This paper explores the significance and perception of stereotypes on American athletes both in the United States of America and in the Republic of Croatia. The paper contributes by raising awareness to the most common stereotypes in sports which are analyzed and exemplified on the three most popular American sports (baseball, basketball, and American football). Through analysis of scholarly research on stereotypes, Kobe Bean Bryant’s biography and the survey conducted for the purposes of this study, it is evident that sports stereotyping is on the one hand, still widespread in American sports, while on the other, some stereotypes are being broken. Bryant's biography in particular exemplifies certain stereotypes, while at the same time this literary work provides numerous examples that contribute to breaking of stereotypes in American sports. It is interesting to note that the findings of the conducted survey show that the most dominant stereotypes in American sports occasionally overlap and at times completely differ among Croatians and Americans. The findings in the paper demonstrate that sports stereotyping is still very present both in the United States of America and in the Republic of Croatia, but the positive influence of athletes and the recognition of their qualities contribute to the overall reduction of stereotyping in sports.