The mark of any sporting great is the ability to transcend their chosen discipline and cross borders into the mainstream. Michael Jordan did it in basketball, Muhammad Ali in boxing and Tiger Woods did it in golf.
Having the necessary skills to rise to the top in sports is one thing, but having the ability to rise above the niche and make non-fans aware of your presence is quite another. Naturally, athletes such as Jordan, Ali and Woods are few and far between. However, when one does emerge, a movie or a book, like Super Bowl Gold, which we reviewed, often follows.