Who is the No. 1 Louisiana athlete of all time?

SmashMouth · 06-24-2014, 07:45 AM

Who is the No. 1 Louisiana athlete of all time? Is it a local kid who went to high school or college here and climbed to the top of his or her profession -- someone like Shaquille O'Neal, Pete Maravich, Peyton Manning, Terry Bradshaw, or Willis Reed?

Or is it an import, an athlete who joined one of the state's pro teams and, in so doing, became a Louisianan? Players such as legendary Saints quarterbacks Drew Brees and Archie Manning.

We've looked at hundreds of top Louisiana athletes over the last century or so and come up with a comprehensive list. But before getting underway at lunch with No. 51, the extra point to our Top 51, we want you to weigh in on whom you think should be No. 1 on the list.

For a guideline, we used the Louisiana Hall of Fame's criteria for eligibility. Our candidates competed for at least two years at the varsity level in high school or college in Louisiana, or gained fame in Louisiana at the professional level.

So, for example, Bill Russell was born in Louisiana but moved when he was 8: not eligible. Drew Brees was born in Texas, played college football at Purdue, but gained fame in New Orleans. He counts.

This is a tough list to compile and because Louisiana apparently is America's sports capital, Hall of Famers, All Stars and legends did not make the cut. We're counting on you to tell us where we went right and wrong -- and whom you'd cut before you make an addition.

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Pretty interesting topic here. Many great names to list. What say you?

06-24-2014, 07:45 AM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,550 Blog Entries: 29	Who is the No. 1 Louisiana athlete of all time? Who is the No. 1 Louisiana athlete of all time? Is it a local kid who went to high school or college here and climbed to the top of his or her profession -- someone like Shaquille O'Neal, Pete Maravich, Peyton Manning, Terry Bradshaw, or Willis Reed? Or is it an import, an athlete who joined one of the state's pro teams and, in so doing, became a Louisianan? Players such as legendary Saints quarterbacks Drew Brees and Archie Manning. We've looked at hundreds of top Louisiana athletes over the last century or so and come up with a comprehensive list. But before getting underway at lunch with No. 51, the extra point to our Top 51, we want you to weigh in on whom you think should be No. 1 on the list. For a guideline, we used the Louisiana Hall of Fame's criteria for eligibility. Our candidates competed for at least two years at the varsity level in high school or college in Louisiana, or gained fame in Louisiana at the professional level. So, for example, Bill Russell was born in Louisiana but moved when he was 8: not eligible. Drew Brees was born in Texas, played college football at Purdue, but gained fame in New Orleans. He counts. This is a tough list to compile and because Louisiana apparently is America's sports capital, Hall of Famers, All Stars and legends did not make the cut. We're counting on you to tell us where we went right and wrong -- and whom you'd cut before you make an addition. read more Pretty interesting topic here. Many great names to list. What say you?