Which NFL Player Was Your Childhood Hero? (2 Viewers)

[Uruk-Hai]

Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield, Mercury Morris and Larry Little. The Dolphins were my favorite team from the early 70's to the early 80s.

How does one stop having the same favorite team? Never understood that one.

If you lived in Maryland in the mid-80s, you'd understand why Baltimore fans didn't ride along with the Colts to Indy. Irsay was/is probably the most hated man in the state's history.

 

[goose_egged]

Joe Montana

I was 8 and living in the SF Bay Area when he won his last SB. I thought the man walked on water. I never gave Steve Young a fair shake because he took Joe Cool's job while the legend was injured. I doubt I've ever enjoyed following a player more than I did Montana in his two KC seasons. His revenge win over the Niners was so sweet. Ah, to be 8 again and have your heroes be ball players.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Joe Montana

I was 8 and living in the SF Bay Area when he won his last SB. I thought the man walked on water. I never gave Steve Young a fair shake because he took Joe Cool's job while the legend was injured. I'm doubt I've ever enjoyed following a player more than I did Montana in his two KC seasons. His revenge win over the Niners was so sweet. Ah, to be 8 again and have your heroes be ball players.

If KC had better receivers who could catch a cold he would have won a SB there.

Montana is my GOAT without question.

 

[JohnnyU]

Joe Montana

I was 8 and living in the SF Bay Area when he won his last SB. I thought the man walked on water. I never gave Steve Young a fair shake because he took Joe Cool's job while the legend was injured. I'm doubt I've ever enjoyed following a player more than I did Montana in his two KC seasons. His revenge win over the Niners was so sweet. Ah, to be 8 again and have your heroes be ball players.

If KC had better receivers who could catch a cold he would have won a SB there.

Montana is my GOAT without question.

Speaking of KC, I have vivid memories of Otis Taylor, Len Dawson, Ed Podolak, Mike Garrett, Bobby Bell, Buck Buchanan, Willie Lanier, and Emmitt Thomas.

 

[darksideofoz]

none were a hero to me. playing football isn't a heroic endeavor hehe

but, if it wasn't for Barry Sanders, I wouldn't have fallen in love with the NFL. Shortly after that, Brett Favre got me to fall in love with the Packers. 30+ years later, still deeply in love with the Packers and the NFL.

 

[zoonation]

Jerry Rice.

Then in my 20s - Terrell Owens. Kids today have no idea how utterly dominant T.O. was in his prime. Turned regular QBs into pro bowlers. If he played with Manning his whole career like Harrison he would have challenged the Rice TD record IMO. Easily top 3 WR of all-time.

 

[Ben & Jerry's]

Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield, Mercury Morris and Larry Little. The Dolphins were my favorite team from the early 70's to the early 80s.

How does one stop having the same favorite team? Never understood that one.

If you lived in Maryland in the mid-80s, you'd understand why Baltimore fans didn't ride along with the Colts to Indy. Irsay was/is probably the most hated man in the state's history.

I grew up in Central Indiana in the 70's. 2 hours from Cincinnati and 3 hours from Chicago. There was 28 NFL teams.

The Dolphins were the emerging team, so that's who I was drawn to. At the time, the Bears and Bengals weren't exciting.

The Miami 3 headed running attack with Csonka, Morris, and Kiick was electric. I was drawn to #39 with the unique little U-shaped piece added to his face mask, desperately trying to protect that crooked nose. If you needed 1 yard, there was none better.

Then Shula, Griese, Buoniconti, **** Anderson, Yepremian, the whole team was fascinating to me.

Fast forward to the late 70's. The Miami dominance was over, Walter Payton was in Chicago, and the Steelers emerged. Without a "local" team to cheer for, my love for ALL of the NFL grew and started liking them all similarly.

In 1984, the Colts rolled in to town and I finally had a team to root for . I endured the Schlichter, Pagel, Trudeau, George, Harbaugh years.

And so I've been a Colts fan for 41 years

 

[fatness]

If you lived in Maryland in the mid-80s, you'd understand why Baltimore fans didn't ride along with the Colts to Indy. Irsay was/is probably the most hated man in the state's history.

Yep.
https://keepingscore.blogs.time.com...-colts-out-of-baltimore-in-the-dead-of-night/

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/march-28/baltimore-colts-move-to-indianapolis

 

[TripItUp]

Deion and Ronnie Lott

I played DB in high school and naturally followed the top DBs of the day.

