Photo:
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The Best Athletes Who Wore #25

Ranker Sports

Updated January 16, 2025 148.4K views 32 items

Ranked By

5.3K votes

1.6K voters

Voting Rules

Vote up the top athletes who wore 25 for at least one professional season

The best players to wear 25 as their jersey numbers are sprinkled across all major sports. It has been a popular jersey number for decades with success of athletes across the board. Iconic MLB players with number 25 jerseys include Barry Bonds, Rickey Henderson, and George Brett, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career highlights are among the greatest moments in baseball history.

Basketball stars have had success with the number as well with Vince Carter, Mark Price, and Ben Simmons thriving with the number 25 in the NBA. Football and hockey aren’t too far behind with quite a few superstars rocking the number in NFL and NHL history. It's all proof that anyone who wears #25 has a major legacy to live up to.

So check out the list of famous athletes who wore 25 and help decide who deserves to rank the highest for wearing this iconic jersey number. Vote up your favorite athletes to wear the number 25, then head over and check out some other iconic jersey numbers, including the best players to wear No. 23.

- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
1
Barry Bonds
League: MLB
Years active: 1986-2007
Stats: .298 batting average, 762 home runs, 1,996 RBIs, 514 stolen bases

Career Highlights

14× All-Star (1990, 1992–1998, 2000–2004, 2007)

7× NL MVP (1990, 1992, 1993, 2001–2004)

8× Gold Glove Award (1990–1994, 1996–1998)

12× Silver Slugger Award (1990–1994, 1996, 1997, 2000–2004)

2× NL batting champion (2002, 2004)

2× NL home run leader (1993, 2001)

NL RBI leader (1993)
- Age: 60
- Birthplace: USA, Riverside, California
- Team: San Francisco Giants
665 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
2
Rickey Henderson
League: MLB
Years active: 1979-2003
Stats: .279 batting average, 297 home runs, 1,115 RBIs, 1,406 stolen bases

Career Highlights

10× All-Star (1980, 1982–1988, 1990, 1991)

2× World Series champion (1989, 1993)

AL MVP (1990)

ALCS MVP (1989)

Gold Glove Award (1981)

3× Silver Slugger Award (1981, 1985, 1990)

12× AL stolen base leader (1980–1986, 1988–1991, 1998)
- Age: 60
- Birthplace: Chicago Illinois
- Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
461 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
3
Richard Sherman
League: NFL
Years active: 2011-present
Stats: 119 games, 32 interceptions, 2 touchdowns

Career Highlights

Super Bowl champion (XLVIII)

4× Pro Bowl (2013–2016)

3× First-team All-Pro (2012–2014)

Second-team All-Pro (2015)

NFL interceptions leader (2013)
- Age: 36
- Birthplace: Compton, California, USA
- Team: Seattle Seahawks
449 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
4
Vince Carter
League: NBA
Years active: 1998-present
Stats: 1,481 games played, 17.2 points per game, 4.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists

Career Highlights

8× NBA All-Star (2000–2007)

All-NBA Second Team (2001)

All-NBA Third Team (2000)

NBA Rookie of the Year (1999)
- Age: 48
- Birthplace: Daytona Beach, Florida
- Team: Phoenix Suns
466 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Natursports
  Shutterstock
5
Derrick Rose
League: NBA
Years active: 2008-present
Stats: 546 games played, 18.8 points per game, 5.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds

Career Highlights

NBA Most Valuable Player (2011)

3× NBA All-Star (2010–2012)

All-NBA First Team (2011)

NBA Rookie of the Year (2009)
- Age: 36
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
- Team: Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks
392 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
6
LeSean McCoy
League: NFL
Years active: 2009-present
Stats: 10,606 rushing yards, 69 rushing touchdowns, 3,616 receiving yards, 15 receiving touchdowns

Career Highlights

6× Pro Bowl (2011, 2013–2017)

2× First-team All-Pro (2011, 2013)

NFL rushing yards leader (2013)

NFL rushing touchdowns leader (2011)
- Age: 36
- Birthplace: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- Team: Buffalo Bills
239 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  SW
  Wikimedia Commons
7
George Brett
League: MLB
Years active: 1973-1993
Stats: .305 batting average, 317 home runs, 1,596 RBIs

Career Highlights

13× All-Star (1976–1988)

World Series champion (1985)

AL MVP (1980)

ALCS MVP (1985)

Gold Glove Award (1985)

3× Silver Slugger Award (1980, 1985, 1988)

3× AL batting champion (1976, 1980, 1990)
- Age: 71
- Birthplace: Glen Dale, West Virginia
- Team: Kansas City Royals
220 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
8
Sammy Sosa
League: MLB
Years active: 1989-2007
Stats: .273 batting average, 609 home runs, 1,667 RBIs

Career Highlights

7× All-Star (1995, 1998–2002, 2004)

NL MVP (1998)

6× Silver Slugger Award (1995, 1998–2002)

2× NL home run leader (2000, 2002)

