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DEL.ICIO.USTake Ten: Greatest Gwinnett athletes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Editor’s note: Gwinnett Is Great. It’s not just a motto; it’s fact. So when we here at Take Ten saw the potential for opening a field office in Gwinnett, we knew we had to find the right guy to head up our new Take Gwin division. That man is David Purdum, who dutifully sent us this week’s list of his picks for the ten greatest-ever Gwinnett athletes before hightailing it out of town. We knew he was a wise man.
The 10 Greatest Gwinnett Athletes
10: Maya Moore (Collins Hill): UConn-bound, she’ll be making news for years to come.
9: Louis Williams (South Gwinnett): Immense talent hasn’t been able to overcome size limitations in the NBA. But, man, was he great at South.
8: Jason Elam (Brookwood): Only NFL player to score at least 100 points in 14 consecutive seasons.
7: Amanda Weir (Brookwood): Competed in Athens Olympics and set national record in 100-meter freestyle.
6: David Greene (South Gwinnett): College football’s all-time winningest quarterback was third-round pick by the Seahawks.
5: Josh Wolff (Parkview): One of the fastest members of the U.S. National soccer team.
4: Brian McCann (Duluth): Always seems to take a backseat to Francoeur, but he made the All-Star game first.
3: David Pollack (Shiloh): A dominant force at Georgia, the Bengals snatched him up in the first round.
2: Jeff Francoeur (Parkview): From Parkview to the cover of Sports Illustrated, Frenchy’s meteoric rise has been amazing.
1: George Rogers (Duluth): Heisman trophy winner at South Carolina struggled with off-the-field problems.
Go on. Take Ten, Gwin. Who’s missing from this list? Who’s on it and shouldn’t be? Have at it, y’all.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: David Purdum, Take Ten: GWX
Comments
By gwinnett historian
January 24, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
Your list is really of the most famous athletes from Gwinnett, not necessarily the best athletes. A name that many people don’t know is Stephen Harris from Norcross. He may be the best overall athlete to come out of the county. He was a track and field star who went on to the University Tennessee and is a world-ranked decathlete. He came back home and teaches at Norcross while he continues to train for the ‘08 Olympics. He barely missed the team in ‘04.
By jsleazy
January 24, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
Caleb King doesn’t make this list despite Gwinnett Co (and the states) highest rushing total ever for a junior? Sure he made more waves transferring. Sure he wasn’t on those dominant Parkview teams, but he did carry that one.
By Sarfdawg
January 24, 2007 04:17 PM | Link to this
Maya Moore at #10 is way too low. The best girls’ basketball player in the NATION two years in a row is worthy of being higher.
Also, the writer has forgotten about Eddie Martin - yes, that Eddie Martin. Look up his history at Central Gwinnett. He makes the list.
By NORCOSS GRAD
January 24, 2007 08:30 PM | Link to this
What about Jeff Backus the gigantic tackle from Norcross. He was first team all american his senior year at Norcross. He won a national championship at Michigan in 1997 and was a first team all american selection while he was at Michigan. He has started 96 straight games at left tackle for the Detroit Lions who drafted him in the first round of the 2001 draft. He desereves to be on this list sureley before the # 3, 4, and 5 picks on this list.
By kenemer
January 24, 2007 09:42 PM | Link to this
To NORCROSS GRAD — I agree that Backus should have consideration for the list, but before Pollack?
Pollack’s resume: * 2002 SEC Player of the Year Award * 2004 SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award * 2004 Chuck Bednarik Award * 2003 and 2004 Ted Hendricks Award * 2004 Lombardi Award * 2004 Lott Trophy
No, he hasn’t had the chance to light it up in the NFL yet, but he was a 1st round pick.
No way Backus should be ahead of Pollack.
By scott
January 25, 2007 07:41 AM | Link to this
I grduated from Central in 87. We had a guy, Jeff Finch, who was incredible. He started as a freshmen at Central in football, baseball, and basketball. he also thre shot and discus part-time. At the time, he was the only freshmen to start for Tally Johnson since Ted Roof. ANyway, Finch had a great career at Central then transferred to Brookwood. At Brookwood, he led the football team to a near upset playoff win against Clarke and led the baseball team to the state championship. He is still among the county leaders in football and baseball statistics. In addition, he was first team All-Wmerica in football and part of the AJC’s Super 11. He played baseball and football at Gerogia during his R-Fresh year. He gave up baseball and concntrated on football at UGA. Going into his Junior year, he was the starting strong safety. Unfortunately, he completely blew his knee out and his career ended. How can he really be left off the list?
By Buck
January 25, 2007 01:52 PM | Link to this
Hey, i agree about Finch. He was-by far-the best athlete in Gwinnet in the mid-80s. He should certainly be on the list
By sammy miller
January 30, 2007 01:20 PM | Link to this
I’d put my nibblets on Sammy Miller, probably one of the smoothest cats to ever prowl the hardwoods!!!!!