GQ magazine has put within it’s February issue, a list of what the magazine’s editors consider the 25 “Coolest Athletes of All Time.” Definitely the stuff that makes for a good debate, though their list is actually quite good, with a few miscues.

The issue, which is now available, also features nine magazine covers of athletes past and present represented on the list. Click here to see the pictures.

A spokesperson for GQ explained, “The athletes featured on GQ’s ’25 Coolest’ list were chosen by the editors of the magazine, and were included based on the fact that they excelled in their sport and showed individuality in the way they played, exemplified cool, and had a unique sense of style/appearance — which are reflected in the photos featured on the nine separate covers.”

Here’s their list in alphabetical order. A few may not be familiar to you and a few may not be popular choices but then again…this isn’t Sports Illustrated’s list.

Muhammad Ali: The Greatest. He was stylish from the very start and will forever be associated with the pinnacle of his sport.

Mario Andretti: A name that translates to speed. The playboy race car driver.  Elegant in and out of the car.

Arthur Ashe: Probably didn’t get his due until he became ill. A legend for his sport and considered as much fierce competitor as he was a consummate gentleman.

George Best: The Mickey Mantle of soccer for Manchester United’s legendary teams from 1963 to 74.  Played hard both on and off the field which led to kidney failure.  No stranger to GQ’s men of style lists.

Bjorn Borg:  Stoic. This guy was the stylish ying to McEnroe’s loutish yang.  Long hair with a sweat band won’t usually qualify you for this list, but this guy cleaned up real nice and continues to prosper.

Tom Brady: Made a wife and mother out of a super model. A few Super Bowls and movie star looks. The guy looks good in shoulder pads or tux.

Jim Brown: Widely considered either the baddest man in football or the best the game ever saw.  He considered Hollywood a better fit for a man with his charisma and he was right. 

Julius Erving: Dr. J. was cool even when not in flight on the basketball court. He was Michael Jordan before Michael Jordan.

Walt Frazier: The guy could really wear a fur. Smooth artist on and off Madison Square Garden. One of the all time great Knicks. He wore wide-brimmed hats (a brown velour Borsalino one was his favorite), and sported a low afro and intense muttonchops . He had full-length mink coats and velvet blazers and rolled to his games  in a Rolls Royce.

Bob Gibson: If being the most feared fire-balling pitcher in the majors doesn’t make you cool, then it least will get you on a list through intimidation.

Allen Iverson: I think Yao Ming is cooler. The DailyHelping isn’t so sure about this one. Someone must have asked Iverson to contribute to the list and he put the coolest guy he knew. Himself.

Bo Jackson:  “Bo knows” will always be one of the great ad campaigns. This guy should be more well-known. A remarkable athlete and remarkable man.

Michael Jordan: His Airness.  The Babe Ruth of his sport.

Jean-Claude Killy: The french playboy who could make the downhill look like ballet. The only thing that could bring him down was a lover’s bullet.

Evel Knievel: Eh, not so cool. A redneck who rode his motorcycle over trucks and buses and tried a canyon. He channeled Elvis and only got the belt buckle part right.  His son who followed in his father’s footsteps all the way to the hospital.

Tim Lincecum: The DailyHelping loves this off-beat choice. Some will claim there are better pitchers in the game (see Philadelphia’s current pitching rotation), but few have the engaging personality of “the Freak”.  A bit of a pothead, small stature, huge heart. The guy looks good in a bow tie.

Pete Maravich: Great nickname: Pistol Pete.  Amazing ball handler and a jump shot that was poetry in vertical motion.  A sharp dressed man when off the court.

Joe Namath:  The coolest the NFL ever had. Bold predictions, bar owner, ladies man who also looked good in panty hose.

The guy had a bunch of nicknames but the two most associated with the guy was “Broadway Joe” when off the field and “Joe Cool” when leading the Jets.

Arnold Palmer: The Babe Ruth of his sport.

Pelé:  The first guy in sports who only used one name. International cool with a patented “bicycle kick” that kids emulated for decades.

Gary Player: Looked great in black. The best thing about South Africa when it was not a cool place. Unflappable, handsome and skilled. This guy is definitely one of the coolest golfers of all time…and let’s face it, golf is not a cool sport.

Derek Sanderson: Probably a worse choice than Iverson or Knieval. A former Jet receiver and party guy with Namath. Maybe there’s a spot for a wing man on this list.

Kelly Slater: A surfer. GQ has had a thing for this guy and it’s probably because he’s one of the few surfer guys who was willing to put on a shirt, long pants and a jacket. He’s also apparently the best in his sport.

Ken Stabler: “The Snake” was quarterback on a very cool team, The Oakland Raiders. Like the Captain of a pirate ship.

Ted Turner:  Launched a network, built up the Atlanta Braves and dated Jane Fonda. He also had an excellent mustache and could wear a yacht cap without looking like Thurston Howell III.