Stephen Dame Wrote:How 'bout Donovan Bailey? It's been a decade now, and the guy has all but faded away. People still talk about Ben Johnson more than they do him.
Or Moses Fleetwood Walker. He broke baseball's colour barrier 70 years before Jackie Robinson, never gets credit for it. Said to have been a helluva player. I'd assume lack of footage hurts his cause.
And speaking of the Negro leagues, Josh Gibson hit 84 homers in 190 games in 1936, yet he's rarely held to the same esteem as the Sultan of Chunky Wife-Beaters or that whiny chump Barry Bonds.
I've always kinda thought Jean Beliveau and Howie Morenz play second fiddle to Richard and LaFleur when people discuss Habs greats.
But, in my opinion, the most underrated athlete of all time is Lionel Conacher. Canada's Athlete of The Half Century in 1950. He never gets the credit he deserves and would be a folk hero anywhere else on earth.
Here's his bio:
- Canadian Light heavyweight boxing champion in 1921
- Played with the Toronto Argonauts and won the Grey Cup in 1921
- Ran the 100 yard dash in 10 seconds flat when the world record was 9.8 seconds in 1922
- Played lacrosse for the Toronto Maitlands and won the Ontario Amateur Lacrosse championship in 1922
- Played with the Toronto Maple Leafs semi-pro baseball team and won the AAA championship in 1926
- In 1933, he created the first pro football league in Canada
- Played in the NHL and won the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 1934, and then with the Canadiens in 1935
- He also managed to wrestle professionally in Maple Leaf Gardens during the Depression, and play pro soccer.
He later went on to become an MP in 1949.
![[Image: li_p1.jpg]](http://www.histori.ca/sports/gfx/lionel/li_p1.jpg)
yeah..but could he bowl?
opiated Wrote:Stephen Dame Wrote:How 'bout Donovan Bailey? It's been a decade now, and the guy has all but faded away. People still talk about Ben Johnson more than they do him.
Or Moses Fleetwood Walker. He broke baseball's colour barrier 70 years before Jackie Robinson, never gets credit for it. Said to have been a helluva player. I'd assume lack of footage hurts his cause.
And speaking of the Negro leagues, Josh Gibson hit 84 homers in 190 games in 1936, yet he's rarely held to the same esteem as the Sultan of Chunky Wife-Beaters or that whiny chump Barry Bonds.
I've always kinda thought Jean Beliveau and Howie Morenz play second fiddle to Richard and LaFleur when people discuss Habs greats.
But, in my opinion, the most underrated athlete of all time is Lionel Conacher. Canada's Athlete of The Half Century in 1950. He never gets the credit he deserves and would be a folk hero anywhere else on earth.
Here's his bio:
- Canadian Light heavyweight boxing champion in 1921
- Played with the Toronto Argonauts and won the Grey Cup in 1921
- Ran the 100 yard dash in 10 seconds flat when the world record was 9.8 seconds in 1922
- Played lacrosse for the Toronto Maitlands and won the Ontario Amateur Lacrosse championship in 1922
- Played with the Toronto Maple Leafs semi-pro baseball team and won the AAA championship in 1926
- In 1933, he created the first pro football league in Canada
- Played in the NHL and won the Stanley Cup with Chicago in 1934, and then with the Canadiens in 1935
- He also managed to wrestle professionally in Maple Leaf Gardens during the Depression, and play pro soccer.
He later went on to become an MP in 1949.
yeah..but could he bowl?
Ten pin? Yes. But lawn bowling was punishable by a public lashing in those days. It was all part of the Pussy Sports Prohibition of 1934. Lionel helped get the act repealed in '50... after a group of Croquet players donated 100 shillings to his campaign.
Incredible. Maybe I'm wrong, but do you get the feeling that if Lionel Conacher were American (or from a European country, even), there'd be statues of him in public squares across the country?
