7 Greatest Athletes of the 60s, 70s, and 80s That You Totally Forgot About
Were you ever curious about the greatest athletes from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s? These decades were full of legendary sports moments and athletes who set the bar high.
Whether it’s basketball, baseball, or even NASCAR, the talents from these eras have left a lasting impact.
Understanding who these remarkable sports figures are helps you appreciate the history of sports and see how the games have evolved. From Wilt Chamberlain scoring 100 points in a single game to Reggie Jackson’s incredible home runs, each decade brought its own set of unforgettable heroes.
This article is your guide to exploring some of the best athletes who defined these exciting times.
1) Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., was a legendary boxer.
He changed his name after joining the Nation of Islam in 1964.
Known for his quick reflexes and sharp wit, Ali could “float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.” His confidence and charisma set him apart from other athletes.
Ali won the heavyweight championship three times.
He had an impressive career record of 56 wins, including victories against famous opponents like Sonny Liston and Joe Frazier.
Ali was known for his “rope-a-dope” strategy, letting his opponents tire themselves out before striking back.
Besides his boxing fame, Ali was also a social activist.
He stood up against racial inequality and refused to serve in the Vietnam War due to his religious beliefs.
His brave stance made him a hero to many people outside of sports.
Ali’s impact wasn’t just in the ring.
He inspired countless individuals with his dedication to justice and his fearless personality.
Even after retiring from boxing, his legacy lived on.
People still admire his courage, skill, and the way he spoke his mind.
He passed away in 2016, but his influence remains strong today.
2) Pele
Pele, born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, is one of the most famous soccer players ever.
He started playing professionally at just 15 and quickly became an icon.
In the 1960s and 70s, Pele dazzled the world with his skills.
He played for Santos FC and led the club to many victories.
His talent on the field was unmatched.
Pele is best known for his role in Brazil’s national team.
He helped Brazil win three World Cups in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
His performance in the 1970 World Cup is still remembered as one of the greatest ever.
People admired not just his skills but also his sportsmanship.
Pele became a global ambassador for soccer, spreading the love for the game everywhere he went.
By the time he retired, Pele had scored over 1,000 goals, a record that few have come close to.
He remains a legend and an inspiration to many, showing the world what dedication and passion can achieve.
3) Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus, often called “The Golden Bear,” is one of the greatest golfers of all time.
Born on January 21, 1940, he dominated the sport through the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
You can’t talk about golf history without mentioning Nicklaus.
He won 18 major championships, more than anyone else in the sport.
His first major win was the 1962 U.S. Open, where he beat Arnold Palmer in a playoff.
By 1973, Nicklaus became the first player to earn $2 million in career earnings on the PGA Tour.
He continued to set records, reaching $3 million in 1977 and $5 million by 1988.
Nicklaus wasn’t just about winning.
He was known for his consistency and longevity.
Over his career, he won 117 professional tournaments.
His career spanned more than two decades, and he remained competitive into the early 80s.
His influence extends beyond playing.
Nicklaus also designed golf courses and remains a significant figure in golf.
You can still see his impact on the game today.
4) Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain is a legendary name in basketball history.
Standing at 7 feet 1 inch, he was a dominant force on the court.
You might have heard about his 100-point game, which is still an unbroken record in the NBA.
He started his career with the Harlem Globetrotters before joining the NBA.
Wilt’s impact was immediate.
He scored points and grabbed rebounds like no one else.
In one memorable game in 1965, he pulled down 42 rebounds.
Wilt wasn’t just a basketball player.
He loved other sports too.
He played polo, tennis, and even water skied.
This shows how versatile and athletic he really was.
Over 14 seasons in the NBA, Wilt set numerous records.
He was also named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History and got into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Besides his stats, Wilt was known for his physical strength and endurance.
He could run the floor with ease and dominated both ends of the court.
Even now, many consider him the greatest athlete of all time.
Wilt Chamberlain passed away on October 12, 1999, but his legacy in the sports world remains strong.
His feats and contributions to basketball have inspired generations of players.
5) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Standing at 7 feet 2 inches, he dominated the court in the 1970s and 1980s.
You might know him for his skyhook shot, an almost unstoppable move.
Kareem’s skills helped him score more points than any other player in NBA history.
He started his career with the Milwaukee Bucks and later played for the Los Angeles Lakers.
With the Lakers, he won multiple championships and awards.
His presence on the court was huge for the team’s success.
Off the court, Kareem is also an accomplished writer and social activist.
He wrote several books and articles on history, culture, and his own experiences.