 

[Donnybrook]

Man, I've been a Vikings fan for over 40 years and would have a hard time pointing to just one player. Grew up watching Tommy Kramer and Wade Wilson throw to the likes of Ahmad Rashad, Joe Senser, and Michigan legend Anthony Carter. But, at that time, the true strength of the team was their defense, let by guys like Keith Millard, Scott Studwell, and stud safety Joey Browner.

If I had to pick one Viking from my early childhood, it would have to be Anthony Carter. He was just a special player who came up huge in some of the absolute biggest moments. Divisional round of the 1987 playoffs... Vikings were coming off of a wild card blowout of the Saints, and traveled to Candlestick to face the #1 seed 49ers. My parents were appliance shopping and my brother and I found our way to the electronics department at Sears, where we planted our butts on an endcap and watched Carter almost single-handedly dismantle San Fran. 10 catches, 227 yards, plus another 50-ish yards rushing/returning. We probably sat and watched that game from inside of Sears for over two hours. Unfortunately, Darrin Nelson dropped a game-tying pass the following week to come up just short against the Skins. Of the five NFCC games I've seen the Vikings lose, that one may have been their best chance to win a SB, considering how badly Washington beat up on the Broncos (the four MIN SB losses were all a little before my time).

Interesting side note (and a great trivia tidbit)... Anthony Carter still holds the NFL record for most all-purpose yards in a single NFL postseason (642 in 1987).

All of that said, if I'm being honest, the player I enjoyed watching the most growing up was Eric Dickerson (when they weren't playing MIN, that is). We didn't have cable TV growing up, and I probably listened to more Vikings games on the radio than I watched on TV. When we DID get a chance to watch games on Sunday (many times at my grandparents' house), it was more often than not the 49ers during that early/mid 80's time period. And, the divisional rival to those Niners were the LA Rams.... Jim Everett, Henry Ellard, Willie "Flipper" Anderson, and THE MAN.... Eric Dickerson. Talk about some classic battles between those two teams. The Niners were loaded, but the Rams were no slouch, and Everett, Dickerson, and company game them all they could ask for on several occasions. So, naturally, when I wasn't pulling for my Vikings, I was often pulling for the underdog in that SF-LA rivalry of sorts.

Dickerson was just fun to watch. I don't know how to describe his running style other than to say that he almost "glided" across the field. All the greats have their own style. Payton was one of a kind. Sanders could juke anybody out of their shoes. Riggins, Emmitt, Peterson... they're all unique. Dickerson was just SMOOTH. He made running look easy. Not quick, necessarily, and didn't have the moves that Payton or Sanders had. But, great vision plus a unique combination of power and speed. Just a pleasure to watch.

Came in here to post about Anthony Carter. Just loved his crazy skinny legs that would some how elevate him over some of the best DBs. He was a true underdog that always shone brightest in the playoffs. I like him because he came across as being shy and authentic and he let his play speak for him. No contrived TD celebrations like the receivers in the modern era.
Unfortunately he ran into trouble after he left the game and you can't condone his conduct but that doesn't change the way I felt for him at the time.

 

[Deamon]

Uncle Mark.

 

[WVU Alum]

Ronnie Lott

I also had an unhealthy fandom of Vince Evans.

 

[panhead55]

Okay I'm old. Paul Hornung and Hugh McElhenny

 

[Golden Gopher]

Man, I've been a Vikings fan for over 40 years and would have a hard time pointing to just one player. Grew up watching Tommy Kramer and Wade Wilson throw to the likes of Ahmad Rashad, Joe Senser, and Michigan legend Anthony Carter. But, at that time, the true strength of the team was their defense, let by guys like Keith Millard, Scott Studwell, and stud safety Joey Browner.

If I had to pick one Viking from my early childhood, it would have to be Anthony Carter. He was just a special player who came up huge in some of the absolute biggest moments. Divisional round of the 1987 playoffs... Vikings were coming off of a wild card blowout of the Saints, and traveled to Candlestick to face the #1 seed 49ers. My parents were appliance shopping and my brother and I found our way to the electronics department at Sears, where we planted our butts on an endcap and watched Carter almost single-handedly dismantle San Fran. 10 catches, 227 yards, plus another 50-ish yards rushing/returning. We probably sat and watched that game from inside of Sears for over two hours. Unfortunately, Darrin Nelson dropped a game-tying pass the following week to come up just short against the Skins. Of the five NFCC games I've seen the Vikings lose, that one may have been their best chance to win a SB, considering how badly Washington beat up on the Broncos (the four MIN SB losses were all a little before my time).

Interesting side note (and a great trivia tidbit)... Anthony Carter still holds the NFL record for most all-purpose yards in a single NFL postseason (642 in 1987).

