My favourite sports cult heroes

It is hard to think of a better example of a cult hero in Australian sport than rugby player Nick Cummins. The ‘Honey Badger’ is on fire for the Force with his willing play and witty post-match interviews.

Who are you favourite cult heroes in sport?

John Daly – golf
A blonde, overweight, foul-mouthed, cigarette-smoking alcoholic, John Daly also happens to be the longest driver in the game of golf. In 1997, Daly became the first PGA Tour player to average more than 300 yards per drive over a full season. He did so again every year from 1999 to 2008, and was the only player to do so until 2003.

Daly won five times on the PGA tour, including the 1991 PGA Championship. In 1995 he beat Costantino Rocca in a playoff at the British Open. Daly drew big crowds and always entertained with his dynamic game and volatile personality.

Payne Stewart (a two-time US Open champion), with his flamboyant attire, was another cult figure in golf.

Chris Martin – cricket
Chris Martin was a successful bowler in Test cricket for New Zealand. In 71 games he took 233 wickets at 33.81. However, he achieved greater notoriety for his batting.

Martin was out for a duck 36 times in 104 innings and averaged 2.36, making him one of the worst batsmen in the history of the game!

Every time Martin batted and survived a ball, the crowd cheered wildly! Martin tried to take his batting seriously, but at the same time appeared to have a sense of humour about his lack of ability.

The bustling Merv Hughes, with his handlebar moustache and larrikin personality, Colin Miller, with his loud hair and ability to bowl just about anything, and Jack Russell, the superstitious English wicketkeeper, were other cult heroes in cricket.

Warwick Capper – Australia rules football
Strapping, brilliant, boastful, tacky – there are many ways to describe Warwick Capper. Capper kicked 388 goals in 124 games for the Swans and Bears. In 1987, he bagged 103 goals. He was a spectacular mark, but a big ego as well, which perhaps prevented him from becoming a true legend of the game.

His off-field exploits over the years have included drug abuse, cosmetic surgery, a dreadful pop single, a crack at Queensland state politics, and a high-profile divorce.

Despite this Capper runs a tourism company on the Gold Coast, where you can pay $5000 to spend the weekend with Warwick!

Goran Ivanišević – tennis
The only wildcard to win the men singles title at Wimbledon, Goran was known for his booming serve, hot temper and superstitions; he would serve with the same ball if he struck an ace.

On 10 July, 2001, Ivanišević received a hero’s welcome in his home city of Split after winning Wimbledon. A crowd of over 150,000, led by local and state dignitaries, greeted him at the central harbour where Ivanišević took his clothes off and jumped into the sea.

Goran won 599 singles matches and 22 tournaments and could be dazzling and pathetic at the same time!

Matthew Johns – rugby league
The brother of immortal Andrew Johns, Matthew Johns was a more than useful player, representing the Newcastle Knights 176 times, playing State of Origin for New South Wales and gaining nine caps for Australia. However, it’s as a TV personality that Johns has become a bit of a cult hero.

For many years on the Footy Show, Johns played Reg Reagan – a hairy, retro, legendary lout, who encouraged us to “Bring back the biff”.

Mark ‘Bull’ Allen – rugby union
The former All Black prop was an imposing physical presence, packing in at 115kg. His abrasive approach to the game – combined with a shiny bald head and wide smile – endeared him to home fans who, would roar “Bull!” every time he touched the ball.

When he retired, Allen became a popular TV personality in New Zealand.

Robbie Fowler – football
The Daily Mail labelled Robbie Fowler a “Spice Boy” due to misplaced rumours he was dating Spice Girl Emma Bunton. The term was subsequently used in a derogatory manner to imply Fowler was an underachieving playboy.

In 1999, Fowler was fined £60,000 by his club for bringing the game into disrepute. While celebrating his goal against Liverpool’s Merseyside rivals Everton, Fowler used the white line of the penalty area to simulate cocaine use. Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier said this was a Cameroonian grass-eating celebration, learnt from teammate Rigobert Song.

Fowler scored 183 goals in 369 games for Liverpool and was capped 26 times by England. He played for several clubs, causing trouble with his brash personality, but often impressing with his quality too.