Mr Green
Written: Thursday, July 1, 2010SPORTING GENTS
NEWS COPY
England legend Sir Bobby Moore was yesterday (Thurs) voted sport's greatest gentleman.
The captain of the 1966 World Cup winning team, who died of cancer in February 1993 at the age of 51, was hailed for his clean-living lifestyle and mild-mannered temperament.
Second place went to ex-World Heavyweight champion boxer Muhammad Ali, followed by the late great Sir Bobby Robson.
Former England manager Sir Bobby died of cancer last year at the age of 76.
Crocked England star David Beckham, who is part of Fabio Capello's backroom team in South Africa, was fourth.
Another member of the 1966 winning team, Sir Bobby Charlton, completed the top five.
Other stars to feature in the top ten include Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave, former footballer Gary Lineker and tennis star Roger Federer.
Kat McClure of online casino, mrgreen.com, which carried out the study said: ''Sir Bobby Moore is one of sport's true legends.
''Not only did he lead England to their last World Cup victory, but he was a great role- model, both on and off the pitch.
''Many people look up to our sporting superstars so it's important they act like gentlemen and continue to be a good influence on fans.
''As well as being on their best behaviour on the field, this also means they need to keep their personal life in check.''
Other sporting greats to make the list included snooker legend Steve Davis, ex-cricketer Sir Ian Botham, another boxer Frank Bruno and two F1 stars present and past, Jenson Button and Damon Hill.
Researchers also found almost 89 per cent of people think sportsmen should make more effort to behave like gentlemen.
It also emerged more than three quarters would go off their favourite star if they did something which painted them in a bad light.
More than 61 per cent would even stop supporting them altogether.
Thirty-nine per cent also think those who fail to act like a gentleman should be stripped of any important awards or medals, while 72 per cent believe they should be stripped of any important positions or roles such as the captaincy.
The study also found that cricketers have the best reputation for acting like gentlemen, followed by golfers, snooker players and rugby stars.
Top 20 greatest sporting gentlemen
1. Sir Bobby Moore
2. Muhammad Ali
3. Sir Bobby Robson
4. David Beckham
5. Sir Bobby Charlton
6. Sir Steve Redgrave
7. Pele
8. Gary Lineker
9. Roger Federer
10. Sir Jackie Stewart
11. Ryan Giggs
12. Jonny Wilkinson
13. Alan Shearer
14. Steve Davis
15. Sir Ian Botham
16. Frank Bruno
17. Jenson Button
18. Damon Hill
19. Lewis Hamilton
20. Tim Henman
ENDS
