The 50 Cockiest Athletes of All Time

Every successful athlete has a big ego. Without one they wouldn’t have the confidence needed to beat their rivals. Plus, when you’re making millions (only to blow it all later on) and smashing tons of groupies (only to have them expose you on Twitter) then you’re bound to be cocky. But who is the cockiest of them all?

One boxer claimed he would fight Jesus if it came to it and an NBA baller simply told reporters “I don’t give a fuck what you think.” Cristiano Ronaldo, Mike Tyson, Deion Sanders, Usain Bolt and many more arrogant assholes confident athletes—these are the 50 Cockiest Athletes of All Time.

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Sport: Golf
Career: 1996-Present
Cockiest Quote: "I want to be what I've always wanted to be: dominant."

The confidence of Tiger Woods would intimidate every fifty-something "athlete" in a pair of pleaded khakis on the links. For years he was the most dominant golfer in history, scaring the mashed bananas out of every geriatric on the PGA Tour. But his golf game was nothing compared to his side hustle. The "cockiest" golfer of all blatantly cheated on his wife with a seemingly endless list of porn stars and reality TV castoffs. He's kind of lost his "eye of the tiger" since the whole saga played out publicly, but if dude gets his swag back, lock up your daughter and invest in green jackets.

Sport: Snowboarding/Skateboarding
Career: 2003-Present
Cockiest Quote: "I had a cab driver that was so happy and excited to give me a ride that, when I got out to pay him, he got out and gave me a hug. [The fame] has gotten a little crazy, but I love it."

White gets a whole lot of baseless hate for being a "cocky douchebag" by haters on extreme sports message boards. It's mostly misplaced rage from an angst-ridden youth that takes to Twitter instead of to a spray paint bottle. But when your job is sliding 30-mph on a board, in the snow, and catching fifteen feet of air-by definition—you have to be a cocky guy. How the hell do you try a Double McTwist 1260 for the first time without being a bit overconfident?

Sport: Baseball
Career: 2006-Present
Cockiest Quote: "My I.Q. is 188. End of discussion, it's been proven. Certified genius."

Brian Wilson is as big a celebrity as there is in baseball, especially impressive when you consider that he's a reliever on the not-so-hyped San Francisco Giants. He's made a spectacle of himself with media appearances, an overgrown beard, and showed up to the ESPY's in a spandex tuxedo. Wilson recently described his ominous goal as a closer is to "murder souls." Yikes.

Sport: Baseball
Career: 1926-1966
Cockiest Quote: "I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation."

He was a Negro league legend turned Major League Baseball star and the first Negro League player inducted into the Hall. Satchel Paige had the right to be a little cocky. He would give his pitches badass names like the “Midnight Rider,” “Jump Ball,” and the “Bat Dodger.” He also had a trademark rocking chair he'd sit on in the bullpen between innings, where a “nurse” would serve him coffee at his behest. Paige was reportedly ballsy enough to even walk hitters in games to get to the best sluggers on opposing teams for the challenge. Satchel had bravado and swag before most of these other guys were born and pitched at a high level till he was almost 50. Cocky athletes, take note.

Sport: Football
Career: 1991-2010
Cockiest Moment: Pics sent to Jenn Sterger

Brett Favre fired footballs through tight spots with reckless abandon. His style as a win-some-lose-some-win-some-more gunslinger garnered him the NFL records for all-time touchdowns and interceptions. But as cocky as he was on the field, he was down right ballsy off of it, so to speak. During his time with the Jets he sent some seemingly unprovoked wiener pics to a Jets staffer. He was like Joe Namath If Broadway Joe had a camera phone in 1969.

Sport: Basketball
Career: 1981-1994
Cockiest Quote: “[Magic Johnson and Larry Bird are] 6-(feet)-9 and Jordan was 6-6 and a half. If they were all 6-1, it wouldn't even be a question. They wouldn't even fucking rate. If they were all my size, shit, they wouldn't even be talked about. I beat the shit out of them when they were that big. If we were all the same size, fuck.”

He's become such a punchline as a coach, executive, and, real talk, father, it's easy to forget what a badass Isiah Thomas was as a player. He holds the Finals record for points in a quarter (25), and was named to three All-NBA first teams. The leader of the reviled Bad Boys Pistons teams of the late '80s/early '90s, Zeke was bad-and knew it. Is this the dance of a humble man?

