Athletes with aspergers

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I had to search and found this thread because I didn't want to redundantly start a new one.

I think people may mistake Gil Arenas to have AS because of his goofy behavior and egocentric style of play (chucking and non passer). But we won't know until he admits he was officially diagnosed.

I think generally speaking most players in team sports would have trouble to find success. There is a need to be able to mentally synchronize with teammates and have empathy in opponents' strategies. Something autism spectrum people struggle with.

Here is my suspicion of an athlete who has AS. Former (or still) NBA player Adam Morrison. He is socially awkward and is sensitive of fan comments during road games. One coach would notice Adam react to a random fan's heckling. It's a guess but am not too sure.

Clay Marzo has aspergers he is a professional surfer and my favorite surfer. Watch this short 12 min documentary on him.



[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYKbIM61fAM[/youtube]

^^^^

cool video. I am not a fan of surfing but it's great AS is getting some mainstream attention.

I think Berry Bonds had Asperger's

I am a professional golfer, was the best in gymnastics at school, told I was talented by instructors in tennis, fencing, did the decathlon,scored a 49 break in snooker.
I am extremely flexible and can leg press 400kilos 10 times strict form.

Hopeless at everything else, except German where i taught myself to speak it fluently, have WSET level 2 in Wines, can build computers, hear i am fantastic at landscaping etc..

Otherwise useless ! and no friends!! !! !! !! !! !! not one ! !! !! !(girlfriend though) ! !

I think Bill Belichick (Patriots coach) appears to have a lot of the signs of Aspergers. Monotone, eye avoidance, he's gotta be the worst dressed coach in american pro sports. He's also maybe the smartest coach in the history of the sport.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFbW_LzIZAs[/youtube]

Also, Nick Diaz has some serious social issues. I'm not sure if its necessarily Aspergers, but its possible. I'm pretty sure he refuses to get any therapy, but he severely damages his career with his flakyness.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS4BUAL6smM&feature=related[/youtube]

Many hockey goalies are likely Aspies, so I imagine a few professional goalies are too. It's a solitary position in a team sport that requires you to be alone for long periods of time and few people on your team understand you. Works great for me! Plus most skaters (non-goalies) call us crazy and wonder how we can possibly enjoy it so all the better.

I'm involved with triathlon and most people I know within that sphere have aspie traits, especially the ones who do long distance races.

This is an interview with the Brownlee brothers, of whom Alistair is tipped to get the gold in the London Olympics: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18247695 - no confirmation of whether they've been diagnosed or not, but there's definitely hints.

I also can quite happily go for a six hour ride or two hour by myself...

Vx