Mama, There Goes That Man: 15 Most Unstoppable Forces of Nature in Pro Sports

There are great athletes in professional sports—and then there are these guys.

Greatness is not only measured by achievements, although those don't hurt either.

The type of athletes I'm talking about are those that can simply take over a contest and put their team, country or the world on their shoulders. They cannot be stopped.

Not by their opponent.

Not by anything.

Read on to see the 15 most unstoppable forces in professional sports.

Calvin Johnson Jr.

Overview: Calvin Johnson, a wide receiver for the perennial losing Detroit Lions franchise, is bar none the best pass catcher in football.  He has also turned the Lions into a winning team.

His rare skill set of balance, leaping ability, catching, speed, route running and strength has garnered him the nickname "Megatron."

Teams know the Lions are going to throw the ball Johnson's way—they just can't seem to find a way to stop him.

What CAN stop him?: Optimus Prime.

Maybe.

Aaron Rodgers

Overview: Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, has taken over the NFL spotlight.

Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and others have taken a backseat to Rodgers.  His precise passing, ability to dodge defenders when under pressure and mistake-free football have catapulted the Packers to elite team status.

Winning, duh.

Rodgers does that and more.

What can stop him: Brett Favre.

He's back!

Albert Pujols

Overview: Albert Pujols, 

Pujols won Major League Baseball's Rookie of the Year Award in 2001.

He didn't stop there.

With the exception of 2002, Pujols has been an All-Star every year of his MLB career.

He was also awarded three National League MVP awards as well as a stunning four ESPY awards for best MLB player of the year.

Sports Illustrated ranked him the ninth best athlete of the decade for the 2000s. 

What can stop him: Can't be stopped.

Arian Foster

Overview: Houston Texans running back Arian Foster is the most dynamic player in the NFL.  Whether it is rushing around, through or over defenders, he is simply unstoppable on a football field.

Then there's catching.  Out of the backfield, Foster is just as lethal as a pass catcher.

If he finds open space to run—it's already over—enjoy the highlight reel.

What can stop him: Hamstring.

Georges St. Pierre

Overview: Georges St. Pierre is a mixed martial artist and current UFC Welterweight Champion.

ESPN has him ranked as the second best pound-for-pound fighter in MMA.

With an outstanding record of 22-2, St. Pierre is seemingly unstoppable.  He hasn't lost a fight—or been in danger to—since 2007.

What can stop him: Can't be stopped.

Manny Pacquiao

Overview: Manny Pacquiao is a Filipino professional boxer and an idol to the Philippine people.

He holds virtually every possible honor a boxer could have.  Currently, he is the WBO Welterweight World Champion.

Not only that, but he is credited with being the best pound-for-pound boxer by virtually every sports media outlet on the planet.

What can stop him: Floyd Mayweather Jr.  We'll see right?  Someday?

Shaun White

Overview: Shaun White is an American professional snowboarder and skateboarder.

White started in the X-Games scene and has dominated since he emerged onto it in 2002, winning a medal every year.

He also boasts winning a gold medal at both the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics for snowboarding.

The only competitor that can beat White's records: himself.

What can stop him: People pondering the merits of extreme sports.

Kobe Bryant

Overview: Kobe Bryant is a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA.

LeBron or Kobe?

There is no greater dilemma in a basketball fan's mind than which of these two great players is greatest.

Kobe has the NBA championship rings—five of them, to be exact.

He has my vote.

What can stop him: Michael Jordan.

Usain Bolt

Overview: Usain Bolt is a Jamaican sprinter and Olympic gold medalist.

Bolt holds three Olympic gold medals and five world championships.

He holds the world records and Olympic records for 100 meters, 200 meters and his Jamaican team's performance in the 4 x 100 meters relay.

What can stop him: Lightning.

That's the only bolt faster than Usain.

Rafael Nadal

Overview: Rafael Nadal is a Spanish professional tennis player.

Nadal has shared the limelight of the tennis world with Roger Federer since 2005.  Until recently, the pair has held both the No. 1 and No. 2 rankings in the world.

Nadal currently sits No. 2 behind Novak Djokovic.

Over the course of the years, Federer and Nadal met for a record 8-grand slam championship matches.  Their record swings in favor of Nadal at 17-8.

If there was a kryptonite for Roger Federer, it would be Rafael Nadal.

What can stop him: Roger Federer on his best day.

Sidney Crosby

Overview: Sidney Crosby is an NHL hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Crosby burst onto the NHL scene in 2005.  The following year (2006-07), he won the NHL scoring title.  

He is the only North American athlete to win a sports league scoring title as a teenager—ever.

He's also done some other great things—like winning the Stanley Cup and scoring the winning goal for Canada in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Against America.

What can stop him: Tim Thomas, goalie for the Boston Bruins.

Maybe.

LeBron James

Overview: LeBron James is an NBA basketball player for the Miami Heat.

James is criticized in pretty much everything he does.

Could it be because he's so good at it all and everyone is always watching?

Although he has yet to win an NBA championship, it will likely come as James matures.  There are simply no other players on the court that can contend with James when he is playing at his best.

What can stop him: fourth quarter.

Wladimir Klitschko

Overview: Wladimir Klitschko is a Ukrainian heavyweight boxer.

He currently holds every significant heavyweight boxing championship in the world and holds a dominating 56-3 record in the ring.

Klitschko is rated the No. 7 pound-for-pound boxer in the world and the seventh longest reigning heavyweight champion of all time.

Who is No. 8?

Muhammad Ali.

What can stop him: Rocky Balboa.

Anderson Silva

Overview: Anderson Silva is a mixed martial artist and current UFC Middleweight Champion.

He holds nearly every UFC record.  Currently, he boasts the longest winning streak with 14 straight victories.

Seven of those were title defenses—also a UFC record.

Concerning Silva, UFC owner Dana White stated earlier this year:

"

"And in my opinion, he's the greatest mixed martial artist ever. Ever, period."

"

Earlier, I mentioned Georges St. Pierre as the No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Silva is No. 1.

What can stop him: Stop him?

Lionel Messi

Overview: Lionel Messi is an Argentinian soccer player who plays for FC Barcelona.  He is also the captain of the Argentinian national team.

Messi is widely regarded as the best soccer player on the planet.

Most recently, he was awarded the FIFA Ballon d'Or.

It's the award for the best soccer player in the world.

No big deal.

What can stop him: Cover him with five defenders.

Maybe, but probably not.