All of that said, if I'm being honest, the player I enjoyed watching the most growing up was Eric Dickerson (when they weren't playing MIN, that is). We didn't have cable TV growing up, and I probably listened to more Vikings games on the radio than I watched on TV. When we DID get a chance to watch games on Sunday (many times at my grandparents' house), it was more often than not the 49ers during that early/mid 80's time period. And, the divisional rival to those Niners were the LA Rams.... Jim Everett, Henry Ellard, Willie "Flipper" Anderson, and THE MAN.... Eric Dickerson. Talk about some classic battles between those two teams. The Niners were loaded, but the Rams were no slouch, and Everett, Dickerson, and company game them all they could ask for on several occasions. So, naturally, when I wasn't pulling for my Vikings, I was often pulling for the underdog in that SF-LA rivalry of sorts.

Dickerson was just fun to watch. I don't know how to describe his running style other than to say that he almost "glided" across the field. All the greats have their own style. Payton was one of a kind. Sanders could juke anybody out of their shoes. Riggins, Emmitt, Peterson... they're all unique. Dickerson was just SMOOTH. He made running look easy. Not quick, necessarily, and didn't have the moves that Payton or Sanders had. But, great vision plus a unique combination of power and speed. Just a pleasure to watch.

Came in here to post about Anthony Carter. Just loved his crazy skinny legs that would some how elevate him over some of the best DBs. He was a true underdog that always shone brightest in the playoffs. I like him because he came across as being shy and authentic and he let his play speak for him. No contrived TD celebrations like the receivers in the modern era.
Unfortunately he ran into trouble after he left the game and you can't condone his conduct but that doesn't change the way I felt for him at the time.

Yeah, Kirby Puckett taught me many years ago to differentiate between "favorite player" and what I would consider a hero. Doesn't change the fact that Carter was a legendary football player, as was Puckett in baseball.

 

[JohnnyU]

Man, I've been a Vikings fan for over 40 years and would have a hard time pointing to just one player. Grew up watching Tommy Kramer and Wade Wilson throw to the likes of Ahmad Rashad, Joe Senser, and Michigan legend Anthony Carter. But, at that time, the true strength of the team was their defense, let by guys like Keith Millard, Scott Studwell, and stud safety Joey Browner.

If I had to pick one Viking from my early childhood, it would have to be Anthony Carter. He was just a special player who came up huge in some of the absolute biggest moments. Divisional round of the 1987 playoffs... Vikings were coming off of a wild card blowout of the Saints, and traveled to Candlestick to face the #1 seed 49ers. My parents were appliance shopping and my brother and I found our way to the electronics department at Sears, where we planted our butts on an endcap and watched Carter almost single-handedly dismantle San Fran. 10 catches, 227 yards, plus another 50-ish yards rushing/returning. We probably sat and watched that game from inside of Sears for over two hours. Unfortunately, Darrin Nelson dropped a game-tying pass the following week to come up just short against the Skins. Of the five NFCC games I've seen the Vikings lose, that one may have been their best chance to win a SB, considering how badly Washington beat up on the Broncos (the four MIN SB losses were all a little before my time).

Interesting side note (and a great trivia tidbit)... Anthony Carter still holds the NFL record for most all-purpose yards in a single NFL postseason (642 in 1987).

All of that said, if I'm being honest, the player I enjoyed watching the most growing up was Eric Dickerson (when they weren't playing MIN, that is). We didn't have cable TV growing up, and I probably listened to more Vikings games on the radio than I watched on TV. When we DID get a chance to watch games on Sunday (many times at my grandparents' house), it was more often than not the 49ers during that early/mid 80's time period. And, the divisional rival to those Niners were the LA Rams.... Jim Everett, Henry Ellard, Willie "Flipper" Anderson, and THE MAN.... Eric Dickerson. Talk about some classic battles between those two teams. The Niners were loaded, but the Rams were no slouch, and Everett, Dickerson, and company game them all they could ask for on several occasions. So, naturally, when I wasn't pulling for my Vikings, I was often pulling for the underdog in that SF-LA rivalry of sorts.

Dickerson was just fun to watch. I don't know how to describe his running style other than to say that he almost "glided" across the field. All the greats have their own style. Payton was one of a kind. Sanders could juke anybody out of their shoes. Riggins, Emmitt, Peterson... they're all unique. Dickerson was just SMOOTH. He made running look easy. Not quick, necessarily, and didn't have the moves that Payton or Sanders had. But, great vision plus a unique combination of power and speed. Just a pleasure to watch.

