I'd bet almost everyone would still know their names. There are TV documentaries to this day on Arnie. Jim was voted by this board as the greatest American distance runner of all time. Prognog, go ahead and ask your employees who Jim Ryun was? I bet you are completely wrong.
Bolt and Gretzky, definitely (if you split Gretzky into two people, they'd be the first and second best ever). Tiger? Maybe, but it's not as clear. Nicklaus makes a good case. I think he's pretty clearly top three, but "pretty clearly top three" is not the same as GOAT.
In order to identify the goat of a sport, you need to have criteria. If you can’t agree upon criteria, of course there’s going to be wildly atrocious takes, such as Galen Rupp being the GOAT of running, which might I add, is an egregious take. He’s not even in my top 20.
Rivky Carmichael (motocross) was actually called the goat before jordan and brady. His ranch is called the goat farm. They are all copying him. Usain bolt is the goat, jon jones is the goat. Michael phelps is the goat. Wayne gretzky's stats are more ludicrous than jordan and brady, he is the goat.
To be the goat you need to win a title in more than one country and win with both your club and country. Ronaldo and Messi fit the bill, none of the athletes mentioned do.
I can’t believe it took 3 pages to get to these footballers. I’m shocked anyone would thumbs down unless they were Pele fans.