh, extracurricular activities to the side, Cristiano Ronaldo has had an amazing soccer career and he just turned 27 years old. While Ronaldo had a brief yet forgettable stint with Sporting CP, it wasn't until his latter years with the Red Devils that he truly started to flourish. But as they say, all good things must come to an end, and that is when CR7 decided to leave Man U for the powerhouse of Spain, Real Madrid. Since joining the club, Cristiano has scored 103 goals in only 3 seasons. He can smash all the models he wants, just let the good times roll.

Sport: Baseball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2009 World Series Champion, 3x AL MVP, 9x All-Star, 2x Golden Glove Winner
If A-Rod weren't so ominous and creepy, he'd probably be recognized as the greatest baseball player of the decade. He doesn't fit the mold of a legend, he has a positive steroid test, and he seems to choke under pressure. But all that aside, Rodriguez has obnoxious numbers. Casting aside an injury-laden '11 campaign, A-Rod's averaged 41 home runs and 122 RBIs during the Complex era and only missed one All-Star game in last ten years. And if pissing off Derek Jeter or banging Madonna were a sport (and clearly they both should be), dude would have more than one ring.

Sport: Baseball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2009 World Series Champion, 2003 ALCS MVP, 8x All-Star, 3x AL Rolaids Relief Award Winner
Mo is the greatest closer to ever live. His cutter was handed down by the gods themselves. Hundreds of bats met their death at the hands of the Sandman. At age 42, he shows no signs of slowing down and the fate of Yankees' victories still lays solely on his back during the ninth inning. The all-time saves leader is the only player in baseball that's allowed to wear Jackie Robinson's retired number 42. With all his accolades he remains humble and can serve as a great example of how to be a professional. Once the last inning came around and his song blared through the speakers, everybody in the building knew the game was over. Oh, and he did all this with one pitch. Do you homie, do you.

Sport: MMA
Bonafides From 2002-2012: UFC Welterweight Champion, Former UCC Welterweight Champion,17-2-0 (7 KOs, 5 Submissions)
In any individual sport, longevity is a hard thing to maintain, which is what makes Georges St. Pierre such a phenomenal athlete. Since defeating Matt Hughes to win the undisputed Welterweight Championship on November 18, 2006, St. Pierre has only lost once and it was a fluke. Several skilled fighters have tried to pry the belt away from GSP's grip and all have failed. It's likely that the Canadian will need to step up another weight class in the near future to get some decent comp, but all we care about is when he's going to get into the Octagon with Anderson Silva.

Sport: Track and Field
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 4x Olympic Gold Medalist, 4x World Record Holder
Showmanship is what turns sports into entertainment. And no we're not talking about that WWE shit, though we love us some awesomely choreographed hijinks. We mean stuntin' when your chances at a gold medal and becoming the world's fastest man are on the line. Usain Bolt's display during the 2008 Olympics would be enough to get him on this list but then he had break his 100 meter record of 9.69 seconds by running 9.58 seconds at the 2009 Berlin World Championships. One of the most unbreakable records in sports history? It ain't even a question! *Ja Rule voice*

Sport: Tennis
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 20x Grand Slam Winner (12 individual, 8 doubles), 3x WTA POY
Can tennis be gully? Can it be sexy? Yes and hell yes. No one has better personified those qualities in the sport than Serena Williams. Tons of endorsements including a $40 million deal signed with Nike in 2004 made her one of the richest female athletes of all time. A multi-millionaire with ride-or-die chick qualities? Sounds like wifey material to us. You lost, Common.

Sport: Snowboarder/Skateboarder
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 22x X Games Medalist (14 Gold, 5 Silver, and 3 Bronze) 2 Olympic Gold medals
Shaun White is the quintessential Complex Decade athlete. He won his first X-Games medal six months after our first issue was released. And, ten years later, scored a perfect 100 in the men's Snowboard Superpipe—the first in X-Games history. I guess you could say we've grown up together. The Flying Tomato has picked up where Tony Hawk left off, serving as the Messiah for extreme sports' transformation to the mainstream. Not only dominating the sport but changing it, White's smiled through skating's defiance and turned the underground sport of snowboarding into a commercial success.

