The Most Insane Acts of Athleticism

While it might appear that something incredible happens every single sporting us fans watch, there are few instances that prove there's an extra bit of adrenaline—and athleticism—in certain people.

Self-described as someone having a Kobe gene, in reference of the determination and competitiveness of Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, sometimes a person's will and pure mental and physical strength get them through something that's indescribable.

We have seen plenty of these moments over the years, but I'm giving you the best of the best, as these are the most insane acts of athleticism.

Jarron Gilbert's Pool Jump

There is amazing, than there's this by former NFL defensive lineman Jarron Gilbert, who showed the type of strength and athleticism he had by leaping from the shallow end of a pool onto the platform above a few years ago.

A lot of fans might take for granted just how difficult it truly is to be a pro athlete—and Gilbert was a guy who lasted just five games in his NFL career. But, this type of stuff proves that it takes some serious ability to even get a chance to make a team's roster.

Gilbert may not have lasted long in the NFL, but he looks like one hell of a lifeguard with this type of ability.

Mark Bavaro Carries Ronnie Lott

Sure, there have been other NFL players who have dragged opponents on their back, digging deep to pick up extra yards without any regard for their bodies.

But, because former NFL tight end did so with one of the most punishing and reckless athletes to ever play the game on his back, Ronnie Lott, I had to give the guy props over anyone else.

Catching the ball at the 40-yard line, Bavaro shows the type of athleticism a person can have when they just won't take no for an answer, carrying Lott and his Niners teammates a good 13 yards or so before finally getting taken to the ground.

Spud Webb's Dunk Contest

When compiling the list of the greatest pure athletes to ever play a sport, I'm sure that former NBA player Spud Webb wouldn't even receive a single vote.

With guys like Jim Brown, Bo Jackson and Michael Jordan often talked about as holding that particular distinction, Webb might have something to say about it—especially given his size.

Standing just 5'6", the pint-sized baller outlasted former Atlanta Hawks teammate Dominique Wilkins to show the world that little guys can soar, too, taking home the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest with ability that vertically-inclined people everywhere can grin from ear-to-ear about.

Chad Ochocinco's Speed

Say whatever the hell you want to about former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco—who was as well known for running his mouth as he was for snagging passes. But, one thing you can't question is his athleticism.

While No. 85 never had the reputation of a burner like Ted Ginn Jr. or DeSean Jackson, he showed that he could flash some serious wheels when he ran on a treadmill at an insane 24 miles per hour back in 2013 at the age of 35—on an incline, no less.

It may have "only" been for a matter of seconds, but the former All-Pro would have gotten pulled over in a school zone for running had he been on the street in that short amount of time, which is just insane to think about.

Andrew Wiggins

When someone is the No. 1 overall choice in a draft, there's usually a very good reason for it.

In Andrew Wiggins' case, it's because the kid is a freak athlete, displaying skills that you or I could only dream of ever having.

The leading candidate for the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award this season, Wiggins is showing why he has been so highly-coveted as a hoops player his entire life, continuously providing jaw-dropping plays that make him a budding superstar in the league.

With Wiggins doing things like behind-the-back, 360-degree slams during pregame warm ups, none of us should really be that surprised at what he's capable of doing when he's on the basketball court, because he has God-given athleticism that just can't be taught.

J.J. Watt's Vertical Leap

Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans is a freak in all of the best ways.

Standing at 6'5" and weighing 290 pounds, Watt is more than just a physical specimen like others in the NFL, proving that he has the ability to do unworldly things with his ridiculous athleticism.

One of Watt's most impressive displays came recently as a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, with the Pro Bowler leaping onto a box that was set at 59.5-inches from a vertical stance and putting his insane leg and hip strength on display.

To be honest, though, I could have probably just put together an entire piece on Watt's ability to make jaws drop, with him capable of making difficult plays seem routine—especially for a guy with his size and bulk.

Jacob Tucker's Jumping Ability

If there were any doubters about white men not being able to jump—which Billy Hoyt proved wrong in the cult-classic flick—maybe Jacob Tucker can convince you to rethink that theory.

