Let's Play Who's Who?: Sports Edition
Although some sports figures get stuffed down sports fans' throats over and over again, their faces blasted all over the TV and in ads, a few stay under the radar more than they probably should.
For those people, this article is for you.
Even after success in their respective sports, here's a list of a few people whom you might not recognize—or even know—because they've been out of the spotlight for some strange reason.
Test your skills by seeing if you can identify who's who in this quiz—and no, you can't use Google.
Can You Name the Longtime Gonzaga Bulldogs Head Coach?
1 of 10
Even after 16 straight appearances in the NCAA tournament, there are still some fans who would be hard-pressed to pick out the current Gonzaga Bulldogs men's hoops coach from a lineup.
One can't really blame them, though.
With the Zags in the upper Northwest and playing in an inferior conference late at night, this guy and his team don't get a whole lot of face time for sports fans to see them live—if at all—prior to March Madness.
And because his team has yet to reach a Final Four, he and his team will continue to keep low profiles and, more than likely, be passed on the street without as much as a double-take—unless he's walking around Spokane, of course.
Answer: Few, Mark
Can You Name the NFL Leader in Sacks in 2014?
2 of 10
With good reason, guys like J.J. Watt and Mario Williams get a lot of pub from fans and media members thanks to their dominance. But there's another defensive end who can stake his claim as one of the best in the game, too.
That's because this behemoth has continued to ascend toward being a real quarterback-frustrater since coming into the league as a third-round pick in 2011.
Not only has this player averaged over 12 sacks per season in his four NFL years, but he led all defenders with 22 sacks last season, falling just short of the NFL record in that category.
Even as a three-time Pro Bowler, I would bet there wouldn't be too many people outside of his hometown who would recognize this guy walking down the street.
Answer: Houston, Justin
Can You Name Chip Kelly's Replacement at the University of Oregon?
3 of 10
Even after taking his team to this year's College Football Playoff title game, the current head coach of the Oregon Ducks still might not have a face that many fans could identify.
Make no mistake, though, he is one of the top coaches in all of college football.
With a career head-coaching record of 24-4 in his two years at his post in Eugene, this guy replaced a guy in Chip Kelly who is regarded as one of the top offensive innovators the game has ever seen. But it is Kelly's successor who has people wondering how the Ducks put up video game-like numbers—even if Kelly is the more polarizing and recognizable figure whose shadow still hangs over the program.
Answer: Helfrich, Mark
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Who Is This Guy Who Finished Third in the AL MVP Voting in 2014?
4 of 10
Unless you're a diehard Cleveland Indians fan, there's a good chance you don't recognize the team's baby-faced outfielder.
Earning his first trip to the All-Star Game last season, this soft-spoken player was more than just a fluke selection, finishing 2014 by batting .327, slugging 20 homers and driving in 97 runs, which was good enough to put him in the top 3 of the American League's MVP voting.
One of the players acquired by the Tribe in the trade for former Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia in 2008, this rising star might not have a face that's recognizable by many fans, but he has the game that should be.
Answer: Brantley, Michael
Can You Name the Head Coach of the Atlanta Hawks?
5 of 10
Not only does the head coach of the Atlanta Hawks have a tricky name to spell, but he's also got a face that most fans probably don't recognize.
As a former San Antonio Spurs assistant coach, this guy was a member of an organization that has built a dynasty thanks to Gregg Popovich running things a certain way and using a variety of players to build a tight-knit unit.
In Atlanta, this coach has followed the same blueprint, leading the Hawks to 60 wins this season to grab the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed, while also sending four of his players to the All-Star Game this past February.
Oh, and did I mention that he won this year's NBA's Coach of the Year Award, too? No? That's probably because no one recognized him as the guy who received the trophy.
Answer: Budenholzer, Mike
Can You Name the Current Head Coach of the San Francisco 49ers?
6 of 10
Even after living in Seattle and being engulfed in NFC West country, I still needed to actually Google the name of the new San Francisco 49ers head coach—and there's a good chance many of you would have to, also.
Named as the replacement for departed Niners coach Jim Harbaugh—who left for his alma mater, the University of Michigan—this past offseason, this former defensive line coach was promoted to take over the top spot a few months ago.
With the team since 2007, this mustachioed man might not be someone you or I would stop on the street, but he is coaching one of the most historic franchises in the NFL.
Answer: Tomsula, Jim
Can You Name One of the Top Goalscorers in the English Premier League?
7 of 10
There are a lot of great young soccer players in the world, but one who doesn't get as much pub as some of the others is a player for Tottenham Hotspur, who, at 21 years old, currently sits second in the English Premier League in goals this season with 20.
One of the hopes for Tottenham fans who are looking toward the future, this player may look more like a member of One Direction than a soccer star. However, fans and opponents would be wise to treat him like the goal-scoring threat he is rather than a singer who drives the ladies crazy.
Compared to Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch, this stud goalscorer doesn't need the support of a band to attract a lot of female attention.
Answer: Kane, Harry
Can You Name the Head Coach of the Memphis Grizzlies?
8 of 10
As much as fans might not recognize the aforementioned Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks, there are probably even fewer who could pick out the Memphis Grizzlies' leader.
A three-time International Basketball Association champion head coach with the Dakota Wizards, this guy continued to rise up the pro coaching ranks, eventually landing a gig on the staff of the Grizzlies in 2007.
After the team decided to change directions in 2013 by announcing former head man Lionel Hollins wouldn't be back, this young gun was tabbed as his replacement. This gave him an NBA head-coaching gig at the age of 39, although he might be mistaken for a ball boy rather than the head coach.
Don't be confused, though, because with a career NBA head-coaching record of 105-59 in the regular season, as well as two playoff trips, this Grizzlies coach has proved he knows his X's and O's.
Answer: Joerger, Dave
Can You Name the Baltimore Ravens' Leading Rusher in 2014?
9 of 10
Heading into the 2014 NFL season, there probably weren't too many fantasy football team owners who thought that the Baltimore Ravens would be led in rushing by a former seventh-round draft pick who has bounced around the league since 2008.
Even now, one might be hard-pressed to find someone who can identify the guy who did lead the Ravens in rushing last year—a player who gained 1,266 rushing yards with eight scores and made his first-ever Pro Bowl.
While a stout 190 pounds, he stands just 5'8", making him someone who might appear more like an insurance agent than a pro football player.
Don't be fooled, though, the guy can go when on the gridiron, which is a big reason Baltimore re-signed him this offseason in the hope that he can duplicate his production.
Answer: Forsett, Justin
Can You Name the Guy with the Second-Most Top-10 Finishes on PGA Tour This Year?
10 of 10
There's no disputing that golfers like Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed have gotten a lot of pub as the up-and-coming golfers on the PGA Tour.
However, one would be wise to include the name of another youngster in that category, too, as this 23-year-old has the second-most top-10 finishes on the PGA tour this year, trailing only the 21-year-old Spieth.
Unlike those other youngsters on tour, though, fans might not recognize this talented kid as easily—until he earns a big-time victory like Spieth did at this year's Masters tournament.
Answer: Matsuyama, Hideki
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