Sport: Nascar
Career: 2003-Present
Cockiest Quote: "Hopefully the fans will enjoy it. They get to boo me in three different areas this weekend, and we'll have a good time."

Kyle Busch has had a remarkable NASCAR career-'04 Nationwide (nee Busch) Series ROY, '05 Sprint (nee Nextel) Cup ROY, the first driver to win all three major series in a single weekend-but he's also pissed a lot of people off by being one of the most arrogant and petulant racers in a sport known for its outsized personalities. Last November NASCAR suspended him across each series for deliberately wrecking a competitor in a trucks series race, and by the end of the year his chief sponsor, M&Ms, sought to revoke his sponsorship. If you're not first, you're last...and if I can't be first, I'm gonna try to make sure you ain't either.

Sport: Basketball
Career: 1959-1973
Cockiest Quote: "I guarantee you, if you could give me 10 points in all those seventh games against the Boston Celtics, instead of Bill Russell having 11 rings, I could've at least had nine or eight."

It takes some kind of balls (ayo!) to claim to have slept with 20,000 women. Even more ridiculous than that is how believable the tale actually is. Back in the '60s and '70s, Wilt Chamberlain was that dude, racking up 50 points and 25 boards per game in the 1961-62 season. Those kind of stats would give anyone a big ego. On top of his accomplishments on the hardwood, Wilt's off-the-court persona was smooth and he seemed far more approachable than his rival Bill Russell. 20,000 > 11. #seewhatwedidthere?

Sport: Basketball
Career: 1992-2011
Cockiest Quote: “I'm not worried about facing the Sacramento Queens. Write it down. Take a picture. I'm not going to talk about this all year. When I get back, there's going to be trouble.”

Shaq is awesome. He's a legitimately funny dude (when he's not sharing a desk with Charles Barkley that is), and he's just goofy and ridiculous enough to get away with some of the wildest trash talk in the history of speech. This. Is. Ether.

Sport: Boxing
Career: 1988-Present
Cockiest Quote: “I was knocking guys out in the streets before I knew how to throw a jab and keep your chin down."

All great boxers are cocky—you have to believe in yourself if you're gonna take your shirt off and fight another man in front of thousands of people—and B-Hop is no exception. And Hopkins backed it up, too: After losing his first professional bout in 1988, he went 17 years without losing to anyone not named Roy Jones, Jr. In addition to a healthy self-regard, Hopkins also has some interesting views on race, including the idea that Manny Pacquiao would be susceptible to a "slick" black fighter, and telling Joe Calzaghe that he'd never let a white boy beat him (alas, he did). Hey, even if you don't always agree with them, at least cocky athletes make it interesting.

Sport: Boxing
Career: 1977-1997
Cockiest Quote: "We've all been blessed with God-given talents. Mine just happens to be beating people up."

You know what's worse than getting beat by someone? Getting beat by someone who taunts you mercilessly as they're beating you. Sugar Ray would not only pummel his opponents (36-3-1, son!) but the Hall of Famer would showboat at the same time. #futurebeforefuture

Sport: Football
Career: 1990-2003
Cockiest Quote: “People say, 'Since you got rich and famous, you've become insufferable.' I say, 'That's not true. I've always been insufferable.”'

He may be rocking an '80s part in his hair in 2012, but the Super Bowl-winning, HOF tight end for the Broncos and Ravens thinks the world of himself. He's one of the best tight ends to ever play the game, but we'd be hard pressed to find another guy with his combo of a great gift of gab and confidence to boot. He currently serves the “Charles Barkley” role for CBS's football show but over the years he's given us some gems like the meltdown of the year and the Ray Buchanan war of words. Yo Ray “he might got a body” though? #youhadnochance

Sport: Baseball
Career: 1984-2007
Cockiest Quote: "My only day off is the day I pitch."

Clemens was a rare athlete, so gifted that he played baseball on his own terms. He had the confidence to demand $22M from the Astros and didn't even travel with the team, he was conceited enough to lie about his steroid use, and had the balls to say "I thought it was the ball," when he took Mike Piazza's shattered bat and threw it at him during the '00 World Series. Why, if he thought a foot-long piece of wood was a baseball, would he throw it at a six-foot-three catcher? Because he's one cocky a-hole, that's why.

Sport: MMA
Career: 1997-Present
Cockiest Quote: “To be honest with you, I really don't like to hurt my opponents; this just happens to be our job. But if somebody disrespects me they will pay for it. I promise.”

