Sports tough guys (and gals)

[Beebo]

I know cycling has its fair share of strongmen, and the physical challenge of a 3 week grand tour is a supreme test of any one, but how many sportsmen have the bloody mindedness of AP McCoy.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/24819388
The guy is a legend, whether you like horse racing or not, you have to appreciate the physical challenge to stay fit and maintain your weight. To keep going year after year with the same hunger to win is incredible.

I bet he would have made a great cyclist!

So who are sports other great strongmen and tough guys?

 

[The Horse's Mouth]

Sir Stephen Redgrave.

Bert Trautmann

John Burridge

 

[Beebo]

John Burridge

Never heard of him, so I've just googled him, played for 29 clubs in 30 years, cant have been that good then, but to keep going for 30 years, wow.

 

[The Horse's Mouth]

Saw him play for Enfield FC. He was the fittest man there but was 20+ years older then most of them. Totally nuts but a lovely bloke.

 

[Cheddar George]

John Burridge ......... legend.........nobody has a greater love of the game. Unfortunately i believe retirement has hit him hard mentally.

Look up his warm up routine on youtube......... bonkers.

 

[ASC1951]

I know cycling has its fair share of strongmen, and the physical challenge of a 3 week grand tour is a supreme test of any one......
So who are sports other great strongmen and tough guys?

Still on cycling, this is absolutely amazing. 100,000 miles in 16 months on a 1939 bike and on 1939 roads.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-17730428

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Budgie Burridge is a legend, I saw him play when he was at HIbs in the early 90s.

 

[asterix]

James Cracknell. I'm not sure what to make of him exactly but there is no doubt he's hard.

 

[Fnaar]

Sit on a horse, horse does all the work... he has to keep fit, or he's turn to lard, all that sitting down!

 

[nickyboy]

Never heard of John Burridge so I just did a bit of googling. What an unusual individual. I can't help but think his upbringing in Workington had something to do with it. Even in the early 60s, no cooker, everything cooked on open fire, outdoor lav, bath once a fortnight, oilcloth on the floors. Dad got pi**ed up and beat up his mum. Living like someone in the 1800s
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1372062/John-Burridge-interview.html

 

[The Horse's Mouth]

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRulE9858eE


Legend

 

[Bollo]

Budgie Burridge is a legend, I saw him play when he was at HIbs in the early 90s.

Top Trumps! Top Trumps! I met Budgie in his QPR days. My dad had a friend who worked for the club and we had free access to the players' bar after matches. My budgie players' bar story - he used to point at imaginary balls on the floor and his young son would leap and 'save' them.

Sir Stephen Redgrave.
Bert Trautmann
John Burridge

+1 for Bert as well. I didn't meet him, but my dad did

 

[Beebo]

Some of the MotoGP guys pretty hard, racing with stupid injuries, by the Isle of Man TT guys are just nuts.

 

[ACS]

Mark Allen - six-time Ironman Triathon World Champion

 

[Saluki]

Dick Hoyt
http://www.teamhoyt.com/