If there’s one thing some athletes love more than winning, it’s talking about themselves. These sports stars never miss a moment to remind the world just how great they are, even if no one asked. From fiery post-game interviews to legendary press conferences, these players never met a microphone they didn’t like.
Of course, confidence is part of what makes them great, but sometimes it can feel like they’re running a one-person hype machine. Here are 25 athletes who never passed up a chance to talk about themselves, ranked from the least to the most unapologetically self-promotional.
25. Bryce Harper
When Harper broke into the league as a teenager, he brought plenty of swagger along with his prodigious talent. Known for quotes like “That’s a clown question, bro,” he’s never been shy about letting everyone know how good he is.
24. Joe Namath
Namath is still coasting off that legendary Super Bowl III guarantee, and he’s never been afraid to remind people about it. If confidence could throw a spiral, it’d look like Broadway Joe strutting in a fur coat.
23. Draymond Green
Draymond will tell you exactly how important he is to the Warriors’ dynasty, whether you asked or not. He’s got rings to back it up, and he’s never shy about pointing that out.
22. Jalen Ramsey
Few players talk as much trash as Ramsey, and he’s got the talent to back it up. Whether it’s interviews or social media, he’s always ready to let the world know he’s the best cornerback around.
21. Reggie Jackson
Jackson called himself “Mr. October” for a reason, and he’s never been shy about reminding everyone of his postseason heroics. He’ll tell you he thrived in the spotlight because he created it.
20. Floyd Mayweather
Mayweather’s entire brand is built on his undefeated record and his lavish lifestyle. If you ask him, he’s the best to ever step into a ring, and he’ll gladly tell you why.
19. Richard Sherman
Sherman’s post-game rant about being the best corner in the game is the stuff of legend. He’s never been afraid to back up his talk with elite play and an even more elite vocabulary.
18. Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq might be one of the most dominant centers ever, but he’s just as dominant with a microphone in his hand. From calling himself “The Big Aristotle” to his countless nicknames, Shaq has always had a lot to say about himself.
17. Terrell Owens
Owens didn’t just play the game; he made it a personal soap opera. From driveway sit-ups to sideline meltdowns, he’s always been his own biggest fan.
16. Zlatan Ibrahimović
Zlatan doesn’t just talk about himself—he mythologizes himself. Whether he compares himself to a lion or calls himself God, his confidence is a sport all its own.
15. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers loves to remind people that he’s more than just a quarterback – he’s a thinker, a philosopher, and a misunderstood genius. He’s got the MVPs to back it up, and he’s never shy about letting you know.
14. Cam Newton
Newton’s Superman celebrations and his post-game soundbites have made him one of the NFL’s most polarizing figures. He’s always been more than happy to tell you exactly why he’s special.
13. Conor McGregor
No one cuts a promo quite like McGregor, who turned trash talk into an art form. He’s never met a microphone he couldn’t own, whether he’s promoting a fight or a whiskey brand.
12. Deion Sanders
Prime Time wasn’t just a nickname – it was a lifestyle. Sanders made a career out of being the center of attention, and he’s still talking up his legend as a coach.
11. Baker Mayfield
Mayfield went from walk-on to Heisman winner and never missed a chance to let the world know about it. Whether he’s planting flags or clapping back at critics, he’s always got something to say.
10. Kobe Bryant
Bryant’s confidence was legendary, and his “Mamba Mentality” is as much about self-belief as it is about skill. He wasn’t just chasing rings – he was chasing immortality.
9. Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo has won nearly every major trophy there is, and he’s not shy about telling you why he’s the best. From flexing his abs to flexing his trophy case, he’s always his own biggest fan.
8. LeBron James
LeBron might be one of the greatest to ever play, but he’s also one of the most self-assured. Whether he’s crowning himself or declaring himself the GOAT, he’s never short on self-confidence.
7. Tom Brady
Brady’s seven Super Bowl rings are loud enough, but he’s always ready to remind you how he went from sixth-round pick to the greatest quarterback ever. He’s got the accolades to back it up, and he’s not afraid to say it.
6. Allen Iverson
Iverson’s “practice” rant is just one example of his legendary self-confidence. He didn’t just play the game – he defined it on his own terms.
5. Michael Jordan
Jordan’s trash talk is as legendary as his six rings. He’s the ultimate competitor, and he’s never been shy about letting his rivals know who’s the greatest.
4. Muhammad Ali
Ali didn’t just talk – he rhymed, taunted, and hyped himself like no one before or since. He floated like a butterfly and stung like a verbal bee.
3. Diego Maradona
Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal is just one part of his myth, and he never missed a chance to remind people of his greatness. He played with the flair of an artist and the swagger of a rock star.
Read More: 10 NFL Fanbases That Take Trash Talk to Another Level
2. Johnny Manziel
Manziel was all swagger, all the time. He talked the talk, but his career never quite lived up to the hype.
Read More: 25 Athletes Who Turned Trash Talk Into a Personality Trait
1. Rickey Henderson
Henderson once said, “I am the greatest of all time,” he’s got the stolen base record to back it up. If self-promotion were a sport, he’d be the all-time champ.
Read More: The 15 Best Athlete Memoirs Ever Written
