14 Athletes That You Forget Are Still Pretty Good
Every once in awhile, a few athletes prove Father Time doesn't always win, and they're skills don't diminish as quickly as a cloud of smoke into thin air.
While they aren't the star players they used to be—or, in some cases, ever were—they have seemingly stayed fine with age, showing that they can still compete on a high level with the young guns who are constantly trying to snatch their jobs.
Some of them are big names, and others are journeymen, but they have one thing in common—they're still pretty good at what they do, and some of us may have forgotten that.
Wayne Rooney
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While Wayne Rooney just overcame one of the longest goalless streaks in his life, that doesn't mean he doesn't still have the skills of a top-notch forward.
One of the best players of his generation, the problem with Rooney hasn't necessarily been the player himself; it's that fans and media expected him to be a superstar on the level of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, winning numerous awards and breaking records.
Netting 186 career Premier League goals and having the reputation of a bulldog on the offensive side of the ball, Rooney will find his confidence and end up with his usual double-digit goals for Manchester United.
In other words, never count this guy out; he's still got it.
Josh McCown
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He's in his 13th season and playing for his seventh NFL team, but, somehow, Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown is putting together a solid season so far.
He may not be Air McCown—and Browns fans really don't want to rely on the 36-year-old's arm—but he has been impressive in his first four starts with the team since signing this past offseason.
Although McCown has only started 53 games in his 13 years, 2015 has shown that he still has plenty of zip on his passes and plenty of gas left in the tank, currently sitting at eighth in the league in QB rating after having a career day earlier this season.
McCown was never, and he won't ever be, a star, but he is more than a reliable option when he has weapons to throw to.
Pau Gasol
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Simply put, Pau Gasol is a winner.
Many of us have always known that, but the Spaniard never seems to get enough credit for playing the supporting role better than other NBA stars who have had to play the same part.
Gasol, who made the All-Star team last season—his first with the Chicago Bulls—might be 35 years old and in the twilight of his career, but he can be an X factor for making the team a legit title contender should his mates stay healthy and play to their potential.
Look no further than his 40 points and 11 rebounds against France during this summer's FIBA EuroBasket 2015 semifinal game to see why Gasol still has it.
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Jaromir Jagr
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Jaromir Jagr, who just entered his 22nd season in the NHL, seems to be the exact same player he was when he first broke into the league in the early-1990s—and he's even growing back his classic mullet to prove it!
After playing for both the New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers last season, Jagr put up solid numbers, totaling 17 goals and 30 assists and proving that one doesn't have to be a 20-something to have success in the league.
An absolute legend who has aged like a fine wine, Jagr epitomizes what's great about the sport, playing with a passion for the game that few have ever had—and it's not just a novelty act.
Prince Fielder
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Once considered one of the most feared batters in baseball just a few seasons ago, Prince Fielder seemed to be the forgotten man after he struggled and was injured during his first season with the Texas Rangers in 2014.
After hitting just three homers and driving in 16 runs in 42 games, Fielder reminded everyone he's still a basher when inside the batter's box.
Enjoying a bounce-back 2015 campaign—where he hit 23 homers and drove in 98 runs—the 31-year-old Prince regained his All-Star form and helped guide the Rangers to the postseason.
Many had wondered if Fielder could return to form prior to the start of 2015, but he silenced any doubters and erased question marks by doing what he does best—which is crushing pitches.
Paul Pierce
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The former Boston Celtics legend might have changed uniforms a few times since his Beantown days, but that doesn't mean Paul Pierce's clutch gene or big-time play didn't come with him when he switched teams.
The Truth didn't put up eye-popping or All-Star-type numbers for the Washington Wizards last season—averaging 11.9 points in 73 games—however, he did prove experience is a good thing to have in the playoffs, where he nearly single-handedly led the Wizards into the Eastern Conference Finals.
After reuniting with his former Celts head coach, Doc Rivers, Pierce is on a mission to earn one more championship before he hangs up the sneaks for good, with more theatrics from him expected—based off his previous 18 NBA seasons.
No longer an All-Star, the Clips know what they're getting out of Pierce at this point in his career, and it's a fierce competitor who's title hungry.
Ryan Fitzpatrick
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Much like the aforementioned Josh McCown, New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has gone from team to team over the course of his 11 NFL seasons.
In that time, the only thing many casual fans remember him for is graduating from Harvard.
Sure, that's an impressive feat, but Fitzpatrick has some skills, too, with a lively arm that has passed for 130 touchdowns in his career and is helping the Jets to actually be competitive in the AFC East this season.
The 32-year-old may only be starting because of broken-jaw incumbent Geno Smith sustained during a fight in training camp, but New York would be wise to stick with the gunslinger moving forward if they're serious about making a playoff run.
