The 25 Most Awesome People in Sports

We all have our own personal favorite sports figures.

Some of our favorite athletes have superhuman athletic abilities, and some have larger-than-life personalities.

From Peyton Manning to Shaquille O'Neal, we may love our favorite sports icons for all kinds of different reasons.

You probably want these athletes on your team...

Or maybe you just want to hang out with them!

One thing is sure:

They are all awesome!

Here are the 25 Most Awesome People in Sports.

25. Steve Nash

Steve Nash is kind of awkward-looking, but after this interview, you have to love the guy!

Anybody who can put on a smile right after chipping a tooth has to be pretty awesome.

24. Rickie Fowler

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - OCTOBER 30: Rickie Fowler of USA acknowledges the crowd on the th hole during day three of the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic at The MINES Resort & Golf Club on October 30, 2010 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Stanley Chou/Getty I

Anybody who dresses like this has to be either a complete douche...

Or totally awesome.

23. Dick Vitale

"Dickie V" has one of the most recognizable voices (and personalities) in sports.

His childlike enthusiasm brings a refreshing charm to the game, and he reminds us all of a fun-loving grandfather.

22. Wes Welker

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SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 24: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots is hit after his catch by Stephen Cooper #54 and Eric Weddle #32 of the San Diego Chargers during the second quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on October 24, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Ph

Wes Welker is the type of player who fights for every inch, and for that we love him.

He comes to every game and plays as if it could be his last.

21. Rex Ryan

Rex Ryan just doesn't give a crap about anything.

"Let's go eat a GD snack!"

20. Nick Swisher

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: Nick Swisher #33 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice against the Texas Rangers in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arlington, Texas.

Nick Swisher is one professional athlete who doesn't let his fame go to his head.

He sees his celebrity as a way to make a difference in the world, and fans absolutely adore him.

19. Michelle Beadle

Of all the female sportscasters in the world, Michelle Beadle is the one who can hold her own with the "big boys" of the industry.

Beadle knows her stuff, and she puts Colin Cowherd in his place on a daily basis.

18. Diego Maradona

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CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 03: Diego Maradona head coach of Argentina gestures during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Quarter Final match between Argentina and Germany at Green Point Stadium on July 3, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by

Diego Maradona may be the most insane human being on the planet...

But we love every second of it!

17. Shaun White

Shaun White is super goofy and super hilarious.

He seems like the type of guy who gets along with just about everybody.

16. Gus Johnson

You don't even have to watch a game to be entertained by Gus Johnson.

15. Shaquille O'Neal

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BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 26: Shaquille O'Neal #36 of the Boston Celtics prepares to shoot a free-throw shot against the Miami Heat to the basket at the TD Banknorth Garden on October 26, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

Shaq is another athlete who crosses bridges from sports to pop culture and entertainment.

Even people who don't follow basketball know Shaquille O'Neal.

14. Troy Polamalu

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NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 31: Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers waits on the sideline before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on October 31, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints won 20-10 over the Steelers. (P

Troy Polamalu is one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL, but he makes the list with his chill, soft-spoken personality.

And we know he has a great sense of humor from his appearances in advertisements for Head & Shoulders and Coca-Cola.

13. Brian Wilson

Brian Wilson is quickly becoming one of the biggest personalities in Major League Baseball, and we can see why.

Wilson just seems like a regular dude, and after the Giants won the World Series, he told the media that he just wanted to "rage."

Brian Wilson is definitely the type of guy we all want to hang out with.

12. Tim Tebow

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DENVER - OCTOBER 17: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Denver Broncos runs for a touchdown against the New York Jets at INVESCO Field at Mile High on October 17, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

You may not be a Gators or a Broncos fan, but it's really hard to not like Tim Tebow.

He might be a little cheesy, but we need a few more goody-goods in sports these days.

11. Ron Jaworski

There is nothing I look forward to more than tuning in once a week for Monday Night Football, and Ron Jaworski plays a huge role in what makes MNF so great.

The way that Jaws announces play-by-play is second to none, and he just seems like a really cool guy.

10. Peyton Manning

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 01: Peyton Manning #18 of Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the NFL game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 1, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Why is Peyton Manning such a marketing gold mine?

Because people love him.

He's hilarious, and he is a future Hall of Famer.

9. Charles Barkley

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LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 19: NBA analyst and former NBA player Charles Barkley watches an undercard fight at the Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena September 19, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller

Charles Barkley is not a role model.

He says what he wants...

Whenever he wants.

Charles Barkley is one of the biggest personalities in the sports world, and he is always good for a laugh.

8. Tom Brady

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Tom Brady #12 of New England Patriots reacts after a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Women want him.

Men want to be him.

Tom Brady is one of the most dominant quarterbacks of his era, and he is married to one of the most beautiful women in the world.

If that's not awesome, I don't know what is.

7. Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick may seem like kind of a douche at first, but he has other talents that don't involve tennis.

Watch the video to see Roddick show of his rapping chops.

6. Mike Leach

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HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Mike Leach of the Texas Tech Red Raiders talks with his defense while playing against the University of Houston at Robertson Stadium on September 26, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

Anyone with an intense obsession with pirates is pretty awesome in my book.

5. Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard is not just a great basketball player, but also a bit of a comedian.

Watch the video and you'll see what I mean.

4. Bill Cowher

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DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 11: Former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher attends the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils on February 11, 2009 at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin Cox/Gett

Any team in the NFL would absolutely love to have Bill Cowher.

Cowher really knows his stuff, and he is every football fan's dream coach.

Plus he has a sweet mustache.

3. Magic Johnson

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Earvin 'Magic' Johnson hugs general manager Mitch Kupchak after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USE

Magic Johnson is one of the greatest players in the history of basketball, and he is just an all-around good guy.

He's charming.

He's smart.

And when Magic speaks, the world listens.

2. Mark Herzlich

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA - SEPTEMBER 25: Mark Herzlich #94 and Thomas Claiborne #78 of the Boston College Eagles lead the team out on the field before the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies on September 25, 2010 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachuse

Mark Herzlich overcame cancer and then dove right back into the game he loves.

That is the definition of awesome!

1. Kevin Durant

There is no denying Kevin Durant's talent, but he also brings something more to professional basketball: character.

Kevin Durant is a loyal team player, and he is shaping up to be the face of the NBA.

When asked to pose for the cover of Sports Illustrated's NBA preview, he would only agree to do so if SI included his teammates Thabo Sefolosha and Nenad Krstic.

Not one to ham it up in the limelight, Durant wanted to introduce NBA fans to other important members of his team.