In a sport where you can be yesterday's news tomorrow, Anderson Silva remains a mainstay in mixed martial arts. Even with his notoriously cocky style that includes obnoxiously swaying all around the Octagon and taunting his opponents to no end, The Spider is still capable of defeating all comers, and rather easily at that. In fact, Silva hasn't lost a match since January 2006, so as they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Unless it's one of these. Then yeah, fix it. Hi lunch. *Royce voice*

Sport: Soccer
Career: 1998-Present
Cockiest Quote: “Sometimes I dive, sometimes I stand.”

Diving is just a natural part of soccer, whether you like it or not. And when it comes to flopping, no one does it as frequently as Didier Drogba. While other players will deny their actions, the Chelsea striker could care less what you think. “Sometimes I dive, sometimes I stand," Drogba once said in a post-game interview with BBC.

Sport: Soccer
Career: 1976-1997
Cockiest Quote: "I am Maradona, who makes goals, who makes mistakes. I can take it all, I have shoulders big enough to fight with everybody."

Argentine soccer legend and all around character, Diego Maradona paved the way for guys like Ronaldo and Messi today. Unlike those guys though, Maradona's kind of a nut job. On the pitch he was amazing, but he was and still is almost more entertaining off the field. During his playing days he would spout off about how good he thought he was but after a hanging up his cleats and going through an odd coke phase, he's given us more as a manager. Recently he had a highly controversial slightly homophobic rant after being questioned about him embracing his players. He was ridiculed severely by FIFA for his comments but something tells us his story isn't over and there'll be more cocky to come.

Sport: Football
Career: 2008-Present
Cockiest Quote: "I'm going to guarantee a Super Bowl."

One of the biggest game-breakers in all of football, DeSean Jackson sadly suffers from a debilitating case of “I think I'm amazing” syndrome. First showing symptoms in high school, Jackson didn't receive proper treatment and continued to suffer once he got to the NFL. Since that point however, under the guidance of Andy Reid, DeSean has received the proper treatment (5 years, $51 million) and slowly made strides into becoming a humble wide receiver in the league. Ahhh fuck it, who are we kidding? He's really cocky.

Sport: Baseball
Career: 1993-Present
Cockiest Quote: "I haven't been right all year. I guess, you know, when you don't feel good, and you still get hits, that's when you know you are a bad man."

Manny Ramirez wore custom glasses with a built-in mp3 player as a left fielder for the Red Sox. That's all you need to know, really. Dude was so cocky that he casually bumped tracks in the middle of Major League Baseball games. Manny instilled himself in the arrogant athlete hall of fame by revolutionizing the "bat flip" home run celebration and once high-fiving a fan in the middle of a play. He was a talented weirdo, hopped up on horse 'roids, and slamming home runs. He was one cocky sonofabitch.

Sport: Soccer
Career: 1956-1977
Cockiest Quote: “If you are first you are first. If you are second, you are nothing.”

Once you achieve that mononymous (merriamwebster.com, son!) status you're bound to have a big ego. Pele is widely regarded as the greatest soccer player ever, having racked up over 1,000 career goals and three World Cups. In retirement Pele has taken on that grumpy old man brand of cockiness often criticizing analysts for comparing today's legends like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to himself. "When Messi has scored 1283 goals like me, when he's won three World Cups, we'll talk about it," said Pele in January. #getoffme

Sport: Boxing
Career: 1940-1965
Cockiest Quote: "My business is hurting people."

The OG Sugar Ray, Robinson was one of the originators of the flamboyant and cocky athlete persona as a boxing icon. Many consider him to be top two for the greatest boxer ever, and in his time Robinson was bigger than life and made sure you knew it. He created "the entourage," was a playboy in the '40s and '50s, and rode around in a super fly flamingo-pink Cadillac. Heck he even pursued a career as an entertainer post boxing, acting on TV shows and singing in nightclubs. Despite going broke and declining late in his career, Muhammad Ali said Robinson was his idol. #nuffsaid

Sport: Hockey
Career: 1986-2005
Cockiest Quote: "Do I catch flak because I'm so much smarter than everyone else? I don't know."

The son of hockey legend Bobby Hull, Brett (the "Golden Brett" to his father's "Golden Jet") was born cocky, and being drafted 117th overall before going on to a Hall of Fame career probably didn't diminsh the considerable chip on his shoulder. Even in retirement he's been an ass, first being paid to do so as an NBC commentator, and more recently doing it just for kicks, including teasing Buffalo Sabres fans about the controversial goal he scored to win the Stanley Cup for Dallas in 1999.

