The acronym G.O.A.T. stands for the Greatest of all Time and is a debate that will never be settled.  Typically, the use of the term GOAT refers to athletes, but can also carry over into the world of business.  Here is my list that is most definitely open for discussion!

Business:

  • Technology- Bill Gates. Microsoft changed how the world is run.  Several others are in the conversation like Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs.  This list is not reflective of their personalities, just their impact on the world.
  • Retail- Sam Walton- he took the ideas of several regional stores and made them bigger and better.  Walmart and Sam’s Club do it better than any other store out there.  Jeff Bezos gets an honorable mention with the creation of Amazon.  Personally, I wish Walmart, Sam’s Club and Amazon didn’t exist and people had to shop local, but unfortunately, they do exist.
  • Medicine- Sir Frederick Banting. The individual that discovered the use of insulin to treat diabetes. Someday I hope to replace his name with the individual that found the cure for cancer!
  • Household- tie between Oliver Evans and Jacob Perkins.  Evans drew up the blueprints for the refrigerator and 30 years later Perkins made it a reality.

Obviously this can be a huge list with many people deserving of the honor.  The real reason I started to write this was to do a GOAT list for sports.  So here I go.

Sports:

  • Basketball: I think the only fair way to do this would be to either pick a GOAT from each era or for each position. That would once again open up a huge debate that will never truly be 100% agreed upon.  I will make an overall pick of Michael Jordan as a player and Phil Jackson as a coach. No, I am not a Bulls fan, I am a Lakers fan.
  • Women’s Basketball: Recently retired Sue bird needs to be at the top of the list. She played 20 years for Seattle after being their #1 pick in 2002. 4 time champion and 13 time all star.
  • Football: Many people have christened Tom Brady as the GOAT, and for obvious reasons he should be in the running.  He is 7-3 in Super Bowls and the way he is going, he might have 3 or 4 more left in him.  I want to throw out the name Terry Bradshaw.  Why- well he is 4-0 in Super Bowls, played 14 seasons and that was when the Quarterback was NOT protected by the league or the refs.  If a defensive player gets within 5 feet of Brady, often times there is a flag.  And No, I am not a Steelers fan, I am a Cowboys fan.
  • Hockey: There are a lot of great younger players that may get into the conversation but the debate really needs to be between Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky. According to Wikipedia. Howe played 26 seasons in the NHL and six seasons in the WHA. He is nicknamed "Mr. Hockey", and is often considered the most complete player to ever play the game and one of the greatest of all time. Gretzky played 20 season and has the nickname “The Great One.” I am going to leave it at a tie.
  • Baseball: Again, another tie.  Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson.  Ruth was the “every man’s” player as he played like most of us do in city league.  Hitting the ball as hard as we can while enjoying a hot dog and a beer.  Robinson is in the conversation because he succeeded at a very high level with zero support.  He achieved when so many wanted him to fail. Today’s baseball stars are hard to idolize because you don’t know if they are doing steroids or HGH.
  • Rodeo: This is a sport that can be broke down by event or by era.  With that being said, I will pick and overall and say that Texas Cowboy Ty Murray deserves the honor. 7 time PRCA all-around champion and a 2 time PRCA bull riding champion. Dan Mortenson of Billings would be a close 2nd as he is a 6 time PRCA saddle bronc champion and a 1 time PRCA all-around champion.

These are my lists.  Now it is your turn.  What categories need to be added and who would you put at the top?

If you have a story idea or something you want to learn more about, give Randy a call at 406-788-3003 or send me an email at randall.bogden@townsquaremedia.com

Here are some "GOATS" of the animal world:

Beware! 10 of the Most Deadly Animals Found in Montana

Montana is full of wild animals, and many of them can be deadly. Here are some of the deadliest animals that are native to Montana.

More From K99