Who's your single favorite player of all time?

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Sounds simple, but it is hard for me to narrow it down. Could be a player you grew up watching, watch now, or one you never got to see play but have studied and dug up photos and have watched via NFL Films or something like that.

I may change my mind by the time this thread runs its course (LOL), but I have to say San Diego Chargers QB Dan Fouts. In 1981, I turned 8 years old and "discovered" football. It didn't take me long to find Fouts and the Air Coryell Chargers. I watched this guy sling the ball all over the field and direct a wide open offense during a time when most teams didn't play that style. However, he wasn't all flash. He wasn't mobile and often held the ball until the last possible second, allowing a receiver to come open--and thus endured a lot of big hits many players would shy away from. He bled a lot as I remember it. On the field he was a QB, a leader, and a man. He never got to play for the big one, but I will never forget how I felt watching him play.

I also have to mention Lance Alworth. A great Razorback and Charger who I never got to see play but have a mountain of appreciation for nonetheless.

Who's your favorite?

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[Kurri17]

Love the topic, because like you most discovered the game as kids, and nothing is more pure than a young boy's allegiance to his favorite player, or team. Mine was, and still is Roger Staubach. This infatuation took hold during the '74 season, ironically one which did not result in a playoff appearance. We had moved from California to Arkansas, and the Cowboys were on TV more regularly due to regional broadcasts. He was a classy player, tough, and of course there was his legendary will to win. Just something about him. Griese, Tarkenton, Bradshaw, etc, there were a lot of great players and QBs , but as the line in the song goes "I was Roger Staubach in my backyard", with the little pushing up of the shoulder pads before going under center and all. Heck, I loved Tom Landry too, and have refused to follow the Cowboys since the day he was fired, but Staubach was my guy.

[commishbob]

Johnny Unitas. I remember being in church as a kid on Sunday mornings in the early 60s and praying for him and my Colts. Went to his restaurant in Baltimore once hoping to see him but of course, he wasn't there. I went to the Colts training camp a few times and recall him walking right by me on the way off the field. Back then you could get right up near the players, especially us kids. It was like watching God stroll past.

I had to wait to watch him play in person until I saw him in Houston in 1970 against the Oilers. Drove through a terrible storm to see him with my Dad. Funny the things you remember....the Orioles were playing a World Series game on TV when we left my house. He threw a late TD to Roy Jefferson to win the game. I'll never forget how he threw the pass, turned, and began trotting towards the sidelines. He knew it was on the money for a score.

I never thought a death outside my family would leave me grieving. I was brokenhearted when he passed away. There will never be another Johnny U.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

Bart Starr was the guy for me back in the 1960's. It was so rewarding to find that he was even an nicer guy in person when I finally met him ten years ago. Not often that your childhood hero turns out that way.

Also Lance Alworth, sadly my earliest memory of football on TV was when he dropped a pass in the endzone against Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl. It didn't dim my enthusiasm for him while growing up. I got to see him play briefly in person in 1964 against the Oilers with Ronnie Caviness and Danny Brabham. Lance received a concussion early in the game but we got to get close to him during the warm ups.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by commishbob

Johnny Unitas. I remember being in church as a kid on Sunday mornings in the early 60s and praying for him and my Colts. Went to his restaurant in Baltimore once hoping to see him but of course, he wasn't there. I went to the Colts training camp a few times and recall him walking right by me on the way off the field. Back then you could get right up near the players, especially us kids. It was like watching God stroll past.

I had to wait to watch him play in person until I saw him in Houston in 1970 against the Oilers. Drove through a terrible storm to see him with my Dad. Funny the things you remember....the Orioles were playing a World Series game on TV when we left my house. He threw a late TD to Roy Jefferson to win the game. I'll never forget how he threw the pass, turned, and began trotting towards the sidelines. He knew it was on the money for a score.

I never thought a death outside my family would leave me grieving. I was brokenhearted when he passed away. There will never be another Johnny U.

I enjoyed reading this.

[Jeff Alcorn]

For me it would be Eddie Meador, with honorable mention to the Fearsome Foursome, Ken Iman, Charlie Cowan, Joe Scibelli, and Tom Mack.

