OT: Legends in Sports

[Huskybass]

My friend and I view this very differently. He contends that guys like Bucky Dent and Eli Manning are legends. I say the term is reserved for guys like Babe Ruth, Joe Montana and Larry Bird. Essentially, under my definition the guy had to have achieved greatness to be considered as a legend.

Your thoughts?

 

[upstater]

It depends on what you're legendary for.

Bill Buckner is a legend. So is Joe Kapp.

For very different reasons.

 

[UConn990411]

They may have been involved in legendary games/moments, but in no world are those guys legends.

As of now, I don't even think Eli is a HOFer - not sure how you can be a "legend" without being one of the best in your game.

 

[CTPride]

Your friend needs to be slapped if he says Eli is a legend.

 

[GlastonTim]

You are right and your friend is wrong.

 

[UConNick]

You're completely right: legends have to play at a level that truly transcends the game; and maintain that level for many years, and at the highest stage. i.e., Ruth, Russell, Berra, Montana, Jordan, Gretzky, Brady (hate the guy, but he fits my definition)

EDIT: Pro Sports only. College is harder because they only have a finite amount if time to leave a mark

 

[Scoe]

is Joe Namath a legend, any Uconn legends at all Kemba, Ray?

 

[jfuchs91]

"Remember kid, there's heroes and there's legends. Heroes get remembered, but legends never die."

I think The Sandlot actually sums this argument up pretty well. Eli and Bucky Dent are heroes. Ruth, Montana, and Bird are legends.

 

[Huskybass]

[quwoukdScoe, post: 737185, member: 957"]is Joe Namath a legend, any Uconn legends at all Kemba, Ray?[/quote]

I would put Namath in the legend camp. I would say that Kemba is a legend locally, but certainly not overall.

 

[Scoe]

[quwoukdScoe, post: 737185, member: 957"]is Joe Namath a legend, any Uconn legends at all Kemba, Ray?

I would put Namath in the legend camp. I would say that Kemba is a legend locally, but certainly not overall.[/quote]

Kemba is a Uconn legend, Ray is a shooting legend, JC is definetly a legend as is Geno. Legends are greater when they are retired or long gone.

 

[Jerry1714]

[quwoukdScoe, post: 737185, member: 957"]is Joe Namath a legend, any Uconn legends at all Kemba, Ray?

Namath is a legend off the field, on the field? If he is, Eli absolutely is. Namath had a lot more INTs than TDs for his career and had a 50% career completion percentage. Eli has as many SBs as Namath has playoff wins. Not saying Eli is a "legend" but Namath definitely is not.

 

[Robertelamin]

Sort of hard to compare QB's over the years since the rules have changed so much but yeah if Joe Namath is a legend than Eli certainly is.

 

[upstater]

When John Facenda is the narrator for an hour long nfl film on you, you may be a legend. The reason they made the film is that you're the toughest SOB QB out there, and a little crazy to boot, you are a legend. Even if your career amounts to basically nothing.

 

[Scoe]

Namath is a legend off the field, on the field? If he is, Eli absolutely is. Namath had a lot more INTs than TDs for his career and had a 50% career completion percentage. Eli has as many SBs as Namath has playoff wins. Not saying Eli is a "legend" but Namath definitely is not.

Not many people know that they just know about Namath's guarantee and superbowl 3 win over the Colts which, Namath never deserved to win the Superbowl MVP that year it should have been Howard Snell. Namath is in the HOF because he helped form the AFL-NFL merger.

 

[boog204]

Not many people know that they just know about Namath's guarantee and superbowl 3 win over the Colts which, Namath never deserved to win the Superbowl MVP that year it should have been Howard Snell. Namath is in the HOF because he helped form the AFL-NFL merger.

Was going to ask about Namath as he's a bit before my time (I was born in 79). Looking at his stats, he doesn't seem to be a "legend" yet he is revered. Was the Superbowl 3 guarantee and the Broadway Joe moniker the true source of his "legend" or are his stats just not indicative of how good he was?

 

[SubbaBub]

Namath is a legendary personality, not a legendary QB...Eli is neither, which doesn't mean he's not a hero to Giants fans.

 

[mauconnfan]

Your friend needs to be slapped if he says Eli is a legend.

Guys that win Super Bowls can be legends........is Dan Marino a legend? Tom Brady?

Normally I'm with the Michael Jordans, Mickey Mantles, Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Jerry West, Arnold Palmer........etc etc.......

 

[Huskyforlife]

hero and legend in sports is the same thing. eli is a legend for being the greatest giants qb ever and for winning 2 SB in 5 years, guys like marino don't even win any and is considered a legend

 

[seanmc94]

Eli had lights out defenses and threw 2 miracle passes. No way a legend.

 

[Huskyforlife]

Eli had lights out defenses and threw 2 miracle passes. No way a legend.

yea that 27th ranked defense was lights out wasn't it?

 

[Huskybass]

I'm sorry, but Eli is mediocre. In no way is he a legend.

 

[jleves]

I'm sorry, but Eli is mediocre. In no way is he a legend.

I have no dog in the hunt being a fan of Arizona, but to suggest Eli is mediocre is ridiculous. A legend, maybe not. But any QB who has two rings in the current era is not mediocre. You can no longer win super bowls with a mediocre QB.

 

[Huskyforlife]

I'm sorry, but Eli is mediocre. In no way is he a legend.

one bad season does not make you mediocre

 

[Waquoit]

The use of the term legend is almost a goof these days. Like when are guys introduced as "the great". As in "the great Mark Schlereth".

 

[mauconnfan]

I'm sorry, but Eli is mediocre. In no way is he a legend.

Yeah he's mediocre.......then brady sucks right!! Spoken like a true Sox/Pats fan....."lucky" passes, great defense won?? Funny stuff bass get over it they own you!.......good news for you is you kinda get the Duke/Uconn, UK/UConn thing then form the Duke and UK side huh?