2× NL RBI leader (1998, 2001)
- Age: 56
- Birthplace: San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic
- Team: Chicago White Sox
211 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
9
Jim Thome
League: MLB
Years active: 1991-2012
Stats: .276 batting average, 612 home runs, 1,699 RBIs

Career Highlights

5× All-Star (1997–1999, 2004, 2006)

Silver Slugger Award (1996)

AL Comeback Player of the Year (2006)

NL home run leader (2003)
- Age: 54
- Birthplace: Peoria, Illinois, USA
- Team: Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers
209 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
10
Mark McGwire
League: MLB
Years active: 1986-2001
Stats: .263 batting average, 583 home runs, 1,414 RBIs

Career Highlights

12× All-Star (1987–1992, 1995–2000)

2× World Series champion (1989, 2011)

AL Rookie of the Year (1987)

Gold Glove Award (1990)

3× Silver Slugger Award (1992, 1996, 1998)

5× MLB home run leader (1987, 1996–1999)

NL RBI leader (1999)
- Age: 61
- Birthplace: Pomona, USA, California
- Team: Oakland A's, St. Louis Cardinals
181 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
11
Fred Biletnikoff
League: NFL
Years active: 1965-1980
Stats: 8,974 receiving yards, 76 receiving touchdowns,

Career Highlights

Super Bowl champion (XI)

Super Bowl MVP (XI)

4× Pro Bowl (1970, 1971, 1973, 1974)

First-team All-Pro (1972)

NFL receptions leader (1971)

AFL champion (1967)

2× AFL All-Star (1967, 1969)
- Age: 81
- Birthplace: USA, Erie, Pennsylvania
- Team: Oakland Raiders
158 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
12
Jamaal Charles
League: NFL
Years active: 2008-2018
Stats: 7,563 rushing yards, 44 rushing touchdowns, 2,593 receiving yards, 20 receiving touchdowns

Career Highlights

4× Pro Bowl (2010, 2012–2014)

2× First-team All-Pro (2010, 2013)

Second-team All-Pro (2012)

NFL rushing touchdowns leader (2013)
- Age: 38
- Birthplace: Port Arthur, Texas
- Team: Kansas City Chiefs
147 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
13
Harmon Killebrew
League: MLB
Years active: 1954-1975
Stats: .256 batting average, 573 home runs, 1,584 RBIs

Career Highlights

13× All-Star (1959, 1959, 1961, 1961, 1963–1971)

AL MVP (1969)

6× AL home run leader (1959, 1962–1964, 1967, 1969)

3× AL RBI leader (1962, 1969, 1971)
- Age: Dec. at 74 (1936-2011)
- Birthplace: Payette, Idaho, USA
- Team: Washington Senators
134 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
14
Al Kaline
League: MLB
Years active: 1953-1974
Stats: .297 batting average, 399 home runs, 1,583 RBIs

Career Highlights

18× All-Star (1955–1961, 1962–1967, 1971, 1974)

World Series champion (1968)

10× Gold Glove Award (1957–1959, 1961–1967)

AL batting champion (1955)
- Age: 90
- Birthplace: Baltimore, USA, Maryland
- Team: Detroit Tigers
97 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  thepanamerican
  Wikimedia Commons
15
Robert Horry
League: NBA
Years active: 1992-2008
Stats: 1,107 games played, 7.0 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists

Career Highlights

7× NBA champion (1994, 1995, 2000–2002, 2005, 2007)
- Age: 54
- Birthplace: Maryland, USA
- Team: Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs
109 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Metaweb (FB)
  Fair use
16
Gail Goodrich
League: NBA
Years active: 1965-1979
Stats: 1,031 games played, 18.6 points per game, 4.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds

Career Highlights

NBA champion (1972)

5× NBA All-Star (1969, 1972–1975)

All-NBA First Team (1974)
- Age: 81
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
- Team: Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Jazz
87 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Ubcwwong
  Wikimedia Commons
  CC-BY-SA 4.0
17
Mark Price
League: NBA
Years active: 1986-1998
Stats: 722 games played, 15.2 points per game, 6.7 assists, 2.6 rebounds

Career Highlights

4× NBA All-Star (1989, 1992–1994)

All-NBA First Team (1993)

3× All-NBA Third Team (1989, 1992, 1994)
- Age: 60
- Birthplace: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
- Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
110 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Metaweb (FB)
  Fair use
18
Gus Johnson
League: NBA
Years active: 1963-1973
Stats: 631 games played, 16.2 points per game, 12.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists

Career Highlights

ABA champion (1973)

5× NBA All-Star (1965, 1968–1971)

4× All-NBA Second Team (1965, 1966, 1970, 1971)

2× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1970, 1971)
- Age: Dec. at 48 (1938-1987)
- Birthplace: Akron, Ohio
- Team: Baltimore Bullets, Indiana Pacers
64 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
19
Andruw Jones
League: MLB
Years active: 1996-2012
Stats: .254 batting average, 434 home runs, 1,289 RBIs

Career Highlights

5× All-Star (2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006)

