25 of the Most Selfless Athletes Ever

Sports are an art that often requires teamwork and leadership. But that hasn't stopped diva-like ball hogs from dominating the scene.

Thankfully, they're not all arrogant blowhards who relish in their own success. Many are dedicated team players who always look for the open guy, always look to get their teammates involved and always look to improve the world.

Those who do the little things to help spark change—accomplishments that often don't reach the stat sheet...those are the true heroes.

Let's look at the 25 most selfless athletes ever.

Some were charitable, others loyal, all heroic.

25. Dikembe Mutombo, NBA

Giving nearly $15 million (per NBA.com) in an effort to build a hospital in his native Congo eclipsed any block-heavy performance 7'2" Dikembe Mutombo offered during his prolific career on the hardwood.

"There is a proverb in Africa: When you take the elevator to go up, you always must remember to send it back down. This is my way of sending it back down," he said.

A round of applause, please.

24. Ted Williams, MLB

A .344 career average, 521 home runs, 19 All-Star appearances...the list goes on for Ted Williams.

But it was his service during the 1942 through 1946 and 1952-53 seasons to help defend the United States in World War II and in Korea that made him a legendary hero.

23. Steve Nash, NBA

Perhaps the most prolific point guard in today's NBA, Steve Nash is just as respected for his off-court activism as he is for his selfless style on it.

The sponsor of the Steve Nash Youth Basketball League in British Columbia (over 10,000 participants, per NBA.com) also holds the fifth-most assists in league history with 9,916.

Even Charles Barkley muscled up the courage to associate Nash with the term "selfless," according to Time.

22. Byron Leftwich, NFL

So maybe his ultimate destiny was to ride the chilly benches in Pittsburgh, but that didn't keep Byron Leftwich from carrying his Marshall team on his back in 2002.

After going to the hospital in the first quarter of a scoreless game, Leftwich returned with his team down by a score of 27-10 in the third quarter.

Linemen Steve Sciullo and Steve Perretta carried Leftwich down the field as he winced through the pain and sparked a 17-point comeback.

Those who watched him battle a broken left tibia were left in awe.

21. John Mackey, NFL

A pioneer at the tight end position, Hall of Famer John Mackey is perhaps just as respected for his actions away from the gridiron.

Helping to organize a strike that earned players $11 million in pensions and benefits was a necessary stepping stone to getting NFL players post-career support.

20. Cal Ripken Jr., MLB

Cal Ripken Jr. played in 2,632 consecutive games. Enough said.

The Iron Man of baseball never let his team down.

19. Warrick Dunn, NFL

Helping over 100 single-parent families in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Tallahassee and Tampa purchase homes (per WarrickDunnFoundation.org) has made Warrick Dunn a pure hero. 

Over 10,000 rushing yards, and even more smiles.

18. Bill Russell, NBA

On his way to achieving 11 championship rings, Bill Russell showed the world that teamwork truly does make the dream work.

While averaging 22.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists from the center position was legendary, it was the Celtic's sharing nature and dominant demeanor down low that had teammates frothing and opponents scared.

A basketball icon and a true winner.

17. Kerri Strug, Gymnastics

The ringleader of the victorious all-around women's gymnastics team that represented the United States at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, Kerri Strug is remembered for completing perhaps the most memorable vault in history.

After destroying her ankle on a faulty first attempt, Strug stepped up to complete the twisting Yurchenko (perhaps the most difficult move in women's gymnastics).

She received a score of 9.712 and led the U.S. team to its first-ever team gymnastics gold medal.

16. Mean Joe Greene, NFL

The anchor of the '70s Steel Curtain, defensive tackle Joe Greene is remembered most for his charitable performance in an iconic 1979 Coca-Cola commercial.

"Hey kid, catch."

15. Marc Savard, NHL

Since suffering a Grade 2 concussion from a hit by NHL instigator Matt Cooke and a second concussion on a hit by former Bruin Matt Hunwick last year, Bruins center Marc Savard has seen his future become a question mark.

But during his off time, Savard decided to donate a TD Garden luxury suite to pediatric patients at Children's Hospital Boston (per ESPNBoston.com).

Just making a difference.

14. Bruce Matthews, NFL

With 229 consecutive games at every position on the offensive line, Bruce Matthews was indispensable to his Oilers-turned-Titans franchise.

As if any other position demands such selflessness, this man paved the way for victory.

