I think both Roger Staubauch and Don Meredith would beat out both of those guys. And he’s not an athlete, but Tom Landry would beat them all.
I think the award in Houston would probably go to Earl Campbell, with Hakeem Olajuwon running a very close second. And if we count coaches, Bum Phillips would be in there somewhere as well.
Texans have long memories. They still make a big deal out of this little dustup at a Spanish mission in San Antonio over a century and a half ago. 
Dick Butkus would be on that list, too.
Maybe you’ve heard of a guy named Jim Brown?
Given Orlando’s almost-complete lack of major league franchises, and the youth of the Magic, it would probably be a Buccaneer. Could easily have been Shaq, if he wasn’t such a money-grubb… sorry, sorry. Probably John Lynch or Derrick Brooks, then.
That said, there are a lot of Dolphans around here, so I’ll go with Dan Marino.
Missed this the first time 'round. Ryan would be up there, and he’s definitely beloved, but he’s got strikes against him, namely: (i) he played for the Mets, and (ii) he played for a team in Dallas.
Besides, no self-respecting Texas city would say its most beloved athlete played any sport other than football. I think the answer’s gotta be the Tyler Rose for that reason alone.
There aren’t any popular Vikings?
[QUOTE=RickJay
San Francisco - Willie Mays
[/QUOTE]
Maybe, but Joe Montana feels a lot of love here.
Surely there’s some love for Fran Tarkenton in the Twin Cities. Or perhaps collectively for the Purple People Eaters?
Not Gordie Howe?
Boston: Yaz is admired, sure, RickJay, but he was always too private a person to be beloved. He’s not quite in the Center Circle. That currently consists of Larry Bird, Bobby Orr, and Doug Flutie.
Surely Mike Schmidt does not pay for his meals in Philly?
…
In New Orleans:
Former Saints QB Archie Manning. No one else is close.
I agree, but there’s love for “Pistol” Pete Maravich, too.
Jim Brown is not beloved in Cleveland. Respected as the greatest running back in NFL history, with no apologies due to Walter Payton or anyone else, sure, but certainly not beloved. If I had to put a member of the Browns on the list of beloved Cleveland athletes it would be Bernie Kosar, not Jim Brown.
In fact, that’s right. Kosar is the most beloved Cleveland athlete prior to the arrival of the chosen one L. James.
I think Maurice Richard could claim the title more readily, at least among Montrealers over 50.
I honestly did not know this – I just figured, hey, he’s quite probably the greatest running back ever and was in one of the best war movies ever, so he must be loved. Why the dislike of Brown?
I didn’t say Jim Brown was disliked in Cleveland, only that he isn’t beloved. We like him just fine, we’re just not still in love with him. Brown suddenly quit the team before the 1966 season, deciding to go out on top and make movies, so he shook the dust of Cleveland from his feet and moved to L.A. There he’s had a busy life, what with contributing to the fight against juvenile delinquents and being charged with domestic violence. He’s come back to Cleveland for football related events, to be sure, and he spoke out against Modell moving the team in 1995, but that doesn’t mean he’s got any hold on Cleve-town’s soul.
I’m guessing probably Pete Rose, although he’s sort of like a president: most people love him or hate him. The reasons for Rose: he’s born and bred here (Barry Larkin might be second because of that). He also has a street named after him, which puts him in a tie with Ezzard Charles (prizefighter). I think that Oscar Robinson has a street named after him somewhere around here, but I couldn’t tell you where. And maybe Boomer Esiason as well.
In Tampa it’s far and away Leroy Selmon (original Bucs, first player ever drafted). This is enhanced in Selmon’s case because he’s just an outstanding human (as opposed to Rose, who is a scumbag). He’s also now the Athletic Director of the University of South Florida, although on sabbatical for health reasons. The former Crosstown Expressway in Tampa was renamed the Leroy Selmon Expressway.
Feh. And Cleveland is supposed to have great fans. What about Otto Graham?
You’re right about this, i think.
But it’s not the one-horse race it might seem. The amount of love for Johnny Unitas in this town is pretty amazing as well.
I was just going to put in a dissenting opinion for New York City…I think more people alive today have a soft spot in their hearts for Mickey Mantle than Ruth or DiMaggio. He certainly got larger ovations than DiMaggio the last few times they appeared together at Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium, about which DiMaggio was not too happy.
As for Boston, he needs to put at least 8-10 more good seasons together but Tom Brady is putting in a serious bid for the honor.