10× Gold Glove Award (1998–2007)

Silver Slugger Award (2005)

MLB home run leader (2005)

NL RBI leader (2005)
- Age: 47
- Birthplace: Willemstad, Netherlands
- Team: Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox
76 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
20
Chris Harris Jr.
League: NFL
Years active: 2011-present
Stats: 123 games played, 19 interceptions, 4 touchdowns

Career Highlights

Super Bowl champion (50)

4× Pro Bowl (2014–2016, 2018)

First-team All-Pro (2016)

2× Second-team All-Pro (2014, 2015)
- Age: 35
- Birthplace: Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Team: Denver Broncos
110 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
21
Joe Nieuwendyk
League: NHL
Years active: 1987-2007
Stats: 1,257 games played, 564 goals, 562 assists

Career Highlights

3x Stanley Cup winner

Calder Memorial Trophy winner

King Clancy Memorial Trophy winner

Conn Smythe Trophy winner
- Age: 58
- Birthplace: Oshawa, Canada
- Team: Dallas Stars
58 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
22
Jim Edmonds
League: MLB
Years active: 1993-2010
Stats: .284 batting average, 393 home runs, 1,199 RBIs

Career Highlights

4× All-Star (1995, 2000, 2003, 2005)

World Series champion (2006)

8× Gold Glove Award (1997, 1998, 2000–2005)

Silver Slugger Award (2004)
- Age: 54
- Birthplace: Fullerton, California
- Team: California Angels
60 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
23
Dan Issel
League: NBA
Years active: 1970-1985
Stats: 1,218 games played, 22.6 points per game, 9.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists

Career Highlights

ABA champion (1975)

6× ABA All-Star (1971–1976)

ABA All-Star Game MVP (1972)

NBA All-Star (1977)

All-ABA First Team (1972)

4× All-ABA Second Team (1971, 1973, 1974, 1976)
- Age: 76
- Birthplace: Batavia, Illinois
- Team: Denver Nuggets
55 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
24
Rafael Palmeiro
League: MLB
Years active: 1986-2005
Stats: .288 batting average, 569 home runs, 1,835 RBIs

Career Highlights

4× All-Star (1988, 1991, 1998, 1999)

3× Gold Glove Award (1997–1999)

2× Silver Slugger Award (1998, 1999)
- Age: 60
- Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
- Team: Texas Rangers
66 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
25
Darren McCarty
League: NHL
Years active: 1994-2009
Stats: 758 games played, 127 goals, 161 assists

Career Highlights

4x Stanley Cup winner
- Age: 52
- Birthplace: Burnaby, Canada
- Team: Calgary Flames
49 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Keith Allison
  Wikimedia Commons
26
Jason Giambi
League: MLB
Years active: 1995-2014
Stats: .277 batting average, 440 home runs, 1,441 RBIs

Career Highlights

5× All-Star (2000–2004)

AL MVP (2000)

2× Silver Slugger Award (2001, 2002)

AL Comeback Player of the Year (2005)
- Age: 54
- Birthplace: West Covina, California, USA
- Team: New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians
60 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
27
Jacques Lemaire
League: NHL
Years active: 1968-1979
Stats: 853 games played, 366 goals, 469 assists

Career Highlights

8x Stanley Cup winner
- Age: 79
- Birthplace: LaSalle, Quebec, Canada
- Team: Montreal Canadiens
46 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  uploaded by willyboymcoy
28
Kevin Stevens
League: NHL
Years active: 1988-2002
Stats: 874 games played, 329 goals, 397 assists

Career Highlights

2x Stanley Cup winner

3x All-Star
- Age: 59
- Birthplace: Brockton, Massachusetts
- Team: Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings
47 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
29
Dave Andreychuk
League: NHL
Years active: 1983-2006
Stats: 1,639 games played, 640 goals, 698 assists

Career Highlights

Stanley Cup winner
- Age: 61
- Birthplace: Hamilton, Canada
- Team: Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning
43 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
30
Ben Simmons
League: NBA
Years active: 2016-present
Stats: 160 games played, 16.4 points per game, 8.5 rebounds, 7.9 assists

Career Highlights

NBA All-Star (2019)

NBA Rookie of the Year (2018)
- Age: 28
- Birthplace: Melbourne, Australia
- Team: Brooklyn Nets
142 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
31
Ryan Clark
League: NFL
Years active: 2002-2014
Stats: 177 games played, 16 interceptions, 928 tackles

Career Highlights

Super Bowl champion (XLIII)

Pro Bowl (2011)
- Age: 45
- Birthplace: Marrero, Louisiana, USA
- Team: Washington Redskins
53 votes
Is this athlete great?
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
32
Tim Foley
League: NFL
Years active: 1970-1980
Stats: 134 games played, 22 interceptions

Career Highlights

2× Super Bowl champion (VII, VIII)

Pro Bowl (1978)
- Age: 77
- Birthplace: Evanston, Illinois
- Team: Miami Dolphins
53 votes
Is this athlete great?