Came in here to post about Anthony Carter. Just loved his crazy skinny legs that would some how elevate him over some of the best DBs. He was a true underdog that always shone brightest in the playoffs. I like him because he came across as being shy and authentic and he let his play speak for him. No contrived TD celebrations like the receivers in the modern era.
Unfortunately he ran into trouble after he left the game and you can't condone his conduct but that doesn't change the way I felt for him at the time.

Yeah, Kirby Puckett taught me many years ago to differentiate between "favorite player" and what I would consider a hero. Doesn't change the fact that Carter was a legendary football player, as was Puckett in baseball.

Yeah, hero probably wasn’t a great word choice. I would never view a sports figure as a hero, not even as a kid.

 

[Joe Bryant]

I've never put athletes in the "hero" class. I see them very much the same way I do actors or musicians. Highly talented people who work hard at their craft making the most of their ability creating entertainment I enjoy. But it's not heroic.

For players I liked as a kid, I was 10 in 1974 and it was guys like Franco Harris and Terry Bradshaw and Ken Stabler and Mean Joe Greene.

 

[joey]

I've never put athletes in the "hero" class. I see them very much the same way I do actors or musicians. Highly talented people who work hard at their craft making the most of their ability creating entertainment I enjoy. But it's not heroic.

For players I liked as a kid, I was 10 in 1974 and it was guys like Franco Harris and Terry Bradshaw and Ken Stabler and Mean Joe Greene.

Raiders/Steelers rivalry of the late 70s is when I became a Raiders fan….10 years old when the Raiders became MY TEAM in 1977 when they beat the Vikings in the Super Bowl. A decade of greatness followed by 2 decades of garbage followed by 5 years of almost-greatness followed by 2 decades of garbage. So we’re due, right?

 

[BobbyLayne]

#88 Charlie Sanders, TE

He was featured in a punt pass & kick book (Star Receivers of the NFL? …maybe)

Two things struck me as pretty unique

1. his frame was considered too thin when the Lions drafted him in 1968 out of Minnesota
   Spoiler: freaking Lions before Hamp, Holmes & MCDC

   1968 NFL DRAFT - FIRST ROUND Greg Landry was the first QB off the board at #11; UMass ain’t exactly a football factory but he became a Pro Bowler and was the best Lions QB between Layne and Stafford. At #24 WR Earl McCullough USC; understand Bullet Bob Hayes - ran a 9.1 100 yard dash - was the most feared deep threat in the league. McCullough set a WR in 110 yard high hurdles (13.20) and still holds the 440 yard relay WR (38.6 - Earl led off and OJ Simpson ran the 3rd leg. Pan American Games gold medalist in 1967. Lasted about 6 years, great athlete but the production was meh. SECOND ROUND Jerry DePoyster K/P Wyoming - I **** you not folks, a dual threat kicker with the 37th pick. Averaged 40.4 in his only season with Detroit. As a place kicker he was beyond belief bad. 3 out of 15, went 0/11 outside of 33 yards and even missed two PATs (short-version from the 3.) Halfway through the year they finally gave up on him and gave the PK duty back to OLB Wayne Walker. Wayne was an all-time great, 200 starts in 15 years, 3x Pro Bowler, but as a kicker he was about what you would expect from a linebacker: 6/14, long of 43, made all 11 PATs. The sonuvabitch who made this pick kept the GM job for another 21 years, which is ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW about life with William Clay Ford Sr as the team owner. THIRD ROUND HoF TE Charlie Sanders ROUNDS FOUR THROUGH SEVENTEEN 16 picks, half of them didn’t make the team, and the 4 other rookies best players were a pair of reserve linebackers who started 1 of their combined 11 NFL seasons. You had to have lived it to realize just how bad these people were at running a football franchise. /rant
   In order to gain weight, he drank the most insane milkshake….thing had at least 12 ingredients, everything from raw eggs, wheat germ, molasses, Karo syrup, couple kinds of nuts, vanilla ice cream, Hersey syrup….I copied the entire thing and started drinking them every day. Guess it didn’t work quite as well for me. As a freshman Safety I was the smallest guy in the conference, 4’11” and 90 pounds. But the coaches liked that I stuck like a burr until the other guys arrived to finish off the play lol.
2. he often got knocked unconscious on passes over the middle, at least a half dozen times; his wife told him the next time he gets carted off she’s leaving him because it’s embarrassing to sit in the stands after he gets crunched again and again. I kid you not. Even as a 3rd grader I knew that ain’t right.

My first two Lions jerseys were CB Lem Barney (the OG #20, before Billy Sims and Barry Sanders) and #88.

In fact, 8 has always been a thing for me. I find 8s everywhere. My birth year, birth month and calendar day all add up to 8. Same for wifey, even though she is 9 years younger.

That’s all I got, thank you for reading my TEDTalk.