Standing at 5'11", Tucker—a former Illinois College baller—made a hype video for himself back in 2011 to show the NCAA that he should compete in the NCAA dunk contest.

With a 50-inch vertical that makes it appear he has springs attached to the bottom of his feet, Tucker not only got his chance to show the goods that year, but he also ended up taking home the title, impressing the judges with some serious athletic ability.

Fans might think of Blake Griffin or LeBron James as being high-fliers, but with Jacob Tucker being pint-sized compared to those two, he should really be commended for being a freak of nature.

Richard Albero's 1,200-Mile Walk

Editor's Note: Related story begins at 55-second mark of embedded video.

If someone asked you the best way to get from Tampa, Fl. to New York City, there wouldn't be any hesitation in jumping on either a computer or mobile device to find the cheapest flight.

It's not what 65-year-old, lifetime Yankees fan Richard Albero would do, though.

That's because Albero, a retired naval officer and educator, is currently on his journey from home plate at the Yanks' spring training stadium in sunny Florida towards Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, which is a trek of over 1,200 miles.

So, why is he doing all of this? For a good cause, of course, as Albero is trying to raise $100,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project, already getting more than $20,000 from those who have heard about his movement.

Some of us are too lazy to walk a few blocks to the grocery store, yet this guy is walking 20 miles a day for three months straight.

Eddie Hall's Deadlift

While other examples on this list might appear to be more athletic, there's no denying that what powerlifter Eddie Hall did last month isn't a display of extreme athleticism.

Competing at the 2015 Arnold Classic in Australia—an event named after Arnold Schwarzenegger—Hall did something that a large percentage of us couldn't even imagine attempting to do, deadlifting a ridiculous 1,018 pounds, setting a world record in the process.

Making this even cooler was that Schwarzenegger, himself, was there recording it on his phone and posting the feat on Instagram.

Some athletes are fast, some can leap and others are strong as all hell, with Hall being the latter as he proved to lift close to the weight of a male polar bear in record style.

Bryan Morseman's Three-Peat

Image via Screengrab

Talk about the winner of the Best Dad Award for 2015.

In an extreme act of both kindness and physical will, 29-year-old marathon runner Bryan Morseman has a very good reason to run as fast as he can for 26.2 miles.

That's because his nine-month-old son, Leeim, gets all of the earnings that Morseman earns when completing a race, with dad finishing first in an incredible 23 of the 42 full-marathons he has run since 2008.

No, it's not to help save for the youngster's college education, but to pay for Leeim's hospital bills, as the infant has spina bifida, a birth defect that where a baby's spinal cord fails to develop properly.

Recently getting recognized for winning his last three fulls in just eight days to help his son, Bryan Morseman is someone we should all be rooting for as he pushed through an agonizing 26.2 miles.

Byron Jones' Broad Jump

He might not yet be in the NFL, but former Connecticut Huskies cornerback Byron Jones has already left his mark on the league.

That's because, during this year's NFL Combine, Jones didn't just shatter the event's mark in the broad jump, but he set the world record, completing a jump of an insane 12-feet, 3 inches to put his name in the annals of athletic history.

Also completing a 44.5-inch vertical jump and running a 4.3 40-yard dash at his pro day, Jones has leaped up draft boards just about as well as he leaped during the drills—and it's all due to his natural athleticism.

Dean Karnazes' 50 Marathons in 50 Days

You know those kids growing up who always seemed to overachieve in school? Yeah, I would put mega-runner Dean Karnazes into that category.

While most of us would be thrilled with just running one full-marathon—I know that I am—Karnazes puts anyone who calls themselves a runner to complete shame, as he completed 50 different fulls in all 50 U.S. states in the matter of, yes, 50-straight days.

For those who haven't run a full before, the days and week following usually feel as if your body got hit by a truck and your mind was completely drained.

For Karnazes, though, he fought through mental and physical limitations to do something that should have him tested for being the bionic man, because the accomplishment is just unheard of.