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Fox Sports
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
After Historic Long FG Rate, Will NFL Kickers Be Punished For Their Success?
SAN DIEGO — In 2024, NFL kickers had one of the most accurate seasons on record. They're getting so good, in fact, that they may become victims of their own success. Last season, kickers made 84% of their field goals, which is about average over the past five years. But what stood out was that, according to FOX Sports Research, their 69.9% success rate for 50-plus-yard field goals was the highest in a single season since at least 1991. Further, NFL kickers attempted a league-record 1,115 field goals from 50-plus yards last season. So how has the league responded to this unprecedented success? In recent years, the NFL has moved the extra point back and created a dynamic kickoff to encourage more returns. And there have been rumblings of the league narrowing the goalposts. During the 2015 Pro Bowl, the NFL tested narrowing the posts from 18.6 feet to 14 feet. Last year, a league executive said that the NFL's competition committee would look at the possibility of narrowing the goalposts after the 2024 season, but no changes were made. "If you were to narrow [the goalpost], I think guys would adapt and become just as accurate," former NFL kicker Nick Novak told me. After 10 seasons in the NFL, Novak is now a high school coach, kicking consultant and mentor to developmental players. He runs an annual summit in San Diego for kickers, punters and long snappers. Novak and the proliferation of private coaches like him are a big reason why kickers are so good nowadays. And he says their success shouldn't be held against them. "Eventually, people will say, 'Let's just put a post out there and guys have to hit the post,'" Novak told me. "When is it enough, you know what I mean? Guys are really good and let's not punish them for it. That's kind of my mentality. They already backed up the extra point, and that definitely adds some misses here and there." Chargers special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken offers an interesting analogy regarding rules to limit the success of kickers. "I equate it to: I know quarterbacks are throwing for a lot of yards, but are they going to make the football heavier for them?" Ficken told me. "Those guys are getting better, too. And it's just a testament to those guys who are working hard, really working on their craft. I like to see that success for them." Jason Myers, a two-time Pro Bowler entering his 11th season as an NFL kicker, is a San Diego native and served as an impromptu host for his friend Novak's recent summit. Myers made a career-high nine attempts from 50-plus yards in 2024. "The records are there to be broken," he said. "We're not maybe the best athletes on the field size-wise, but we're still athletes who are working to get better, get stronger. Being specialists, we're always striving to be perfect. We're always striving to learn, evolve with new science and figure out how we can put that into play on the field." In addition to the kickers themselves, Novak points to the evolution of the entire special teams operation for the increased accuracy at longer distances. "It's not just the kicker and the punter," Novak said. "It's the operation. The snappers are really good. Everybody's so specialized. It's the protection, and the coaching is really good. Everybody is doing their job to give the guy 1.3 seconds to get the job done when it comes to a field goal, and under two seconds when it comes to the punt." Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker is a prime example of the current state of success for the position. Entering his fourth NFL season, Dicker's 93.8% field goal percentage is the best in NFL history by a player with at least 50 attempts. He has 16 field goals from 50-plus yards and four of the six longest field goals in franchise history. Last season, Dicker also made a 57-yard fair catch free kick field goal in a Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos. It was the first successful free kick since 1976 and the longest in NFL history. After a historic season of making long field goals, Dicker said that even the talk of potentially narrowing the goalposts is a bit disrespectful to him and his fellow kickers. "They try to make new rules for kicking all the time," Dicker told me. "It is what it is. … I think it's sometimes foolish when there's rule changes for things. I think there are better ways to approach it if they want change. I don't think kickers are consulted enough with the changes that get made because we're the ones who know what's going on. "But at the end of the day, you've got to play with whatever you're told to do. And we all get paid to go out there and kick." Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on X at @eric_d_williams. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
5 days ago
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- Fox Sports
Which Schools Have The Most Heisman Trophy Winners of All Time?
