# Who is the "Face of the Franchise" for each major sports team in your city? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 27, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058 "2012-10-27T17:50:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/1 "2012-10-27T17:50:54Z")
Who is that one player who could be considered the “Face of the Franchise” for each of the major sports leagues in your city, wherever you may be, be it NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, soccer, rugby, etc., **current** _and_ **all-time**? For Washington DC, the currents are easily: Redskins: RG3 Wizards: John Wall Capitals: Alex Ovechkin Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman DC United: I’m not familiar enough with them to name even a single current player. All-time, that’s where it all gets less clear: Redskins: John Riggins, maybe Joe Theissman or Sonny Jurgensen? Wizards: probably Wes Unseld Capitals: still Ovechkin Nationals: still Zimmerman DC United: I’m going to go with Marco Etcheverry ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/2 "2012-10-27T18:03:37Z")
Atlanta Present: Braves - Chipper Jones? (retired this year) Falcons - Matt Ryan Hawks - Josh Smith All-time Braves - Chipper or Henry Aaron Falcons - Matt Ryan Hawks - Dominique Wilkiens ---
**Author:** ![piepiepie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47774/32.png) [@piepiepie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piepiepie)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/3 "2012-10-27T18:16:53Z")
Baltimore Current Ravens: Ray Lewis O’s: Nick Markakis All-time Ravens: Ray Lewis O’s: Cal Ripken, Jr. Colts: Johnny U ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/4 "2012-10-27T18:48:18Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Nationals: Ryan Zimmerman Ryan Zimmerman? Over Steven Strasburg or the most famous National of all, Bryce Harper? For Toronto teams it’s effectively a null hypothesis because they’re all so awful. Well, the Jays have Jose Bautista, who is legitimately great and loved. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/5 "2012-10-27T18:53:20Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Ryan Zimmerman? Over Steven Strasburg or the most famous National of all, Bryce Harper? I considered them, and those two get a lot of national press, but living here and seeing them in the paper every day the first name I think of when I think of the Nats is still Zimmerman. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/6 "2012-10-27T18:54:54Z")
Chicago: Cubs: I guess I’d have to say Anthony Rizzo. White Sox: Adam Dunn Bulls: Derrick Rose Blackhawks: Jonathan Toews Bears: Jay Cutler All time: Cubs: Ernie Banks White Sox: Frank Thomas? Bulls: Michael Jordan Blackhawks: Bobby Hull Bears: Walter Payton ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/7 "2012-10-27T18:55:48Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Ryan Zimmerman? Over Steven Strasburg or the most famous National of all, Bryce Harper? > > For Toronto teams it’s effectively a null hypothesis because they’re all so awful. Well, the Jays have Jose Bautista, who is legitimately great and loved. Zimmerman’s been a consistent presence since nearly day one. He’s a team leader, helped us weather some awful seasons, and the other guys look up to him, including Stras and Harper. He may not be as well known as those two outside DC, but locally he is a good choice for “face of the team.” ---
**Author:** ![Reginald\_Hobbes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@Reginald\_Hobbes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reginald_Hobbes)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/8 "2012-10-27T20:54:02Z")
Milwaukee / Green Bay Current Packers: Aaron Rodgers Brewers: Ryan Braun Bucks: Brandon Jennings? (not much too choose from on that roster) All Time Packers: Bart Starr Brewers: Robin Yount Bucks: Lew Alcindor ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/9 "2012-10-27T21:48:23Z")
Boston: Patriots: Tom Brady Celtics: Paul Pierce or Rajon Rondo Bruins: Zdeno Chara Red Sox: David Ortiz All time Patriots: Tom Brady Celtics: Larry Bird or Bill Russell Bruins: Bobby Orr Red Sox: Ted Williams ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/10 "2012-10-27T22:14:58Z")