13. Steve Yzerman, NHL

After being named captain at only 21-years-old, center Steve Yzerman went on to dress as the Red Wings leader for over 1,300 games and eventually retire as the longest-serving captain of any team in North American major league sports history.

With three Stanley Cups during his tenure in Detroit, it's only natural that the legendary Red Wing got his teammates involved and motivated at all times.

And despite reconstructive surgery that kept him out for the first half of the 2002 season, Yzerman came back and played the second half and the entire postseason with what must've felt like one leg.

23 points in 23 games. Enough said.

12. Maurice Cheeks, NBA

Former point guard Maurice Cheeks' greatest assist ever.

And perhaps one of the most significant and inspirational acts of kindness of all time.

11. John Stockton, NBA

Not only was he a nine-time league leader in assists (1987-1996), but John Stockton kept the short-shorts in fashion for as long as he could.

An admirable act indeed.

With an all-time league-leading 15,806 assists and a memorable pair of drawers, this half of the Malone-Stockton tandem cemented his name as one of the best teammates in history.

10. Shun Fujimoto, Gymnastics

Retired Japanese gymnast Shun Fujimoto is best remembered for his jaw-dropping display of toughness in the 1976 Olympics.

Despite breaking his knee during the floor exercise, Fujimoto earned scores of 9.5 on the pommel horse and 9.7 on the rings, before dropping to the floor in agony.

Dislocation in his already-broken kneecap and torn ligaments in his right leg would result. But at least he earned that gold medal for his team.

9. Mel Hein, NFL

The only offensive lineman ever to be named MVP, linebacker/center Mel Hein naturally never missed a single snap in his career.

Word has it he called a timeout once, just to reset his broken nose (per ProFootballHOF.com).

8. Ronnie Lott, NFL

With bone graft surgery not allowing him to be ready for the 1986 season, legendary safety Ronnie Lott allegedly amputated the pinkie finger that he crushed while tackling Timmy Newsome.

He played through it and led the league with 10 picks the following year. His 49ers were undoubtedly grateful.

7. Dave Semenko, NHL

In protecting Oiler greats Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Mark Messier and Paul Coffey, NHL enforcer Dave Semenko essentially prioritized others before himself.

The heartbeat of the '84 and '85 Stanley Cup-winning squads finished his 575-game career with 1,175 penalty minutes and plenty of awe-inspired followers.

6. Lyman Bostock, MLB

After finishing second in the league in batting in 1977, blossoming outfielder Lyman Bostock earned one of the first big-money contracts during free agency with the California Angels.

His immediate donation of $10,000 to a church in his native Birmingham was a sign of things to come.

When he batted .150 the following April, Bostock actually attempted to return his salary to the Angels.

His life was flooded with heroics.

5. Rocky Bleier, NFL

Following his rookie season with the Steelers, scrappy tailback Rocky Bleier volunteered for the Vietnam War.

Despite shrapnel in his leg from a grenade explosion, Bleier came back and became a pivotal part of four Super Bowl clubs in Pittsburgh.

4. Jackie Robinson, MLB

Under the scrutiny of the world and the threatening spotlight of nationwide baseball fans, Jackie Robinson defied all odds and broke the sport's color barrier.

Classy, prolific and honorable. Robinson improved his sport and nation just by showing up.

3. Jack Twyman, NBA

Despite being the first NBA player to average more than 30 points per game in a single season (31.2 during the 1959–60 season), Jack Twyman is best known for his humanitarian acts.

Specifically, becoming the legal guardian of teammate Maurice Stokes, who was paralyzed following a head injury in the final game of the 1958 regular season.

"It was 1958. A 23-year-old white guy basically adopted a paralyzed 24-year-old black man," wrote Sporting News' David Whitley.

The greatest teammate ever.

2. Manute Bol, NBA

The 7'7" center may have shocked NBA audiences with his prolific shot blocking and his occasional three-point prowess, but it was Manute Bol's activism that truly cemented his name in the record books. 

It's been said that most (if not all) of the $6 million he earned during his 10-year career went to his war-ridden home nation of Sudan.

Bol was far more than just another tall prospect; he represented what sports should be about.

1. Pat Tillman, NFL

Turning down a three-year, $3.6 million contract from the Cardinals to join the army in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks eclipsed any performance Pat Tillman could've produced on the gridiron (per MSNBC.com).

A true hero. We'll always remember.