This week ESPN released the 2017 World Fame rankings, which looks at the athletes who are the most famous on the planet. We’ve decided to take the idea and apply it to Syracuse Orange athletes, who are still actively playing. Please go back and read that again before you yell about Jim Boeheim or Gene Mills being omitted from this list.
As you’ve come to expect from the crack research staff here at TNIAAM, we’ve used an incredibly scientific modeling program to determine these Top 11 rankings. We’d share it with you, but we are afraid of our proprietary knowledge getting ripped off by those no-good Clemson Tigers.
- Carmelo Anthony - Melo was No. 41 on the ESPN list. His Olympic performances have certainly helped push his brand globally, even if #StayMe7o is nearly as bad as the Syracuse basketball-related hashtag which shall not be mentioned.
- Dion Waiters - There is no way Dion is this high last year, but 2017 has thrust Waiters Island into a level of beloved internet status that can’t be dismissed.
Dion Waiters and his son are #SquadGoals x
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) May 26, 2017
(via @DionWaiters3) pic.twitter.com/f3cGEltMGx
3. Chandler Jones - Known for sacking quarterbacks, Chandler’s also an avid retweeter, so if you follow him, you’ll know when something positive about him is online.
4. Riley Dixon - Certainly a candidate for Best Prom Photo of 2017
6. Justin Pugh- Offensive lineman are often anonymous, but appearing on TLC is a good way to reach a different audience.
7. Rakeem Christmas- Extendo Tree led the way to Gatorade ads.
8. Alex Bono- Doing his part to help our #SyracuseisTorontosCollegeTeam campaign with saves like this.
10. Justyn Knight/Katie Zaferes- If you’re shocked that I’d get a couple of Syracuse track folks in here, let me just say that when you are a college runner and NHL players are tweeting at you, you’ve got a pretty solid fanbase. Also, we need some native Torontonians (6ers? OVOers?) to help us in the aforementioned takeover.
Congrats my man. Well deserved. See you soon
— Michael Del Zotto (@MichaelDelZotto) May 3, 2017
Or when you’re a world-class triathlete with an Olympic appearance and a whole episode of “Tiny House Nation” this spot is earned. Triathlons might not be big around this website, but in areas of the world, it’s a major sport and Katie’s one of the best.
Others receiving votes:
Patrice Bernier, Tyler Lydon, Jerami Grant, Katie Zafares,Alyssa Murray, Alexis Petersen, Ryan Nassib, Miles Robinson, Jovan Miller, Wes Johnson, Michael Gbinije, Julian Buscher, Kevin Rice, Shamarko Thomas, Jarret Eaton, Kayla Treanor, Brittany Sykes, Jeremy Thompson, Alyssa Manley, Trevor Cooney, Emma Russell, Ben Polk, Sydney O’Hara, and Harriet Taylor.
Who did we miss? Who would you say should be in the top 11? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.