Sport: Tennis
Career: 1995-Present
Cockiest Quote: "I'm really exciting. I smile a lot, I win a lot, and I'm really sexy."

If you think tennis isn't really a gully sport, then think again. Serena Williams has done her part to bring a bit of excitement and controversy. She's been one of the best players in the world for over a decade now and she lets the fans, media, and even the line judges know about it. We'd say some of her actions aren't very lady-like but we prefer keeping tennis balls out of our esophagus. Ayo!

Sport: Tennis
Career: 1977-1992
Cockiest Quote: "Do you have any problems, other than that you're unemployed, a moron, and a dork?"

He was nicknamed both McBrat and SuperBrat for his on-court abuse of officials, but in the cocky department, McEnroe could always walk the walk. He won seven U.S Open and Wimbledon singles titles between 1979-1984, and his combined eight U.S. Open singles and doubles chips between 1979-1989 are a record. He's mellowed considerably since, but during his hey, Mac was as cocky-and as good-as they come.

Sport: Mixed Martial Arts
Career: 2001-Present
Cockiest Quote: "If you're getting paid more than me, I'm definitely more excited about this ass whoopin I'm gonna put down on you."

One of the biggest stoner athletes today, Nick Diaz is an MMA fighter that's about as brash as they get. He consistently professes his love for the bud, and his hatred of his opponents and those who don't think marijuana should be legalized. Diaz might be a little crazy, but deep inside that skull lays a brain that thinks Nick Diaz is pretty damn good. Oh and he throws out F-bombs like nobody's business.

Sport: Baketball
Career: 1988-2005
Cockiest Quote: "Loser, loser, loser, loser, loser, loser, loser, loser, loser, loser, loser, [points to self] winner."

Like a lot of pretty boy bully jackasses, Christian Laettner's best days were in college, but during his four-year stint at Duke, he was one of the cockiest (and, to be fair, best) players in college basketball history. He's the only player to start in four Final Fours, and he played a "perfect game" in 1992, going 10-10 from the field and 10-10 from the line and hitting one of the most famous shots in March Madness history. He also stomped on opponents (in that same game), and, once in the NBA with the woeful early '90s Timberwolves, made himself a cocky athlete legend by pointing to every teammate's locker and proclaiming them "loser"s before anointing himself "winner." Stay classy Christian!

Sport: Boxing
Career: 1985-2005
Cockiest Quote: "I'll fight any man, any animal, if Jesus were here I'd fight him too."

All the kiddies might know him as Hangover actor, Oprah show guest, fun loving, and humble Mike Tyson. In his heyday however, Iron Mike was super cocky and really just an all around scary dude. His people had him believing he was the best and the way he ran through his opponents it was hard to disagree. He gave us the epic face tattoo, the “I'm the best eva” speech, and countless other amazing sound bytes showing off his underrated vocabulary and humongous ego. We wish he never went on the meds and was still going crazy on us. Then again he did bite body parts off people. Nevermind, we have enough zombies these days.

Sport: Basketball
Career: 2003-Present
Cockiest Quote: "I'm like a superhero. Call me Basketball Man."

The most hated athlete in sports today can't say a little bit of it isn't warranted. We all know “The Decision” and the infamous pep rally shortly thereafter where he predicted 7+ championships. But what about the iconic “Chosen 1” tat stretched out across his back? And that “you gotta go back to your life” response to the haters after the Finals loss last year? Don't forget the '09 "Dunk-Gate." We love his game, but let's just say the dude feels a tad entitled.

Sport: Boxing
Career: 1992-2002
Cockiest Quote: "Damn, I'm looking good!"

Boxing is a showman's sport and no one have ever really stunted quite like Prince Naseem Hamed. Epic is really an understatement when describing the kind of entrances dude had. On top of all that who else could think this highly of themselves despite sporting two black eyes?

Sport: Basketball
Career: 1991-1992
Cockiest Quote: "I hated Duke and I hated everything Duke stood for. Schools like Duke didn't recruit players like me. I felt like they only recruited black players that were Uncle Toms." -Jalen Rose

The Fab Five have had books written about them (The Fab Five: Basketball, Trash Talk, the American Dream by Mitch Albom) and have had their style bitten. Long shorts and black socks? Them. Conspiring to form super-teams? Them too. Jalen, Chris, Juwan, Jimmy and Ray captivated America during the early '90s with their brash style of play. They were the N.W.A of college basketball. A mixture of varying styles that created a chaotic yet poetic mixture of style and substance. There were reasons behind the way they dressed, the way they celebrated after a big play and the way they approached the game. Jalen goes in depth in our interview with him last year.

