[Closed] Top sportsfolk that are "good guys"

Wilko
Ennis

Ennis is a good call. Is Wilkinson not a bit dull?

Kriss Akabusi

I've got a Kelloggs Bran Flakes polo short signed by Chris Hoy on the wall in my downstairs loo. True fact, fact fans.

Rob McElnea

Joe Root
Mark Wood

Lando Norris is really impressing me at the moment as well.

or ugly as sin

Actually, just to get a quick hand-wring in, and to state what I'd hope would be bleedin' obvious, what they look like should have absolutely no bearing on your opinion of them as a person. This is especially a problem for female sportsfolk, and is just bullshit.

I'd honestly expect better of you Teej.

Michael Johnson and Colin Jackson

Many of the top DH'ers seem to be pretty good folk. Minnaar, Gwinn, the Athertons, all  the Frenchies...they all appear to be "good folk" and the ones that I've met over the years bears that out.

I worked in a pub in the late 80s/ early 90s in Manchester

Niall Quinn was an absolute star. Most of the other city players weren't. Peter Reid was okay but Tony Coton was an utter, utter arse.

Goran Ivanisevic. Top bloke.
Nick Craig. As above.
Jason Leonard. You get the idea by now.
Simon Shaw
Justin Tipuric. Often found coaching kids at his club.

IHN

this is only a flippant post! the point is if they are good looking, good at their sport, nice all round folk then I have to hate them. Being ugly ( or a character flaw) means I don't 😉

I'm a bit biased here, and I know it's not a sport associated with lack of ego and good eggs, but Jordan Henderson's conduct over the last few years has done him great credit.  Unfashionable & underrated footballer, seemingly very good bloke, humble, socially aware (and a vital part of the Liverpool team).

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/03/jordan-henderson-liverpool-interview-pressing-politics-klopp-mentality

You're skirting perilously close to the Edinburgh defence there TJ...

Many of the top DH’ers seem to be pretty good folk. Minnaar, Gwinn, the Athertons, all the Frenchies…they all appear to be “good folk” and the ones that I’ve met over the years bears that out.

Would agree. I've only met (and I use met loosely) them in a biking context.

E.g. In Morzine, at Dyfi BP, Descend BP and so on. They are still very much "on" or "at work" given the way the sport works, with their income coming from sponsorship, not race results.

Hasanyone got experience of seeing them in regular life?

Laura Kenny - one of the greatest British sportspeople of this century and amazingly down-to-earth with it.

Some good names mentioned already, but to add.
Sir Alistair Cook, Stuart Broad.
Geraint Thomas, Luke Rowe as well.
Chris Froome, ruthless on a bike, lovely fella off.
Shauna Coxsey.
Ben Foster, goalkeepers are normally nuts, he appears not to be.
Dina Asher-Smith

I met Peaty on his tour last year, he was pleasant enough.  He was clearly really nervous at the start of his talk, which helped bring him more down to earth.

Nick Craig well deserved his nickname of "The Nicest Guy in Mountain Biking". He once stopped on a descent of Jacobs Ladder for a chat!

Mark Webber always seemed pretty normal for an F1 driver, most of whom seem like spoiled brats. I think a few people on here ran into him at MTB races and everyone seemed to have good things to say about him. Dan Ricciardo also seems like not an arsehole, not sure about the drinking champagne out of his boot trick though, that's a bit low rent.

Hard to say with the younger drivers though. I remember when Michael Schumacher started winning races and Nigel Roebuck commented about how strange it was to see someone on the podium looking joyous to be there, after years of Prost/Senna/Piquet/Mansell sulking and whining. I was a big fan of Shumacher at first, but changed my mind pretty quickly. I hope Lando Norris/Charles Leclerc/George Russell can avoid that.

Jessica Ennis.

Yer not having Stuart Broad - ok he has grown up a bit now but some really unpleasant behaviour in the past real total git territory

Most of the top hill / fell runners I've met have been nice people. Nicky Spinks, Jasmine Paris, Findlay Wild all seemed really sound. In fact the whole scene is pretty mellow.

Liam Phillips, great ambassador for BMX always will to give time to little rippers at the tracks he turned up at.

The Syndicate crew, met them all before Greg's talk in Buxton last year and they were ace with my star struck son.

Andrew Strauss continues to be an impressive human after retiring from cricket.

