Introducing the annual fictional athlete Hall of Fame

Photo courtesy of Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis/Wikimedia Commons

Every single year in the sports world, athletes are being honored through their induction into their respective sports Hall of Fames. Being inducted into any Hall of Fame is an incredible achievement that very few athletes are honored with. While these distinguished athletes are deserving of acclaim and praise, the Hall of Fame fails to spotlight a large number of athletes. I am not just talking about real-world athletes, but the hundreds of fictional athletes that have accomplished true greatness. 

Thus, I believe that it is entirely necessary to dive into the cinematic world of sports and craft my own hall of fame composed of these fictional greats. My Hall of Fame will be narrowed down to the five greatest fictional athletes, ranked based on cultural relevance, scale of their athletic achievement, and their overall impact on sports cinema.

5. Daniel Larusso (Karate Kid Movie Franchise)

Starting off the list with an absolute legend, we have the “Karate Kid” himself. Larusso absolutely cannot be left off this list. Daniel’s “Crane Kick” is not just one of the most iconic images in sports cinema, but a ubiquitous piece of pop culture. Let us also not gloss over his accomplishments—winning two consecutive all-valley karate championships, defeating rivals Johnny Lawrence and Mike Barnes in the process, is nothing to scoff at. Congrats, Mr. Miyagi, your student has now been inducted into the fictional athlete Hall of Fame.

4. Forrest Gump (1994’s Forrest Gump)

While Forrest Gump accomplished a plethora of amazing feats, from receiving a medal of honor for his service in the Vietnam War, to co-founding the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, to meeting several U.S. presidents, somehow, Forrest’s athletic accomplishments are often overlooked. Forrest’s blazing speed is attributed to his reputation as a world-class athlete. I mean, not only was Forrest a superstar for legendary coach Bear Bryant’s Alabama Crimson Tide, but he also managed the otherworldly feat of running around the entirety of the United States, not just once but several times. Forrest, you can take a rest because you have been inducted into the prestigious fictional athlete Hall of Fame.

3. Happy Gilmore (1996’s Happy Gilmore) 

While Happy might be more well-known for his vicious temper and legendary outbursts, his natural ability as a multi-sport athlete makes him worthy of a spot. Starting off as a hockey player with a rocket slapshot, Happy transitioned to golf in his late 20s, an unheard-of career shift in the sports world. His meteoric rise concluded with an improbable victory over arch-rival and professional golfer Shooter McGavin in the PGA Tour Championship. Take that, Bob Barker.

2. Rocky Balboa (Rocky Franchise)

Philadelphia’s “Favorite Son” is adding another prodigious honor to an already spectacular career. Rocky is unequivocally the most notorious underdog story in sports history. His legendarily unorthodox training methods have inspired generations to get off the couch. Along with his cultural significance, Rocky managed to win the world heavyweight championship against the heavily favored Apollo Creed and ended up defending the belt over 10 times. Adrian, he did it! Rocky is now a Hall of Famer. 

1. Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez (1993’s The Sandlot)

Did anyone have any doubts about who would receive the top honor in my annual Hall of Fame selection? An icon of baseball and a quintessential role model for young athletes, Benny started off his career from the humble beginnings of his local sandlot. Benny quickly started gaining acknowledgment from his fellow neighborhood kids, ultimately being bestowed the nickname “The Jet.” After rescuing a prized baseball signed by Babe Ruth from the terrifying junkyard Dog “Beast,” Benny would go on to become a star for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He even memorably stole home in a game against the San Francisco Giants. Congrats, Benny. Legends never die!

Even though these athletes may not be real, they still inspired countless real-world athletes to pursue their dreams, no matter what obstacles they faced. These five men remind us of why we love sports in the first place with their passion, competitive spirit, and remarkable achievements despite facing adverse situations. For these reasons, these characters will always be Hall of Famers in my book.