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August 12

Fastest athletes in team sports

I would like to assemble a list of the world's fastest sportsmen competing in the following sports: baseball, basketball, American football and association football. Maybe someone has links to sources referring to actual, measured sprints, which would be nice. Failing that, original research (e.g., "I saw him on TV, and he runs really, really fast") is fine too. Since I'm well-versed in basketball, I'll come up with the first four names, in no particular order:

If anyone would would like to add names for the other sports (or make corrections/revisions to my basketball list), please do so. Please only include active players.--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back 18:52, 12 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The fastest American football player is apparently Fabian Washington, who recorded the fastest ever 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine - 4.25 seconds. I'd also cast a vote for Devin Hester, who is ridiculously fast, ~~but I don't have any metrics for him~~. Apparently Hester ran a 4.27 40-yd dash at the Miami pro day prior to the 2006 draft, although he only ran 4.41 at the combine. Carom 19:03, 12 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Regarding football (soccer): Roberto Carlos da Silva is lightening fast - he has apparently ran 100 metres in 10.8 seconds [1] (he also has among the most powerful shots in football). Other footballers that are reputed to be able to run 100 metres under 11 secs are David Odonkor, Theo Wallcott, Ivica Olić and Obafemi Martins. See 40 yard dash for info on US football. Rockpocket 02:28, 13 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I strongly doubt that Roberto Carlos could run 100m in anything like 10.8 seconds these days. Furthermore, while I don't know about the American sports, few footballers are rarely reputably timed over this distance, this is going to come down to quite a bit of OR, POV and dodgy sourcing. Having google searched this issue, it seems that the contributors to football bulletin boards on this issue can't agree and don't see to have any RS to cite. A recent debate can be seen (here). One of the posters claims that WP says Phil Jagielka can do 100m in <10s. Someone else replies "if any 1 says that any footballer can do the 100m in under 10 seconds is an idiot" Lol. --Dweller 13:20, 14 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks to everyone who's contributed to the discussion! Does anyone know who the fastest baseball players are?--The Fat Man Who Never Came Back 21:41, 14 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I concur about Roberto Carlos today, now in the twilight of his career, but in his prime his little legs didn't half move down the wing quickly, so I can totally believe that time. I would think the fastest active American Football player would be Dwain Chambers of the Hamburg Sea Devils, who logged 9.97 (unassisted by drugs, 9.87 assisted) in 2001/02. Incidently, to add rugby to the mix, Jonah Lomu was well documented at being able to run 100 metres in 10.89 seconds in his prime (which is remarkable considering his size: 6 foot 5 inches and 18.7 stone). [2], but perhaps Jason Robinson is the fastest active player. With regards to baseball, speed isn't a stat that is officially measured, but the general consensus among experts and fans (e.g.) is the Ichiro Suzuki is among the fastest from home to first. Rockpocket 22:33, 14 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Dwain Chambers also played League. 9.97secs over a 100m. Rugby Union - Bryan Habana - 10.4 over 100m. Rugby Union - Nigel Walker 10.35s for 100m. Sosene Asesi Samoa Rugby Union - 4.53s for a standing start 40m sprintAndrewmoiret 22:33, 14 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]