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Inspired by the thread asking the best 80s sports movie, I must ask you the board members who your favorite athletes were if you followed organized sports during any part of the decade. For yours truly, it's definitely Running Randall Cunningham, the Ultimate Weapon, and a whole bunch of other titles I can't quite remember at the moment. When he was at his peak, you just knew something magical was going to happen every time he had the ball in his hands, whether it would be unleashing a long one or running right past the defense just as they thought they had him, or even when punting it in the clutch. He just had the poise and confidence you want a leader to have--even if he was a West Coast type trying to make it in a blue collar East Coast town that I'll admit was too hard on him anyway, and was never pushed as hard by Buddy Ryan as he probably should have to study game films--and could run up the number that even made the analysts aghast (even after the fog rolled into Chicago in 1988, he still threw for close to 500 yards. Yes, 500). That no titles came his way is definitely a deep disappointment that lingers today (ask any member of those great Eagle teams, and they'll tell you they'd felt 1991 would have been their year to win it all if Green Bay hadn't knocked Randall out for the year on the first drive of the first game. Ditto 2 years later when they'd started 5-0 and the Bears effectively took away his last chance). That Canton isn't giving him serious consideration to date is equally upsetting, because he earned it fair and square. But even if they don't, somewhere he can rest easy knowing he'll always be #1 in my heart.
But enough about me. What about yours?
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pettyfan
Livin' next door to the Klopeks
Member # 2260
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Walter Payton. May he rest in peace.
Posts: 2902 | From: Home Sweet Home | Registered: Jan 2004 | Site Updates: 0
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quote:...That no titles came his way is definitely a deep disappointment that lingers today (ask any member of those great Eagle teams, and they'll tell you they'd felt 1991 would have been their year to win it all if Green Bay hadn't knocked Randall out for the year on the first drive of the first game. Ditto two years later when they'd started 5-0 and the Bears effectively took away his last chance). That Canton isn't giving him serious consideration to date is equally upsetting, because he earned it fair and square...
Even though I'm a San Francisco 49ers fan (and I truly loved them back in the 80's!), I largely agree with you that Randall was a legitimate offensive threat and entertaining to watch. He could've been ranked among the truly all-time great quarterbacks, if he had only made it to a Super Bowl and stayed away from injuries.
The closest he came to a Super Bowl was during the 1999-2000 season with the Minnesota Vikings. After he was out of football for a few years, he had a great comeback season, led the Vikes to an impressive 15-1 record, and came within only one game of making it to the big game. At the time, I was pulling for Randall and the Vikes to go all the way that year, but a big upset home loss in overtime to the Atlanta Falcons dashed those hopes. I remember thinking, right after the game ended, that would be the biggest and his last shot at a Super Bowl ring, and his chances for a Hall of Fame induction will probably take a hit.
Randall still might make the HoF, but he is going to need an outside campaign going to gather support for his chances.
Randall is now a born-again Christian, and runs a ministry in the Las Vegas area.
BTW, I still remember his "jerri-curl" look back in the mid-80's! I thought he was trying to imitate Prince! Posts: 3385 | From: Sacramento, California, USA | Registered: Sep 2002 | Site Updates: 0
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Kirby Puckett will always be my favourite. May he too rest in peace.
Posts: 4742 | From: Cell Block 6 | Registered: Aug 2004 | Site Updates: 0
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Mike Tyson - My favourite boxer ever. The quality of boxers he was knocking out in the 80's was incredible. It makes todays heavyweight catagory look a joke. In my opinion during the mid to late 80's he would have beaten all the greats(Ali, Marciano, Louis etc). Its just a shame it was all down hill from there. It annoyed me when he fought Lennox Lewis because Tyson was a broken men. Tyson in his prime would have took Lewis out inside 2 rounds without even breaking a sweat!!!
Posts: 729 | From: Birmingham, England | Registered: Sep 2007 | Site Updates: 0
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quote:Originally posted by hewzy: Mike Tyson - My favourite boxer ever. The quality of boxers he was knocking out in the 80's was incredible. It makes todays heavyweight catagory look a joke. In my opinion during the mid to late 80's he would have beaten all the greats(Ali, Marciano, Louis etc). Its just a shame it was all down hill from there. It annoyed me when he fought Lennox Lewis because Tyson was a broken men. Tyson in his prime would have took Lewis out inside 2 rounds without even breaking a sweat!!!
Amen...
Posts: 2729 | From: Kansas City, MO "At the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance" | Registered: Apr 2007 | Site Updates: 9
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Walter Payton (a player not afraid to take a hit) and Jerry Rice.
Posts: 3845 | From: Norf Karolina | Registered: Dec 2004 | Site Updates: 0
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80'sRocked Play it Loud, Play it Proud
Member # 6979
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Don Mattingly. My favorite Yankee of all time.
Posts: 3614 | From: Caught Somewhere in Time.... | Registered: May 2008 | Site Updates: 101
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That picture of Mike Tyson reminds me of the Incredible Hulk actor, Lou Ferrigno! Now, that would be a fight worth paying to see. Tyson Vs. Ferrigno.
Posts: 974 | From: Mel's Diner | Registered: May 2004 | Site Updates: 0
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If he did, then Ferrigno would likely return the favor with his entire head.
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posted
My actual favorite is James Wilder, 2nd best Buccaneers running back of all time.
Posts: 199 | From: Overland Park | Registered: Jul 2003 | Site Updates: 1
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What do our Brit friends think of Beckham? Is he the best modern day football (soccer) player?
Posts: 2729 | From: Kansas City, MO "At the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance" | Registered: Apr 2007 | Site Updates: 9
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quote:Originally posted by jdocster04: What do our Brit friends think of Beckham? Is he the best modern day football (soccer) player?
In his prime, he was definitely in the top 10. Now, he's past it I'm afraid. Capello needs to build a team without Beckham and start utilising Lennon more in my opinion.
Noms Posts: 2517 | From: Living in oblivion. Third floor up. Nice views from the window.... | Registered: May 2004 | Site Updates: 4
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But if I can pick just one, it’ll be Diego Armando Maradona. Nevertheless, it seems I have a weak spot for the bad boys of sport. Posts: 1058 | From: Echo Beach, far away in time | Registered: May 2003 | Site Updates: 8
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HornedKing-Did you see my picture of me and Lou Ferrigno..on the 70's site? I just met him just a few weeks ago. He is 57 years old, and he looks awesome. I just watched the pilot episode of the TV show The Incredible Hulk....it's hard to believe that was 30 years ago, and Lou still looks fantastic.
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Kash
Kash : Aha! He'll save every one of us...
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