The Heisman Memorial Trophy is the most esteemed honor in college football and among the most honorable awards in any sport. It has been a quarterback-dominated award as of late, with 20 of the past 25 Heisman winners being signal-callers. The most recent winner, however, was Colorado two-way superstar Travis Hunter, who earned the prestigious honor after a standout season in 2024 and became just the second Buffaloes player to win the award and first since 1994. That said, which schools have produced the most Heisman winners? FOX Sports Research compiled the list. Schools With The Most Heisman Trophy Winners T-6. Army: Three FB/WR Doc Blanchard (1945): Three-time All-American RB/WR/QB Glenn Davis (1946): Three-time All-American RB Pete Dawkins (1958): One-time All-American T-6. Michigan: Three QB Tom Harmon (1940): Two-time All-American WR/KR/PR Desmond Howard (1991): 1991 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American DB/WR/PR Charles Woodson (1997): 1997 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American T-6. Nebraska: Three WR/RB Johnny Rodgers (1972): Two-time All-American RB Mike Rozier (1983): Two-time All-American QB Eric Crouch (2001): Two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year T-6. Florida: Three QB Steve Spurrier (1966): 1966 SEC Player of the Year, one-time All-American QB Danny Wuerffel (1996): Two-time SEC Player of the Year, one-time All-American QB Tim Tebow (2007): 2008 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American T-6. Auburn: Three QB Pat Sullivan (1971): 1970 SEC Player of the Year, one-time All-American RB Bo Jackson (1985): 1985 SEC Player of the Year, two-time All-American QB Cam Newton (2010): 2010 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American T-6. Florida State: Three QB Charlie Ward (1993): Two-time ACC Player of the Year, one-time All-American QB Chris Weinke (2000): 2000 ACC Player of the Year, 2000 ACC Offensive Player of the Year QB Jameis Winston (2013): 2013 ACC Player of the Year, one-time All-American T-6. LSU: Three RB Billy Cannon (1959): Two-time SEC Player of the Year, two-time All-American QB Joe Burrow (2019): 2019 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American QB Jayden Daniels (2023): 2023 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American 5. Alabama: Four RB Mark Ingram (2009): 2009 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American RB Derrick Henry (2015): 2015 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American WR DeVonta Smith (2020): 2020 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American QB Bryce Young (2021): 2021 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American T-2. Notre Dame: Seven QB Angelo Bertelli (1943): One-time All-American QB Johnny Lujack (1947): Two-time All-American WR Leon Hart (1949): Two-time All-American RB Johnny Lattner (1953): Two-time All-American QB Paul Hornung (1956): One-time All-American QB John Huarte (1964): One-time All-American WR/RB Tim Brown (1987): One-time All-American T-2. Ohio State: Seven RB Les Horvath (1944): One-time All-American RB Vic Janowicz (1950): One-time All-American RB Howard Cassady (1955): Two-time All-American RB Archie Griffin (1974): Two-time All-American RB Archie Griffin (1975): Two-time All-American RB Eddie George (1995): 1995 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American QB Troy Smith (2006): 2006 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American T-2. Oklahoma: Seven RB Bill Vessels (1952): One-time All-American RB Steve Owens (1969): One-time All-American RB Billy Sims (1978): Two-time All-American QB Jason White (2003): Two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American QB Sam Bradford (2008): 2008 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American QB Baker Mayfield (2017): Two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American QB Kyler Murray (2018): 2018 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year 1. USC: Eight RB Mike Garrett (1965): One-time All-American RB O.J. Simpson (1968): Two-time All-American RB Charles White (1979): Two-time Pac-10 Player of the Year, two-time All-American RB Marcus Allen (1981): 1981 Pac-10 Player of the Year, one-time All-American QB Carson Palmer (2002): 2002 Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American QB Matt Leinart (2004): Two-time Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American RB Reggie Bush (2005): Two-time Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, two-time All-American QB Caleb Williams (2022): 2022 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, one-time All-American Check out all of our Daily Rankers . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience College Football recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
