Top 10 Athletes of 2011

1. Anthony Robles
Going 36-0 and winning the 2011 NCAA wrestling title may have earned Robles an honorable mention here. But to accomplish all of that with a physical disability (Anthony was born with one leg) is truly incredible.

2. Aaron Rodgers
What folks forget about the Packers’ 2011 Super Bowl run was that they were a road team for every game. What A-Rod’s stats from the just-completed regular season (4,643 yards, 45 TDs) won’t let us forget is that the 28-year-old is only getting better.

3. Justin Verlander
In one of the most remarkable individual seasons of this generation, the Detroit Tigers ace won the triple crown (24 wins, 2.40 ERA and 250 strikeouts) and easily took home the AL Cy Young. Voters did the wise thing and made Verlander the first pitcher in 25 years to be MVP too.

4. Novak Djokovic
With Rafael Nadal a bit unsure and Roger Federer a bit aged, 2011 was the perfect time for Djokovic to get serious. After a dominating season where he went 70-6, won three Grand Slams and earned a record $12.6 million, it’s no wonder Novak’s the only man on tour smiling these days.

5. Cam Newton
We’re still trying to figure out if we’re more impressed with the charismatic QB’s national title-winning jaunt with the Auburn Tigers or his record-smashing NFL rookie campaign (422 yards passing in debut game; 4,051 yards for season) with the Carolina Panthers.

6. Homare Sawa
Here in the States, Abby Wambach was the story of last summer’s World Cup. But across the globe, this slick Japanese scorer (Sawa won Golden Boot and Golden Ball honors in Germany) was the major news.

7. Lionel Messi
At just 24, it almost seems careless to mention this Argentine assassin’s name in the same breath as Pele’s or Ronaldo’s. Just look at what the young man did in La Liga last year though and you’ll see he’s no ordinary 24 year old.

8. Dirk Nowitzki
After 13 years and heaven knows how many fadeaway 15-footers, the basketball gods finally smiled on Dirk with an NBA title. Nowitzki’s unbelievable postseason performance (27 points, eight boards per game) cemented him in “Top 10 Active Player” conversations and hall of fame discussions.

9. Maya Moore
During Maya’s unprecedented run with UConn, the team went 150-4. If you think that’s amazing, wait ‘til you hear about how smart (first player to win consecutive Academic All-American of the Year honors), gifted (No. 1 pick in WNBA Draft, Rookie of the Year) and marketable (first female signed to Jordan Brand) she is.

10. Jon Jones
Though MMA is still finding its footing in the sports mainstream, it probably found its next star in this 24-year-old. Good looking and well spoken, Jones will be a UFC headliner for years. It only helps that he’s undefeated in the octagon, going a ridiculous 4-0 last year.

Just Missed List: Yani Tseng (golf), Robert Griffin III (football), Tim Thomas (hockey), Usain Bolt (track) and Kemba Walker (basketball)

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