The Patriots quarterback was the top NFL player ranked in the study that compiles data across five different categories -- endorsement money, Twitter followers, Instagram followers, Facebook followers and Google Trends score -- to produce the ranking. He came in behind five tennis players, four golfers, three basketball players, four soccer players, one sprinter, one MMA fighter and two cricket players.
– Tom Brady who? The all-star NFL quarterback might be a household name in the US, but he doesn't even make the top 20 of ESPN's list of the most famous athletes in the world, reports the Boston Herald. The 10 most well-known athletes, based on social media followers, endorsement money, and internet search popularity: Cristiano Ronaldo LeBron James Lionel Messi Roger Federer Phil Mickelson Neymar Usain Bolt Kevin Durant Rafael Nadal Tiger Woods Click to see the highest-ranking female athlete or the best US cities for football fans.