The Official GOAT List: Ranking the Greatest Sports Movie Characters of All Time
Sports movie characters are the larger-than-life heroes who made us run through walls, believe in impossible comebacks, and quote their one-liners long after the credits rolled. This league brings together the most iconic underdogs, mentors, misfits, legends, and lovable chaos agents from across decades of sports cinema.
From Rocky’s grit to Miyagi’s wisdom, Happy Gilmore’s mayhem to Benny “The Jet’s” childhood cool, these characters didn’t just entertain us — they shaped how generations think about teamwork, confidence, rivalry, and what it means to compete. Now it’s up to the fans to decide which cinematic sports icon truly stands above the rest.
1. ROCKY BALBOA (ROCKY)
Rocky Balboa (Rocky) is currently the #1 Greatest Sports Movie Characters of All Time winning 78.3% head-to-head battles.
2. HAPPY GILMORE (HAPPY GILMORE)
Happy Gilmore (Happy Gilmore) is currently the #2 Greatest Sports Movie Characters of All Time winning 58.3% head-to-head battles.
3. HERMAN BOONE (REMEMBER THE TITANS)
Herman Boone (Remember the Titans) is currently the #3 Greatest Sports Movie Characters of All Time winning 56.0% head-to-head battles.
4. DANIEL LARUSSO (KARATE KID)
Daniel LaRusso (Karate Kid) is currently the #4 Greatest Sports Movie Characters of All Time winning 53.1% head-to-head battles.
5. CRASH DAVIS (BULL DURHAM)
Crash Davis (Bull Durham) is currently the #5 Greatest Sports Movie Characters of All Time winning 49.5% head-to-head battles.
6. MAGGIE FITZGERALD (MILLION DOLLAR BABY)
Maggie Fitzgerald (Million Dollar Baby) is currently the #6 Greatest Sports Movie Characters of All Time winning 48.9% head-to-head battles.
7. JIMMY CHITWOOD (HOOSIERS)
Jimmy Chitwood (Hoosiers) is currently the #7 Greatest Sports Movie Characters of All Time winning 46.0% head-to-head battles.
8. ROY HOBBS (THE NATURAL)
Roy Hobbs (The Natural) is currently the #8 Greatest Sports Movie Characters of All Time winning 45.7% head-to-head battles.
9. BENNY “THE JET” (THE SANDLOT)
Benny “The Jet” (The Sandlot) is currently the #9 Greatest Sports Movie Characters of All Time winning 44.6% head-to-head battles.
10. RICKY BOBBY (TALLADEGA NIGHTS)
Ricky Bobby (Talladega Nights) is currently the #10 Greatest Sports Movie Characters of All Time winning 40.0% head-to-head battles.
11. COACH BOMBAY (MIGHTY DUCKS)
Coach Bombay (Mighty Ducks) is currently the #11 Greatest Sports Movie Characters of All Time winning 32.2% head-to-head battles.
12. MONICA WRIGHT (LOVE BASKETBALL)
Monica Wright (Love Basketball) is currently the #12 Greatest Sports Movie Characters of All Time winning 29.4% head-to-head battles.
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Movie Final Shots
Underdog Movies
Movie Opening Scenes