NASCAR driver JIMMIE JOHNSON for the second consecutive year tops Forbes' list of "America's Most Influential Athletes," according to Tom Van Riper of FORBES. Jets QB TIM TEBOW is listed second, up from No. 10 last year. This year, six of the 10 most influential athletes are NFL QBs, with both the Broncos' PEYTON MANNING and the Giants' ELI MANNING "in the fold." The list was created using results from Nielsen and E-Poll poll that "surveyed over 1,100 adults about dozens of well-known athletes to measure their likeability and whether they’re considered 'influential,' an important quality for marketers." Candidates were limited to "pro athletes who are currently active and who score at least 20% 'awareness' with the general public." Dropping off the list from '11 are driver JEFF GORDON, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer MICHAEL PHELPS, Steelers S TROY POLAMALU, Heat F LEBRON JAMES and TNT analyst SHAQUILLE O'NEAL, who is no longer eligible after retiring from the NBA last year. Their replacements on the list: Eli Manning, Knicks G JEREMY LIN, boxer MANNY PACQUIAO, Saints QB DREW BREES and Packers QB AARON RODGERS. Below is the complete Forbes list (FORBES.com, 4/23).
| RK | NAME | % INFLUENTIAL | LIKE/LIKE A LOT |
| 1 | NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson | 25% | 40% |
| 2 | Jets QB Tim Tebow | 24% | 50% |
| 3 | Broncos QB Peyton Manning | 21% | 52% |
| 4 | Boxer Manny Pacquiao | 20% | 59% |
| 5 | Patriots QB Tom Brady | 19% | 38% |
| 6 | Packers QB Aaron Rodgers | 19% | 62% |
| 7 | NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. | 19% | 41% |
| 8 | Saints QB Drew Brees | 19% | 63% |
| 9 | Giants QB Eli Manning | 18% | 57% |
| 10 | Knicks G Jeremy Lin | 18% | 66% |
