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Houston Sports: The ten best athletes to ever represent the city of Houston

By Joe Fernandez

Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; A general aerial view of the downtown Houston skyline prior to the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; A general aerial view of the downtown Houston skyline prior to the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars Alumni Carl Lewis gives the Go Couugs sign before the Houston Cougars play the Oklahoma Sooners at NRG Stadium. Houston Cougars won 33 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars Alumni Carl Lewis gives the Go Couugs sign before the Houston Cougars play the Oklahoma Sooners at NRG Stadium. Houston Cougars won 33 to 23. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Carl Lewis

Carl Lewis is low on this list not because his accomplishments aren’t impressive (because they are), but because other than his time running track and field as a University of Houston Cougar he is not fully known in the public sphere as a Houston Sports athlete. He’s more his own individual with a connection to Houston Sports. That said, he’s a great claim to fame to have.

He won four gold medals in track and field at the 1984 Summer Olympics, becoming the first person to do that since Jesse Owens. He’s also widely considered to be the greatest long jumper of all-time.

His achievements have come with great accolades as he was voted “Olympian of the Century” by Sports Illustrated and “Sportsman of the Century” by the International Olympic Committee.

While you could say he has a more impressive resume than anyone else on this list, he’s not as strongly known with Houston Sports specifically as much as the following athletes on this list are.

His connection to Houston Sports remains stout though as he still lives in the city and coaches the track and field program at the University of Houston to this day. So combining all his accomplishments as well as his loyalty to the city and his alma mater, he certainly deserves a place on this list.

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