greatest athlete to come out of lynchburg area

greatest athlete to come out of lynchburg area#97567

By 4everfsu - July 16th, 2007, 9:01 pm

- July 16th, 2007, 9:01 pm #97567

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

#97568

By Cider Jim - July 16th, 2007, 9:05 pm

- July 16th, 2007, 9:05 pm #97568

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).

"If Cider hit the books any harder, they'd press charges"--Lefty
"When you’re right you’re right"--Purple
"I shall not participate in many discussions..."

--Fumble (1961-2009), RIP

#97581

By LU'sbestmanager - July 16th, 2007, 11:03 pm

- July 16th, 2007, 11:03 pm #97581

isn't eric green from FLA?

#97584

By Fumblerooskies - July 16th, 2007, 11:12 pm

- July 16th, 2007, 11:12 pm #97584

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

#97587

By Sly Fox - July 16th, 2007, 11:18 pm

- July 16th, 2007, 11:18 pm #97587

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?

#97592

By Knucklehead - July 16th, 2007, 11:38 pm

- July 16th, 2007, 11:38 pm #97592

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)

#97594

By Sly Fox - July 16th, 2007, 11:41 pm

- July 16th, 2007, 11:41 pm #97594

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

#97599

By givemethemic - July 17th, 2007, 2:18 am

- July 17th, 2007, 2:18 am #97599

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

#97607

By PAmedic - July 17th, 2007, 6:41 am

- July 17th, 2007, 6:41 am #97607

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

JLFJR wrote:Thanks for your input, PA! Very helpful.

ASOR Technical Advisor and Graphics Consultant

#97610

By Cider Jim - July 17th, 2007, 7:10 am

- July 17th, 2007, 7:10 am #97610

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.

"If Cider hit the books any harder, they'd press charges"--Lefty
"When you’re right you’re right"--Purple
"I shall not participate in many discussions..."

--Fumble (1961-2009), RIP

#97613

By TDDance234 - July 17th, 2007, 7:26 am

- July 17th, 2007, 7:26 am #97613

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.

#97616

By bigsmooth - July 17th, 2007, 8:07 am

- July 17th, 2007, 8:07 am #97616

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.

Last edited by bigsmooth on July 17th, 2007, 8:14 am, edited 1 time in total.

#97617

By olldflame - July 17th, 2007, 8:11 am

- July 17th, 2007, 8:11 am #97617

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.

#97618

By Hold My Own - July 17th, 2007, 8:31 am

- July 17th, 2007, 8:31 am #97618

Isnt the 5 rings a record?

Sly Fox wrote:In my experience with the Falwell family over the past 30+ years, they have never been shy about stating what they believe and standing by it. If anything it should be on their family crest.

#97629

By olldflame - July 17th, 2007, 11:13 am

- July 17th, 2007, 11:13 am #97629

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".

#97635

By Knucklehead - July 17th, 2007, 12:02 pm

- July 17th, 2007, 12:02 pm #97635

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

#97636

By Sly Fox - July 17th, 2007, 12:12 pm

- July 17th, 2007, 12:12 pm #97636

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.

#97637

By RubberMallet - July 17th, 2007, 12:13 pm

- July 17th, 2007, 12:13 pm #97637

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

Formerly ishbox.

<--idiot, i guess, per bigsmooth/thepostman

<--smart jerk per bigsmooth

SuperJon wrote: I love dc Talk.

#97644

By shukcb04 - July 17th, 2007, 1:08 pm

- July 17th, 2007, 1:08 pm #97644

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

#97651

By Knucklehead - July 17th, 2007, 3:32 pm

- July 17th, 2007, 3:32 pm #97651

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

#97654

By Fumblerooskies - July 17th, 2007, 4:08 pm

- July 17th, 2007, 4:08 pm #97654

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

#97657

By Baldspot - July 17th, 2007, 4:45 pm

- July 17th, 2007, 4:45 pm #97657

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.

#97658

By TIMSCAR20 - July 17th, 2007, 4:48 pm

- July 17th, 2007, 4:48 pm #97658

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.

#97668

By olldflame - July 17th, 2007, 5:40 pm

- July 17th, 2007, 5:40 pm #97668

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.

#97670

By TIMSCAR20 - July 17th, 2007, 6:35 pm

- July 17th, 2007, 6:35 pm #97670

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.