Growing up as a kid, who was your favorite pro football player?

[Irish Envy]

Title says it all. When you were growing up as a kid, who was your favorite professional football player? If you can't pick just one, take two but keep it your list at 5 or under. Why was he or why were they your favorite(s)?

Born on the Southside of Chicago on a cold October night in 1978, I'm a Bears fan. For better (Sweetness, Super Bowl Shuffle) and worse (John Thierry!?! Cade FREAKING McNown!?!), I support them through thick and thin.

That said, my favorite two Bears players were from the era I grew up in. On the offensive side of the ball, Walter Payton was as good as they came. On the field, he was a warrior with a crazy work ethic that fought for every yard. He just exemplified Chicago. Off the field, Payton was a helluva man. Down to Earth, funny, and a gentleman, he was a great speaker that I got to meet before he passed away.

On defense, I'm a Mike Singletary guy. There was just something about the guy that you knew he was getting ready to blow you up. He had the crazy linebacker eyes and he just approached every play like it was his last. It was you or him and he WAS going to stop you.

Okay, so those are mine. What about everyone elses?

 

[A2McGowan]

Live in South Bend.......born in DC. The great (player and person) Walter Payton my friend............ and John Riggins.

 

[nayers]

NorCal, die hard 9er's fan

1. Steve Young
2. Jerry Rice
3. Michael Jordan (who wasn't a fan?)

 

[rontdtarchala]

Without any hesitation....Dick Butkus
Although I absolutely hated the Packers I always respected Ray Nitschie (Lord try and spell that one)

 

[punishment]

Tim Brown. And next year, when the Raiders draft BQ, it will be BQ for the rest of my growing up years.

 

[Win4Gipper]

Growing up in North Dakota.....and watching our home(neighbor) state vikings......I loved Tommy Kramer

 

[NDAlumSon]

First year of life in Staten Island, NY; next 8 years in Englishtown, NJ
Joe "Willie" Namath - New York Jets
Next 11 years in Fort Wayne, IN
Chuck Foreman - Minnesota Vikings

 

[tommy]

jordan rice montana

 

[mirertobrooks]

Shawon Dunston, what a cannon, always signed autographs after games, real nice guy. I met Pudge once too awesome guy. ( The original Pudge)

 

[AZIRISHFAN]

On the Offensive side it was Sweetness, Walter Payton
On the Defensive side it was Jack Lambert.

 

[Irish Envy]

Pro Football

 

[jiggafini19]

Dan Hampton, Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, Otis Wilson, Wilbur Marshall.

Even though I hate Miami, I loved Ray Lewis prior to the Atlanta Super Bowl incident. I admired the way he played and tried to emulate that style with much limited ability of course.

 

[scooper]

Tim Krumrie and Reggie White.

I never did like anybody in particular on offense.

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

Barry Sanders & John Elway

Lambert was before my time, but I love his highlight videos, with his missing tooth and all. You know that guy's been in like 50 street fights just by looking at him.