Like everything else in 2020, the year in sports has been unlike any other. That’s what happens during a worldwide pandemic that disrupts every single facet of life, including the world of sports. Despite an absence of sports for a large portion of the year, fans were still seeking out information about their favorite athletes. Here’s a look at the top 10 most-searched athletes in Google for 2020. 

The most-searched athletes (Nos. 6 – 10)

The top 10 most-searched athletes in 2020 features a diverse group that participated in six different sports. Coming in at No. 10 is soccer star Thiago Silva, who won his record seventh Ligue 1 title in France and then left during the summer for Chelsea in the English Premier League.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees enters the top 10 at No. 9. He made headlines a couple of times this year, including his stance on kneeling back in June as well as during the NFL season when he suffered multiple injuries on one play that included broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

The next most-searched athlete at No. 8 was former NBA player Delonte West, who has fallen on hard times and was homeless in recent years but found hope and help in Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

Coming in at No. 7 is former race-car driver Alex Zanardi, who suffered a near-fatal cycling accident in June. In November, Zanardi was transferred to a hospital closer to his home. Starting out the bottom half of the top 10 in the No. 6 spot is Luis Suarez. Suarez made the news this year when Barcelona cut ties with the star player after six seasons, and he joined La Liga rival Atletico Madrid. 

The most-searched athletes (Nos. 2 – 5)

The No. 5 most-searched athlete in 2020 was the first of two boxers to make the list, Mike Tyson. Tyson’s comeback was a big storyline throughout the year and concluded with his exhibition fight against Roy Jones, Jr. in late November. 

Sliding in one slot ahead of Tyson was Patriots-turned-Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. Brady shocked the NFL in March when he announced after 20 years with the Pats he was taking his talents to Florida and Tampa Bay.

Tyson Fury comes in at No. 3 for most-searched athlete in 2020 after his dominating performance and rematch victory over Deontay Wilder in February.

Coming in at No. 2 is one of the world’s most recognized athletes, Michael Jordan, who was especially visible in 2020 with the release of The Last Dance, the 10-part docuseries on Jordan and the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls. It became the most-watched documentary in ESPN history. 

And the winner is …

In a year where sports were absent for months, there was still plenty of entertaining action before and after the worldwide lockdown. From the “go figure, it’s 2020” category, NASCAR driver Ryan Newman was the No. 1 most-searched athlete this year, according to Google. 

Newman’s name was heavily searched for all the wrong reasons back in February at the conclusion of the Daytona 500. That’s when the 43-year-old NASCAR veteran was involved in a horrific final-lap accident that was eerily reminiscent of Dale Earnhardt, Sr.’s fatal crash in 2001 at the same track on the same lap. 

After Newman’s car went airborne, it flipped upside down, then skidded helplessly down the track across the finish line in a shower of sparks. The entire crowd fell silent as officials rushed to the mangled car.

Fortunately, Newman didn’t suffer any serious injuries and incredibly walked out of the hospital a couple of days later holding the hands of his two young daughters. It was a memorable moment for what would turn out to be the most-searched athlete in 2020.