A Sea Of Red

Lynchburg area? Male and/or female, collegiate and/or professional
Thanks

I've only lived here 22 years, but if we are talking professional athletes who played their college ball here, I'd go with either Sid Bream (baseball) or Eric Green (football).

isn't eric green from FLA?

Former MLB hurler Jim Bibby has some ties to the area. I think he was a key member of the 79 Pirates.

Charles Haley?
Best professional career

Ron Dayne?
Heisman Trophy

Romeo Crennel?
Decent playing career and now NFL head coach

Brandon Inge?
Still Making his mark

Jim Bibby?
Best overall MLB career (Did you know he is Mike Bibby's Uncle)

Anybody have anything better?

Sly Fox wrote:Charles Haley?
Best professional career

Ron Dayne?
Heisman Trophy

Romeo Crennel?
Decent playing career and now NFL head coach

Brandon Inge?
Still Making his mark

Jim Bibby?
Best overall MLB career (Did you know he is Mike Bibby's Uncle)

Anybody have anything better?

Cornell Brown (VT-NFL)
Anthony Poindexter (UVA - NFL SUPER BOWL CHAMP)
David Dudley (Pro Fisherman)
Stacy Compton (Nascar Went to LCA)

A fisherman and a NASCAR driver as best "athlete" to come out of Lynchburg?

At first I thought this way going to be a GAY thread....but I think that it has to be Charles Haley....Brandon has a great chance if he can grab a W.S ring...but I would say Haley....BTW Sly just for you, Stacy is still in the area and will be in studio tomorrow night from 7-8pm.....I know how much you love NASCAR

I'm a sucker for the big TE but have to say, assuming a "local" was the intent here- Ron Dayne, hands down.

isn't eric green from FLA?

Eric is from Savannah, GA, but he played his college ball at LU, thus his Lynchburg connection. Based on what everyone has said, I'll change my vote to Brandon Inge (sorry, Eric).

Former MLB hurler Jim Bibby has some ties to the area. I think he was a key member of the 79 Pirates.

"We Are Fam-i-ly."
Bibby, Willie, & the gang. Please don't remind me, Fumble. Those Pirates beat my Orioles like they were a rented mule, just like they did 8 years previously, with Clemente & company.

Speaking of Brandon Inge, being in Tiger-land the past few days caught a couple games and man, that guy can flash the leather. He plays an excellent 3B.

haley hands down as a professional. dex for collegiate player. he was one of the hardets hiiters ever in colleg football. it was a shame he had that knee injury that shortened his career. keep in mind haley played at william campbell and dex at JF. dayne did not play high school ball here, and romeo crennel did not live in mad. heights that long. heck you could throw in arthur ashe as he learned to play tennis in the burg under dr. robert walter johnson when richmond did not allow blacks to play tennis with whites. he also tutored wimbeldon champ althea gibson, the first black woman to win a major. donna andrews had a solid LPGA career as well.

Charles Haley's resume is hard to argue with. First of all he is a true Central Virginian; born in Lynchburg and attended William Campbell HS and JMU. After that, only one thing needs to be said.................... 5 Super Bowl rings!!!

Still the most of anyone to this day. he was also a pioneer of the hybred linebacker/DE position in the NFL.

Isnt the 5 rings a record?

Hold My Own wrote:Isnt the 5 rings a record?

It is. After him there is a log jam at 4, but he is the only one with "one for the thumb".

I was just making suggestions Sly!
I'd have to go with Haley as well. I love this pic I found!

Ron Dayne is a legitimate Lynchburger. Yes he moved away his freshman year to New Jersey for high school. But if you spend the first 13 years of your life somewhere that in my book gives you native status. He still has family in the 'Burg and gets back regularly. He has told me personally that he considers Lynchburg his hometown.

And Madison Heights' Jim Bibby had a tremendous MLB career that Inge has a long way to go to match.

But Crennel is indeed a stretch. I was just throwing out some names.

you guys have obviously never seen me play bocci ball or croquet

wikipedia says Ron Dayne played high school football in New Jersey. "Dayne's athleticism and speed made him a star running back at Overbrook High School in Pine Hill, New Jersey, and he was heavily recruited by many colleges." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Dayne

Remembered a few more options for consideration:

Bullet Bill Dudley (Pro Football HOF member) lives here and has for quite some time.
http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/membe ... ayer_id=61

Ruben Brown - Former Buffalo Bill - (8 consecutive pro bowl selections)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruben_Brown

Vinny Giles (US Amateur Champ - Golf)
http://www.ussenioropen.com/2004/player ... les-v.html

Charles Haley. Yeah. No contest. He was an absolute beast from day one as a Freshman at JMU.

Perhaps as an honorable mention is Keith Hamilton from EC Glass. Spent 12 years with the NY Giants, Super Bowl, one of the team's all time leaders in tackles.

Jimmy Walker, former Detroit Piston from the late 60s lived in Lynchburg. Bit of trivia but I believe he told me Jalen Rose is his son. I used to play in a basketball league with Jim Bibby and Jimmy Walker. They were the old guys but both were pretty good. I was a young kid back then and this was right after my playing days but I was still taking classes at LU. Jimmy also starred on a little show called Good Times No that is NOT the same Jimmy "JJ" Walker. Also based on the criteria being Lynchburg ties, didn't Beltran or Beltrae play for the Hilcats? I know Doc Gooden and Strawberry played for the old Lynchburg Mets.

I met Jim Bibby several years ago while rehabing from a shattered leg; the result of a mid-life crisis induced motorcycle accident. He had just had double knee joint replacements. Since I was living in Pittsburgh when he played for the Pirates, we had some neat conversations about the Clemente/Stargell/Dave Parker/Steve Blass glory days of the Buccos.

I had some convo's like that with big Jim too even though I am a long time Phils fan. I did like a lot of players on the Pirates though. I liked Stargell and Parker and Bibby. I liked Bibby and Vida Blue because there were not a lot of black pitchers out there. Jim's brother Henry played with the Sixers during the glory days too. of course Henry is Mike's dad.