5 days ago
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- Fox Sports
Top Teams to Build a Dynasty With in EA Sports College Football 26
Ready to etch your name in college football immortality? Well, virtually at least. EA Sports College Football 26 is here, where dynasties are born and legends are made. FOX Sports Research has broken down the best teams to kickstart your gridiron empire—packed with elite talent, iconic traditions, and recruiting firepower to dominate for decades. We identified the best team from each FBS conference, along with picking out a few challenging programs to build success with. Several factors went into determining this list, which are explained below. Criteria QB Room At any level of football, quarterback play is paramount to a team's success. But when building a dynasty, quarterback depth is just as important as having a veteran starter. The schools that cracked our list not only had a starter with ample production, but also talented backups or highly-recruited prospects. Returning Production When building a dynasty, winning in Year 1 and 2 is still essential in order to garner strong recruiting classes and increase your coach's prestige. In order to do that, using teams with significant returning production is key. Returning production is quantified as the number of players who played in over 50% of their team's (or former schools) snaps in the previous season, or players who accounted for a significant portion of a statistical category. For each program, we've listed their overall FBS rank for returning production on both offense and defense. Recruiting Class Rankings The core of building a dynasty lies within recruiting, both in reality and in NCAA 26. Stacking talented recruiting classes year over year is key to not only winning immediately but creating longevity for a program. This is why programs like Alabama, Georgia and Ohio State have had perennial success. We took a look at the 2026 recruiting class rankings (according to 247Sports Composite) and used this data to make our selections. Additionally, we also accounted for transfer portal class rankings for each school, as it has become a crucial method to obtain talent for all programs. Proximity to recruiting hot bed/pipeline A huge part of having recruiting success is being close to the states that are talent-rich hotbeds. High school players tend not to travel far when deciding where to attend college, especially when there's a powerhouse close to where they grew up. Entering the 2024 season, the five states that had produced the most active NFL players were Texas (211), California (151), Florida (149), North Carolina (11) and Alabama (109). Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Louisiana were the only other states that cracked the 100 mark. Most optimal team from every conference ACC Miami The Hurricanes have been the subject of much discussion entering the 2025 season, and for good reason. Miami has a top 10 high school class for 2026 and brings in the third-best transfer class for Year 1 of your dynasty. And, of course, the major recruiting pipelines of South and Central Florida serve as easy access for you to find both blue-chip recruits and hidden gems. You'll also be able to take advantage of a loaded roster in your first season, as the Canes have Carson Beck under center, along with multiple projected first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, like Francis Mauigoa (OT) and Rueben Bain (DE). And to build for the future, you'll have a sleeper in true freshman quarterback Luke Nickel— who was an Elite 11 finalist and four-star recruit. Top-ranked high school class in ACC (10th in FBS) Top-ranked transfer class in ACC (third in FBS) QB room: Carson Beck (RS Sr.), Emory Williams (RS So.), Luke Nickel (Fr.) Returning production: 55% overall (75th in FBS), 51% offense (82nd in FBS), 58% defense (52nd in FBS) Major recruiting pipelines: South Florida, Central Florida, South Georgia, Metro Atlanta, Alabama Odds to win 2026 title: +4000 BIG TEN Michigan This one is simple. Besides being one of the most historic programs in college football history, starting a dynasty with Michigan means you'll have the top-rated freshman in college football for three years. Bryce Underwood has an 81 overall rating with the ability to launch it deep and run people over. The Wolverines also boast the 11th-ranked high school recruiting class in the FBS and bring back 64% of their returning production from the previous year. Winning a national championship with Underwood in Year 2 would be the expectation if you chose to start with them. Fourth-ranked high school class in Big Ten (11th in FBS) 11th-ranked transfer class in Big Ten (35th in FBS) QB room: Bryce Underwood (Fr.), Mikey Keene (Gr.), Jadyn Davis (So.) Returning production: 64% overall (29th in FBS), 63% offense (47th in FBS), 64% defense (28th in FBS) Major recruiting pipelines: Michigan, Illinois, Metro Atlanta, Central Florida, Southern California Odds to win 2026 title: +2500 BIG 12 Texas Tech The Red Raiders had a busy offseason, throwing around a lot of NIL money to bolster their roster. Their 2026 high school recruiting class is the second-best in the Big 12, while their transfer class is the second-best in the country. Behren Morton can also sling it, having thrown for 3,335 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. More importantly, you'll have a legitimate shot to win the title in Year 1— as Texas Tech's overall rate of returning production of 75% ranks fourth in the FBS. And, of course, you'll have access to the entire lone star state for recruiting— which everyone knows is filled with tons of talent. Second-ranked high school class in Big 12 (22nd in FBS) Top-ranked transfer class in Big 12 (2nd in FBS) QB room: Behren Morton (Sr.), Will Hammond (RS Fr.), Mitch Griffis (Sr.), Lloyd Jones III (Fr.) Returning production: 75% overall (4th in FBS), 68% offense (25th in FBS), 82% defense (1st in FBS) Major recruiting pipelines: East Texas, North Texas, Pacific Northwest, Alabama, Illinois Odds to win 2026 title: +10000 SEC Texas A&M In reality, any of the top teams in the SEC would be ideal to start a dynasty with. But when you take a deep dive into what A&M has to offer, along with the fact that it hasn't won a national title since 1939— it's hard to think of a more fun SEC program to build. The Aggies boast a top-three high school recruiting class along with the 11th-ranked transfer class. You'll have studs all over the field as the rate of returning productions ranks sixth in the country. And just like Tech, you'll have the entire state of Texas to recruit— and also cemented pipelines in other hotbeds like Florida and Georgia. Marcel Reed is rated an 85 overall at quarterback and only a true sophomore. He's a dynamic dual-threat who will be fun to play with. Second-ranked high school class in SEC (3rd in FBS) Sixth-ranked transfer class in SEC (11th in FBS) QB room: Marcel Reed (So.), Jacob Zeno (Sr.), Miles O'Neill (Fr.), Brady Hart (Fr.) Returning production: 71% overall (6th in FBS), 70% offense (19th in FBS), 73% defense (12th in FBS) Major recruiting pipelines: North Texas, East Texas, South Florida, Central Florida, Metro Atlanta Odds to win 2026 title: +4500 AAC South Florida You're probably thinking, "Really? South Florida in the American?" But when dissecting the numbers, it's very clear that the Bulls are the team to build a future with in the AAC. Despite Army, Memphis and Tulane's terrific seasons last year, South Florida has the top-ranked high school recruiting class of all AAC teams along with the fifth-best transfer class. Their returning production ranks 14th in the FBS at 67% and Byrum Brown is a speedy quarterback who should be able to lead you to victory in Year 1. Top-ranked high school class in AAC (56th in FBS) Fifth-ranked transfer class in AAC (82nd in FBS) QB room: Byrum Brown (Sr.), Gaston Moore (Gr.), Locklan Hewlett (Fr.) Returning production: 67% overall (14th in FBS), 66% offense (38th in FBS), 68% defense (17th in FBS) Recruiting pipelines: Central Florida, South Florida, Alabama, Metro Atlanta Odds to make 2025-26 CFP: +2500 C-USA Liberty Despite losing Kaidon Salter to the transfer portal, Liberty brings back a loaded roster in 2025 — with a 66% returning production rate, good for 15th in the country. To replace Salter, you'll have veteran Ethan Vasko— Coastal Carolina's quarterback last year. They bring in the top-ranked high school recruiting class in the conference and have a recruiting footprint in North Carolina as well as other states in the South. Top-ranked high school class in C-USA (84th in FBS) Fifth-ranked transfer class in C-USA (105th in FBS) QB room: Ethan Vasko (RS Jr.), Ryan Burger (RS Jr.), Michael Merdinger (RS Fr.), Ethan Houck (Fr.) Returning production: 66% overall (15th in FBS), 61% offense (56th in FBS), 72% defense (13th in FBS) Recruiting pipelines: North Carolina, Metro Atlanta, South Florida, Alabama Odds to make 2025-26 CFP: +1000 MAC Toledo In last year's version of this, we identified Toledo as a team to consider when building a dynasty because of the upside quarterback Tucker Gleason had. Well, he proved us right, as he threw for 2,793 yards with a TD-INT ratio of 24-to-8 — while also rushing for 364 yards and seven touchdowns, all in just 10 games. The Rockets went 8-5 last season and bring in the second-best high school class in the MAC along with a transfer class that ranks in the top 100 of the FBS. Ohio and Michigan are also sneaky good recruiting pipelines you'll have access to. Second-ranked high school class in MAC (81st in FBS) Fourth-ranked