And I have a lot of time for Carl Froch, boxing doesn't tend to produce a lot of likeable characters for good reason, Carl's always kept the arrogance required to be a top flight boxer in check IMHO.

Damon Hill, comes across as a decent chap.

Des Walker was always brilliant when I met him as his paperboy 🙂

I'm going to stop there as this list could just keep growing...

Ben Stokes.

I present to you Mister Christopher Boardman.

Ben Stokes. - are you being serious? Temper like a volcano and literally kicked a man on the ground many times

Yer not having Stuart Broad – ok he has grown up a bit now but some really unpleasant behaviour in the past real total git territory

He's had some on pitch dickishness, but even the great Jimmy has done that. Seems to come with the fast bowling territory.
Both of them seem able to turn it off when they step off the pitch though. What have I missed from Broad's past?

To the good guys, I’ll add Barry McGuigan

Chris Hoy was once the emeny of the people! Been wracking my brains to recall what it was, all I can remember is ‘shopping a photo of him for this forum when it happened! Anyone recall what vile deed he did??

Moeen Ali, I admit I do have a bit of a man crush on him

Both of them seem able to turn it off when they step off the pitch though. What have I missed from Broad’s past?

Bullying in the changing room - 5 ish years ago? He was part of a clique that basically bullied new folk into the team and made it a very unwelcoming place

May have been this Dez ?

If we're talking man crushes @Houns then I can't leave the page without mentioning Chris Woakes. Lovely fella too.

Valentino Rossi, cool as

Ben Stokes. – are you being serious?

Not really no. Although I'd rather have him on my side!!

I was out once in Leicester years ago and saw a few Tigers players out on the lash. Richard Cockerill look like he'd be fun to go out for a few beers with.

May have been this Dez

No, not that. Gonna find the pic for a clue.

I hate Valentino Rossi! Nobody is allowed to be that bloody happy! 😉

Depends how you define "good guys"

Never really liked Rashford, but what he has done with the platform afforded to him in making sure children from poor families are properly fed is so far magnificent. He has remembered his roots, the struggles his family had before he made it and tried to do something about it.
As Sterling has pointed out, it can be really difficult for good guys to be recognised when the media sell advertising by creating caricatures for the public to lap up, rather than reality. Who knew about Rashfords work, he had been getting on with it quietly for quite a while, it was really Government stupidity that made it news (not that that should take away anything from rashford).

Then you have the likes of David Silva, great talent, quiet unassuming family man with apparently little ego, seems to be loved by everybody. Doesn't seem to have harmed anyone, but also doesn't seem to have gone out of his way to do anything other than play football, he could do loads of stuff but he doesn't publicise it so we don't know.

Marcus Radford. If I was his age with his talent and money I'd be a right idiot. Whereas he's taking on the government and feeding the needy. Knighthood incoming.

I’ll add Jade Jones and Bianca Walden - both have been wonderful with our kids

I hate Valentino Rossi! Nobody is allowed to be that bloody happy!

Thats my point - folk like Rossi or Hoy have to be hated for being too perfect. someone like Broad I can look down my nose at and think - "well at least I am not that level of git" or Carter - "at least I am not terminally dull!"

Robby Naish.
Tony Hawk.

Definitely Rashford for his work this summer . Also Raheem Stirling  for the way he has stood up to sections of the press and called out racist reporting .

He was part of a clique that basically bullied new folk into the team and made it a very unwelcoming place

So was Anderson and you nominated him.

Listened to Louis Theroux podcast last week, Troy Deeney came across very well, not what I was expecting at all.

Paul Gascoigne. Has done some pretty shameful things under the influence, allegedly, but just seems the nicest of guys.

Recall a story of Ally McCoists of him getting a letter from a young lad from stateside who had leukaemia, McCoist claimed it was a begging letter from someone at it, Gazza drove from Glasgow in his training gear to the NE and have the boys family 5 grand towards their treatment costs.

Graeme Obree is a pretty amazing fella, met him a few times, won't hear a bad word against him.

Was he Mefty? If so I stand corrected.

I thought it was mainly Broad, Swann, Prior and Flower - but on a quick google I see Anderson implicated as well so yes - i do stand corrcted

Never met him, but John McGuiness seems a nice bloke.

