GOAT (greatest of all time).
The acronym has well and truly become part of the language of sport.
Especially on social media where people are happy to post pictures of actual goats after a legendary athlete has just collected another trophy (please stop that).
The past few weeks, the term (and those bloody pictures of goats) have got a great run after the heroics of Roger Federer at the Australian Open and the amazing comeback by the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51 led by quarterback Tom Brady.
No doubt, they were both performances for the ages but just because we saw it live it doesn?t mean we put down the glasses and declare the contest over.
GOAT is used too quickly and often inappropriately given it is impossible to compare athletes across different eras.
For example, how can you compare Sir Donald Bradman to anybody christened ?the best since Bradman?? given the different pitch conditions, ground sizes and bat dimensions.
All you can do is be the best of the best in your own time.
So who is the best athlete of the modern era ? the GORT (greatest of recent time)?
Who is the most influential figure in their sport to make them the king or queen of world sport?
Who owns their sport a little bit more than anybody else?
For what it is worth, put one vote down for Manny Pacquiao. To have won so many titles across so many weight divisions in the toughest sport on the planet that requires skill, speed, endurance and heart makes the boxer the best of the best.
Here?s some contenders for the crown who are still running around or have only just called it a day:
KELLY SLATER
Eleven world surfing titles and still competing with kids half his age. An inspiration. TOM BRADY
A record five Super Bowl rings and four Super Bowl MVPs. Owns more records than Molly Meldrum. LEBRON JAMES
The world?s best basketballer. Three NBA titles, scoring titles and MVP crowns to boot. Unstoppable.
JOHNATHAN THURSTON
Has excelled at club, Origin and Test level. Has achieved it all in rugby league ROGER FEDERER
Extended his Grand Slam count to 18 at the Australian Open and not a bad bloke either.
GARY ABLETT
The best AFL footballer of his generation. LIONEL MESSI
The little master is an absolute wizard of the world game. VIRAT KOHLI
Run scoring machine for India. The best batsman in the world. DAN CARTER
The All Blacks five-eighth had world rugby on a string. TIGER WOODS
His back is shot and he may never win another tournament but he revolutionised golf on the way to 14 majors. SERENA WILLIAMS
23 Grand Slam titles. Longevity and dominance. A legend of her sport regardless of gender. MICHAEL PHELPS
The most decorated Olympian in history with a lazy 23 gold medals. KATIE LEDECKY
Owned the pool in Rio. Unbeatable. USAIN BOLT
Nine, no wait, eight Olympic gold medals for the sprint king. Has lit up the past three Olympic Games. MANNY PACQUIAO
The ?Pacman?? has won 11 boxing world titles across eight weight divisions. SIMONE BILES
The US gymnast won four gold medals at the Rio Olympics to go with 10 world championship golds. A freakish talent
