In the first edition of the D.C. Power Rankings, we cover beer, 'Tombstone,' Doc Holliday, and, oh yeah, the Top Five Most Popular Athletes in Washington D.C. right now.
Jun 6, 2010 - Welcome to the first edition of D.C.'s Power Rankings column. Each week, I will select the category we will debate -- or choose from the ones that you submit yourselves -- and make the case for my set of rankings. I especially look forward to getting crushed by commenters who will swear up and down that I got it all wrong. To coincide with the launch of SB Nation D.C., we look to rank the city's Top Five Most Popular Athletes.
I recently conducted a very unscientific poll at the bar I happened to be frequenting at the time (this poll consisted of me innocently posing this topic followed by three hours of drunken debate). As a result, I woke up the next morning literally minutes before I had to be leaving for work on the floor of my condo, cursing my insatiable thirst for making lists like these, as well as my unflappable determination to thoroughly debate each one. (If someone knows of a better way to rank sports-related topics than by belligerently trying to make your case between pints of beer and shots of liquor, I'm all ears. I'm skeptical though).
Depending on the topic, we will rank from first to last, or from last to first, or from second to last to second to first followed closely by first and then loop around back to last. The law don't go around here. Maybe I should not have watched "Tombstone" before writing this column.
What are we doing here again? Ah, yes ... athletes. They say there is no more popular individual in Washington D.C. than the backup quarterback. That said, there will be no Rex Grossman sightings on this list.
What else can you ask for than having arguably the best player in his sport suit up for our team? The debate over whether Alex is better than Sidney Crosby fuels Ovechkin's popularity even more, as we passionately make the case for our guy regularly. It's like if you grew up in Boston or L.A. when it was Magic and Larry. Just having one of the two horses in the fight playing for your team is way, way cool.
Ovechkin is a fun-loving individual, pops up around town here and there and is extremely recognizable. He stays out of trouble with the law, has not gotten any strippers pregnant that we are aware of and the only guns he packs are the ones underneath his sleeves. It will take some serious work for someone to overtake this guy in the next decade, especially if he is able to bring a Stanley Cup to Washington sooner rather than later.
This spot is tough. Ovechkin's star shines so brightly in a sports town that has weathered some real dog days that it is hard to discern the order of everyone after him. For a town that is so clearly run by the Redskins, it is hard to imagine one of those guys would not be higher here, but I think from an individual standpoint, Gilbert still has the juice.
Yes, the gun incident knocked him down a notch in pretty much every way imaginable. His injury and mega-contract have also negatively impacted his current perception. To me, though, Gilbert has the potential to be one of those "redemption" kind of stories this upcoming season. As reprehensible as his actions were, I think it's fair to suggest they fall below the level of some of the more heinous things professional athletes have been guilty of in recent years. The opportunity for Gilbert to come back in 2010 and be a leader not only on the floor but in the community is one I believe he will embrace.
His smile, charisma and passion for the game he plays continue to drive his popularity in this town, and here's hoping those same things drive the Wizards to the postseason.
The tight end's meteoric rise to celebrity status in Washington has been fun for everyone to watch. His antics have at times received national attention, like when he "accidentally" posted a picture of his genitals on his website, "The Cooley Zone." He famously took his multimillion-dollar bonus check to his local bank, using the drive-thru lane to deposit it. He married a cheerleader out of Maxim magazine (Christy rocks), and he is rarely too busy to stop and chat with a fan.
Chris Cooley is one of the two or three longest tenured Redskins and by virtue of his on-field production and off-field star power, he nabs the 3rd spot on this list.
What? This guy has not even thrown a major league pitch yet and he is in the inaugural Top Five?
ESPN called him the "most-hyped pick in draft history," which has to mean something coming from the world's largest manufacturer of hype. How many minor league games have you watched on TV over the last five or even 10 years? I have watched three, and they were all games that Strasburg started over the last couple of months. Maybe last month he would still be on the outside looking in for this list, but he makes his major league debut tomorrow for a team in desperate need of a draw. I'll be there as will thousands of other fans who have otherwise not been attending Nationals games.
