Go back
Which athletes are the smartest?

Which athletes are the smartest?

Debates

R
Out of drinks

On Clique Beach

Joined
06 Feb 05
Moves
64036
Clock
06 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

Does anyone know of any studies, or have any theories about there being (statistically significant) difference in intelligence when comparing athletes of various sports. Do these differences develop only at sports of a certain level (i.e. if I went to the average high school, or college, would I find measurable differences in the different sports, or only at the professional level?)

Which sports have the smartest athletes? Which have the dumbest? Why?

I have a theory that individual sports (tennis, endurance sports) draw more intellectual types than traditional team sports. I've done some searches on the net bt I have found any scientific studies.

Judges from interviews of athletes makes it tough to draw conclusions. Certainly trying to generalize is hard, as pointing to an example of a few smart/dumb athletes is meaningless.

Also, keep in mind there is certainly a difference between a) intelligence, b) education, c) poise, d) intellectualism. Education combines with poise can appear to be high intelligence in a superficial interview.

W
Angler

River City

Joined
08 Dec 04
Moves
16907
Clock
06 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by RookRAK
Does anyone know of any studies, or have any theories about there being (statistically significant) difference in intelligence when comparing athletes of various sports. Do these differences develop only at sports of a certain level (i.e. if I went to the average high school, or college, would I find measurable differences in the different sports, or only at ...[text shortened]... m. Education combines with poise can appear to be high intelligence in a superficial interview.
Define intelligence.

The worst student I taught in college was one of the "smartest" at his position in the NFL.

d

Joined
05 Jan 04
Moves
45179
Clock
06 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Wulebgr
Define intelligence.

The worst student I taught in college was one of the "smartest" at his position in the NFL.
Name please!

R
Out of drinks

On Clique Beach

Joined
06 Feb 05
Moves
64036
Clock
06 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Wulebgr
Define intelligence.

The worst student I taught in college was one of the "smartest" at his position in the NFL.
I'm talking about traditional intelligence. I'll even go so far as to say that measured by IQ tests (though I'm trying to avoid the IQ test debate).

So, we're talking about athletes who are also intelligent, not those with "athletic intelligence".

Of course, both these qualities are often seen together.

s
Fast and Curious

slatington, pa, usa

Joined
28 Dec 04
Moves
53321
Clock
06 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by RookRAK
I'm talking about traditional intelligence. I'll even go so far as to say that measured by IQ tests (though I'm trying to avoid the IQ test debate).

So, we're talking about athletes who are also intelligent, not those with "athletic intelligence".

Of course, both these qualities are often seen together.
Ok, I understand Lennox Lewis, the british boxer is also an
avid and strong chess player, if that means anything. I would think
it would mean he is above at least the average boxer in intelligence.

j

CA, USA

Joined
06 Dec 02
Moves
1182
Clock
06 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

Rated by IQ?

The average American Professional athlete (Baseball, Football, Basketball and Hockey) would probably rate right up there with an Asst. Mgr. at the local McDonalds .. or maybe a little lower.
Elite athletes in these sports are corrupted at a very early age. Eduacation is secondary to getting that 1st big contract from the Pros.

College athletes in these same sports would rate much higher overall in IQ. Many have the dream of making the Pros, but many others simply use the scholorship to get a good education .. and then get the job at McDonalds.

The hard part of the question "Which athletes are the smartest?" is narrowing it down to exactly who is an "athlete" and who isn't.
Are golfers athletes?
Chess players?

As for the big 4 American Pro sports .. IMHO it would be a toss-up between baseball and hockey players for the lowest IQ. These kids get recuited at an even younger age than basketball and football players .. several are offered the big bucks right out of HS (some even before). Football and basketball players tend to need to mature more physically and their is no real minor leagues so more of them attend College.
They're bound to soak up something by osmosis aren't they?

Basketball players don't bang heads as much and there's a lot less of them so they'd probably rate highest in IQ average among American Pro athletes.
No science here, just opinion off the top of my head.
I narrowed it down to American Pro sports for simplicity. Overall, i'd rate middle distance/marathon runners somewhere near the top by IQ.

FB
Great Big Stees

In Check

Joined
12 Mar 04
Moves
10441
Clock
06 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

In American pro sports I've read/heard that football offensive linemen are the brightest and most intelligent athletes. The on field awareness of all the defensive spots as well as all the offensive assignments for all positions requires a very smart person.

s
Don't Like It Leave

Walking the earth.

Joined
13 Oct 04
Moves
50664
Clock
06 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

l

Belfast

Joined
12 Nov 05
Moves
1780
Clock
06 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

Rowers.

Not because they are rowers, but for the reason that rowing is most popular in highly academical schools.

i
Deracinated

Sydney

Joined
29 Jan 04
Moves
103056
Clock
06 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by lukemcmullan
Rowers.

Not because they are rowers, but for the reason that rowing is most popular in highly academical schools.
Long-distance runners seem to come across as quite intelligent (well, the UK ones anyway).

But lonely.

w
Jo

Moving on...

Joined
18 Nov 03
Moves
44943
Clock
06 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by ivangrice
Long-distance runners seem to come across as quite intelligent (well, the UK ones anyway).

But lonely.
alan sillitoe

J

back in business

Joined
25 Aug 04
Moves
1264
Clock
06 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

IQs are so worthless. It is all about hard work.

R
Out of drinks

On Clique Beach

Joined
06 Feb 05
Moves
64036
Clock
06 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

So, is the consensus that there would be a statistically significant difference in average IQ between sports?

To go further, what about gender difference. I live near Dartmouth College. I've noticed that Ivy League, and other top academic schools have no problem fielding women's teams at the top of the college game. Yet men's teams at top schools are rarely national powers in any sport. What does this mean? Does it mean that women who excel are more likely to excel in several dimensions, and men less likely?

FB
Great Big Stees

In Check

Joined
12 Mar 04
Moves
10441
Clock
07 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by RookRAK
So, is the consensus that there would be a statistically significant difference in average IQ between sports?

To go further, what about gender difference. I live near Dartmouth College. I've noticed that Ivy League, and other top academic schools have no problem fielding women's teams at the top of the college game. Yet men's teams at top schools ...[text shortened]... ean that women who excel are more likely to excel in several dimensions, and men less likely?
That's a good thought. Would these student/athlete's GPA's and or graduation rates be available?

And it may be interesting if these stats could be compared to the student/athlete GPA's and graduation rates in the larger schools in America. Against both male and female stats.

I only use America as it would seem a handy sampling pool, and I live here. I'm sure the same comparison could be made on any continent or nation most anywhere.

T

Joined
27 Mar 05
Moves
88
Clock
07 Jan 06
Vote Up
Vote Down

Originally posted by Frank Burns
In American pro sports I've read/heard that football offensive linemen are the brightest and most intelligent athletes. The on field awareness of all the defensive spots as well as all the offensive assignments for all positions requires a very smart person.
There may be a lot of truth in this.

I've heard interviews with a number of reporters over the years, and one in particular comes to mind...

With all of the great Hall of Fame and All-Pro calibre players that the Pittsburgh Steelers had in the 1970s (Bradshaw, Harris, Greene, Lambert, Ham, Swann, Stallworth etc), I have heard a number of writers state that if one really, really wanted to know why a particular play worked, or didn't work, they would go to Mike Webster, the Center on that team. He always knew the exact whereabouts of every player on both teams, and could tell you from memory why a play did/didn't work, no matter what part of the game you're talking about.

I've heard similar comments about other great teams as well. Offensive linemen seem to be the ones that really understand everything that goes on out there.

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.