Being the GOAT is subjective and I don't believe in putting a lot of rules on it, but I do have this one.

If they're the GOAT, they have to be memorable enough to remember their name for 25 years.

Remember when Michael Gordon had that amazing game when he had Ebola? The "Ebola Game"?

Or when Wayne Getty was dubbed as "The Rated One" while still playing?

Or Joe Montague winning 6 Superb Bowls for the San Francisco 59ers? Those are the kind of things GOATs do.

(yes, I'm aware Montana has since been surpassed, but I was trying to think of guys who were considered the GOAT 25 years back)

To say nothing of Willie Maine with his famous diving catch, forever immortalized as the catch. But even more impressive was Maine's impressive sprint after the catch.