Sport: Boxing
Career: 1989-Present
Cockiest Quote: "I can get a title shot any time I want to. They know I can beat 110% of the champions out there right now. I just have to be motivated. Most of them are going to be trying to not give me a shot."

You didn't have to look very hard to see Roy Jones, Jr. and his cocky persona in full force. Whenever he stepped into the ring, Jones, Jr. fought in the DGAF stance, where he dared and even welcomed a solid punch from his opponent. After winning 49 of 50 fights, father time caught up to RJ and then this moment happened. Career. Over.

Sport: Football
Career: 1998-2011, Present
Cockiest Quote: “Ain't nothing but 10 grand. What's 10 grand to me? It ain't shit. Next time I might shake my dick"

You can't name five athletes as gifted and as talented as Randy Moss, and neither can he. When you're a guy like Randy and you have enough dough to pay fines in straight cash homey, it's hard not to be cocky. Of course being that cocky may also lend itself to “I'm better than you” type behavior like the infamous "play when I want to" statement and mooning incident. We're all anxious to see if he still got it in San Fran.

Sport: Baseball
Career: 1994-Present
Cockiest Quote: "When people write [bad things] about me, I don't know if it's [because] I'm good-looking, I'm biracial, I make the most money, I play on the most popular team..."

Oh, A-Rod. He's without a doubt one of the most annoying people in sports history and has the track record to prove it. Even as a young'n in Seattle Alex always put himself above others, he reportedly would ask dates: "Who's hotter, me or Jeter?" Then when he went to Texas and received the richest contract in baseball history that ego ballooned to unseen heights. Take that feeling you have on payday and multiply it by about 250,000. Yeah, that's how dude is feeling-every day. Excuse us as we try to figure out where things went wrong in life.

Sport: Hockey
Career: 1998-Present
Cockiest Quote: I just want to comment on how it's become a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds.”

There's killing two birds with one stone and then there's the killing that Sean Avery made when he used the now infamous "sloppy seconds" line during an interview. With that remark, Avery received a six-game suspension from the NHL and developed an image among the league and its players that he has yet to break free of, even as he attempts to right his wrongs by doing PSAs in support of same-sex marriage. Nowadays, you can probably find the winger eagerly waiting for a pro team to give him another chance. We're pretty sure you burned that bridge a long time ago, buddy.

Sport: Baseball
Career: 1986-2007
Cockiest Quote: "It's called talent. I just have it. I can't explain it. You either have it or you don't."

Bonds was brash, and a pitcher's worst nightmare. He'd sit on his bat like it was the world's most uncomfortable bar stool and admire the arc of every home run. He withdrew from the MLB Players Union because he thought personal brand independence would be more lucrative. The all-time home run champ even perjured himself to the feds (allegedly). He was so polarizing in the clubhouse that Giants second baseman Jeff Kent once fought him in the dugout for "being selfish."

Sport: Basketball
Career: 1984-2000
Cockiest Quote: "You got to believe in yourself. Hell, I believe I'm the best-looking guy in the world and I might be right."

Sir Charles does not give a fuck and he still has no fucks to give after all these years. He told the world that when he lectured, "Just because I dunk a basketball doesn't mean I should raise your kids." As far as Chuck was concerned he could not be stopped. As a 6'4" power forward, Barkley had to be cocky or he wouldn't have lasted as long as he did. He's open about his gambling and believes he can run for office one day even though he once threw a man through a window during his days as a Rocket and was charged with a DUI just before he was going to get some top from a lady of the night back in '09. Like we said, no fucks to give.

Sport: Basketball
Career: 1987-2005
Cockiest Moment: Choke signal to Spike Lee and The Garden faithful.

When you play in the NBA and only weigh 180 pounds, you have to talk trash and irritate opponents with reckless bravado in order to intimidate. That was Reggie Miller's MO and it worked to perfection. John Starks once tried to rip his throat off, Michael Jordan clawed his face, and he famously taunted Spike Lee with a "choke" sign while stealing a playoff game in New York.