transfer class in MAC (98th in FBS) QB room: Tucker Gleason (Sr.), John Alan Richter (Jr.), Walter Moses (Fr.) Returning production: 60% overall (48th in FBS), 75% offense (11th in FBS), 46% defense (100th in FBS) Recruiting pipelines: Ohio, Michigan, Central Florida, South Florida Odds to make 2025-26 CFP: +1800 MWC, PAC-12 San Diego State UNLV had a great case to be our Mountain West/Pac-12 selection, but San Diego State edged them out with its top-ranked high school recruiting class in the conference along with Jayden Denegal under center. While he might not be the highest-rated player or have much game experience, Denegal spent three years at Michigan and was a top 20 quarterback in his class coming out of high school— also exhibiting several physical tools at 6-foot-5, 235 pounds. You'll also have access to a plethora of recruits in the Golden State. Top-ranked high school class in MWC/Pac-12 (66th in FBS) Sixth-ranked transfer class in MWC/Pac-12 (104th in FBS) QB room: Jayden Denegal (Jr.), Bert Emanuel Jr. (Jr.), Kyle Crum (Jr.), J.P Mialovski (Fr.) Returning production: 52% overall (82nd in FBS), 33% offense (123rd in FBS), 72% defense (14th in FBS) Recruiting pipelines: Southern California, Arizona, Northern California, North Texas Odds to make 2025-26 CFP: +15000 SUN BELT South Alabama This was arguably the toughest conference to choose a team from, as the "Fun Belt" has tons of parity with schools like Louisiana, Old Dominion, James Madison and Coastal Carolina all being viable options. But we went with the Jaguars, as they brought in the second-best high school class in the conference along with returning over 50% of their production on both sides of the ball. Zach Pyron started two games at QB for Georgia Tech last season. Second-ranked high school class in Sun Belt (83rd in FBS) Twelfth-ranked transfer class in Sun Belt (110th in FBS) QB room: Zach Pyron (RS Jr.), Bishop Davenport (RS Jr.), Jared Hollins (RS Fr.), Bubba Thompson (Fr.) Returning production: 57% (68th in FBS), 63% (50th in FBS), 51% (79th in FBS) Recruiting pipelines: Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Metro Atlanta Odds to make 2025-26 CFP: +2500 Fun Rebuilds You'll Keep Coming Back To If you like a challenge, the schools below will definitely present you one. You'll need to be dominant on the sticks, as wins will be really hard to come by given the situations each school below is in. Let's take a look: Delaware or Missouri State There are two new schools in the FBS this season, upping the total to 136 programs in 2025. Welcome the Blue Hens and Bears to the big show! What better story would there be then to lead a former FCS school to a title at the next level? Both programs join Conference USA, which also welcomed Kennesaw State from the FCS level last season. The Owls finished 2-10 in their first FBS campaign, which highlights just how difficult a dynasty with either Delaware or Missouri State would be. Still, C-USA is one of the weaker conferences in the FBS, and you're always just a recruit away from changing it all. Southern Miss The Golden Eagles went 1-11 last season and have tough competition in the Sun Belt. But this might be one of the more interesting teams to start a dynasty with, as the roster is completely different from last year. Southern Miss has 54 incoming transfers in 2025, with 21 hailing from Marshall and four from West Virginia. That includes Braylon Braxton, who put up over 2,200 yards of total offense for the Herd along with 23 total touchdowns and just two interceptions. Can you be the coach to put all the pieces together in Hattiesburg? Kent State This might be the hardest rebuild of them all, as the Golden Flashes were the only FBS team to go winless in 2024. That's right, they went 0-12. Their high school recruiting class ranks 95th in the FBS, their transfer class is 121st and their rate of returning production is 43%— which ranks 110th nationally. A dynasty rebuild with Kent State is truly for the brave, skilled and fearless. Mississippi State You're probably thinking, "an SEC team as a tough dynasty rebuild?" But the fact that the Bulldogs are an SEC program is exactly why this task would be so difficult. You wouldn't even be the best program in your own state! Going 2-10 last season, they also revamped their 2025 roster— bringing in 34 players in the transfer portal (17th-ranked transfer class in the FBS), while also still hauling in the 28th best high school class in the FBS. Their rate of returning production ranks 37th in the country at 62%, and you'll need it— as the Year 1 schedule includes the likes of Arizona State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Missouri, and of course the Egg Bowl. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Who Are The 10 Best Multi-Sport Athletes in History?
