(L-R) Lebron James and Alex Morgan.
Both LeBron James and Alex Morgan have been superstars since they were teenagers, and still have a profound influence on their sports and the world around them.
The two Olympic gold medalists were named Wednesday to the TIME 100, the magazine’s annual list of the most influential people in the world. The list not only takes into account success in the subject’s particular field — though James and Morgan both certainly have that down — but also influence on the world around them.
James, 34, is not only an accomplished basketball player — three-time NBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team USA — he is an outspoken activist and supporter of numerous non-profit organizations. Despite his departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Los Angeles Lakers in the last NBA offseason, James opened his own public elementary school, I PROMISE, in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, in July 2018.
The 29-year-old Morgan, a FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and 2012 Olympic gold medalist, continues to climb the goal-scoring leaderboards for the U.S. women’s national team. She recently notched the 100th goal of her career — just the seventh U.S. woman to do so — and has become one of the team’s prominent leaders. She’s also been a vocal advocate for equality in sports and ensuring the health and growth of women’s soccer around the world.
Also on the list was golfer Tiger Woods, fresh off his historic victory last weekend at the Masters tournament. While not yet an Olympian himself, Woods has expressed interest in playing in the Games in the past, and his Masters victory vaunted him into contention for one of the spots for 2020.
Todd Kortemeier is a sportswriter, editor and children’s book author from Minneapolis. He is a contributor to TeamUSA.orgon behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
