Forbes Most Influential

Jimmie Johnson Repeats Atop Forbes List Of Most Influential Athletes In America

Published April 27, 2012

NASCAR driver JIMMIE JOHNSON for the second consecutive year tops Forbes' list of "America's Most Influential Athletes," according to Tom Van Riper of FORBES. Jets QB TIM TEBOW is listed second, up from No. 10 last year. This year, six of the 10 most influential athletes are NFL QBs, with both the Broncos' PEYTON MANNING and the Giants' ELI MANNING "in the fold." The list was created using results from Nielsen and E-Poll poll that "surveyed over 1,100 adults about dozens of well-known athletes to measure their likeability and whether they’re considered 'influential,' an important quality for marketers." Candidates were limited to "pro athletes who are currently active and who score at least 20% 'awareness' with the general public." Dropping off the list from '11 are driver JEFF GORDON, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer MICHAEL PHELPS, Steelers S TROY POLAMALU, Heat F LEBRON JAMES and TNT analyst SHAQUILLE O'NEAL, who is no longer eligible after retiring from the NBA last year. Their replacements on the list: Eli Manning, Knicks G JEREMY LIN, boxer MANNY PACQUIAO, Saints QB DREW BREES and Packers QB AARON RODGERS. Below is the complete Forbes list (FORBES.com, 4/23).

RK	NAME	% INFLUENTIAL	LIKE/LIKE A LOT
1	NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson	25%	40%
2	Jets QB Tim Tebow	24%	50%
3	Broncos QB Peyton Manning	21%	52%
4	Boxer Manny Pacquiao	20%	59%
5	Patriots QB Tom Brady	19%	38%
6	Packers QB Aaron Rodgers	19%	62%
7	NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.	19%	41%
8	Saints QB Drew Brees	19%	63%
9	Giants QB Eli Manning	18%	57%
10	Knicks G Jeremy Lin	18%	66%