Although playing multiple sports at a professional level is not as common today as it was in the past, that doesn't mean there isn't an incredible history of athletes doing just that. After all, professional athletes have a rare ability on the field, court or ice. They are gifted beyond belief. Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates, both of whom just missed this list, are great examples. They were both excellent basketball players before deciding football was their future. That said, FOX Sports Research compiled the list of the 10 best multi-sport athletes in history. What are the 10 best multi-sport athletes in history? 10. Marquise Goodwin One of the fastest people in the world, Goodwin ran a 4.27 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine in 2013, the third-fastest time in combine history at that time. That speed would do him well, helping push him to 18 career receiving touchdowns in his 10-year NFL career. Goodwin was also a star track athlete, qualifying for the 2012 Olympics in the long jump, while also impressing in the 60-meter dash. His best performance came at the 2008 World Junior Championships; he claimed gold in both the long jump and the 4 x 100-meter relay. 9. Kyler Murray Everyone knows Murray has skills on the football field. He has been successful at the college level, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2018, and was drafted first overall by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019. However, he easily could've pursued a baseball career. In 2018, Murray was selected ninth overall by the Athletics but chose to stick with football. With that, though, he became the first player to be selected in the first round of both the NFL and MLB drafts. 8. Brian Jordan A name not often mentioned, Jordan delivered in both football and baseball. He began his professional sports career by playing safety for the Atlanta Falcons from 1989 through 1991 before making a full-time switch to baseball. Jordan would eventually become an All-Star in 1999, when he hit .283 with 23 homers and 115 RBI for the Atlanta Braves. 7. Jackie Robinson Robinson, a baseball star who broke the game's color barrier, is an icon far bigger than any one sport or performance. That said, he had a ton of success during his college and professional career. He became a Hall of Famer after an 11-year MLB career. He was an NCAA champion in the long jump, while also lettering at UCLA in four different sports (football, basketball, track and field and baseball) — the first and only Bruin to ever have achieved this feat. 6. Jim Brown Arguably the greatest NFL player of all time, Brown was far more than just a star running back. Aside from his nine years in Cleveland and eventual ticket to Canton, Brown also made the Lacrosse Hall of Fame with standout performances in both high school and in college at Syracuse. Moreover, he also excelled in both basketball and track and field, showcasing his power and speed combo. 5. Charlie Ward Ward was a tremendous athlete and showed it on the field. His best year in football came in 1993 for Florida State, when the star signal-caller earned nearly all the major awards a QB could get, while also capturing the Heisman Trophy and leading the team to a national championship. The next year, Ward was selected 26th overall in the first round of the NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. Ward went on to play 11 years in the NBA. 4. Bob Hayes As if being a star football player wasn't enough, Hayes also delivered as a track and field star. He won a gold medal in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, competing in the 100-meter dash and the 4 x 100-meter relay. Those gold medals, combined with his 11 seasons in the NFL and eventual induction into Canton, make him one of the most decorated athletes in history. 3. Bo Jackson If you asked people to name the greatest multi-sport athlete, most would instantly think of Jackson, who was a legend at Auburn. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1985 and eventually turned that into becoming a College Football Hall of Famer, as well as the first overall pick in the 1986 NFL Draft. He would play four years with the Raiders at the same time as he was playing for the Kansas City Royals. His baseball career lasted four years longer, as he ended up playing professionally in the majors for nine seasons, making one All-Star team and the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame. 2. Jim Thorpe A true triple threat, Thorpe did it all. An Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon and pentathlon, Thorpe also played eight years in the NFL. During his time in pro football, he earned a spot on the NFL All-Decade team and was a first-team All-Pro. All that eventually led to his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thorpe wasn't done there, though. He also managed to fit a six-year MLB career in as well. 1. Deion Sanders If Jackson isn't the first answer most think of when asked for the best multi-sport athlete, Sanders is undoubtedly the next most common one. He was anything but common, however. Sanders had wheels like no other and dominated on the field, playing 14 years in the NFL. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1994 and claimed two Super Bowl titles in his career. His success in both pro and college would earn him a spot in both Hall of Fames. Sanders managed to work in a nine-year MLB career as well. He also ran track for Florida State while at school. Honorable mentions: Shaun White Gene Conley Kirk Gibson Antonio Gates Tony Gonzalez John Elway Danny Ainge Check out all of our Daily Rankers . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Fox Sports
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Which 10 Players Have the Most Home Runs in MLB History?
