Everyone loves legends. They’re easy to root for. If the team you root for stinks, the legend is always there for you. The legend never disappoints. But what about those athletes on their way to legendary status, only to have their path derailed?? The “what if” game is a fun one to play. What would sports look like today if Bo Jackson wasn’t forced to retire? What if Yao Ming hadn’t been 7 foot 6 but born with feet made for a man a foot shorter?? Or Greg Oden.

Here are the best who never were.

Bo Jackson is considered the greatest modern athlete of all time. The legend of Bo Jackson started at Auburn University, where he played both baseball and football. While at Auburn, Jackson won a Heisman Trophy, four team MVPs, the Tanqueray award for excellence in amateur sports, College Baseball Coaches Association All-Region Team, and All-District Team. He would later go on to play baseball for the Kansas City Royals in 1986 and join the L.A. Raiders in 1991. Bo Jackson is still the only athlete in history to be named an All-Star in baseball and football. In his last game with the Raiders  in January 1991, Jackson suffered a dislocated hip following a tackle. He was never the same, and was forced to retire at the age of 28.

At his peak, Jay Willams was one the best young talents from the 2002 NBA draft. A point guard from Duke and ACC rookie of the year averaging  14.5 points per game and 6.5 assists, his talents soon caught the eyes of NBA General Mangers. During his short time with the NBA, Jay showed pulses of greatness, but struggled to put together a series of consistent games. In 2003, Jay Willams crashed his motorcycle severed the main nerve in his leg, fractured pelvis, and tore ligaments in his left knee. After failed attempts to make it back to the league, Jay Willams was forced to retire and never played in the NBA again.

In his first four seasons, Brandon Roy was a three-time NBA All-Star. In 2007, Brandon Roy was selected as Rookie of the year putting himself at the top among the NBA’s best guards. The 2008 season proved to be the down fall of Brandon Roy when a procedure was done on his left knee to remove a piece of cartilage. In 2010, Brandon Roy tore the meniscus in his right knee and in the 2010-2011 season had arthroscopic surgery on both knees. Brandon Roy retired after that season due to a knee condition, he attempted a come back with Minnesota but lasted 5 games before needing yet another procedure on his right knee.

The legend of Priest Holmes was born in Kansas City and unfortunately was also  laid to rest in Kansas City. In 2001, Priest Holmes ran for 1,400 yards in three consecutive seasons. During the 2002 season he ran for 21 touchdowns only to set an NFL record when he rushed for 27 touchdowns in 2003. In 2004, Priest Holmes was again on pace to break his own record, rushing  for 14 touchdowns in EIGHT GAMES! He would never break that record as he suffered a season ending injury that year. In the following year Priest Holmes missed 9 nine games due to a spinal cord injury. Priest Holmes would go to retire in 2007, he was just 29 years old. Holmes would retire as the Chiefs all time leading rusher (6,070 yards), rushing touchdowns (76) and touchdowns (83).

At 6’8 220 pounds, J.R. Richard was drafted second overall by the Houston Astros in 1969. He would go on to make his major league debut in 1971 at just 21 years old. During his first four seasons he only started 10 games, but in 1975  he would go on to win 12 of the 31 games started and striking out 176 batters. The ’76 season was a breakout for JR as he won 20 games, striking out 214 batters and finished 7th in the Cy Young voting. In the following seasons he would set a club record with 303 (’78)  313 (’79) strikeouts and finished fourth (’78) and third (’79) in the Cy-Young voting. His career would come to an end from a stroke caused from a blood clot that required immediate surgery. He never played on a major league field again.

Who is your favorite “might have been” athlete? Tell us below.