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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Johnson's influence greatest: Forbes
Jimmy Johnson (TRIBUNE MEDIA MCT)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson, for the second straight year, is ranked by Forbes as America's Most Influential Athlete.
"It is just a huge honour," he said. "And not only is it very good for me and my career and what I do in the racecar and my brand, I think it's very good for NASCAR as well."
This year, six of the 10 featured on the list are NFL quarterbacks, including Peyton and Eli Manning, as well as Tim Tebow, who debuted last year at No. 10, but is now ranked second.
The rankings, released Tuesday, are done by public opinion polling.
Forbes used Nielsen and E-Poll, which surveyed more than 1,100 adults about dozens of athletes to measure their likeability and whether they are considered influential to marketers.
Making the list this year was Jeremy Lin, Many Pacquiao, Eli Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition April 25, 2012 C4
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