Sport: Boxing
Bonafides From 2002-2012: WBO Welterweight Champion, Former IBF Super Bantamweight and WBC International Super Featherweight, Lightweight, and Welterweight Champion, 21-1-1 (13 KOs)
Here's a little stat for y'all, since Complex released its first issue in April of 2002, Manny Pacquiao has gone 21-1-1 with 13 KOs in the ring. Not bad, huh? In fact, HBO named Pacquiao the "Boxer of the Decade." That's a pretty impressive run, if you ask us. After all, we may know a thing or two about being at the top of your game for an entire decade. Sidebar: Can we not wait another ten years for Mayweather/Pacquaio?

Sport: Boxing
Bonafides From 2002-2012: IBO, WBC, The Ring and IBF Welterweight Champion, Former WBC Lightweight, Middleweight, and Super Middleweight Champion, 14-0-0 (5 KOs)
Cocky, brash, arrogant or whatever other synonyms you want to call him, Floyd is still the best pound-for-pound boxer today. His legacy is going to take a hit if he never fights Manny, but Money May is yet to be challenged and hasn't wasted a chance at letting folks know that. His hands are quicker than his peers' and his defense is impenetrable. He's easily the greatest boxer of this generation. Whether that much anticipated fight goes down or not, Mayweather is still great for boxing. His braggadocios personality keeps people talking about the sport while MMA takes over the country. All the shit folks talk about him, but they're always glued to the TV in hopes that he'll take is first defeat.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2007 Super Bowl Champion and Super Bowl MVP, 4x NFL MVP, 9x Pro Bowler, 5x All-Pro First Team
Despite the recent injury issues and hoopla about being released by the Colts and signing with Denver, few will reach the pinnacles of success that Peyton Manning has during the Complex Decade. He won four MVPs, he won his Super Bowl, he successfully hosted SNL, and he was the commercial king before that discount double check guy. This man consistently threw for 4,000 yards and 30+ touchdowns, had a 90+ passer rating, and had 10 or more wins every season he played in this decade. Before last season's injury you'd be hard pressed to find a sports figure with Peyton's popularity and likability to go along with consistent success.

Sport: Baseball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x World Series Champion, 3x NL MVP, 2004 NLCS MVP, 8x All-Star, 2x Golden Glove Winner
Since Complex launched, Albert Pujols has hit .328, with 1,199 RBIs, and 437 home runs—that's a great baseball career, much less a 10-year run. The Machine's also banked $90 million in that time, but that's nothing compared to what he's set to earn over the next ten years. This winter, the Angels locked up the league's best hitter until 2022 for the bargain price of $254 million dollars. Albert, we're just hoping our next decade will be as nice as yours homie.

Sport: Tennis
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 22x Grand Slam Winner, 5x ATP POY
22 Grand Slams during this decade—that's really all that should be said. At one point, Roger advanced to ten Grand Slam finals in a row and was men's tennis until Nadal and Djokovic came along. Federer's all-around game enabled him to be 1 of 3 men (Nadal and Agassi) to record a Grand Slam on three different surfaces. He's powerful, accurate, agile and efficient around the court. John McEnroe said Roger's forehand is "the greatest shot in our sport" and feels Fed is the best male tennis player in history. That's high praise from one of the greats.

Sport: Soccer
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x FIFA Ballon D'Or winner, 2009 FIFA POY, 3x UEFA Champions League Champion, 5x La Liga Champion
Lets face it; he's the best player on Earth, on the best team on Earth, in the world's most popular sport—that's hard to beat. The 5-foot-7 Argentine is only small in stature, as he has won pretty much everything he could possibly win in club play, and has dazzled fans with breathtaking goals and foot skill since joining FC Barcelona in '04. The only blip on the 24-year-old's (yes, he's only 24) bio is the elusive World Cup title he has yet to achieve but he is still without a doubt going to go down as one of the best of this era. To put the cherry on top he scored an epic Champions League record 5 goals in a recent 7-1 drudging of German team Bayer Leverkusen.

Sport: MMA
Bonafides From 2002-2012: UFC Middleweight Champion, Former Cage Rage Middleweight Champion, 22-3-0 (15 KOs, 3 Submissions)
Even though Anderson Silva has caught a few Ls (three, to be exact) during the Complex Decade, he's rebounded from his losses and established himself as the best pound-for-pound mixed martial artist in the world. He's currently toting a 15-match winning streak and hasn't lost a bout since George W. Bush was in the White House. Some complain that Silva becomes too stagnant once he feels that he has the fight won, but never underestimate the man they call "The Spider" because he can strike at any moment.

