Time magazine released its annual list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2019, and a number of athletes made the list. Below are some excerpts from their profiles (TIME, 4/29 issue).
- LEBRON JAMES: WARREN BUFFETT wrote he has been "impressed with his leadership skills, his sharp mind and his ability to stay grounded." Buffett: "People in LeBron's position get tugged in different directions and have a lot of chances to make bad decisions. He's kept his head, and that's not easy."
- TIGER WOODS: JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE wrote over the past few years, Woods has "rehabbed rigorously from all the surgeries, and returned to the top of the game." While some "doubted he'd ever win again, Tiger's commitment never wavered."
- NAOMI OSAKA: USTA Foundation Chair CHRIS EVERT wrote no one "represents our more globalized, multicultural future better than this honest, polite, self-deprecating tennis life force, a potential champion for years to come."
- ALEX MORGAN: MIA HAMM wrote she feels "great about the future of our sport because Alex is leading the way." From a young age, Morgan has been "someone who embraced her ability to connect with her fans and generate more excitement for her team and her sport."
- MOHAMED SALAH: HBO's JOHN OLIVER wrote Salah is an "iconic figure for Egyptians, Scousers and Muslims the world over, and yet he always comes across as a humble, thoughtful, funny man who isn't taking any of this too seriously."
- CASTER SEMENYA: USADA Chair EDWIN MOSES wrote Semenya's efforts this year "could open the door for all who identify as women to compete in track events without having to first medically lower their testosterone levels below a proposed limit."
- NINJA: Steelers WR JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER wrote Ninja was "huge in building up the credibility of e-sports." At the end of the day, he is "someone to whom we owe a lot for making gaming what it is today."
