What athlete do you associate with each number?

I'm not sure how you should define overrated when it comes to Bo Jackson. People were amazed by him, and rightfully so, but I think everybody realizes he didn't have hall of fame careers.

His splitting time probably cost him the ability to put up great numbers in either sport. Yeah, he never quite rushed for 1,000 yards, but he never played more than 11 games in a season either. His yards per carry were quite a bit better than Payton or Emmit Smith (not an argument he was better than either, just saying 1,000-yard seasons don't tell the whole story).

By playing two sports at all-star level and getting cut down by injury as he seemed to be hitting his prime you can't really judge him the same standards.

 

John Havlicek? Chris Mullin?

 

253 - Olga Korbut

14- Aleksander Belov (Hi Starman!)

 

Never a numbers guy but always remembered the 00 for Robert Parrish.

 

... and Jim OttO

 

With the Raiders, he also never played, essentially, more than half a season and was splitting carries with a hall of fame running back.
As for college, he's still fourth all-time in the SEC in rushing (he finished his career second to Herschel Walker), and he did lead the SEC in rushing twice. I agree that his legend is bigger than his accomplishments, but the man was damn good.
He also makes a mean pumpkin pie.

 

69 - softball players

 

69. Maria Sharapova

(damnit, BYM2. You beat me to it.)

 

32 Magic > (Fred) Brown
(Jim) Brown > Magic

 

12 - Roger Staubach

 

Stockton > Staubach

 

Staubach was the best of the legendary No. 12 QBs, with Bradshaw right behind, but tree most famous without a doubt was Joe Namath.

Namath was the most famous player in pro football from about 1967-75, even though he only played about three healthy seasons. Even in years he was injured, half the stories were about Namath anyway.

Oscar wore No. 14 during his 10 years with the Royals, when he was generally reputed to be the best player in the world.

Problem was, nobody saw him; the NBA was on teevee about four times per year, and those games almost always featured the Celtics vs. Team Wilt, or the Lakers. So hardly anybody ever saw Oscar at his best.

Oscar was still good when he switched to the Bucks and No. 1 and teamed with young Kareem for a title, but he wasn't really classic Oscar.