1954 Roger Bannister (Runner: broke 4-min. mile)
1955 Johnny Podres (Dodger pitcher)
1956 Bobby Morrow (Olympic sprinter)
1957 Stan Musial (Cardinal outfielder)
1958 Rafer Johnson (Decathelete)
1959 Ingemar Johansson (Heavyweight boxer)
1960 Arnold Palmer (Golfer)
1961 Jerry Lucas (Ohio State basketball)
1962 Terry Baker (Oregon State quarterback)
1963 Pete Rozelle (NFL Commissioner)
1964 Ken Venturi (Golfer)
1965 Sandy Koufax (Dodger pitcher)
1966 Jim Ryun (Middle-distance runner)
1967 Carl Yastrzemski (Red Sox outfielder)
1968 Bill Russell (Celtics player-coach)
1969 Tom Seaver (Mets pitcher)
1970 Bobby Orr (Bruins defenseman)
1971 Lee Trevino (Golfer)
1972 John Wooden & Billie Jean King (UCLA basketball coach, Tennis pro)
1973 Jackie Stewart (Formula One driver)
1974 Muhammed Ali (Heavyweight boxer)
1975 Pete Rose (Reds infielder)
1976 Chris Evert (Tennis pro)
1977 Steve Cauthen (Jockey)
1978 Jack Nicklaus (Golfer)
1979 Willie Stargell & Terry Bradshaw (Pirates 1B, Steeler QB)
1980 US Hockey Team (Won Olympic gold medal)
1981 Sugar Ray Leonard (Welterweight boxer)
1982 Wayne Gretzky (Oilers scorer)
1983 Mary Decker (Runner)
1984 Edwin Moses & Mary Lou Retton (Olympic hurdler & gymnast)
1985 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Lakers center)
1986 Joe Paterno (Penn State football coach)
1987 Athletes Who Care (Eight athletes involved in humanitarian efforts)
1988 Orel Hershiser (Dodger pitcher)
1989 Greg Lemond (Bicycle racer)
1990 Joe Montana ('49er quarterback)
1991 Michael Jordan (Bulls forward)
1992 Arthur Ashe (Tennis pro)
1993 Don Shula (Dolphins coach)
1994 Bonnie Blair & Johann Olav Koss (Olympic speed skaters)
1995 Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles shortstop)
1996 Tiger Woods (Golfer)
1997 Dean Smith (North Carolina basketball coach)
1998 Mark McGwire & Sammy Sosa (Cardinal & Cub HR record-breakers)