Home runs are one of the most enjoyable things to witness in baseball. They are certainly the most effective and positive outcome, a sign that a hitter perfectly timed a pitch and hit the sweet spot. Players who can consistently hit a high volume of home runs are some of the most adored and coveted assets in MLB. That said, who has had the most success at hitting the ball out of the park? FOX Sports Research compiled the list! 10 players with the most HRs in MLB history 10. Frank Robinson: 586 Robinson had immense power from the moment he stepped into the majors, hitting 38 home runs and winning Rookie of the Year in his first season. He continued to display that consistent power, riding it to his first MVP award in 1961. He then peaked in 1966, hitting a career-high 49 home runs and leading the league with a .637 slugging percentage. After playing 10 seasons in Cincinnati, Robinson helped Baltimore win the World Series in 1966 and 1970. 9. Sammy Sosa: 609 The only thing Sosa didn't accomplish during his career was winning a World Series. Arguably the greatest slugger in Chicago Cubs history, Sosa made five straight All-Star teams from 1998-2002 and was named NL MVP during the 1998 season. That year, he hit a career-high 66 dingers and followed that up with 63 home runs the next season. 8. Jim Thome: 612 Thome and Sosa fought for the home run crown year after year in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Thome's 22-year career helped him to climb the ranks of this leaderboard, but he was able to sustain his power nearly the whole time. His best seasons came from 2001 to 2003 when he 45 or more home runs in each season. He remains Cleveland's all-time home run leader with 337 over 12 seasons. However, José Ramírez, who's currently at 269, could catch him. 7. Ken Griffey Jr.: 630 Griffey Jr. is one of two Seattle Mariners to be named AL MVP, with the other being Ichiro Suzuki. Griffey did so in 1997 when he set a career-high mark of 56 home runs and batted in a league-leading 147 runs. He hit 56 home runs in the following season as well. Griffey complemented his dynamic power with unlimited range in the outfield as one of the greatest center fielders of all time. 6. Willie Mays: 660 If Griffey was a great center fielder, Mays might have been the absolute best. He set the standard for a five-tool player with basket-catches and diving snags, while hitting moonshots from the batter's box. Mays led MLB in home runs in three separate seasons — when he hit 51 in 1955, 49 in 1962 and 52 in 1965. He won MVP during that 1965 season, as well as another in 1954 when he helped the then-New York Giants to a World Series victory. 5. Alex Rodriguez: 696 Best known for his tenure with the New York Yankees, Rodriguez showcased the most power during his three seasons with the Texas Rangers. He led the AL in home runs every season he was with the team, hitting 52 in 2001, 57 in 2002 and 47 in 2003. He was named AL MVP during his final season with the Rangers and won it twice more with the Yankees. While his power began to take a slight dip after 2007, he finally won a World Series in 2009 with New York. 4. Albert Pujols: 703 Pujols was the epitome of consistency, never exceeding the 50-home run mark in a single season but sustaining power across his entire career. He was easily the St. Louis Cardinals' best player of all time, making the All-Star team during nine of the 11 seasons he played with them. He won back-to-back NL MVP awards in 2008 and 2009, while leading the league in home runs that latter season with 47. He helped the Cardinals win their two most recent World Series in 2006 and 2011, before leaving for the Los Angeles Angels in 2012. 3. Babe Ruth: 714 Ruth is widely considered the greatest baseball player of all time. He was the whole package — a slugger on the field and an impactful player off the field. He was the centerpiece of one of the most significant trades in MLB history as the Boston Red Sox moved him to their rival, the Yankees, after five seasons. He ultimately led the majors in home runs 10 times after joining the Yankees and helped the franchise win four World Series. 2. Henry Aaron: 755 Aaron was MLB's all-time home run leader for 33 seasons after surpassing Ruth in 1974. He played for the Braves in all but his final two seasons and helped them win their first World Series in 1957, when Aaron was named NL MVP. 1. Barry Bonds: 762 Not only does Bonds hold MLB's all-time home run record, but he set the single-season record when he hit 73 in 2001 with the Giants. Bonds was a superstar prior to coming to San Francisco, as he won two NL MVP awards with the Pittsburgh Pirates before his arrival, but his power reached a new level once he changed franchises. He won four consecutive NL MVP awards from 2001 to 2004, giving him the most of all time with seven total. Check out all of our Daily Rankers . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Major League Baseball recommended Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