Sport: Football
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x Super Bowl Champion, 2x NFL MVP, 2004 Super Bowl MVP, 6x Pro Bowler, 2x All-Pro First Team
113-32. That's Tom Buttchin's won-lost record during the Complex Decade. The general of the New England Patriots might have some suspect hair choices and the dancing ability of an injured gorilla but on average he wins 12 games a year. It doesn't matter what you put around him, who he faces, the conditions, his age, whether him and Giselle had a fight pre-game, anything, Brady just diabolically destroys his opponents. During our era he's won two championships, two MVP trophies, and thrown 50 touchdowns in a season. He's also married to one of the hottest women on Earth who's a ride or die chick to boot. You'd almost think he doesn't know how to lose.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 2x NBA MVP, 8x All-Star, 5x All-NBA First Team
LeBron takes a lot of shit and sometimes deservedly so. But the stone cold truth is, he is the most talented basketball player to come around since Kobe Bryant. We also seem to forget how King James actually exceeded the insane expectations placed upon him coming out of a highly publicized high school career. Remember that this guy led a bunch of bums to the NBA Finals in just his fourth season in the L, when he was 22 years old. Yes, he ruined free agency in professional basketball, acts "Hollywood," and has yet to come through in the clutch since 2007, but his unselfishness on the court overshadows all of those flaws (plus, he's only 27). Once he and Flash figure out their roles (which they seem to be doing well so far), the Miami Heat will be well on their way to building a dynasty in South Beach.

Sport: Swimming
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 16x Olympic Medalist (14 Gold, 2 Bronze), 7x World Record Holder
Within about seven months from summer '08 to early '09, Michael Phelps went from being known as one of the greatest Olympians ever to the guy that had his mouth glued to a glass bong. It seems as if mentioning that picture of him smoking Mary is excruciatingly necessary anytime people talk about him. Honestly, we're sick of it, and we're not about to let that haze, er, cloud, er, affect our vision of what a truly phenomenal athlete he is. Just look at the people in front of him on this list. The public is attracted to complex, controversial people. Phelps has been dominating the lanes since 2002, setting almost every Olympic medal record in the process. He has won most golds in one competition, most golds all-time, most individual golds in one Games, and tied for most medals in one Games. His accomplishments have earned him World Swimmer of the Year honors on six different occasions. Olympic legend Mark Spitz once said, "He's not only the greatest swimmer of all time and the greatest Olympian of all time, he's maybe the greatest athlete of all time." Wait four more months and we might just agree with him on that one.

Sport: Golf
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 8 Major Wins, 42 PGA Tour Wins
Years before he became known for smashing anything remotely hot with a pulse, Tiger was doing all that on the low and dominating one of the most racist sports with a smile and a killer instinct. He did the seemingly impossible: making golf competitive with major pro sports like the NBA and NFL along with appealing to younger demographics. Then there was the whole chasing Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors and just when it looked like that feat was in grasp a night involving his now ex-wife Ellen, a golf club, and a Cadillac Escalade changed everything. We found out that Tiger's stroke game went way beyond the greens. Porn stars, socialites, regular hos, more porn stars. Tiger was smashing everything. The other kind of stroke game fell off for a bit but with a recent victory at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, it looks like Tiger's back on the prowl.

Sport: Basketball
Bonafides From 2002-2012: 3x NBA Champion, 2008 NBA MVP, 2x Finals MVP, 10x All-Star, 9x All-NBA first team
The Black Mamba. No athlete of the Complex Decade has seen more success and controversy than Kobe Bryant. First there was the completion of the three-peat in 2002 with Shaq by his side, but only a year later, there was the sexual assault case in Eagle County, Colo. Though the charges were dropped Kobe's on-court life seemed to go into turmoil as well. Shaq dipped for Miami in 2004 and by 2007, Kobe was asking for a trade. Throughout this period Bryant remained the beast that fans and haters have always known him for with feats like going off for 81 points in a game in 2006 and an MVP award in 2008. Kobe solidified his spot as one of the all-time greats and No. 1 on this list by leading the Lake Show to back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. Three titles, an MVP award, sexual assault charge, and tons of hate? Yeah, it was a complex decade for dude.