Things I missed while on vacation: Serena Williams retires at 41
From Dave Zirin: Serena Williams already had been a pro for five years in 2000 when ESPN put out its top 100 athletes of the 20th century list. Four women in the top 50. Two Black women in the top 50, none higher than 22. This was the world she stepped into and audaciously chose to rule.
Today, my list of best athletes ever would have Ali number one, maybe Thorpe at 2. But if you were asking who had the best CAREER in sports history, taking into account length and consistency from start to finish, it’s Serena & then LeBron. She’s that mighty. All hail the Queen.