Brett Keisel, Bill Walton and The Most Glorious Beards In Sports History

There seems to be little doubt regarding the reason for the Steelers being in this year's Super Bowl.  It is of course, Brett Keisel's truly unbelievable beard.

Keisel is a great player, but his facial locks have transcended his game.  Anyone who sports what looks like a legitimate lion's mane on the lower half of his face, is bound to make some headlines.

Keisel's beard has become its own Super Bowl XLV storyline.

His beard may be the greatest in sports history, but it's certainly not the only one.

I Want You to Determine Who Will Be In This Slideshow

I want this slideshow to be more of a starting point than a complete article. 

I will detail a few of the greatest sports beards of all-time, and you will tell me in the comments section who else belongs in the slideshow.

Tell me who you think had great sports beards, and I'll add a slide for him!  This should lead to an article that consists of well over a hundred athletes!

Try to limit your selections to three beards so everyone can get in on the fun.

Bill Walton

That was in the NBA!

In his Blazer days, Bill Walton looked more like a Cro-Magnon warrior than a starting center.

Baron Davis

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 25: Baron Davis #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers at American Airlines Center on January 25, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consent

Sculpted, thick, regal.  These are just a few of the words that aptly describe Baron Davis's beard.

Brett Keisel

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - FEBRUARY 01: Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers answers questions during Super Bowl XLV Media Day ahead of Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 1, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green Bay

Behold.

This long, flowing beard has taken on something of a life of its own.

If the Steelers win the Super Bowl, the beard should be the game's MVP.

Phil Jackson

He's had his fair share of great facial hair looks as a coach, but nothing compares to this.

Kyle Orton

Contributor: Zac Man

Affectionately known by its fans as the neck beard, this scruff doesn't seem to want to come out and play.

Brian Wilson

Contributor: Jordan Huggins

Brian Wilson insists that thing is all-natural.  Whether or not that's true is beside the point.  It clearly led the Giants to a World Series title.

Brock Lesnar

Contributor: Adam Dye

As if the beard wasn't enough, nothing says man like hiking uphill, through the snow, with a deer on his back (all while wearing camo with an orange hunter's vest and hat).

Scott Spiezio

Contributor: The Duke

It's obviously not a full beard, but you have to admire Spiezio's dedication to team spirit, and the way he displays that dedication via soul patch.

Aaron Rodgers

Contributor: Zac Man

The wild west gunslinger look is very fitting for Rodgers.

Dan Fouts

Contributor: Patrick Smith

Not even an NFL helmet can contain this, and don't get me started on the chin strap.

James Harden

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - JANUARY 18: James Harden #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on January 18, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograp

Contributor: Matt Permenter

In the tradition of Baron Davis, this baller beard is as respectable as any across the sports landscape.

Bruce Sutter

Contributor: King Kaufman

It's hard to imagine anyone being able to focus on the incoming pitch when it's coming from the same vicinity as that beard.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Contributor: Conor Fox

From the mind of the contributor himself, Fitzpatrick is described as, "THE BUFFALO LUMBERJACK".

Kimbo Slice

Contributor: Adam Fromal

I can't imagine trying to grapple with this guy.  Just think about the likelihood of getting a face full of that beard.

Mike Commodore

Contributor: Adam Fromal

This picture is almost too good to be true.  He looks like something out of a hockey spoof movie.

Johnny Damon

Contributor: Adam Fromal

It's a shame Damon ever left the Red Sox.  His game, as well as the locks on his head and face were a perfect fit in Boston.

Jim Neidhart

Contributor: Bruce Miller

I knew we'd get some professional wrestlers in here eventually.  Does anyone think this face would look nearly as menacing without that goat?

John Matuszak

Contributor: Bruce Miller

He played Sloth in the movie "Goonies".  Do I really need to say anything else about this guy?

Sebastian Chabal

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Sebastien Chabal of Racing Metro in action during the Heineken Cup Round 3 Pool 2 match between Saracens and Racing Metro at Vicarage Road on December 11, 2010 in Watford, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Contributor: Bruce Miller

I can't even begin to tell you all how grateful I am to Bruce for introducing Sebastian Chabal to this discussion.

Will Goggans

Contributor: Vinny Puma

This defies explanation.  Some team should draft this kid in the first round of the NFL Draft based solely on that growth.

Drew Gooden

Contributor: Elliott Baas

Drew Gooden has fashioned several different looks out of his facial hair, but this one has to take the cake.

Franco Harris

Contributor: Elliott Baas

The tradition of luscious Steeler beards did not begin with Brett Keisel. 

Hunter Hearst Helmsley

Contributor: k swet

Triple H is no stranger to the "Friendly Mutton Chops" look.  He pulls it off as well as anyone.

Alexi Lalas

Contributor: John Williams

Alexi Lalas was one of the best players in United States soccer history.  Is there any question why?

Scott Niedermayer

Contributor: k swet

Nothing quite like a mature, dignified NHL Playoff beard.

Pau Gasol

Contributor: Jon Sainz

The Lakers are in a bit of a funk right now.  To break out of their funk, they don't need a trade, they need the return of this beard.

Socrates

Contributor: John Williams

This is as perfect a look as possible for international competition.

Ben Roethlisberger

Contributor: Jon Sainz

Keisel's not the only Steeler trying to bring some facial hair magic to this game.

Todd Helton

Contributor: k swet

He's got more hair in his goatee than most men have in full beards.

Jacob Pullen

Contributor: Kevin Hatfield

Pullen's neck beard is making more noise than Kansas State's basketball team this year.

Brian Winter

Contributor: John Williams

Playing basketball with that kind of beard is no small feat.  He could probably use a sweatband down there.

Lanny McDonald

Contributor: Andrew Allen

I had a very hard time deciding between a full-beard picture, or his straight mustache look.  This is the definition of a win-sin situation.

Kris Draper

Contributor: k swet

Dare I say... Chuck Norris?

The man responsible for this selection also wanted me to throw this in for comparison's sake.

Jayson Werth

Contributor: Eric Casperson

That baseball cap can't even begin to contain everything that's going on there.

Give Me More!

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

FORT WORTH, TX - JANUARY 31: Defensive end Brett Keisel #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers talks with the media at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel on January 31, 2011 in Fort Worth, Texas. The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV o

Like I said at the start of this slideshow, I want you guys to comment and tell me who else belongs in this article.

When you tell me a legitimate, glorious beard, I will add a slide for that player.

Let the games begin...