Kobe Is America’s 3rd ‘Favorite Sports Star’; LeBron Not in Top 10

The Harris Poll folks asked roughly 2,000 random Americans who they love and don’t love in sports, and here are their results. Kobe and MJ are tied in popularity, while LeBron has seen his drop. Please adjust your lives accordingly. Per the press release: “[Derek Jeter] has been on the list of America’s favorite sports stars since 2004, this year, for the first time he is at the top, jumping up from number 3 last year. Next on the list is Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning at number 2, up from 5th place last year and then in a tie for 3rd place on the list, making the debate of who is the best even harder to determine, is Kobe Bryant, down from tie for first place last year, and Michael Jordan, up from 7th place. Rounding out the top five at number five is someone who was number one from 2006 – 2009 and in a tie for number one last year, Tiger Woods. These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,163 adults surveyed online between June 13 and 20, 2011 by Harris Interactive. Looking at the rest of the top ten favorite sports stars, New England quarterback Tom Brady moves up 2 spots and is at number 6 this year while the St. Louis Cardinals great, Albert Pujols returns to the list at a tie for number 7 after a one year absence. The list then has three newcomers: in a tie for number 7, Pittsburgh Steelers great and Dancing with the Stars champion Hines Ward; Chicago Bulls phenom, named Rookie of the Year in his first season as a pro, is Derrick Rose at number 9; and, Green Bay Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers comes in for the first time at number 10. Since there is one sports star returning and three new comers to the list that means four stars dropped off this year’s list. Those stars are: Packers, Jets and Vikings quarterback Brett Favre who was previously number 4, NBA star LeBron James (was number 6), New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees (was number 9) and NASCAR great, Dale Earnhardt Jr. (was number 10).”