> [@Reginald\_Hobbes](#): > > Milwaukee / Green Bay > Bucks: Lew Alcindor When I was a kid I thought his name was “Lou-al” Cindor. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/11 "2012-10-27T23:51:10Z")
Pittsburgh Present: Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger/Troy Polamalu Pirates: Andrew McCutchen Penguins: Sidney Crosby All Time: Steelers: Too many to count, but I’d go with either Terry Bradshaw or Franco Harris Pirates: Roberto Clemente Penguins: Mario Lemieux (Cool topic) ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/12 "2012-10-28T00:16:53Z")
Denver Rockies: Troy Tulowitski Broncos: Peyton Manning Nuggets: Ty Lawson, probably Andre Igoudala by the end of the season Avalanche: Gabriel Landeskog All Time Rockies: Todd Helton Broncos: John Elway Nuggets: Probably Chauncey Billups, maybe Alex English Avalanche: Joe Sakic ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/13 "2012-10-28T00:37:36Z")
Current: Steelers- Troy Polamalu Penguins- Sidney Crosby Pirates- Andrew McCutcheon All-Time: Steelers- Terry Bradshaw or Franco Harris, maybe Hines Ward and Jerome Bettis with the younger generation. Penguins- Mario Lemieux Pirates- Roberto Clemente or Wllie Stargell, maybe some holdouts for Honus Wagner or Bill Mazeroski. ---
**Author:** ![Stringer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Stringer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringer)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/14 "2012-10-28T01:35:14Z")
Chicago Current: Cubs: lol White Sox: Paul Konerko Bulls: Derrick Rose Bears: Brian Urlacher All time: Cubs: Ernie Banks White Sox: Frank Thomas Bulls: Michael Jordan Bears: Walter Payton ---
**Author:** ![DxZero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DxZero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DxZero)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/15 "2012-10-28T02:08:21Z")
Philly: Eagles: Vick (still)/ LeSean McCoy Sixers: Bynum (if ever plays)/Jrue Holliday Flyers: Giroux Phillies: Tough one, but I’ll stick with Utley All time Eagles: Westbrook/Quick/Dawkins All time Sixers: The Doctor All time Flyer: Clarke All time Phillie: Mike Schmidt/Steve Carlton ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/16 "2012-10-28T02:21:03Z")
Seattle… Mariners: Felix Hernandez now, Ken Griffey Jr. all-time Seahawks: Marshawn Lynch now, Matt Hasselback all-time Sonics: Shawn Kemp or Gary Payton all-time ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/17 "2012-10-28T02:27:36Z")
Detroit. Current: Tigers: Justin Verlander Lions: Calvin Johnson Pistons: Tayshon Prince Red Wings: Either Henrik Zetterberg or Pavel Datsyuk All-time: Tigers: Al Kaline Lions: Barry Sanders Pistons: Isiah Thomas Red Wings: Steve Yzerman ---
**Author:** ![MentalGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/439d5e/32.png) [@MentalGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MentalGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/18 "2012-10-28T02:43:01Z")
I am not sure about the Bengals, but for the Reds, Joey Votto is definitely the current face of the franchise. To me, Johnny Bench would be the all-timer, but I think a lot of people would pick Pete Rose and some Joe Morgan. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/19 "2012-10-28T03:15:50Z")
NYC/NJ area Now: Giants: Eli Manning Jets: Mark Sanchez or the press wants you to think Tim Tebow Yankees: Jeter Mets: David Wright Devils: Martin Brodeur Knicks: Carmelo Anthony Nets: Probably Kris Humphries Kardashian or Jay Z Rangers: Lundqvist? All time: Giants: Phil Sims Jets: Broadway Joe Yankees: Some many but gotta go with the Babe Mets: Tom Seaver Devils: Martin Brodeur Knicks: Walt Frazier or Patrick Ewing Nets: Bernard King Rangers: Should be Brian Leetch but most will think Messier because of the cup ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/20 "2012-10-28T03:30:50Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Now: > Jets: Mark Sanchez or the press wants you to think Tim Tebow I would give this one to Rex Ryan ahead of any of the players. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058.md?page=2)