Phelps was the star of the Beijing Olympics, winning a record eight gold medals. His 14 career gold medals are the most won by an Olympian.

Phelps is the first swimmer ever to receive the prestigious Sportsman of the Year designation.

Sports Illustrated named its first Sportsman of the Year in 1954, bestowing the honor on Roger Bannister the same year the distance runner become the first man to run a mile in less than four minutes.

Here’s a list of the last 10 winners:

To see the rest, and to look back on the covers from all those years, visit SI.com

Phelps was the star of the Beijing Olympics, winning a record eight gold medals. His 14 career gold medals are the most won by an Olympian.

Phelps is the first swimmer ever to receive the prestigious Sportsman of the Year designation.

Sports Illustrated named its first Sportsman of the Year in 1954, bestowing the honor on Roger Bannister the same year the distance runner become the first man to run a mile in less than four minutes.

Here’s the all-time list:

Source: SI.com

When it comes to total yardage in a career, the meter is still running. Brett Favre entered the 2008 season after taking over the top spot a year ago, and he’s adding to those stats as a New York Jet.

Who else is in the top echelon? Here’s a list of the Top 10 passers in NFL history in terms of yards gained. (Active players are in all caps):

1. BRETT FAVRE: 61,655
2. Dan Marino: 61,361
3. John Elway: 51,475
4. Warren Moon: 49,325
5. Fran Tarkenton: 47,003
6. Vinny Testaverde: 46,233
7. Drew Bledsoe: 44,611
8. Dan Fouts: 43,040
9. PEYTON MANNING: 41,531
10. Joe Montana: 40,551

Source: ESPN.com

See all Pro Football lists

In 2007, a record seven of the league’s quarterbacks passed for 4,000 yards or more. (The previous high was five on three separate occasions, most recently in 2006.)

While those numbers are rising, 4,000 remains a fairly exclusive club. Through 2007, only 37 quarterbacks have hurdled the barrier, a total of 68 times.

Joe Namath of the Jets got it all started by throwing for 4,007 yards way back in 1967. Twelve years would pass before Dan Fouts of the Chargers passed for 4,082 yards in 1979. Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning personally accounts for eight 4,000-plus seasons.

Here’s the class of 2007:

Tom Brady, New England — 4,806

Drew Brees, New Orleans — 4,423

Tony Romo, Dallas — 4,211

Brett Favre, Green Bay — 4,155

Carson Palmer, Cincinnati, 4,131

Jon Kitna, Detroit — 4,068

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis — 4,040

Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame.com