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By Brian Peck

Who is the Best Athlete in Atlanta Sports History

Posted by Brian Peck on April 23, 2008 - 8:52 PM

While lying on my couch watching John Smoltz notch his 3000th strikeout, I began to ponder who might be the greatest athlete in Atlanta pro sports history.   I am really talking the big three sports...football, basketball, and baseball.  Hockey and possibly soccer can also be included, but dont get the same coverage as the other three sports.  Is it Smoltz?  Dominique Wilkins, Hank Aaron, Michael Vick?  The Human highlight reel, Dominique would be my choice, followed closely by Aaron.  Smoltz is an amazing athlete as well. 

 Well folks...I want to hear from you.  Who do you think is the best athlete to ever wear a Braves, Falcons, or Hawks jersey? 

Submitted by rrios68 on April 24, 2008 - 9:07 AM.
BP, though I value your opinion, I have to strongly disagree that Dominique would be the greatest athlete in Atlanta sports history. Though Dominique had a great NBA career, I would have to say Hammerin' Hank would fit that title, based on statistics. Now if you are talking about athleticism, then maybe 'Nique would be considered over Hank. But if you are basing this on "pure" athleticism, I would have to give that nod to "Prime Time" Deion Sanders since he played for the Braves and the Falcons (at the same time). There are not too many people that can hit a home run and score a touchdown in the same week.

Submitted by Brian Peck on April 24, 2008 - 9:13 PM.
Great points...Hank is the all time home run champ and Deion was a great athlete.  The only problem I have with Deion is that he was never able to raise the Falcons up to a playoff caliber team while Nique almost single handedly brought the Hawks to prominence.  I know...its harder for one player to make a difference in football than basketball, especially a cornerback but I just wish he could have brought them to the playoffs.  GREAT athlete though.

Submitted by cthrelkeld on April 25, 2008 - 8:38 AM.

I think you have to be a good person before you can be considered a great athlete, so Michael Vick certainly does not fall into that category. I only wish the ownership of my team, the Dallas Cowboys, felt the same way.

I can't stand watching them sign all these second chance players. I still don't like Terrell Owens, Tank Johnson didn't impress me last year, and I am still shuddering over the idea that we would sign a thug like Pacman Jones. I guess in our efforts to return to the glory days of the 90s, Jerry Jones is returning to the days of all the criminals and drug abusers he had on the roster those days. Get the bail money ready, Jerry. You're gonna need it.

As far as Atlanta sports star, you can definitely throw hockey out of the question because it doesn't have any history in the area, the Thrashers just got here. It's gotta be Hammerin' Hank or 'Nique, because Deion was great, but he wasn't really in Atlanta long enough (five seasons) to be the ultimate Atlanta athlete. You need to spend most of your career there to be considered, and with stints with San Francisco, Dallas, Washington and Baltimore, I think he's out.

Honestly, I'm not from the Atlanta area, and I don't know enough about either of the top two to make a judgement, so I'll have to leave you with my top two.


Submitted by rrios68 on April 25, 2008 - 10:49 AM.
Well the only reason I mentioned Deion was the fact of his pure athletic ability, not statistical or his longevity with one team. Since the topic is based on statistics, I would have to say Hank over 'Nique. Now one athlete we have not mentioned is Larry "Chipper" Jones, where does he fit in the mix? He's 36, killing the baseball right now and has a long tenure with the Braves. He still has an outside shot of 3,000 hits, 500 HR and a career .300 hitter. Though he will not have the numbers Hank has, he may surpass 'Nique when it's all said and done. Now CT, I also am a huge Cowboy fan and you are correct. We are going back to the thug days of the 90's, and Jerry doesn't seem to mind. I guess he figures "whatever it takes" to win Super Bowls. I've actually tolerated T.O. because he's halfway kept his mouth shut and just played football for the most part. Now if we can only get rid of Jessica Simpson from September through January.

Submitted by cappadonho on May 12, 2008 - 7:43 AM.
Of course Mike Vick is the greatest Atlanta athlete. He played football with tremendous passion and he was able to continue his past time of fighting dogs, which i might add is a lucrative sport as well.

Submitted by Brian Peck on April 25, 2008 - 10:59 AM.
Yes the mets fans will be chanting...Larry, Larry tonight for sure.  Chipper is one of the best for sure...a sure fire hall of famer as they say.  As for the Cowboys...sometimes you get what you ask for.  And Jerry Jones is asking for a lot of trouble.  If Jessica Simpson needs a place to go from September through January...I'll leave the light on for her.

Submitted by rrios68 on April 25, 2008 - 12:30 PM.
That away to be a team player BP. You are willing to take Jessica Simpson off our hands for a few short months. I will just call you Motel 6.

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