“The rapid rise of an athletic icon is a wondrous thing to watch, and even more so when you never saw it coming. Albert Pujols going from 13th-round pick to the best hitter in baseball in just a few years. John Daly being the ninth alternate for the PGA Championship one day then a major champion and cult hero a few days later. Tony Romo, Tom Brady and Kurt Warner ascending from backups to the NFL’s elite over the course of a single season.
“And now Jon Jones, going from a fighter with potential to the face of the UFC.”