Sept. 24, 2010
ATLANTA – Sporting News Magazine released its list of the 20 smartest athletes in the nation this week, and Georgia Tech senior center Sean Bedford checked in at No. 17 overall.
Bedford, a native of Gainesville, Fla., is a 2009 First Team All-ACC member, and is on the 2010 watch lists for the Outland and Rimington trophies. Bedford is an Aerospace Engineering and Public Policy major, and is also working towards a minor in Law Science and Technology.
At age 22, he is the youngest of the first 17 athletes listed. His 1520 SAT score is tied for the second highest of all the scores announced on the list.
“I didn’t study,” said Bedford of the SAT Reasoning Test. “I took it three times. First one in seventh grade and got an 1130. The next time in 10th grade and got a 1400.”
When he was just seven years old, Bedford could name not only every NASA mission from the first Mercury flights to the end of the Apollo program, but could also name the crew and give a brief synopsis of each mission.
“I’ve always been fascinated with the space program. … I’d love to be an astronaut. At the moment, being (6-1, 281), none of them are quite as big as I am,” Bedford added.
Oakland Athletics’ pitcher Craig Breslow holds the top spot in the rankings.
The September 27 issue of Sporting News with Breslow on the cover hits newsstands this week.
Sporting News Top 20 Smartest Athletes:
1. Craig Breslow, RP, Oakland A’s
2. Myron Rolle, S, Tennessee Titans
3. Ross Ohlendorf, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates
4. George Parros, F, Anaheim Ducks
5. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Buffalo Bills
6. Matt Birk, C, Baltimore Ravens
7. Shane Battier, F, Houston Rockets
8. Chris Young, SP, San Diego Padres
9. Brad Ausmus, C, Los Angeles Dodgers
10. Grant Hill, G, Phoenix Suns
11. Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco 49ers
12. Jody Gerut, OF, San Diego Padres
13. Craig Counsell, IF, Milwaukee Brewers
14. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts
15. Pau Gasol, F, Los Angeles Lakers
16. Douglas Murray, D, San Jose Sharks
17. Sean Bedford, C, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
18. Sam Acho, DE, Texas Longhorns
19. Matt Bonner, F, San Antonio Spurs
20. Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama Crimson Tide