I'd heard of him, but didn't realize he did half of the stuff you listed. That's amazing stuff.
j-monster Wrote:Incredible. Maybe I'm wrong, but do you get the feeling that if Lionel Conacher were American (or from a European country, even), there'd be statues of him in public squares across the country?
I'd heard of him, but didn't realize he did half of the stuff you listed. That's amazing stuff.
Yeah, he'd be a sports deity in most places. Some of the greatest Lionel stories involve him leaving one venue after a grueling win and heading to another venue for a boxing match or hockey game right afterwards.
Quote:Lionel Conacher
While it's true he should be admired for his prowess in a multitude of sports more than he currently gets, I don't agree in saying he's the
most underrated.
He has been recognized. He was voted Canada's male athlete of the 1st half-century and finished 4th in voting for the entire 20th century. He's also a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Also, Canada's male athletes of the year are given the 'Lionel Conacher Award'.
Aki Berg....the guy is simply amazing....Leaf fans would understand!
hock: Gah I am hoping that is just a joke that flew over my head. (not the first or last time)
For the most underrated I would go with Arturo Gatti. 40-7 31 KO's. The man is a machine but still not recognized for the true champ he is.
Sasha Cohen is the hottest american EVER.
worldpeace Wrote:Sasha Cohen is the hottest american EVER.
i felt dirty watching her until i found out she was 21...she's a beauty!! and umm..how do i say it..very flexible!!
worldpeace Wrote:Sasha Cohen is the hottest american EVER.
5'2", 95lbs and she can leg press 400lbs!! 8)
Achilles Wrote:For the most underrated I would go with Arturo Gatti. 40-7 31 KO's. The man is a machine but still not recognized for the true champ he is.
He's a tough as nails, exciting fighter and I respect him for it. He's always been a B- fighter and Mayweather proved how big of a gap there was between an elite fighter and Gatti. Still, Gatti is a warrior and deserves big props. He isn't underrated though IMO.
It looks like Gatti is going to get a shot at Baldomir, which will make him the welterweight champion of the world. Everyone knows he won't be the best welter because we all saw what Floyd did to him, but it'll be a good accomplishment for him. I want to see Gatti beat Baldomir and then fight Mosley. It will give both Gatti and Mosley good paydays as their careers come near the end.
The good thing about Gatti right now is that HE GIVES FANS WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE and HE GETS PAID GOOD COIN. I can't say anything bad about Gatti. The guy is all heart and most people love him and give him credit so I'd say he gets his due attention. :thumb: :thumb:
Achilles, your avatar kicks major ass. :thumb:
tommygunn Wrote:Quote:Lionel Conacher
While it's true he should be admired for his prowess in a multitude of sports more than he currently gets, I don't agree in saying he's the most underrated.
He has been recognized. He was voted Canada's male athlete of the 1st half-century and finished 4th in voting for the entire 20th century. He's also a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Also, Canada's male athletes of the year are given the 'Lionel Conacher Award'.
He's recognized, but not well remembered. "Babe Ruth" transends sports, the name Lionel Conacher should as well. I don't think anybody comes close to getting as many "oh my god-I'd never heard of him" responses as he does. To me, that's under rated.
Stephen Dame Wrote:tommygunn Wrote:Quote:Lionel Conacher
While it's true he should be admired for his prowess in a multitude of sports more than he currently gets, I don't agree in saying he's the most underrated.
He has been recognized. He was voted Canada's male athlete of the 1st half-century and finished 4th in voting for the entire 20th century. He's also a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Also, Canada's male athletes of the year are given the 'Lionel Conacher Award'.
He's recognized, but not well remembered. "Babe Ruth" transends sports, the name Lionel Conacher should as well. I don't think anybody comes close to getting as many "oh my god-I'd never heard of him" responses as he does. To me, that's under rated.
I dunno. I think it's rather strange referring to someone as the most underrated athlete of all-time when his name is affixed to a highly publicized, prestigious award given out every year. *shrugs*