Tyson, Lesnar, Ali, MJ: The 25 scariest athletes of all time
Professional sports can throw up some scary characters, whether that be their size, antics whilst competing or just sheer dominance in the sport.
If you ask someone for the athlete they deem the scariest, they’ll have their own opinion or they’ll pick a few depending on the different ways they rank why they’re scary.
Thankfully for us, The Top Tens have compiled a list of the scariest athletes in the world, with people voting for who they deem to be the scariest, so let’s get into the top 25…
25. Brittney Griner
24. Conrad Dobler
23. Wilt Chamberlain
22. Jack Youngblood
21. Laila Ali
20. Kobe Bryant
19. Leonard Davis
18. Keith Bulluck
17. Mean Joe Greene
16. Michael Jordan
15. Troy Polamalu
14. O.J. Simpson
13. Muhammad Ali
12. Michael Vick
11. Dick Butkus
10. Mike Singletary
Mike Singletary was a middle linebacker in the NFL and is a Hall of Famer in the sport, known for his hard hitting tackles, tenacity and intensity, making him feared on the pitch by any offensive player who dared to try and pass him.
9. Ray Lewis
Similarly to Singletary, Ray Lewis was renowned for his hard hitting tackles and lack of fear on the pitch in the NFL, even if he was odds on to come off worse. He was also on trial for murder charges in 2000, but was found not guilty, although many believe he was more involved than he let on, so it’s no surprise to see him voted into the top 10.
8. Randy Johnson
American sports continue to dominate the list, with famous pitcher Randy Johnson next. He was feared by batters everywhere, with him recording a pitch at 102mph, with not many going faster than that. He’s famous for hitting a bird whilst pitching too in truly tragic scenes.
7. Lawrence Taylor
In a running theme, we have another NFL linebacker, with Lawrence Taylor now making the top 10. He ended the career of Joe Theismann in 1985 when he ferociously broke his leg when sacking him, so it’s no wonder he’s deemed this scary.
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most famous basketball players of all time. Although his persona on court may not have been overly scary, the fact he was 7ft 1in tall certainly strikes fear into his competitors.
5. Jack Lambert
The public vote is brutal, with Jack Lambert making the list. Again, a hugely successful and famous defensive player in the NFL, Lambert is known to be scary for his looks having lost his teeth as a child.
4. Kimbo Slice
Kimbo Slice is unfortunately no longer with us, passing away in 2016. However, the Bahamian-American MMA fighter was renowned for his combat street fights and bare-knuckle boxing, showing how tough he was and why so many find him scary.
3. Dennis Rodman
Basketballing star Dennis Rodman makes the top three from the public vote, unsurprisingly given his attempts to be scary with his costume choices and makeup.
2. Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar is the only WWE Superstar in the top 10, however it’s no surprise to see him here given his stint in the UFC. The sheer size of Lesnar and his muscles is enough to strike fear into almost anyone.
1. Mike Tyson
It’s no surprise to see a boxer top the list, with Mike Tyson an obvious candidate. Iron Mike was fearless and destructive in the ring, striking fear into most of those who were brave enough to take him on. Famously, he bit a chunk of Evander Holyfield’s ear off during a fight, so it’s no shock to see him deemed this scary.