Mount Rushmore of the NFL

by orangeblood on Aug 20, 2008 5:51 AM MDT

I have asked this question to a lot of buddies and it makes for a really good debate with few wrong answers. If you were to build a Mount Rushmore of the NFL, who would you put on there? Who is your big 4? I thought about this when Bill Walsh died last year because I thought he would belong on it. He may not belong but I have/had sooo much respect for that guy and what he did for the game of football. My big 4 as of today (it changes from time to time) is Walsh, Halas, Hunt, Rozelle. No players allowed on Mount Rushmore. That would have to be a whole other monument.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

Tweet Comment 29 comments | 2 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

So this is more like Mount Frontofficemore....

I actually agree with your list. Honestly it would be hard to pick the most influential owner…. There have been a few guys through the years(I would even suggest Bowlen or Jerry Jones might deserve consideration), although it’s hard to argue with Hunt.

I think it’s part of what makes the NFL so great. So many people have poured so much in the way of energy and resources and now we’re reaping the benefits of it. If only they could get this whole being able to watch a local team anywhere in the world thing figured out…

by JR_G on Aug 20, 2008 6:52 AM MDT reply actions

Mount Frontofficemore

I pretty much agree with your list. I would have a hard time picking an owner to represent though. One of the great things about football is how some of the front office people have worked so hard to make the League what it is today. We are living in the golden age of football, I think.

Now if only they could get this whole being able to watch a local team anywhere in the world thing figured out.

by JR_G on Aug 20, 2008 6:55 AM MDT reply actions

Er... ignore this post...

cough

by JR_G on Aug 20, 2008 6:58 AM MDT up reply actions

How about the Tuna?

Sometimes I consider Bill Parcells. I also don’t want to leave out the Rooneys.

I don't believe we can win every game, just the next one. - Lou Holtz

by orangeblood on Aug 20, 2008 7:48 AM MDT reply actions

Give Parcells

a statue in Red Square.

Seriously though, he deserves consideration for some kind of honor. He has put good teams and good layers on the field for years….

Bill Walsh is the Jefferson of Frontofficemore. He spawned unending generations of thinking coaches who keep pushing the game forward.

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on Aug 20, 2008 8:55 AM MDT up reply actions

I think the Rooneys...

…should definately be in the conversation. Sorry Orangeblood but I just don’t think the Tuna has been big enough.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Aug 20, 2008 9:22 AM MDT up reply actions

MY Rushmore:

George Halas for toiling in the early years to lay the ground work for a successful sport.
Vince Lombardi for taking the sport to the next level.
Pete Rozelle for guiding the sport to its present form.
Lamar Hunt for creating the AFL and ultimately the Denver Broncos!

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08

I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08

by Tim Lynch on Aug 20, 2008 8:13 AM MDT reply actions

I'll agree with Zappa

Broncos broncos everywhere and all the league did blink,

by Mike Clark on Aug 20, 2008 8:26 AM MDT up reply actions

2nd that

by Owen on Aug 20, 2008 8:39 AM MDT up reply actions

Vince Lombardi

is an inspiring inclusion, but he should just get a movie made of his accomplishments.

Walsh to the rock!!

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on Aug 20, 2008 8:56 AM MDT up reply actions

styg--Walsh is because of Lombardi.

I would put Landry before Walsh. Rushmore is founding blocks—not those who come after.

Broncos broncos everywhere and all the league did blink,

by Mike Clark on Aug 20, 2008 6:00 PM MDT up reply actions

wellll......

they were both coordinators on the NYG teams of the 50’s. GB wanted Lombardi and Dallas wanted Landry. They both became head coaches in 1960. GB had a neuclus and Dallas was an expansion team. They both have earned the right to be on there, but I wouldnt have either one.
BTW a lot of people (football historians) from that era said that is what doomed the Giants for so long. They lost TWO excellent coaches that went on to win Super Bowls.

by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 20, 2008 6:21 PM MDT up reply actions

Good list Zappa!

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Aug 20, 2008 9:22 AM MDT up reply actions

What about Paul Brown?

He had a team named after him (Browns) and created another (Bengals). Paul Brown made Bill Walsh possible. The “sprint right option” was created by him.

fader nation is a conquered nation

The creator of the following names:

conquered fader nation
Phyllis and his merry men

by mdierk on Aug 20, 2008 9:03 AM MDT reply actions

Oh! Another good name to consider.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Aug 20, 2008 9:23 AM MDT up reply actions

I think our tendency for Rushmore is to include just 4 people....

