Royce Gracie in Sports Illustrated Top 50 Athletes of all time
Royce Gracie was selected to represent his family’s version of Jiu-Jitsu in the first few UFCs because he looked far less athletic than for example his brother Rickson. Rickson too would have beaten everyone at UFC 1, but it would not have had the same effect on the world.
It is quite impressive to be nominated to the UFC Hall of Fame and be an icon of MMA etc, but it is quite different to reach the pinnacle of sports recognition as Royce Gracie just did. Sports Illustrated is widely recognized as the top sports magazine in the World and in their special issue: “Greatest Athletes of All Time” , Royce Gracie was nominated as one of the top 50 Greatest of All Times, along side with Superstars of other sports like Michael Jordan, Mike Tyson, Tiger Woods, Lebron James, Roger Federer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Pele, Walter Payton, Wilt Chamberlain, Mia Hamm and Serena Williams amongst others.
When contacted about the honor Royce stated:
“I am honored to make sports illustrated top 50 athletes of all time list. I don’t get excited about many things but this is something that humbles me”
