Image 1 Babe Ruth, 2011. Note. Image from Guide to Sports. Retrieved January 10, 2011 from http://larpstop.com/babe-ruth/
The contemporary icons that I selected for this assignment are Babe Ruth, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Michael Jordan. All three icons are major contributors to their specific profession and time period. I chose Babe Ruth, one of the first five players voted to the Baseball Hall of Fame, as he is viewed as one of the utmost sports heroes in American culture. In 1998, The Sporting News ranked Ruth number one on the list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players". Ruth's home run hitting ability and captivating persona made him a larger than life stature in the "Roaring Twenties". He is recognized for changing the game of baseball itself; with its popularity exploding in the 1920s, due to his influence. Babe Ruth's gigantic swing led to escalating home run totals; that not only excited fans, but also brought about the live-ball era (Babe Ruth, 2011).
Image 2 Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2011. Note. Image from Predator. Retrieved January 10, 2011 from http: //www.amctv.com/movienights/arnold-schwarzenegger/
Arnold Schwarzenegger was chosen as an icon, as he is one of the best pro bodybuilders of all time. He is known as an ambassador to bodybuilding and is one of the sole reasons for bodybuilding's growing popularity. However, he is better known as an action hero and now current Governor of California. Arnold was AMC's Hollywood Icon for July 2009, and is arguably one of the greatest, if not the greatest, action stars of all time. Some of his most popular movies are Terminator, Commando, and Conan. Rarely has one individual been as successful as Arnold in three different professions. His success as Governor is still debatable. However, I consider him to be a successful icon who conquered the world of bodybuilding, movies, and now he is a governor. Not bad for a guy who came to the United States as a bodybuilder with nothing (Arnold Schwarzenegger, 2011).
Image 2 Michael Jordan, 2011. Note. Image from Chicago Bulls. Retrieved January 10, 2011 from http://susanshan.com/2010/07/18/michael-jordan-lebrons-route/
I chose Michael Jordan as an icon, as he is the greatest basketball player to ever play the game. He single-handedly changed basketball. No other athlete in NBA history has attained so much in any quantity of time. He is a five-time league MVP, a ten-time scoring champion, a six-time Finals MVP, and possesses six NBA championships. He finished his career with 32,292 points, and an astonishing career average of 30.12 points per game-the best in NBA history. Not only did he accomplish so much as an individual, but he also improved the popularity of the NBA to shaping it to what it is today (Michael Jordan, 2011).
In conclusion, all three icons represent my childhood to me. Obviously, I wasn't around when Babe was playing baseball. However, when I was growing up, I really loved baseball and Babe's name was unanimous with the game. Also, he served as a role model to me in the way he played the game. With Arnold, I grew up watching him on television. When I wanted to watch an action movie, his name always jumped out at me. As a current bodybuilder, I have really come to respect Arnold, as he is one of the sole reasons that bodybuilding is still around today. He is one of my favorite bodybuilders of all time. Lastly, I really respect Michael Jordan. There is no other player that can compare to him in my opinion. Yes there are some good players out there. Nevertheless, Michael was great and still holds a tight grip on the game with his Nike brand Jumpman23.
References
Arnold Schwarzenegger. (2011). Hollywood Icon: Arnold Schwarzenegger. Retrieved January 10, 2011, from http://www.amctv.com/movienights/arnold-schwarzenegger/
Babe Ruth. (2011). Guide to Sports: the cards, stories, and legends of America. Retrieved January 10, 2011, from http://larpstop.com/babe-ruth/
Michael Jordan. (2011). Biography. Retrieved January 10, 2011, from http://www.23jordan.com/bio3.htm
I consider all three of your icons examples of something or someone greater than ourselves to believe in. I used to listen to my grandmother, tell stories of how her mother my great grandmother's entire family were Babe Ruth fans. No one can deny the fact that Arnold with that golden accent "Asta La Vista Baby"
ReplyDeletecaptured the attention of many and how his movies were box office sell outs, that are classics today. When he became Governor of California, everyone hoped he would still continue to make movies when he became governor. Seems as though every boy, young man and adult, followed him closely for his record of body building and no one can forget that Michael Jordan,is one of the greatest basketball players that ever lived, he is one of my favorites. They are all icons that people have admired and looked up to not only as their heroes, but as someone they would like to be like. Your choices were good ones...Vivian Martin