46 Famous Short Male Athletes Who Reached the Top
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He is the head coach at Reebok CrossFit ONE and a part of the CrossFit HQ Seminar Staff.
19. Roberto Heras
5’8? / Cycling
Heras is a Spanish former professional road bicycle racer.
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He won the Tour of Spain a record breaking three times and raced alongside Lance Armstrong on the U.S. Postal Service team.
20. Paolo Bettini
5’7? / Cycling
Bettini is considered one of the better cyclists and classics specialist of past decade.
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He’s a former Italian world champion road racing cyclist, and he did a stint as the coach of the Italian national cycling team.
21. David Etxebarria
5’5? / Cycling
Etxebarria won the 12th and 16th stages in the 1999 Tour De France.
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He ended up finishing 12th overall, in addition to winning a few minor competitions over the course of his career.
22. Darren Sproles
5’6? / Football
Sproles is the all-time leading rusher in Kansas State history. He broke the NFL single season record for all-purpose yards in 2011 with 2,696 yards.
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He’s the first player in NFL history with over 2,200 all-purpose yards in four consecutive seasons and is ranked 8th all-time in career all purpose yards.
23. Jack “Soapy” Shapiro
5’0 1/2? / Football
Soapy Shapiro played for the Staten Island Stapletons in the 1929 NFL.
He’s officially hailed as the shortest man ever to play professional football in the National Football League.
24. Jim Leonhard
5’8? / Football
Leonard was a solid contributor to multiple NFL teams over his 10 year career.