This town has been knocked for not being a baseball town, but that theory will really start to be tested if Strasburg can turn his popularity/celebrity into stats and wins.
You know two Redskins had to make this list. When CP isn't calling out his offensive linemen or questioning the leadership of Jason Campbell, he is pounding out the tough yards on Sundays. We have always had an affinity for our running backs in Washington. Larry Brown, John Riggins, Stephen Davis, Earnest Byner, Terry Allen, Brian Mitchell ... all guys who were beloved in this town for carrying the rock. Add Portis' mercurial personality to the mix and you have a guy who is hard to keep off this list.
He is within shouting distance of The Diesel's Redskins career rushing record, and with a couple more decent seasons, he will have the kind of numbers that at least put him in the Hall of Fame conversation. His costumes and enthusiasm in the best of times echoed the feelings of fans, as did his pouting and pettiness when things weren't going so hot.
Just missed the cut: Nicklas Backstrom, John Wall, Trent Williams, London Fletcher, Ryan Zimmerman, Donovan McNabb.
There you have it ... first one in the books. Who did I miss? Who doesn't belong? What topics do you want to see ranked in the coming weeks? Give me your feedback in the comments.
24 comments
Comments
Out with the old (Portis)
In with the new! (John Wall)
Otherwise, great work.
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by Jake Whitacre on Jun 6, 2010 11:23 PM EDT reply actions
I personally would swap Strasburg and Gil
And that’s me as a huge Gil backer. Strasburgmania is just so huge even without him having played yet.
I also would have put John Wall #1, but I have way too much of a mancrush on him. (I’m also kidding).
Nice work, Ken.
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You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jun 6, 2010 11:25 PM EDT reply actions
Ovechkin #1. Wall #2.
I don’t think Arenas and Portis belong on this list right now. A year ago, yes. Today, no. Might as well add Mike Green too and you’ve got a trifecta of DC athletes who have alienated their fanbases!
Also, where’s McNabb?
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by Martin Shatzer on Jun 6, 2010 11:27 PM EDT reply actions
McNabb just got here
And he’s a former Philly guy. I don’t see any reason to say he’s popular until he plays.
Wall also hasn’t even gotten here yet, so I can understand leaving him off. At least Strasburg has pitched for the Nats in the minors.
BF on Twitter I BF on Facebook.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Jun 6, 2010 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I just couldn't put Donovan up there yet
Redskins fans are ready to see great quarterback play, but until he plays his first game, he still has a little of that Eagle green glow left.
I also struggled with where to put John Wall…it’s interesting because if he comes in here and does well, then you will have Ovie, Stras, and Wall all as top-flight youngsters with their prospective teams. That could result in the top Redskin falling to 4th place on a list like this which to me is very promising for this town from sports fan perspective.
by Ken Meringolo on Jun 7, 2010 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions
looks great, congrats on the launch!
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by David St. Martin on Jun 7, 2010 12:36 AM EDT reply actions
In the eyes of Caps fans, John Carlson is the most popular Capital, DC athlete, and person in the United States. Just sayin’.
by Alex Reed on Jun 7, 2010 1:35 AM EDT reply actions
Of course, because he’s the next Captain America.
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by Steck It Out on Jun 7, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Carlson is one of those guys that makes me think the Caps are never going to be bad again.
by Ken Meringolo on Jun 7, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions
who, me?
Nice list. The only one I think is really questionable is Gilbert at #2, but I’m not much of an Wizards (or NBA) fan so I wouldn’t know his general popularity past what’s on the DC Sports Bog and such.
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by what Juneau about that? on Jun 7, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Alex loves us right back
He’s in Moscow for the summer, but continues to rock his well-worn Caps lid at this kickboxing tournament.
by EmilyB on Jun 7, 2010 8:17 AM EDT reply actions
Tatoo says “God is always with me.”