Sport: Basketball
Career: 1990-2007
Cockiest Quote: "You won't even be in the league next year." -to NBA scrub Jamie Feick (Feick actually lasted two more years)

When it comes to NBA shit-talkers, Gary Payton was right up there with the best of them. Anyone, including His Airness himself, could get it. The flashy guard knew he was one of the best and was not afraid to let you know it. Having The Glove yap in your ear for 48 minutes was enough to throw anyone off their game. He's quieted down a tad bit in retirement but just imagine what would've happened had he actually earned a ring instead of piggy backing his way to a chip. #justsayin'

Sport: Track and Field
Career: 2004-Present
Cockiest Quote: "I told you all I was going to be No. 1, and I did just that."

It's one thing to trot your way to the end zone or even lob it off the backboard for a dunk during a breakaway, but it's completely different to showboat when everything's on the line at the Olympics. At the 2008 Games in Beijing, Usain put his shot at a gold medal and the world record on the line when he coasted to the finish line during the 100 meter dash. Homie still set the world record (9.69) which he broke the very next year. He slowed down and was still the fastest man in history. #stunt101

Sport: Soccer
Career: 2002-Present
Cockiest Quote: "God sent me to Earth to show people how to play football."

Don't lie. If you were living the life of Cristiano Ronaldo, you'd be cocky as hell too. From bagging multiple hotties to consistently impressing on the field, Cristiano is living that life. He may have said some some crazy stuff from time to time, like claiming to be better than Lionel Messi, or saying that he was sent by God to Earth to show people how to play football, but in the end, he backs it all up by leaps and bounds...and overly dramatic flops.

Sport: Football
Career: 1965-1977
Cockiest Quote: "We're going to win Sunday. I guarantee it."

Joe Namath was the "quarterback sex icon" long before Matt Leinart ruined the franchise. His full head of hair, charming personality, and athletic ability taught kids of the '70s what it meant to be a man. Some of us don't have the courage to hit on a girl when we're drunk at a frat party, but Namath did it on live tv, at 60 years old no less. He's a total boss. His cockiest moment came in Super Bowl III when he guaranteed victory against the Baltimore Colts who were billed as "the greatest team of all-time." You know Broadway Joe backed it up with an improbable win.

Sport: Basketball
Career: 1996-Present
Cockiest Quote: "I don't give a fuck what you say."

It's no secret that the Black Mamba's got a big ego, and in between winning and giving us news stories for years, we've seen it shine through plenty. Whether it be his revered trash talking, forcing the Lakers to ship Shaq out of town, letting a fan know he's top three all time, or even the hilarious “Kobe System” commercials, Kobe knows he's one of the best to ever lace 'em up, and has no problem letting you know that too.

Sport: Basketball
Career: 1981-1993, 1995-1998, 2001-2003
Cockiest Quote: "There is no 'I' in team, but there is in win"

Everyone knew Michael Jordan was going to make damn near every clutch shot he took‚-including himself. He was cocky because he was the best and could not be stopped. Mike relished a challenge. He once made a free-throw with his eyes closed for Dikembe Mutumbo and shrugged off an NBA Finals record six straight threes. When he was cut from his high school team as a sophomore in favor of his buddy Leroy Smith because of his height, he made it his business to get better. After he retired the first time, his first words on his return were simply, "I'm back." Whenever he told cats he was gonna drop 40, he would drop 40. Cocky? Watch his Hall of Fame speech and you'll understand.

Sport: MMA
Career: 1997-Present
Cockiest Quote: “I want an easy fight. Anderson Silva, Wanderlei Silva. Either of the Silvas. Bigfoot Silva. They all suck. Gimme a Silva.”

Prior to his UFC 117 matchup with Anderson Silva, Sonnen went on a veritable trash-talking rampage, dissing Silva's martial arts bonafides (“A black belt from the Nogueira brothers is like saying I got a free toy in my happy meal”) and threatening Silva with unsportsmanlike (and unsanitary) violence (“I'll smile to his face and if he turns his back I'm gonna stick a knife in him and walk away without even cleaning up the mess”). He also (allegedly) made a series of funny ("you are going to be on your back more than a pornstar with a mortgage") and racist ("pray to whatever Demon effigy you prance and dance in front of with your piglet tribe of savages that I decide not to CRUCIFY you") tweets from an account he later claimed was a fake. Whatever. But after talking the talk, could he walk the walk? Turns out yes, to a point. He bested Silva on all the judges cards through four rounds, only to tap out with 3:10 left in the fight. He was subsequently suspended for having an elevated testosterone level, which might explain the extraordinary performance-and the extraordinary trash talk.

