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Most Influential US Athletes

Jimmie Johnson leads Forbes list for second straight year

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 24, 2012 6:32 PM CDT

(Newser) – Forbes is out with its annual list of the nation's 10 most influential athletes, and NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson leads the way for the second straight year. Here are the top 5, with the results based on opinion polls commissioned by the magazine:

  1. Jimmie Johnson
  2. Tm Tebow
  3. Peyton Manning
  4. Manny Pacquiao
  5. Tom Brady
Click for the full list. Some notables dropping off this year include Michael Phelps, LeBron James, and Shaq.

No. 1: NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson
No. 1: NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson   (AP Photo/Steve Sheppard)
No. 2: Tim Tebow, formerly of the Broncos and now with the Jets
No. 2: Tim Tebow, formerly of the Broncos and now with the Jets   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
No. 3: Peyton Manning, now with the Broncos
No. 3: Peyton Manning, now with the Broncos   (Getty Images)
No. 4: Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines
No. 4: Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
No. 5: Tom Brady
No. 5: Tom Brady   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, FIle)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
NewserScooter
Apr 24, 2012 10:34 PM CDT
Not to make too much of it, but driving for several hours in the heat, and vibration of a NASCAR, and not wrecking is hardly driving a Taxi.  It is a sport, and they are Athletes.  You don't have to be a fan, but they are  what they are.
Rammrodd
Apr 24, 2012 7:42 PM CDT
Yep, a fine quintet of great athletes. They have the Right Stuff. No thugs or druggies in the Top Five.
Rembrandt_Q_Einstein
Apr 24, 2012 7:04 PM CDT
I don't think getting paid to drive a car makes one an "athlete". A taxi driver maybe, but not an athlete.

 
Peyton Manning • Tom Brady • Jimmie Johnson • Tim Tebow • Manny Pacquiao • athletes

 
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