The 19 Most Important Animal Athletes Of All Time

And no.

1. This marten was a star defender who transcended the game, but he still always listened to his goalkeeper.

Image by PASCAL LAUENER / Reuters

2. This bird proved that she was the greatest cricketer in all the land. (She eats crickets.)

Image by DAVID GRAY / Reuters

3. This cat always wanted to be a striker, but ended up being a terrific defender, who won multiple World Cups.

Image by MARCOS BRINDICCI / Reuters

4. This cat was a top prospect, who was so excited to get into his first major league game. Unfortunately he was later suspended for PEDs. Catnip.

Source: cache.daylife.com

5. This bird scored hundreds of goals in his career, but was also often ejected for attacking the goalkeeper. That’s one of the arguments against having birds play sports.

Image by PAULO WHITAKER / Reuters

6. Here a famed striker cat makes a great run, but was called offsides. It turns out teaching cats the rules was difficult.

Image by MIKE CASSESE / Reuters

7. This young kitten plays for Manchester United. She can’t buy beer, but she can score goals. (In fairness no cats can buy beer.)

Image by DARRIN ZAMMIT LUPI / Reuters

8. This linebacker squirrel played in five Pro Bowls, but is beginning to get concerned about the lingering effects of concussions.

Image by SUZANNE PLUNKETT / Reuters

9. This squirrel could hit, but his third base coach was always disappointed in his base running ability. He bounced back and forth between the minors.

Image by Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

10. These sheep famously forgot their bikes but they didn’t let that stop them from racing. Talk about inspiration.

Image by BOGDAN CRISTEL / Reuters

11. This pigeon’s short game was so good that golfers like Rory Sabbatini were constantly applauding him.

Image by DAVID MOIR / Reuters

12. This cat being helped off the field by a teammate should have been one of the all-time greats, but injuries derailed his career. His name? Bo Jackson.

Image by STR / Reuters

13. This hare was the first non-human without a car to win an F1 race. The tortoise finished 31st. True story.

Source: cache.daylife.com

14. This baboon would go on to win the Masters.

Source: cache.daylife.com

15. This dog had talent, but butted heads with his coach. Here he was sick of getting yelled at and stormed off the field. It was pretty controversial.

Source: cache.daylife.com

16. This dog was the fastest cricketer the world’s ever seen. He’s never been tagged.

(Do they tag people in cricket? Is that a thing?)

Image by Mike Hutchings / Reuters

17. This deer couldn’t drive the ball, but was deadly from the sand.

Image by TODD KOROL / Reuters

18. No dog has ever played third base better than Mr. McKibbles.

Image by Morry Gash / AP

19. This dog grew up to be Leo Messi.

Image by ENRIQUE MARCARIAN / Reuters