20 athletes who were cultural icons beyond their sport

Magic Johnson is the face of the “Showtime” Lakers, an era that truly helped popularize the league in the ‘80s. After Johnson announced his HIV diagnosis, he retired from the league and then became a spokesperson for HIV prevention. He then went on to show how players can become businessmen; he launched Magic Johnson Enterprises, owned several franchises of restaurants and movie theaters, and became part-owner of teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks, and Washington Commanders. 

Allen Iverson easily changed how the NBA views small guards who were incredibly skilled; he directly inspired players like Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving to grow the game. But beyond his on-court play, Iverson brought a certain image to the sport. He wore cornrows, had tattoos, and would adorn himself in du-rags and throwback jerseys. That level of cool wasn’t yet mainstream, but it was Iverson simply being himself. Although his fashion sense came with some backlash — to the point in which the league infamously enforced a dress code — Iverson was a style icon who was the blueprint for players and their tunnel fits today. 

Tiger Woods helped change the face of golf, especially notable for a sport in which Black athletes aren’t the dominant players, if at all. He has won 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour titles, prompting him to become one of the world's most recognizable names in sports.  

Ask any boxing fan who was the greatest heavyweight boxer to ever live, and they will surely say Muhammad Ali. Between his speed, footwork, and even trash talk, he was one of the most entertaining fighters to watch in the sport. In addition to his work as a boxer, Ali was an advocate for civil rights and racial justice who showcased the importance of athletes using their platforms to speak out on societal issues. 

Kobe Bryant went straight from high school to the NBA, and played 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a five-time NBA champion, scored 81 points in a game, became an advocate for women’s sports, mentored young ballers, and became an Academy Award winner for his animated short film, Dear Basketball. 

Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast of all time, holding over 38 medals to her name, and is easily a fan favorite in the Olympic Games. Her elite athleticism and skill allow her to land incredible routines at any level of difficulty, keeping audiences in awe and have led to moves being named after her. In addition to her work as a gymnast, she’s been an advocate for mental health, and standing up for fellow victims of sexual abuse within the sport. 

If you listen to any sports reporters on ESPN or Fox Sports, as well as basketball fans, Michael Jordan is on the Mt. Rushmore of hoops. Not only did he win six NBA championships, five MVPs, and ten scoring titles, but he also had a certain finesse to his style of play that many athletes after him tried to emulate. But in addition to his play on the court, he became a household name with people referring to him as “MJ” or “His Airness.” His Jordan brand helped revolutionize sports apparel, he was a brand spokesperson for brands like Gatorade and Hanes, and had commercials with kids screaming how they want to “Be like Mike.” 

Billie Jean King is one of the most revered athletes in the tennis world. Not only did she win 39 Grand Slam titles, but she also won the “Battle of the Sexes” match against Bobby Riggs. However, her work off the court has also been inspiring. She's not only the founder of organizations like the Women’s Tennis Association and the Women’s Sports Foundation, but she also fought for equal pay for men and women at the 1973 U.S. Open. 

LeBron James was already a high recruit while he was in high school, even being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the headline coining him as “The Chosen One.” That might have been a lot of pressure for a teenager, but since then, James has been in the league for 23 seasons, the most of any player. He’s broken numerous records including all-time scoring leader, games played, All-NBA selections, All Star selections, and so much more, not to mention a four-time NBA champion. In addition to his play, he founded the I Promise School, and the media production company SpringHill Entertainment.

Tennis has always typically been a predominantly white sport, however, sisters Venus and Serena Williams broke racial and gender barriers, and dominated the sport for years. The fact that two young Black women from Compton changed the face and athleticism of tennis, resulted in more fans tuning in to watch the sport. They were both instrumental in advocating for pay equality among men and women tennis players, while also starting their own fashion lines, and investing in women-led businesses. 

Some people may know David Beckham as a former soccer player for Manchester United or the LA Galaxy. But others know him as a man of style, cool, and business-savvy. Due to his style, Beckham built his image around being a fashion icon, thanks to endorsements from clothing brands and fragrances, as well as his features in magazine spreads. Not to mention, he’s married to Victoria Beckham, a.k.a. Posh Spice, which also helped push his stardom and image even further.

Jackie Robinson is one of the most recognizable names in Black history and sports history, due to becoming the first African-American player in Major League Baseball. Not only did he end segregation within the league and changed the face of sports, but he also used his fame to advocate for civil rights through his work with the NAACP. 

By the time Naomi Osaka was 24, she was already a four-time Grand Slam champion. But Osaka is well aware how even with all the success, it’s important for one to take care of self. In 2021, she withdrew from the French Open to address her anxiety and focus on her mental well-being. Osaka has also been an advocate for fighting against racial injustice, she was very outspoken in 2020 as she wore masks that featured the names of Black victims of police brutality, a tactic that supported the Black Lives Matter movement. 

People can't talk about soccer (football) without mentioning the legacy of Pelé, he was the first global superstar in the sport. In 1958 at just the age of 17, Pelé became the youngest player to score in a World Cup Final, a feat that instantaneously pushed his stardom. To this day, he's still the only soccer player to win three FIFA World Cups. Outside of the sport, he became a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, to help raise awareness for world peace and security. 

In 1968, Tommie Smith and John Carlos made headlines with their protest at the Mexico City Olympics. While they stood on the podium, they bowed their heads and raised their fists as the US national anthem played. It was a Black power salute that represented their stance against the system oppression of Black people in the US. Unfortunately their protest cost them to receive threats and banishment from other competitions. Besides that moment changing their sports careers, they continued on to advocate for racial equality and social justice. 

Arthur Ashe will always be known as a trailblazer in the tennis world. Not only was he the first Black man to represent America in the Davis Cup, but he was also the first Black man to win the US Open, Australian Open, and Wimbledon. Outside of the sport, he was an advocate for raising HIV/AIDS awareness, as he was diagnosed with HIV. He also used his platform to fight against racial injustice and apartheid. 

Cristiano Ronaldo is easily recognized as one of the greatest athletes in soccer. But off the field, he’s the most followed athlete across social media channels, and he was named the third highest-paid athlete in 2026. He’s also been an advocate for helping people in need, while also showing up-and-coming athletes on the importance of marketing and branding. 

Colin Kaepernick was once the star quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. In 2016, he decided to use his platform to bring attention to societal issues. While the national anthem was played, Kaepernick kneeled as a protest against racial injustice and police brutality in America. Some fans saw his stance as a form of disrespect, while others saw it as freedom of speech to fight for what he believes in. Kaepernick was eventually blackballed by the league, but he has continued his activism. 

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson might have started his career as a WWE superstar, but he’s since pivoted into film, and is now one of the world’s highest-grossing actors. While his acting career started in films like The Mummy Returns and Be Cool, he’s also starred in films like Jumanji, Fast Five, and Moana. 

After four seasons of playing for the Arizona Cardinals, Pat Tillman decided to leave the NFL and enlist in the US Army. While he was stationed in Afghanistan, Tillman unfortunately was killed by a fellow soldier, although the army initially told the family he was killed by enemy fire. In the aftermath of his death, his widow Marie Tilman founded the Pat Tillman Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports military families and veterans.