OT- Most Likable Rivals
This is a thread I've been wanting to get started for a little while now, hopefully now it gets some good responses because we're in peak OT season. Simple Question:
Which rival player is the most likable?
Which Buckyeye/Spartan/Irish/ or other opposing player that played on a rival team is it just too damn hard to hate? Can be in any sport, at any level. Would love input from some of the Buckeyes on this board.
For me it's Cardale Jones. I remember an Ace tweet about his opinion of Michigan fan's was determined on how they felt about Cardale. If he were a Wolverine, I would love him to death.
Other players I can't/couldn't hate: Mike Weber, Marshon Lattimore, Mike Sadler RIP, Kalin Lucas, Golden Tate, and Greg Oden, though he may be revisionist history.
Charlie Weis.
Miss you, Big Guy.
XOXOXO
I worked in Dayton, Ohio during the '80s. One Friday night as a lark a bunch of us decided to go to the local high school - Centerville Elks - football game.
It turns out the QB for that game was Kirk Herbstreit. I still have the program from that game.
I don't think he threw a single pass the entire game. Most boring game ever, but Centerville did win.
I've actually always liked Kirk. Think he's a good analyst
Spielman is a good choice, but for me it helps a lot that he played for the Lions.
In hockey I used to admire the way Jim Slater played. Chris Kunitz was a chippy provocateur on the ice for Ferris State, but he was a fiery player and his team was a blast to watch--I love that he blew up and then made a full career in the NHL.
I guess on the field for a rival I kind of had reluctant admiration for Craig Krenzel. It's tough having any good feelings for any of those guys, though.
People will hate this, but I always really respected Troy Smith's game when he was OSU's starter. Before that, I really respected Craig Krenzel as well, not so much because he was a great player but because he did a lot without having a ton of physical talent and came up with big plays for them to win some really memorable games.
Those were the days when I actually usually rooted for OSU to win all their games before they played us because, since they had basically never beaten us in my lifetime up until 2001, I was still assuming every year that we'd beat them every year regardless of our record or theirs. Since then I've learned my lesson and I basically never want them to beat anyone.
balled the fuck out. Dude will haunt my nightmares. But he was dope. I guarantee if he played for Oklahoma or whatnot, I'd love him.
Jesse Owens
JT seems like an ok guy. He had the integrity to admit The Spot was kinda BS after The Game 2017. What a gift from God that was.
Yes, he got a DUI. Admitted.
I never hear many people say this when this topic comes up , but I've always liked Mike Conley Jr. To me, since his days at OSU to present, he's always come off as a class-act.
I admit I wasn't alive during this time, but I've always respected Cornelius Greene, the 1973 QB for OSU.
Finally, I tend to root hard for LeVeon Bell. I've only heard good things about him and what a nice guy he is off the field
If LJ didn't go to MSU, he'd have gone to OSU. I'd rather have him in EL than in Columbus
Jerome Bettis
Magic Johnson
and uh...uh..uh..uh...drawing a blank on the other one...
...allow me to take a bonus here...
Carson Palmer
That's my list, but in reverse order. Also...
Drew Brees
Antwan Randell-El was amazing.
Eddie George was great and also gives me an opportunity to say "Biakabatuka"
Pat Fitzgerald--probably would have forgotten him though other than him becoming a coach.
I'd also add Terrell Buckley from FSU. When Michigan lost to FSU in 1991 (#1 vs. #3). We got crushed and Buckley was a big reason why. Watched him in pro games here and there and he was always good though I guess he never made a pro-bowl in his 13 seasons.
Eric Hunter former Purdue QB who had some sort of mental break was unbelievable against Michigan. I thought that guy was going to be a huge star.
I don't know about "like" but David Boston always seemed like a game changer too.
Was offsides
Not really, I have it on good authority that even Boston's mom thinks he is at tool.
(not true...but it's pretty easy to believe, no?)
The only one I can think of is Chris Spielman.
A few for me:
-Spielman, as others have mentioned
-I respect Cardale Jones' very strong twitter game
-#1 in our hearts: Joe Bauserman
any team that can outhit us even when they lose to use
Dick Butkus. On the Mount Rushmore of great sports names and he tried really hard to be a mediocre actor. I saw him having lunch several years ago in Malibu. Seems like a nice enough guy. Basically Illinois' version of Spielman, only better.
From Iowa (are they a rival?) you've got Alex Karras. Who can forget Webster's adoptive dad? He may be third behind Teen Wolf's dad and Mr. Drummond in terms of fictional father figures.
From MSU, I'll mention George "the Animal" Steele. He is just such a fitting personification of that school.
Blake Ezor from MSU is like that great joke (how do you get a Spartan off your porch? you pay for the pizza) come to life, only he works for UPS instead of a pizza delivery joint. He also had a great white-man's afro a la Steve Sanders.
I hated Scott Skiles when he played for State, but he's just so ultra-scrappy and gritty, I've developed a grudging respect for him.
Is Illinois really a football rival though?
Cardale for the "massa, I only plays foots ball" tweet forever.
I know, Clockgate. But damn I love watching any player who plays the game like every second could be his last. Not sure if it was the clockgate touchdown, but it was definitely against Michigan. A Michigan linebacker just about ran straight through Smoker, but he never even altered his followthrough to make that play.
I've never hated State though. You should always secretly love your little brother.
I don't really mind MSU. OSU, I HATE. But MSU, I don't mind.
Club Trillion.
On another note, can we call this the "Not Justin Boren" award?
I also did gain some more respect for Eddie George during his NFL career.
Eddie George was the original Madden Curse
Stanley Jackson.
That he can talk about Michigan on BTN to this day and not be insanely bitter is a testament to his character.
Shannon Brown. I'm an LA native and a very big Lakers fan, and while I wouldn't consider Magic on this list - he was drafted two years before I was born, so I never saw him play in college - Shannon Brown was probably my favorite Laker role player from the 2009/10 championship squads.
I work in sports broadcasting and have gotten to know Anson Carter fairly well. He's a great guy, but like Magic, I wasn't yet in college to have built up any animosity towards him while he was at State.
Kirk Gibson, for obvious reasons. Eww, too many Sparties.
It has to be Spielman. Former Lion great. Poured his heart out for the Lions. And I think he is a good color announcer. Very unbiased, professional and intelligent. All around good guy.
And I agree with whom others have mentioned -- Jerome Bettis. Nice guy. Active in the community. A great football player who represents the state of Michigan well.