Gordie Howe's Elbows And The Famous Attributes Of Others, Including Jordan, Woods, Kareem And Chi-Chi

By Jeff Riger
Gordie Howe was known for elbows, it was his thing. He used them on the ice when he had to and he posed for pictures off the ice jokingly using them on others in the shot. Howe's elbows were iconic, it was his trademark and everybody knew it.

So it got me thinking, how many athletes are or were known for something they did on the field, court or rink?

In honor of Gordie's elbows, I decided to compile my top 5 list, in no particular order, of athletes who had the ultimate unmistakable hallmark. Take a look at my top 5.

5. Chi-Chi Rodriguez

Before I even liked golf, I loved the putter sword of Chi-Chi. Think about it...how many times did you play putt-putt as a kid, sank a huge putt and because you've seen it so many times, you used your putter as a sword? I used to do it all the time. The Chi-Chi putter sword act, to this day is one of the coolest moves in sports. Rodriguez also makes this list because I have no clue if he was even a good golfer? But I sure do know about the putter sword and so do you.

4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Who didn't love the hook? I used to attempt numerous hook shots in my driveway as a kid and could never quite got the hang of it. Kareem, not only was a master of the hook shot but he used to hit them in the biggest of situations. Plus Kareem was on the TV show "Different Strokes" as Arnold's teacher which I always thought was awesome.

3. Tiger Woods

Despite not knowing if Tiger will ever play competitively again, nobody will ever forget the "Tiger fist pump." Love him or hate him, when Woods made a big putt, which happened all the time, that fierce, energetic fist pump followed which was always a pretty cool sight. There are few things more iconic than Tiger Woods in his Sunday red Nike shirt on the verge of winning a tournament. It was what most golf fans looked forward to and that massive fist pump always went along with it.

2. Michael Jordan

The tongue! Enough said.

1. Gordie Howe

Those elbows will be greatly missed.

So who did I forget about? Can you think of an athlete that can crack my top 5? Ozzie Smith's backflips? A Pete Rose head first slide? Dikembe Mutombo and his waving finger? All tough to argue and all fell short. What do you got?