David Zalubowski/AP
- Great athletes have been born all across America.
- Whether they go on to become legends thanks to one masterful performance, or a long career of greatness, they all call somewhere home.
- Take a look below and see the most iconic athlete from your home state.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Great athletes have been born all across America.
Some become legends in their sport thanks to a career of success; others only need one iconic moment to go down in the history books. While many athletes may play elsewhere, they all call somewhere home.
Below we’ve put together a list of the greatest athlete from every state. States represent where the athlete was born or where the athlete is most closely associated (e.g., Michael Jordan is more closely associated with North Carolina than his birth state, New York).
Take a look below and see the most iconic athlete from your home state.
Alabama: Hank Aaron
AP Photo
One thing to know: Known as "Hammerin’ Hank," Hank Aaron is one of the greatest baseball players that ever lived, holding the career home run record for 33 years before Barry Bonds broke his mark of 755. Aaron was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama.
Other greats from the state: Bo Jackson, Willie Mays, Charles Barkley, Evander Holyfield, Carl Lewis
Alaska: Lance Mackey
Bob Hallinen/Anchorage Daily News/MCT via Getty Images
One thing to know: Born in Fox, Alaska, Lance Mackey was the first dog sled racer to win the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod in the same year, and has won both races four times each in his career.
Other greats from the state: Curt Schilling, Mark Schlereth
Arizona: Kerri Strug
David Madison/Getty Images
One thing to know: Kerri Strug became an instant legend at the 1996 Olympics, when she boldly fought past an injured ankle to perform her final vault, sticking the landing to seal gold for the American team over Russia. She was born in Tuscon, Arizona.
Other greats from the state: Charles Hickcox, Darren Woodson, Sean Elliott, Curley Culp
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (Tyler Lauletta)