Tony Hawk. (oh eddiebaby already named him)

Jenson Button

Lachlan Morton for trying anything

“at least I am not terminally dull!”

Erm, about that...

😉

Someone must’ve already suggested Dan Carter. Bloomin gorgeous too inne. 😊
I’m quite bad at reading today. Sorry 😐

As there are a lot of cricketers coming up so far, what about Freddie?

Likes a bit of a party so might get landed with "too much of a lad" but seems to do everything with a smile and gives the impression he would do it all even if he wasn't getting paid.

Recall a story of Ally McCoists...

Plenty of stories about McCoist being a bit of a tool but... Years ago I set up ropes for a press thing prior to a charity abseil at Ibrox. Basically, McCoist was getting photographed and interviewed dangling from a rope to promote the event. Whilst this was going on I was chatting to the guy who ran the Rangers charitable foundation. He said McCoist was the one guy they could rely on to turn up for the charity events and always had been. Went up in my estimation a bit after that.

Just remembered, listen to the Downtime Podcast with Nigel Page from a year or so ago.  It's a great listen to those who were into the DH scene back in the day, and he comes across as a thoroughly nice bloke too.

Sadio Mane - https://www.planetfootball.com/quick-reads/six-times-sadio-mane-was-the-nicest-man-in-the-world/

Marcelo Bielsa

Lucas Radebe - former Leeds Utd player who grew up in Soweto and has been lauded for his work with young people in the townships

Marcus Rashford

Some good names mentioned already, but to add.
Sir Alistair Cook,

Nick Craig well deserved his nickname of “The Nicest Guy in Mountain Biking”.

I've met him briefly twice, many years ago now, and was the most genuine, friendly "top sportsman" I've met. First was a Cycle Show. I used to work around the Peak District and would see him out training, and then the conversation got on to kids and schools and what I did for a living and how I should give him a wave when I saw him out riding.

Then saw him a few months later on New Mills high street, had a brief "Hi, how you doing?" moments when he couldn't possibly have any idea who I was.

But I'll second those recognising Rashford, not at all what I was expecting from him. And Troy Deeney is a really interesting guy when interviewed

Damon Hill, comes across as a decent chap.

I had occasion to be part of the O2 paddock at Silverstone for the British GP when he drove for Williams (you might remember they had at the time quite prominent O2 sponsorship) and he joined us in the grass paddock where we had the motor-home and a BBQ rather than go to the GP after party as (as he said at the time) he can be Damon Hill, rather than Damon Hill: The Racing Driver...We sat around in deck chairs tending the BBQ, shooting the breeze, gentle piss taking, and laughing...I must admit I was a bit star struck, but he was just totally down to earth and at ease. every passing spectator that recognised him got a handshake and a signed something or a photo...Just very impressive.

Peter Crouch?
Seems to have a great sense of humour, takes the mickey out of himself a lot.

Wilko is a good bloke, spoke at our annual conference and very kindly signed my lad's england shirt (huge thanks to my CEO for sorting).
Laura Kenny, lovely at the Manchester Velodrome, chatted to my daughter, signed programme and gave her a winners bouquet. In fact most of the cyclists at the Revolution series were all lovely to chat to. Load of other rugby players too, always seem very happy to chat/ have photos with the kids.

Rode with Lachlan Morton over Salter Fell last November.

He's my other son, obviously!

🙂

Erm, I’m sure this wasn’t it, but Chris Hoy is clearly a BAD MAN!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41081756

I met Micah Richards a few years back, when he was a rising star with Man City. I'm not a football fan at all and was expecting him, as a Premiership footballer, to be a nob. He was actually a really nice fella, and I was suitably chastened that I'd assumed he'd be a dickhead when he was actually a really down-to-earth humble fella.

I know naff all of him other than that one encounter, but he seemed like a decent fella.

Graeme Obree is one of the good guys for sure.

Just to a add to the Nick Craig tales, when he won (again) the national cx title this year, as he came to the finish he was just about to lap another rider who would have had to stop ( lucky him, filthy muddy wet course must've been a killer).
NC slowed up and pushed him over the line with a "have another lap"
Bastard !! 😀

The only top sports people I've met are Brian Moore (I like him, seems some others don't) and Roger Hammond, who seems a gent

Scottish Rugby greats...Many moons ago a pal of mine met Gavin Hastings and David Sole. She worked in a hotel where they were both staying for some corporate gig and as a known rugby fan got charged with looking after them. She said Sole was an absolute gent and Hastings the opposite, she was quite upset by him. Doddie Weir seems lovely and is showing real courage/character through his illness.

