Top multi-sport pro athletes are remarkable examples of versatility, excelling at the highest levels in more than one discipline.
These athletes showcase extraordinary talent, adaptability, and dedication, competing professionally across different sports arenas.
Celebrated for their diverse skill sets and competitive spirit, these sportstars inspire fans worldwide and set unique standards in the sporting world.
Exploring the stories and achievements of these exceptional individuals reveals the true breadth of athletic prowess beyond a single sport.
16. Lottie Dod
Lottie Dod was an extraordinary multisport athlete known as “The Little Wonder.”
She won Wimbledon five times between 1887 and 1893, starting when she was just 15, the youngest ladies’ singles champion ever.
Beyond tennis, Dod was a British Ladies Amateur Golf Champion and played twice for the England women’s national field hockey team, which she helped found.
She also won a silver medal in archery at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. In addition to these, Dod excelled in winter sports such as figure skating, tobogganing, mountaineering, and curling.
Her exceptional versatility earned her and Babe Didrikson Zaharias the Guinness World Record for the most versatile female athlete.
Dod’s remarkable achievements across a wide range of sports make her one of history’s greatest multi-sport talents.
15. Bob Hayes
Bob Hayes, nicknamed “Bullet Bob,” was a legendary dual-sport athlete known for his extraordinary speed. He won two Olympic gold medals in sprinting at the 1964 Tokyo Games, tying the world record in the 100m and anchoring the 4x100m relay to gold with the fastest leg ever recorded.
After his track career, Hayes became a standout NFL wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, revolutionizing the game with his speed and precise route running.
He is the only athlete to have won both an Olympic gold medal and a Super Bowl ring, highlighting his exceptional talent in both track and American football.
Hayes was inducted posthumously into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2009.
14. Lionel Conacher
Lionel Conacher, known as “The Big Train,” was a legendary Canadian multi-sport athlete excelling in football, hockey, lacrosse, boxing, and wrestling.
He won the Grey Cup in football, two Stanley Cups in hockey, Canadian boxing and wrestling championships, and senior lacrosse titles. Conacher is one of the few athletes to have his name on both the Grey Cup and Stanley Cup.
Named Canada’s male athlete of the half-century in 1950, his versatile achievements earned him a place in multiple halls of fame.
Beyond sports, he served in politics before passing away during a softball game. The Lionel Conacher Award honors Canada’s top male athlete annually, celebrating his enduring legacy.
13. Brian Jordan
Brian Jordan is a rare two-sport professional athlete who played baseball and football at the same time in both the NFL and MLB.
He played as a safety for the Atlanta Falcons and later became an MLB All-Star outfielder with teams like the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves.
Jordan was known for his defensive skills, power hitting, and athletic versatility. His 15-year baseball career included 184 home runs and a .282 batting average.
Before focusing on baseball, he was an alternate for the 1991 Pro Bowl in football. Jordan is respected for successfully balancing and excelling in both professional football and baseball.
12. Charlie Ward
Charlie Ward is the only athlete to win the Heisman Trophy and play in the NBA. He starred as a quarterback at Florida State University, leading his team to a national championship and winning multiple collegiate awards.
Simultaneously, he was a standout point guard, eventually enjoying an 11-year NBA career, primarily with the New York Knicks.
Ward excelled in football and basketball, showcasing exceptional leadership and versatility across both sports.
11. Danny Ainge
Danny Ainge was a remarkable 3 sport athletes excelling in basketball, baseball, and football. He was the only high school athlete named first-team All-American in all three sports.
At BYU, he won the John R. Wooden Award as the nation’s top college basketball player. Ainge played Major League Baseball as a second baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays before a successful NBA career, winning two championships with the Boston Celtics.
Known for his versatility, tenacity, and competitiveness, Ainge later became a respected NBA coach and executive, guiding the Celtics to another title in 2008.
10. Brian Jordan
Brian Jordan is a rare multi-sport pro who played NFL football as a safety for the Atlanta Falcons and had a 15-year MLB career as an outfielder.
He was an MLB All-Star in 1999, known for his versatility, power hitting, strong defense, and athleticism in both sports.
9. Gene Conley
Gene Conley was a remarkable multi-sport athlete who uniquely excelled at the highest levels of two professional sports.
He is the only athlete to win championships both in Major League Baseball and the NBA, earning a World Series ring with the 1957 Milwaukee Braves and three NBA titles with the Boston Celtics from 1959 to 1961.
Conley played 12 consecutive professional sports seasons over six years, excelling as a pitcher and basketball player while also being an all-state star in basketball, baseball, and track in high school.
His athleticism and versatility made him a rare dual-sport champion and a historic figure in American sports.
8. Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson was a remarkable multi-sport athlete excelling in baseball, football, basketball, and track at UCLA.
He broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947, winning Rookie of the Year and MVP honors, leading the Dodgers to six league championships and a 1955 World Series title. He remains a pioneering sports figure and civil rights icon.
7. Charlie Ward
Charlie Ward is the only athlete to win the Heisman Trophy and play in the NBA. He excelled as a quarterback at Florida State University, leading the team to a national championship, then had a successful 11-year NBA career. His rare dual-sport success highlights exceptional athletic versatility.
6. Herschel Walker
Herschel Walker excelled in football, track, and more. He won the 1982 Heisman Trophy at the University of Georgia, set records in the USFL and NFL, and was known for exceptional fitness.
Walker competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics in bobsledding and pursued mixed martial arts, showcasing remarkable multi-sport talent.
5. Jim Brown
Jim Brown, regarded as one of the greatest football players ever, dominated the NFL as a running back from 1957 to 1965.
An 8-time All-NFL selection and 9-time Pro Bowler, he led in rushing yards multiple seasons, won three MVP awards, and set rushing records. He excelled in football, lacrosse, and basketball in college.
4. Babe Didrikson Zaharias
Babe Didrikson Zaharias was an extraordinary multi-sport athlete, excelling in basketball, track and field, and golf.
She won two Olympic gold medals and a silver in track events in 1932, then dominated women’s golf with 82 tournament wins. Zaharias co-founded the LPGA and is hailed as one of the greatest female athletes ever.
3. Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders, known as “Prime Time,” is a legendary multi-sport athlete who excelled in both the NFL and MLB. He played 14 NFL seasons, earning eight Pro Bowls, two Super Bowl wins, and was 1994 Defensive Player of the Year.
Sanders also played nine MLB seasons, making him the only athlete to play in both a Super Bowl and World Series.
Renowned for his speed, versatility, and playmaking, he scored touchdowns in diverse ways and remains an iconic figure in sports history.
2. Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson is one of the greatest multi-sport athletes, excelling in both NFL and MLB. He won the 1985 Heisman Trophy and played for the LA Raiders and Kansas City Royals.
Jackson is the only athlete named an All-Star in both football and baseball, famous for his incredible power, speed, and versatility.
1. Jim Thorpe
Jim Thorpe was an extraordinary multi-sport athlete who excelled in Olympic track and field, professional football, baseball, basketball, and more.
He won gold medals in the 1912 pentathlon and decathlon, played six seasons in Major League Baseball, and was a legendary football star. Thorpe is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time.