The 39 Most Intimidating Athletes of All Time

Some opponents were beaten before the contest started. These are the athletes whose presence alone changed how the other side played.

1. 1
   Ray Lewis

   The Baltimore Ravens linebacker whose fiery pre-game dances and ferocious hits made him the most feared defender of the 2000s.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Michael Jordan

   Legendary for psychologically dismantling opponents.
   972pts
3. 3
   Brock Lesnar

   The former NCAA wrestling champion whose sheer size and power made him UFC heavyweight champion after a pro wrestling career.
   942pts
4. 4
   Viv Richards

   West Indies batting great who walked to the crease chewing gum without a helmet and dominated the world's fastest bowlers.
   942pts
5. 5
   Mike Tyson

   Opponents were often beaten before the first bell.
   873pts
6. 6
   Lawrence Taylor

   The linebacker who changed how offences protect the quarterback.
   843pts
7. 7
   Jonah Lomu

   The giant New Zealand wing who ran over defenders at the 1995 Rugby World Cup and changed how the game was played.
   763pts
8. 8
   Ty Cobb

   The Georgia Peach was famed for sliding into bases spikes first and for a ferocious temper that unsettled opponents.
   667pts
9. 9
   Dick Butkus

   The Chicago Bears linebacker synonymous with punishment.
   666pts
10. 10
    Fedor Emelianenko

    The Last Emperor ruled PRIDE heavyweights for a decade, staring down opponents with an expressionless calm that unnerved them.
    666pts
11. 11
    Bob Gibson

    St. Louis Cardinals ace who glared down hitters and was never shy about pitching inside, most memorably in his 1.12 ERA season of 1968.
    666pts
12. 12
    Kobe Bryant

    The Black Mamba's cold-blooded killer instinct and relentless work ethic struck fear into defenders throughout his 20 seasons with the Lakers.
    610pts
13. 13
    Ronnie Lott

    The San Francisco safety famous for bone-jarring hits, who once chose to amputate a fingertip rather than miss playing time.
    609pts
14. 14
    Jack Lambert

    Pittsburgh's toothless middle linebacker whose snarling glare and violent tackling defined the Steel Curtain era.
    609pts
15. 15
    Martin Johnson

    England's towering lock and 2003 World Cup-winning captain, whose glowering presence set the tone for his teams.
    545pts
16. 16
    Reggie White

    The Minister of Defense, a powerful pass rusher whose strength and speed overwhelmed offensive linemen for 15 seasons.
    545pts
17. 17
    Marvin Hagler

    Marvelous Marvin, a shaven-headed middleweight who fought with cold menace.
    473pts
18. 18
    Ronda Rousey

    Won her early UFC title fights in seconds with crushing armbars, and her pre-fight stare-downs became famous across the sport.
    473pts
19. 19
    Vinnie Jones

    The Wimbledon hard man of the Crazy Gang era, booked within seconds of a match and famous for his menacing tactics.
    473pts
20. 20
    Kevin Garnett

    An intense, trash-talking forward whose relentless energy and on-court snarl set the tone for Boston's 2008 champions.
    473pts
21. 21
    Tiger Woods

    At his peak, Tiger's aura and Sunday red shirt made rivals crumble, as he won 15 majors and held all four at once.
    389pts
22. 22
    Serena Williams

    A competitive intensity that defined an era of tennis.
    389pts
23. 23
    Joe Frazier

    Smokin' Joe's relentless pressure and devastating left hook handed Muhammad Ali the first defeat of his professional career in 1971.
    389pts
24. 24
    Sonny Liston

    A glare that unnerved a generation of heavyweights.
    389pts
25. 25
    Roy Keane

    Manchester United's captain and midfield enforcer.
    389pts
26. 26
    Randy Johnson

    The six-foot-ten Big Unit, whose blazing fastball and wild early control left left-handed hitters visibly reluctant to dig in.
    389pts
27. 27
    Khabib Nurmagomedov

    Retired unbeaten at 29-0 after mauling opponents with smothering wrestling, warning them beforehand exactly what he would do.
    389pts
28. 28
    Deacon Jones

    The Secretary of Defense who coined the term sack and terrorised quarterbacks with his feared head slap in the 1960s.
    294pts
29. 29
    George Foreman

    The young Big George crushed Joe Frazier and Ken Norton and was considered unbeatable before facing Muhammad Ali in 1974.
    294pts
30. 30
    Roberto Durán

    Hands of Stone, the Panamanian brawler whose menacing glare and ferocity carried him to titles in four weight classes.
    294pts
31. 31
    Joe Greene

    Mean Joe Greene anchored Pittsburgh's Steel Curtain defence of the 1970s with a nasty streak that lived up to his nickname.
    294pts
32. 32
    Nolan Ryan

    The Ryan Express threw seven no-hitters and 5,714 strikeouts with a fastball few hitters wanted to face.
    182pts
33. 33
    Muhammad Ali

    Used words as much as fists to unsettle opponents.
    182pts
34. 34
    Shaquille O'Neal

    So dominant that rules and defences were rebuilt around him.
    182pts
35. 35
    Bill Laimbeer

    The Bad Boys Pistons enforcer opponents most disliked facing.
    182pts
36. 36
    Jack Dempsey

    The Manassa Mauler, a ferocious heavyweight champion of the 1920s whose savage attacks made him one of the most feared punchers ever.
    182pts
37. 37
    Dennis Rodman

    A relentless, unpredictable defensive presence.
    182pts
38. 38
    Wilt Chamberlain

    A towering center who scored 100 points in a game and physically dominated every opponent of his era.
    182pts
39. 39
    Mark Messier

    Six-time Stanley Cup winner whose death stare and physical leadership made him the most feared captain in hockey.
    182pts

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