For my Dad it would be Don Paul (UCLA & the Rams), Kenny Washington and Gary Beban, with a nod to Bob Waterfield, Paul Younger, Dan Towler, Charlie Toogood, and Tom Fears. As you can tell we are 2 generations of old school Rams & UCLA guys.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

Eddie Meador perhaps the greatest the greatest Arkansas Tech Wonder Boy of all-time. Well maybe second best but I am trying to be humble Especially since I never started. Well or even played in a varsity game. But at 5-8 128 I think I should get some credit for surviving.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Kurri17

Love the topic, because like you most discovered the game as kids, and nothing is more pure than a young boy's allegiance to his favorite player, or team. Mine was, and still is Roger Staubach. This infatuation took hold during the '74 season, ironically one which did not result in a playoff appearance. We had moved from California to Arkansas, and the Cowboys were on TV more regularly due to regional broadcasts. He was a classy player, tough, and of course there was his legendary will to win. Just something about him. Griese, Tarkenton, Bradshaw, etc, there were a lot of great players and QBs , but as the line in the song goes "I was Roger Staubach in my backyard", with the little pushing up of the shoulder pads before going under center and all. Heck, I loved Tom Landry too, and have refused to follow the Cowboys since the day he was fired, but Staubach was my guy.

As a Redskins fan I hated the Cowboys, but reluctantly loved Staubach, the whole on and off field package. I loved Jurgensen too, a truly great quarterback IMO stuck on mostly awful teams. And robbed late in his career by George Allen of the opportunity to play with good teams.

[Kurri17]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

As a Redskins fan I hated the Cowboys, but reluctantly loved Staubach, the whole on and off field package. I loved Jurgensen too, a truly great quarterback IMO stuck on mostly awful teams. And robbed late in his career by George Allen of the opportunity to play with good teams.

That's funny. As much as I disliked the Redskins, I just couldn't dislike Chris Hamburger. Roger Wehrli for the Cardinals was another on a hated rival that was a guy I really liked.

And, Unitas was my first hero, I just didn't get to see him play for that long before he retired, but he is still up there as well as far as favorites.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Staubach only had 7 or 8 full seasons I think, so his stats are not so great, but of all the QBs I have seen since I was old enough to know what I was watching, other than perhaps Brady, if I needed someone to win a big game I would go with him. Of course Montana is up there too.

[pclpads]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Staubach only had 7 or 8 full seasons I think, so his stats are not so great, but of all the QBs I have seen since I was old enough to know what I was watching, other than perhaps Brady, if I needed someone to win a big game I would go with him. Of course Montana is up there too.

Not to be a contrarian, but I'd choose Stabler. Guy had ice water in his veins. Loved the way he so effortlessly flung the ball. Tough for me to choose between those Bay area boys, Montana and Stabler.

[Rookiemonster]

As a Giants fan I loved Lawrence Taylor. When I was a kid I did not understand the game that well. But I liked what I saw when LT was destroying everything on the field. He made me a Giants fan and a football fan. This is also the reason I’m starting to dislike football. I’m a fan of the big hit ! The brute gladiator throwing his body recklessly into his opponents body with utter disregard for either of there body’s. Without this the game is stale and boring and I don’t understand the point of them being paid what they do. My argument was always that they got paid for this body sacrifice they made.

[jefferyepayne]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Staubach only had 7 or 8 full seasons I think, so his stats are not so great, but of all the QBs I have seen since I was old enough to know what I was watching, other than perhaps Brady, if I needed someone to win a big game I would go with him. Of course Montana is up there too.

I despised Staubach (and the Cowboys) as a kid but after watching his A Football Life episode I became a huge fan. He is the definition of the All American Boy and lives his life the right way. I made both my boys watch it.

Met him once years ago at a social event and didn't take advantage of the opportunity. Always sorry I didn't ask him a few questions and talk football ... or maybe bring a few cards for him to sign ;-) This was before I got back into collecting and the thought didn't even cross my mind.

jeff

[midwaylandscaping]

Lance Alworth. Though I never saw him play my Dad did name me (middle name) after his favorite player, Alworth

For a player I've seen...Lawrence Taylor or Deion Sanders. Flip a coin

[supplex55]

Gotta to go with The Rajah!! (Bart Starr a close second)--everything a hero should be...