We decided to take a different approach and create a D.C. sports Mount Rushmore. Going with sports opens it up to more than just athletes, as you’ll see on our list.
Since your author was born in the early 80s, we decided not to include anyone whose career was primarily in the 70s or earlier.
Here’s our four, in no particular order:
Joe Gibbs- He won three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks as the head coach of the Washington Redskins from 1981-1992. Gibbs also led to Redskins to the playoffs in two out of four seasons when he returned from 2004-2007. He has also been named the NFL Coach of the Year multiple times by various publications.
Alex Ovechkin- Ovi is regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of the modern NHL. He has led the NHL in scoring seven times, won the Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) three times, is a nine-time NHL All-Star, and has just led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup in team history.
John Thompson- Thompson has been named the Big East Coach of the Year three times and led Georgetown to an NCAA Championship in 1984. He amassed a 596-239 coaching record from 1972-1989 as the head coach of the Georgetown Hoyas.
Darrell Green- “The Fastest Man in the NFL” played for the Washington Redskins for almost 20 years (1983-2002)! He’s a two-time Super Bowl champion, 7-time Pro Bowler, and 4-time NFL All-Pro. He is just ahead of Deion Sanders and Chanp Bailey with 54 career interceptions.
Cal Ripken Jr.- Though he played for the Baltimore Orioles, the Nats weren’t around until 2005. Cal’s entire career was covered by the Washington Post, but we ultimately left him off because of the whole
Baltimore thing.
Sean Taylor- Taylor played just four seasons for the Redskins before his untimely death in 2007. His short career and ferocious hits will be remembered forever in our area.
Jack Kent Cooke- The majority owner of the Washington Redskins during all three Super Bowl wins (1974-1997).
Sugar Ray Leonard- One of the greatest boxers of all-time was raised in the D.C. Metro area. He has two gold medals, multiple titles, and a professional record of 36-3-1.
Art Monk- Won three Super Bowls with the Redskins and has 940 career receptions for 12,721 yards.
Gary Williams- Maryland basketball coach from 1989-2011 brought an NCAA championship to the Terps in 2002.
John Riggins- “The Diesel” is a Super Bowl Champion and MVP and has over 11,000 career rushing yards, primarily with the Washington Redskins.
Joe Theismann- The NFL’s Most Valuable Player In 1983 led the Redskins to a Super Bowl win that season.
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