Who Is THE G.O.A.T?
Updated: Jun 16, 2025
Brady? Jordan? Maybe even Serena? For decades, sports fans have been trying to figure out who the Greatest Of All Time truly is, so let’s find out, shall we?
Let’s be honest, there really is no right or wrong answer to this question. It all comes down to what you value most about an athlete and their performance.
You might say Tom Brady, because of his 7 NFL championships, paired with his longevity in a sport that rarely sees it. Or, Michael Jordan, who has never lost an NBA Finals series. If you find that individual greatness is more valuable, you may lean towards Serena Williams or Michael Phelps. For pure dominance, Tiger Woods is a great choice. And, if you base your argument solely on championships, Bill Russell is definitely your guy.
There’s a never ending criteria for why an athlete could be considered as the greatest to ever compete, but let’s dive into some popular candidates and the accolades to back them up.
Michael Jordan
During his 15 year career, Jordan won 6 NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, along with 6 Finals MVPs. He’s a 5 time regular season MVP, made 10 All-NBA First Teams, 9 All-NBA defensive teams, and was a 14 time NBA All-Star.
In 1993, after winning his third straight title at just 29 years old, Jordan stepped away from the game of basketball to pursue a baseball career. He played Minor League Baseball for a season and a half, while his career stats don’t necessarily jump off the paper, he was able to display his quickness and pure athleticism. When he returned to the NBA in 1995, he picked up right where he left off and won three in a row once more with the Bulls. Leaving a legacy that would cement him as the greatest to ever do it.
Not to mention his cultural impact off the court, with his Jordan brand sneakers.
Honorable Mentions: Lebron James, Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell
Tom Brady
In the football world, Tom Brady is widely known as the GOAT. During his 23 seasons as an NFL quarterback, he’s won 7 Super Bowls, with 5 Super Bowl MVPs. He was selected to the Pro Bowl 15 times, and won a total of 251 games in the NFL. All of which are the most by any player in the history of the NFL!
Brady’s first six rings came while playing on a New England Patriots team that was coached by Bill Belichick, whom many consider as the greatest coach of all time. So, when Brady joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his 22nd season, critics were questioning whether he could win it all on his own. He answered the doubters by going on to win a Super Bowl in his first season with the team. Beating the Chiefs 31-9. Fans were left in utter disbelief that an athlete could still perform at the highest level at age 43.
This championship run showed the world that Brady’s greatness could not be denied.
Honorable Mention: Joe Montana
Lionel Messi
As the game of soccer has evolved, two players have been widely considered the GOAT: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Messi holds records for most Ballon d’Or awards (7), La Liga goals (474), La Liga hat tricks (36), and led his FC Barcelona team to 10 La Liga titles.
In the most important event in all of soccer, Messi left soccer fans around the world in awe. During his entire 2022 World Cup run, he galvanized viewers with 7 total goals (second most), and a tournament high 3 assists. He also impressed fans with his endurance by playing in every minute of Argentina’s games, leading the tournament with 690 minutes. Messi finally solidified himself as the GOAT after scoring 2 out of 3 goals in regulation, and a penalty kick in the shootout round to lead Argentina to their first World Cup championship in 36 years.
A feat that his rival has yet to complete.
Honorable Mentions: Cristiano Ronaldo
Simone Biles
Simone Biles is one of the most dominant athletes of all time. She currently holds the record for most World Championship medals in gymnastics with 30. That includes 23 World gold medals (most). She has the most World all-around titles in women’s gymnastics history with 6. And, with her 7 Olympic medals, she’s tied for first.
What makes Biles so great is her ability to do things that no one else can. In the 2021 U.S. Classic, Biles landed a Yurchenko double pike on the vault. A move that is so difficult that no other gymnast has ever even attempted it. While the entire world was shocked by greatness, the judges actually penalized Biles by giving her a very underwhelming score. The reasoning behind the scoring was unclear, but many believe the judges did it for the gymnast’s safety. Others suspect that it was an attempt to keep the playing field level, so that Biles couldn’t completely run away from the rest of the competition.
Nevertheless, it is clear to see that she is a one of a kind athlete.
Honorable Mention: N/A
Jon Jones
Maybe Mixed Martial Arts wasn’t a sport you were expecting to see here, but with the sport’s popularity increasing massively in recent years, we have to acknowledge an absolute great: Jon Jones. Jones became the youngest UFC champion at 23. He’s beaten more champions in UFC history than any other fighter. Besides a controversial disqualification loss, he’s undefeated, and in 2023 he joined rare air by becoming a two-division champion.
Jones has had an eventful career, and had beaten almost every possible contender during his six years as light heavyweight champion. So, when he vacated his belt in 2020 and announced that he was moving up to the heavyweight division, fans were excited to see if he’d be able to pull it off. Three years of training later, Jones made his heavyweight debut in a fight for the vacant title. Jones promised a show, and boy did he deliver. He not only won the fight in the first round, but he submitted his opponent in just two minutes.
Jones made a goat noise at the end of his post-fight octagon interview, seemingly adding his own input into the debate. And, rightfully so.
Honorable Mentions: Demetrius Johnson, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Georges St-Pierre
Who's YOUR GOAT?
Michael Jordan
Tom Brady
Lionel Messi
Simone Biles
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