Great Players Who Wore the Number 21

Best Players to Ever Wear the Number 21

The number 21 in the sporting world is regarded as a lucky number. This article will include stars from different sports and their respective achievements who wore this number for the better part of their career.

Read through to see who surprises you.

1. Philip Lahm- Football

Current status: Retired

Clubs Played in: Bayern Munich

Philip Lahm is a German international footballer. He played in the fullback position and is one of the

. His biggest accomplishment was lifting the World Cup as the Dutch captain in 2014.

In his long career at Bayern Munich, he won 8 Bundesliga titles and topped it off with a win in the Champions League competition in 2013. He retired from international competitions in 2014 before retiring from football in 2017. 

Interesting fact; Philip Lahm has never received a single red card in his professional career. Probably one of the reasons this jersey number is considered lucky even in sports betting and obviously it is the best number to get in

. 

2. Deion Sanders - American Football

Current status: Retired

Teas played in: Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers

Next on the list is a

legend popularly known as 'Prime Time.' Deion Sanders was known for his versatility,

which made him fit perfectly in different roles, a rare aspect during his time. His swagger on and off the pitch made him popular among his following. 

With 21 on the back, his heroics earned him the Superbowl 2x ( XXIX-1995 and XXX-1996) and being an 8x-time Pro-bowler. He has also featured in Major League Baseball(MLB), where he won the World Series in 1992.

The record of being the single player to win both the NFL and MLB titles still stands. Therefore, he deserves to be regarded as the best 21 the League has seen.

3. Tim Duncan - Basketball

Current status: Retired

Clubs played in: San Antonio Spurs 

Tim Duncan had a long productive basketball career. He was nicknamed "the big fundamental" for his physical presence and dominance on both sides of the court.

His name is as big as they come in the sport, to the extent of being regarded as probably the best power forward in the sport's history. 

In 15 years in the NBA, Duncan won several individual and team awards. He is a 4x NBA champion, 3x NBA-finals MVP, and 2x League's MVP. Additionally, as a 13x All-star, he has proven his credibility as a basketball legend throughout his career.

The power forward is normally compared to

, a justification of his basketball level. He is regarded as the greatest number 21 in the NBA, and his jersey will be retired by the Spurs.

4. Stan Mikita - Ice Hockey 

Current status: Retired 

Clubs played in: Chicago BlackHawks

Stanely Mikita is an iconic figure in the Nation Hockey League(NHL). His 22year long career made him reach the greatest milestones ever recorded in the game.

He is the leading player in appearances in the NHL (1,396 games) and the top scorer for the BlackHawks (1,467 goals). 

Mikita managed to win the Stanley Cup in 1961. Additionally, he collected different awards, some more than once. They include:

2x Hart Trophy winner as league MVP

4x Art Ross award winner as League's best scorer

2x Lady Byng Trophy winner as the League's most gentlemanly player

Moreover, Mikita was inducted into the hall of fame in 1980. His number 21 jersey was the first to be retired in BlackHawks history in 1980, and two years after his death in 2018, he was voted the best 21 in the sport's history. 

Conclusion

That is all about the greatest players to ever wear the number 21 jersey. They are household names in their respective games, thus having a part in that specific history.

Perhaps through luck associated with the number, they have won much, including our hearts and minds as fans. Let us know of other notable players wearing the number from any sport.