Throughout his career, Kareem’s consistent performance earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award six times.
He was a 19-time All-Star and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wasn’t just a basketball player; he was a sports icon.
His influence on the game and society continues to be felt even today.
6) Billie Jean King
You might know Billie Jean King as one of the best tennis players ever.
She was born in 1943 and made a huge impact in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
King won an amazing 39 Grand Slam titles: 12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles.
King didn’t just win trophies.
She fought for equality.
She pushed for equal pay for women in tennis, which was a big deal at the time.
Her match against Bobby Riggs in 1973, known as the “Battle of the Sexes,” was watched by 90 million people.
She also helped to start the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973.
This created more opportunities for women in tennis.
King was the first female athlete to earn more than $100,000 in prize money in a single season.
Besides her sports achievements, King has been an advocate for LGBTQ rights and women’s rights.
She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her efforts.
Billie Jean King wasn’t just a great athlete; she changed the game for many who followed.
7) Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis is a name you can’t forget when talking about track and field.
Born on July 1, 1961, Lewis was a star athlete from a young age.
He stepped into the limelight in 1979 and kept shining until 1996.
During his career, Carl Lewis won nine Olympic gold medals and one silver.
He also grabbed 10 World Championships medals, including eight gold.
His Olympic debut was supposed to be in 1980, but the U.S. boycott of the Moscow Games delayed it.
At the 1984 Los Angeles Games, Lewis matched his idol, Jesse Owens, by winning gold in the 100m, 200m, long jump, and 4x100m relay.
This feat made him an instant sports hero.
Even after his retirement in 1997, Carl Lewis hasn’t moved away from track and field.
Today, he’s the head coach for the University of Houston’s Track and Field team, continuing to inspire young athletes.
Lewis comes from a family of athletes.
His mother, Evelyn, was a hurdler for the U.S. team at the 1951 Pan-American Games.
His sister, Carol, joined him on the 1984 Olympic team as a long jumper.
Impact on Sports Culture
The athletes of the 60s, 70s, and 80s didn’t just shine on the field; they also left a lasting impact on global sports culture and achieved significant cultural milestones that still resonate today.
Global Influence
You might notice how athletes like Pelé in soccer and Muhammad Ali in boxing became household names across the world.
Pelé, with his incredible skills, helped bring international attention to soccer, making it more popular in places like the United States.
Muhammad Ali, known for his charisma and talent, transcended the sport of boxing.
His fights were seen worldwide, and he became a symbol of excellence and activism.
Another example is Billie Jean King, who played a key role in advancing women’s tennis.
Her matches gained huge international followings, inspiring future generations of female athletes.
Cultural Milestones
In the 60s, athletes started to use their platform to make social and political statements.
Muhammad Ali’s refusal to be drafted into the Vietnam War turned him into a major figure in the civil rights movement.
He used his fame to speak out against racial injustice.
Reggie Jackson’s World Series performance in 1977 earned him the nickname “Mr. October.” His success on such a big stage boosted baseball’s popularity.
In basketball, the 1980s were defined by the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
Their games brought the NBA into the limelight, setting the stage for its global reach today.
These athletes not only achieved greatness through their skills but also shaped the culture by breaking barriers and challenging norms.
Training and Techniques
Training in the 60s, 70s, and 80s saw significant changes.
These athletes used innovative methods and focused on endurance and conditioning to achieve peak performance.
Innovative Methods
During these decades, bodybuilders and athletes started using free weights more extensively.
Exercises like squats, deadlifts, and bench presses were staples.
They avoided machines to build raw, functional strength.
You’ll find supersetting became popular too.
This involves performing two exercises back-to-back with little rest.
It kept the heart rate up and muscles pumped. Pyramid training was another favorite.
Starting with lighter weights and high reps, then gradually increasing the weight.
Innovative splits were also key.
Athletes divided their routines to target different muscle groups on different days.
This meant muscles got the right mix of rest and work.
Endurance and Conditioning
Athletes in these eras didn’t just focus on lifting; they also emphasized cardiovascular endurance.
Running, cycling, and swimming were essential to their routines.
Even bodybuilders incorporated cardio to keep body fat low.
You’ve likely heard of circuit training.
This involves doing a series of exercises one after another, with minimal rest.
It was a great way to build both strength and endurance.
Conditioning drills were also big.
These high-intensity, short-duration drills pushed the athletes to their limits.
Many athletes adopted flexibility training, too.
It helped with injury prevention.
Stretching, yoga, and light movement exercises kept their bodies agile and ready for anything.