Introduction

You probably had a childhood idol—that one special person who meant the world to you. It might have been a family member, a teacher or a coach. It’s also quite possible you were first drawn to a professional athlete you saw on television or read about in a magazine or newspaper. Many of us once dreamed of becoming a pro athlete just like our first childhood hero.

But, do the athletes we idolize have someone they considered to be extra special when they were kids? In Sports Idols Idols, nearly 150 past and present athletes—including dozens of Hall of Famers—share stories about their very first childhood heroes. They discuss what it was like the first time they met their idols. Many experienced euphoria. However, a few were crushed when their encounters did not go as anticipated.

In this oral history, some of the most well-known sports figures from yesterday and today tell you about their idols and about special moments in their lives and careers. Go ahead! Reach for the stars! In Sports Idols Idols, sports fans of all ages will learn about the heroes of their heroes.