Favorite Philly Moments: Greatest Modern Philly Athletes Edition

Last year, I started putting together some of my favorite Philly Sports moments as a way to help me through the depressing moments that dominate a Philly fan's existence. Now that we're about to start another Super Bowl week sanz Philly, I think now is a good time to re-live some of the good memories. Nostalgia can be a powerful thing.

In a roundabout way, this trip down memory lane was inspired by a conversation I overheard at work following the Birds' heartbreaking playoff exit. A group of ignorant middle aged women (my favorite type of sports fan) were debating just how much McNabb sucks (is he the worst player ever or just really really bad?). Now, I'd rather have bamboo shoots jammed under my fingernails then get into a sports debate with someone who has no idea what they're talking about, so I saved my arguments for a place where they could truly be appreciated - the bar. It only took a few minutes for someone to make the extreme claim that Donovan McNabb is the greatest modern Philly athlete (who says Philly hates their star QB??). That is where today's post was born. Personally I think its a little far fetched to think that Donovan is the greatest Philly athlete of the last 25 years, but if he's not, then who is? Here's my top 5 (in no particular order) since '83:

Brian Dawkins. I've made my love for Brian Dawkins known recently. The bottom line is that he's been one of the best safeties in the NFL for over a decade - all while wearing midnight green.

Mike Schmidt. Michael Jack is a no brainer. He earned 3 NL MVP's and 12 All Star appearances during his Hall of Fame career. Schmidt is widely considered the greatest third baseman to ever play the game. He played his entire career for the Phightins and even started a chain of sub par hoagie shops.

Charles Barkley. Chuck is easily one of the greatest personalities ever to play in Philly, but he was also a damn good player too. Barkley went to 6 All Star games as a Sixer and was voted to the All NBA Team 7 times. Plus he dunked on Godzilla, which is pretty tough to do (Godzilla is known for his impenetrable low post defense).

Allen Iverson. What can you say about AI? He is the one player that I feel lucky to have gotten to see play. He was (and still is) worth the price of admission. Iverson nearly carried the Sixers all the way to the championship with very little support from his teammates.

Reggie White. Reggie is probably the most physically dominant Philly athlete I've ever seen play. You just knew watching him that no one could stop him. The Minister of Defense racked up 124 sacks as an Eagle.

I debated names like Utley, Rollins, Erving, McNabb and Cunningham, but I just don't think they're any more deserving than these 5 guys. Also, I couldn't make a strong argument for any Flyer despite the fact that they've probably been the most consistent Philadelphia team over the last 25 years.

I'd love to hear some input from other Philly fans. Anything to distract me from Kurt Warner thanking God for allowing him to appear in another Super Bowl . . .


One last thing to help you through these Eagles-less winter months: a Giants fan CRYING over what could have been. This makes me happy somewhere deep in my soul. (video courtesy of KSK).