Again, he's not a star, but he's better than many of us might think.
Jarome Iginla
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A two-time Richard Trophy winner for being the league's top goal-scorer and three-time All-Star selection, Jarome Iginla has been one of the top players in the NHL for a long, long time.
Unfortunately, he's 38 years old and, more than likely, on his way out once his current contract with the Colorado Avalanche ends after this season.
Then again, if Iginla puts up numbers like he did in 2014-15—when he had 29 goals and 30 assists—maybe he'll stick around for a few more years and prove he's got that ageless gene that the aforementioned Jaromir Jagr has?
Never winning a Stanley Cup, here's to hoping the right-winger gets one last crack at hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup before calling it quits; he's earned it.
Mark Buehrle
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With a name that no one could ever spell, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Mark Buehrle was often the guy everyone remembered, but no one was ever really talking about.
But, with a career record of 214-160 and an ERA at 3.81 in his 16 MLB seasons, the crafty left-hander was often the pitcher no opposing batter wanted to see starting a game, as Buehrle had some of the nastiest stuff over a long period of time.
After finishing his season with the Blue Jays at 15-8 with a 3.81 ERA, the five-time All-Star did call it quits—giving up his spot on the Jays' postseason roster to retire—but he still has a fire in him that burns bright, as he got ejected during a spat in the NLDS with the Texas Rangers.
Overlooked his entire career, Mark Buehrle could still help Toronto win a World Series this year, he just chose not to.
Chris Johnson
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Just a couple of months ago, the Arizona Cardinals' Chris Johnson was without a team, about to turn 30 years old—a bad sign for an NFL running back—and appeared to be left out to dry. But in the NFL, when injuries happen, it just means an opportunity for another guy to step up.
And, boy, has Johnson done that.
Filling in for the injured Andre Ellington as the Cards' starter, the man once known as CJ2K has put together a nice season, rushing for 405 yards with four starts in five game, which is good enough for second in the NFL.
No longer one of the league's best runners, Johnson is still capable of breaking the big gainer and pounding the ground when in a dual-threat situation, so, who knows, maybe he ends up with an unexpected 1,000-yard season?
Andrea Pirlo
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There may have been some wondering how longtime Italian international soccer player Andrea Pirlo would transition to MLS once he arrived this summer, but he silenced those rather quickly with a memorable debut with New York City F.C.
Playing in 12 games for the club, his stats may have just been pedestrian—no goals, two assists—but his impact on the field was felt in different ways.
The guy is a 36-year-old maestro on the pitch, and the love affair with the bearded legend carried off the field, too, as he got a sandwich named after him at No. 7 Sub in the Big Apple.
Whether it's in uniform or in a restaurant, Pirlo is a treat to watch play soccer.
Dirk Nowitzki
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One of the league's most beloved players, Dirk Nowitzki will forever be remembered for transforming the power forward position, turning it into a back-to-the-basket skill, into a stretch 4 who can hit shots from the outside.
The big German, who has played in two NBA Finals and won one, may have seen his numbers dip last season—when he finished 25th in the league in scoring at 17.3 points per game—having accepted a lesser role on a Dallas team looking to get younger, yet he is still the most respected player in the locker room.
Nowitzki won't jump up his scoring this season, but with a shooting touch sweeter than most in the NBA, he's still going to knock down more shots than he misses.
Dwyane Wade
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Is Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade the same superstar he was just a few years ago, capable of helping to carry the load of winning NBA titles? Nope. That doesn't mean he isn't still really good, though.
While D-Wade has slowed down due to nagging injuries and mileage, he's still as crafty as they come, finding ways to score and help lead his Heat mates.
Maybe more surprising is that Wade, who played in 62 regular-season games in 2014-15, actually finished 11th in the league in scoring with a 21.5 points per game average, shooting a nifty 47 percent, too.
Wade is a Hall of Famer and a top-20 player in the league's history, and even though he's missed time, fans should remember the dude still has nasty game.
Alex Rodriguez
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You know, when I was putting this piece together, I thought to myself, "Should I really consider Alex Rodriguez?" Then I remembered how he blew away the baseball world with the impressive 2015 season he just completed.
Over the years, I've been one of A-Rod's biggest critics, as he's been busted and/or linked to performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) for a long time and has always rubbed me the wrong way.
That said, there's no denying the three-time league MVP showed he still has some skills, belting 33 homers and driving in 86 runs for the New York Yankees this season, helping them reach the Wild Card Game.
Rodriguez will never be loved, but he should be commended for bouncing back following a 2014 season in which he missed due to suspension.
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