I can think of at least 6 Presidents deserving of Rushmore inclusion….and at least one President who shouldn’t be on Rushmore. ;)

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08

I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08

by Tim Lynch on Aug 20, 2008 10:13 AM MDT up reply actions

I was going to say that

Paul Brown really was the true inovator of the modern game.

Brown, Halas, Lombardi, and I would throw in Landry or Shula, both of them had very inovative ideas and helped define eras.

Broncoman

by Broncoman on Aug 20, 2008 10:27 AM MDT up reply actions

Don Coryell

He doesn’t get ANY pats on the back, but he basically invented the offense the Pats are running right now.

by super7 on Aug 20, 2008 2:13 PM MDT up reply actions

Gotta agree with you there Ted...

… but quite guys never make the Mount Rushmores of the world.

If this be Hell, let us make the most of it!

by Trinidad Jack on Aug 20, 2008 9:44 AM MDT up reply actions

Dont forget

The landmark labor agreement was dictated by US district court judge DAvid Doty. So Tags gets WAY too much credit. IMO he hasnt done anything worthy of any accolades. He is nowhere as good as Rozelle or Bell as commish. Heck Al Davis was a better AFL commish than Tags was a NFL commish

by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 20, 2008 11:37 AM MDT up reply actions

Yes on Paul Brown. I LOVE the sprint right option. I thought the touchdown to BMarsh the other night was reminiscent of that play.

Ted I was a huge fan of the Bue. Definitely sad to see him retire.

And how could I forget Lombardi. I mean what the hell is going on around here. Everybody is grab, grab, grab.
You create a seal here. And a seal here. And you run it in the alley. Isn’t that the play Terrell Davis rushed for 2,000 yards with?

In regard to Bill Walsh, I googled him and the first thing I clicked on was his coaching tree. WOW! Is any other coaches tree as big or successful??? Somebody please find me one.

I don't believe we can win every game, just the next one. - Lou Holtz

by orangeblood on Aug 20, 2008 10:46 AM MDT reply actions

I am intrigued by the Paul Brown

vote. If what they say is true than Walsh is part of the Paul Brown tree. Just like including Walsh would honor the Shanahans and Holmgrens, it sounds like including Brown would honor Walsh.

But alas, I don’t know much about Brown! :(

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on Aug 20, 2008 11:27 AM MDT up reply actions

I cant make a MT Rushmose

Without adding a player or 2.
I would put in Papa Bear
The Rozelle. But not adding someone like Jim Thorpe or Red Grange who gave the fledgling NFL some legitimacy is wrong. I have more repsect for Halas than the Rooneys. Paul Brown is the founder of the modern style of football. Where do you think that Walsh got his ideas from? Is it that reason when Brown retired from the Bengals he passed over Walsh. He didnt believe Walsh respected him. Personally I think Brown was bitter on how he was treated by Modell and company when he lost the Browns

by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 20, 2008 11:40 AM MDT reply actions

Yes I know

It’s hard not to include players. But then again it’s hard to include players. So many to chose from. I thought it would be easier not to include them on this monument and maybe make a separate, players Mount Rushmore. With that said who is your big 4 for players? And for that matter, the big 4 for the Denver Broncos?

I don't believe we can win every game, just the next one. - Lou Holtz

by orangeblood on Aug 20, 2008 12:31 PM MDT reply actions

ahhhhhh.

1. John Elway – duh
2. Floyd Little – He was the first step on a long arduous journey to the top.
3. Pat Bowlen – Without him, we’d never have gotten this far.
4. Mike Shanahan – No Shanny, no Super Bowl wins. I firmly believe this.

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08

I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08

by Tim Lynch on Aug 20, 2008 12:38 PM MDT up reply actions

Here we go

Bowlen
Shanny
Kubiak
?

Elway
Little
Mecklenberg
Taylor

I want Davis on there and I coudl really argue myself into Rod Smith but I think those are my four players!

" He goes against Champ everyday." -Jay Cutler

Davis to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Aug 20, 2008 12:44 PM MDT up reply actions

The only 2 players

I was thinking were Thorpe or Grange, because what they meant to the NFL at the time. When Grange played in his first NFL game the attendance was like 65k, when the NFL was usually around 1000.

Broncos: I woould put them into eras: the crappy era 60-72, the buliding of the foundation era 73-82, Elway era 83-98 and current era 99 on
Here it goes: Floyd Little- first true Bronco Star
                         Randy Gradishar- Best LB
                         John Elway- BEst QB EVER
                         Pat Bowlen- Kept the broncos relevant and only wants to win

I chose not to punt anyone currently active, so no Shanny. (Bowlen is the exception because he will be ownng the team for a long time and he doesnt play or coach)

by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 20, 2008 12:55 PM MDT up reply actions