Sport: Basketball
Career: 1979-1992
Cockiest Quote: "As far as playing, I didn't care who guarded me-red, yellow, black. I just didn't want a white guy guarding me, because it's disrespect to my game."

When he stepped into the locker for the three-point shooting contest on All-Star Weekend in 1986, Larry Bird surveyed the scene and asked his competitors one question: "I'm just looking around to see who's gonna finish up second." We don't need to tell you who came out winning, do we? Don't confuse the confidence with arrogance. When Larry Legend made a claim, he was surely going to back it up.

Sport: Football
Career: 1996-2010
Cockiest Quote: "I'll watch the highlights every now and then but, as far as watching the game, I feel like I am the game."

T.O. is the guy cocky receivers look at for inspiration when they wake up in the morning. Throughout his tumultuous career filled with drama and spectacular success (he's one of the greatest, FWIW), Terrell Owens had the bravado and eccentricity few ever will. He dishonored the Dallas Star as a 49er, called his QBs out like nobody's business, and of course had his own reality show. Hey, at least he always brought it on the field.

Sport: Football
Career: 2001-Present
Cockiest Quote: "There's three things in life that's certain: Death, taxes, and 85 will always be open."

A list of the cockiest athletes in sports history just wouldn't be complete without Chad Ochocinco. From his innovative, hilarious and downright arrogant touchdown celebrations to his "Future Hall of Famer" jacket, Ochocinco exudes cockiness through every pore in his body. Since joining the Patriots, however, the attitude has been toned down-as has the playing time. But as they say, when one door closes, another one opens. That new door is called Twitter where Chad flourishes on a nightly basis.

Sport: Baseball
Career: 1979-2003
Cockiest Quote: "I wish they had told me. My God, could you imagine Rickey on 'roids? Oh, baby, look out!"

Rickey Henderson once framed a $1M signing bonus instead of cashing it. If accountants for the Oakland A's hadn't noticed the discrepancy, that check would probably still be hanging on a wall in the 10-time All-Star's basement. Turning your cash into a conversation piece is incredibly arrogant, totally stupid, and awesomely cocky. Over his career, Henderson challenged catchers to the tune of 1406 stolen bases (the most all-time). He scored 2,295 runs (MLB record) and started 81 games off with a home run (you guessed it, another all-time record). Henderson had the nerve to speak up, the courage to run on anyone, and the cockiness to be the greatest leadoff man in the history of baseball.

Sport: Football, Baseball
Career: 1989-2000, 2004-2005
Cockiest Quote: "Sure we're in limos. We're stars. How else is a star supposed to travel?"

He made a rap song about all the money he has, he still refers to himself in the third person, and we love him for it. Prime was flashy, but for good reason. He brought style to the gridiron with his gold chain waving in the wind as he high-stepped his way to another pick-6. Compared to other corners his numbers are a bit diluted because no one ever threw to his side, ever. And the Throne dedicated a song to him. We're done here.

Sport: Boxing
Career: 1996-Present
Cockiest Quote: "Yup, I'm better than Muhammad Ali. Sugar Ray Robinson? Yup, I'm better than Sugar Ray Robinson. I would never say there's another fighter better than me."

Aside from boxing enthusiasts not too many people had heard of Floyd Mayweather prior to the mid-2000s. Sure, he was undefeated back then and had won titles, but after Mayweather left Top Rank promotions in 2006 to become his own boss that's when the world really got to know Pretty Boy Floyd. From his classic 24/7 moments to his other ridiculous rants, Money Mayweather has shown a belief in himself not matched by many other athletes. Unlike everyone else on this list, Floyd has never lost as a professional. The legend (and ego) grows.

Sport: Boxing
Career: 1960-1981
Cockiest Quote: "I'm not the greatest, I'm the double greatest. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round."

Say what you want about all the shit he talked, Ali backed it up. No one gave him a chance when he went up against Sonny Liston as a young up-and-comer out of Louisville. He told everyone they would eat their words and when he beat Liston, Muhammad made sure to let people know. He predicted victories by the round and beat many opponents before they stepped in the ring by talking all kinds of smack. His poems should be kept in the Library of Congress (with our tweets), they're national treasures. Ali bomaye! Ali bomaye!