I'll chip in with Guy Martin, seems like a good bloke

Tony Hawk - see recent short documentary Long Live Livi - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000k06g (watch the whole thing if you like, but it looks like they posted the clip below)

Rodney Mullen - There was a thing a few years back where a skater from the UK got to skate with him and he was nothing but supportive

I like my sports heroes brutal in combat and humble otherwise. As mentioned, Froome does it for me. Hamilton has come on a long way with maturity (and dominance of course). Hoy is just a hero.

Of course since the most self-effacing, charity-serving all-round good guy heroes don’t do it to be seen, we’re probably unaware of them. Those are my real heroes.

Just to a add to the Nick Craig tales, when he won (again) the national cx title this year, as he came to the finish he was just about to lap another rider who would have had to stop ( lucky him, filthy muddy wet course must’ve been a killer).

I love NC as much as anyone (even after the time I came back to my van at a race and found him stealing my biscuits!) but this didn't happen - certainly not at the national champs anyway.
Edit - I take that back, getting my venues and years mixed up (I was one of the commissaires!)

I believe most of the good folk are really the ones who don't put in a lot of effort to their image or even put in a bad boy (or girl) image.

This seems to be prevalent in DH... but perhaps that's the same bias as Ajay...
Not long ago at Rogate a kid had a crash whilst Deakin was doing a photo shoot... he very literally dropped everything and ran to the kid without a moments thought.

Sure his conversation round kids you can tell he has to try... if not quite at warner levels of effort not to swear but he comes across as genuinely nice.
Much the same for the other ladies and gents on the circuit I've met...

First time we met Olly Wilkins he had a load of people in his entourage (presumably from sponsors) and he spent 10 mins talking to my kid then offered to ride a trail with him.

Could go on with others but a bit pointless just name dropping when my association isn't even mine but the kids.

Matthew Pinsent. Helps out as a judge at schools/youth rowing events. Always happy to chat and is really encouraging, no matter how bleak a river bank he is standing on.

worked in a pub in the late 80s/ early 90s in Manchester

Sir Ralph by any chance?

The only top sports people I’ve met are Brian Moore (I like him, seems some others don’t) and Roger Hammond, who seems a gent

I witnessed Roger Hammond having a complete mental screaming and slanging match at a Commissaire during a road race. He absolutely lost it, drove his car at other riders, tried to run the officials car off the road.

Genuinely terrifying to see, he completely flipped over a really minor thing.

He got a hefty fine for it but his behaviour was utterly abhorrent not to mention incredibly dangerous.

So no, he doesn't make the list IMHO.

Sam Warburton and AWJ. And from golf Tommy Fleetwood.

Robby Naish

This...sailed in an informal speed contest with him (and Anders Bringdal) in Maui about 10 years ago...completely down to earth, friendly, offered advice without being condescending. (I was doing 26-27 knots, him and Anders were hitting 40...across a reef with 2 feet of water on it! And I still have a copy of Maui News with my name in the same list of competitors as Robbie 😂)

Tracey Mosley is the most brilliant role model I've found - happy, amazing athlete and competitor, yet seemingly laid back and happy to chat to every grom and patent going.

Ben Ainslie was great when I spent some time with him, although that is 25 years ago. He still seems mr_normal, albeit on the thin end of the Andy Murray happy scale at times...

I forgot - Ellen MacArthur.

Danny MacAskill seems grounded for such a talent but never met him
Colin McRae was always approachable but sadly no longer here

+1 for Tracy Mosley. Really lovely person, always cheerful and committed to helping others achieve.

Danny MacAskill seems grounded for such a talent but never met him

He's really nice. Met him when he did the Road Bike 2 "barrel roll" stunt around that pipe (4:15 in this video

)

There was a bunch of us filming him doing it and they were really concerned that it was all kept secret, asking us not to share it. Danny came round afterwards, had a chat with everyone, said hi to some kids hanging around and just asked us, nice as anything, please don't share, it's really important, we're trusting you all with this.

He was cool though, spent some time with some of the young BMXers hanging round the place, just chatting away