Cameras don't take pictures, photographers do. Probably any DSLR from Nikon or Canon will do what you need, depending on the requirements you haven't listed in your original question. Do you already own any Canon or Nikon lenses?

How skilled are you in photographing sports? Do you require expensive lenses like the 300mm 2.8? Do you already have a lighting kit suitable for portraits?

You may be better off purchasing a thousand dollar kit and working your way up as your skills improve.

The forums are filled with "photographers" who have invested between $10,000 and $20,000 worth of camera equipment and don't really know anything about photography short of letting the camera do the thinking.

My skill level is average at best. I have know idea about the many functions of most cameras and I get confused reading all these photography magazine articles. But I'm slowly learning through class and experience. I just want a broad overview of the, I don't know, top 5 cameras in the less than $3000 range. I prefer to learn on a good camera so I don't have to continually upgrade as my skills rise. I am mainly interested in still photography but I may shoot motosports occasionaly.

Any camera from a major camera manufacturer that has supporting lenses, lighting, accessories, etc. Best bet would be to pick up a few and see which feels more comfortable. But your skills will dictate what you can do with it.

Oooooooooo, I'm drooling.

For 3 grand I'd pick up a 1DMKII or a 1DMKIIN for there speed(used of course).

Or save a little extra and get a 1Ds for the extra 3MP and FF(again used).

To have any sealed body.

What about a 30d

The 30D is a fine camera, I just want something that I don't have to worry about if an unexpected shower comes while I'm outside shooting.

And wouldn't it be cool to take a camera on a water ride at an amusement park? LOL.