No signature needed. Just get me the Cup.
by fnralch on Jun 7, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
great job Ken
although, i don’t know how you’re gonna do this weekly and we still haven’t finished Redskins by the Numbers…haha jk
SpottieOttieDopaliscious
by Rekka on Jun 7, 2010 9:20 AM EDT reply actions
Regional Burn!
by Ken Meringolo on Jun 7, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Nice List
I would say that Strasburg is by far more famous than Gilbert Arenas at this point. The way all of the sports world is talking about Strasburg is ridiculous on so many levels.
And if we’re talking about the most popular D.C. athletes by America’s standards, I’d say that McNabb is more famous than Cooley or Portis, and is pretty even with Gil. But if we’re just polling D.C. residents and asking them who is most popular, I pretty much agree with your list Ken. Great job overall, even though the list may change drastically in a few months depend upon which player does well, and also how that player’s team performs.
by bigrm18 on Jun 7, 2010 10:06 AM EDT reply actions
Seriously?
Nobody is calling me out on Deputy Billy Breckinridge?
by Ken Meringolo on Jun 7, 2010 10:25 AM EDT reply actions
never saw the movie
SpottieOttieDopaliscious
by Rekka on Jun 7, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Tough to have Gilbert on there, as he may or may not be with the Wizards come October. It’s up to Ted, of course, and when he has an issue with a player that’s trouble, he deals with it quickly and effectively (See history of Joe Murphy with the Caps…)
If Arenas gets bumped from the list due to being exiled to the Clippers, then it would be a toss-up between Zimmerman and Backstrom…
Now if this was a list of the top 5 athletes in DC based on performance (exclusing Arenas, who would be second if he returns, which is a big if…):
1) Alex Ovechkin
2) Ryan Zimmerman
3) Nick Backstrom
4) Brian Orakpo
5) Mike Green
Three Caps, one Nat and one Redskin. Looks about right…
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
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by MikeL-Pivonka on Jun 7, 2010 11:10 AM EDT reply actions
Orakpo is on the rise for sure
I just felt that the stink of 4-12 was too strong on a guy that just got here, whereas Cooley and CP have battled with us for a while. I like Mike Green in there too. I would put Green higher than Ryan Z but mostly because the Caps are just higher profile right now in this town.
by Ken Meringolo on Jun 7, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
I made my list based on performance, and while Zim’s team hasn’t been good, he’s been outstanding. I was discussing this with a co-worker earlier in that it’s exciting to be a DC sports fan these days with the Caps having two of the best five players in the NHL (Ovechkin, Backstrom), the Nats having an exciting new player in Strasburg, the Skins with Brian Orakpo terrorizing NFL quarterbacks, and even the Wizards being able to add Wall….
Good times.
Washington Capitals 2009-10 = Quebec Nordiques 1994-95
--- D'ohboy
by MikeL-Pivonka on Jun 9, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Santana Moss
remember when he was the star of DC in 2005-2007? back then, moss and arenas used to be the biggest stars of DC. we were also winning back then, at least somewhat
by Nayeem JohnWall Chowdhury on Jun 7, 2010 8:45 PM EDT reply actions
Nayeem!
by JoCro on Jun 7, 2010 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
We just did this for WaPo
As a voter in that poll, I personally defined popularity as recognition and how well liked. Considering the Skins/NFL are/is the most recognized, McNabb has to be on the list. His recognize-ability is greater than that of Ovie.
On the other hand, I think Gil is so hated, that he isn’t on the list.
My list then was Ovie, McNabb, Orakpo, Backstrom, Zimmerman. Thinking about it again, I would go Ovie, McNabb, Portis, Cooley, Strasburg (and Strasburg has surged since that WaPo article). Backstrom would be 6th thanks to a well-publicized Caps season in which he played well.
by Jon Kelman on Jun 7, 2010 10:31 PM EDT reply actions
Bud Heavy?
I’m not sure how a guy who isn’t playing right now (Agent 0) makes this list, or a player who consistently underperforms (Portis). While I know I won’t be seeing any DC United athletes on this list anytime soon, I would settle for the franchise player Ryan Zimmerman. And if Strasburg made it, why not Harper??
Oh, and Bud Heavy? Really? It’s Miller Time!
by RFKate28 on Jun 8, 2010 1:16 PM EDT reply actions
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