Greatest Athletes of the 2000s
The greatest sports people who defined the 2000s — across football, boxing, athletics, tennis, basketball and more.
2000s by Sport
The leading athletes across every discipline in the 2000s.
Athletes of the 2000s
Browse all 1527 athletes who defined sport in the 2000s.
American
Aaron Donald
Defensive Tackle
American defensive tackle widely regarded as one of the greatest interior linemen in NFL history, kn…
American
Aaron Rodgers
Quarterback
American football quarterback renowned for precision passing, mobility, and four NFL MVP awards incl…
American
Adrian Peterson
Running Back
American football running back who holds the NFL single-game rushing record with 296 yards and won t…
American
Alvin Kamara
Running Back
American running back who became one of the NFL's most versatile offensive weapons, known for his re…
American
Antonio Brown
Wide Receiver
American wide receiver known for exceptional route-running and prolific receiving statistics, winnin…
American
Antonio Gates
Tight End
American tight end who played 16 NFL seasons with San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, 8x Pro Bowler and …
American
Ben Roethlisberger
Quarterback
American NFL quarterback who won two Super Bowls with Pittsburgh Steelers, known for his physical pl…
American
Brett Favre
Quarterback
American NFL quarterback who played 20 seasons, famous for his consecutive starts record and gunslin…
American
Bruce Smith
Defensive End
The all-time sack leader — Bruce Smith's 200 career sacks is the NFL record, achieved across 19 seas…
American
Calvin Johnson
Wide Receiver
American football wide receiver who played for the Detroit Lions (2007-2015), known for his exceptio…
American
Cameron Jordan
Defensive End
American defensive end who became the New Orleans Saints' all-time sacks leader and earned nine Pro …
American
Champ Bailey
Cornerback
American cornerback widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive backs in NFL history, known for…
American
Dan Marino
Quarterback
American quarterback who played 17 seasons for Miami Dolphins, set numerous NFL passing records and …
American
Darrelle Revis
Cornerback
American cornerback widely considered one of the greatest defensive backs in NFL history, known for …
American
Deion Sanders
Cornerback
American cornerback and return specialist who played in NFL (1989-2005). Two-time Super Bowl champio…
American
Derrick Brooks
Linebacker
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Hall of Fame linebacker whose speed, instincts and pass-coverage made him one o…
American
Drew Brees
Quarterback
American quarterback who holds multiple NFL passing records and led the New Orleans Saints to their …
American
Ed Reed
Safety
American football safety who played 12 NFL seasons, primarily with Baltimore Ravens. Hall of Fame in…
American
Eli Manning
Quarterback
American NFL quarterback who led the New York Giants to two Super Bowl victories, defeating the unde…
American
Emmitt Smith
Running Back
American football running back who became the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards and wo…
American
Fred Warner
Linebacker
American NFL linebacker who became one of the league's premier defensive players with the San Franci…
American
George Kittle
Tight End
American football tight end known for his dynamic receiving ability and blocking, holding the NFL si…
American
J.J. Watt
Defensive End
American football defensive end who dominated the NFL with the Houston Texans, winning three Defensi…
American
Jared Goff
Quarterback
Detroit Lions quarterback who has transformed into one of the league's most efficient passers, leadi…
American
Jason Witten
Tight End
American football tight end who played 17 NFL seasons, primarily with Dallas Cowboys, earning 11 Pro…
American
Jen Welter
Linebacker/Coach
American football player and coach who became the first woman to coach in the NFL and first to play …
American
Jerry Rice
Wide Receiver
American football wide receiver widely regarded as the greatest of all time, holding numerous NFL re…
American
Jessica Mendoza
Athlete/Broadcaster (Softball)
American softball player and broadcaster who won Olympic gold in 2004 and became the first woman to …
American
Jonathan Ogden
Offensive Tackle
American NFL offensive tackle who played his entire 12-year career with Baltimore Ravens, 11-time Pr…
American
Julio Jones
Wide Receiver
American wide receiver who played 11 NFL seasons, known for elite route-running and being one of the…
American
Junior Seau
Linebacker
American linebacker who played 20 NFL seasons, known for his intensity and leadership. 12-time Pro B…
American
Khalil Mack
Linebacker
American defensive end and linebacker who won 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and earned 6 Pro…
American
LaDainian Tomlinson
Running Back
American running back who holds the NFL single-season touchdown record with 28 rushing TDs and 31 to…
American
Larry Allen
Guard
American NFL offensive lineman considered one of the greatest guards in football history, known for …
American
Luke Kuechly
Linebacker
Carolina Panthers linebacker whose exceptional football IQ, sideline-to-sideline speed and leadershi…
American
Marshall Faulk
Running Back
The most complete running back in NFL history — the only player to score touchdowns, rush and receiv…
American
Marshawn Lynch
Running Back
American NFL running back known for his powerful rushing style and 'Beast Mode' persona, winning Sup…
American
Michael Irvin
Wide Receiver
American football wide receiver who starred for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s, winning three Super…
American
Michael Strahan
Defensive End
American former NFL defensive end who played his entire 15-year career with the New York Giants, set…
American
Odessa Jenkins
Linebacker
American flag football player and administrator who founded the USA Flag Touch Football League and w…
American
Patrick Peterson
Cornerback
American football cornerback who played 14 NFL seasons, earning 8 Pro Bowl selections and 3 All-Pro …
American
Patrick Willis
Linebacker
American linebacker who dominated the NFL for 8 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, earning 7 All-…
American
Peyton Manning
Quarterback
American quarterback who holds multiple NFL passing records and won two Super Bowls with Indianapoli…
American
Randy Moss
Wide Receiver
American former NFL wide receiver widely considered one of the greatest of all time, known for his e…
American
Ray Lewis
Linebacker
American football linebacker who played 17 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, two-time Super Bowl ch…
American
Reggie White
Defensive End
American defensive end who dominated the NFL for 15 seasons, recording 198 career sacks and earning …
American
Richard Sherman
Cornerback
Seattle Seahawks cornerback and anchor of the famed 'Legion of Boom' secondary, whose physicality, b…
American
Rob Gronkowski
Tight End
The greatest tight end in NFL history — four-time Super Bowl champion and the most dominant blocker-…
Showing top 48 of 1527 athletes from this era.