Tom Brady Ranked Second-Most Influential Athlete, But Still Disliked by Many

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is the second most influential athlete in America, according to Forbes, but that honor doesn’t come without some level of disdain.

Forbes released a top-10 list that polled more than 1,000 adults and weighed the athletes’ influence and awareness. NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson was voted No. 1.

Brady was ranked second, but 11 percent of the voters either disliked him or disliked him a lot, which was the third highest total on the top-10 list. Miami Heat forward LeBron James (ranked ninth) was disliked by 15 percent of the voters, and Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (ranked 10th) was disliked by 13 percent of the voters.

NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. was ranked third, followed by Celtics center Shaquille O’Neal, swimmer Michael Phelps, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, James and Tebow.