ESPN B10 Blog lists the Gopher's "Mt. Rushmore"

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GoAUpher

GoAUpher

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Adam Rittenburg has been doing an interesting segment in his blog about the "Mt. Rushmore" for each B10 team. He put up MN's entry last night (see here: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/bigten/0-2-1312/Minnesota-s-Mount-Rushmore.html).

His list?
ESPN Big Ten Blog said:
Bronko Nagurski -- One of the greatest players in Big Ten history, Nagurski won All-America honors at both tackle and fullback and starred for the Gophers in the late 1920s. A Hall of Famer at both the college and pro levels, Nagurski played on Minnesota teams that went 18-4-2. College football's national defensive player of the year award bears his name, and Minnesota football is headquartered at the Gibson-Nagurski Football Complex.

Bruce Smith -- A dynamic halfback who did his best work in the clutch, Smith easily won the 1941 Heisman Trophy and led Minnesota to back-to-back national championships. Minnesota's only Heisman winner didn't lose a game in his final two seasons as the Gophers went 16-0.
Paul Giel -- Giel didn't play during Minnesota's glory years, but he won two Big Ten MVP awards as a standout halfback. The runner-up for the 1953 Heisman Trophy, Giel racked up 2,188 rushing yards and 1,922 passing yards after starting his career as a quarterback. He's a College Football Hall of Famer and one of only four Minnesota players who have their numbers retired.

Paul Giel -- Giel didn't play during Minnesota's glory years, but he won two Big Ten MVP awards as a standout halfback. The runner-up for the 1953 Heisman Trophy, Giel racked up 2,188 rushing yards and 1,922 passing yards after starting his career as a quarterback. He's a College Football Hall of Famer and one of only four Minnesota players who have their numbers retired.

Bernie Bierman -- The architect of Minnesota's dominant run compiled a 93-35-6 record during 16 seasons as coach. Bierman's teams owned six Big Ten championships, five national championships and five undefeated seasons. The mild-mannered Bierman coached 14 All-Americans and six College Football Hall of Famers..
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What do you all think? Off the top of my head I'd say you'd have to consider Bobby Bell and Murray Warmath. Who else would you add?
 

I think he pretty much nailed it.

The saddest thing is that it's been over 50 years since any of those guys have stepped on the field.

Interesting fact I never knew until 2 minutes ago - Paul Giel played major league baseball, including a short stint with the Twins. A lot of the old-timers here probably knew that, but I didn't.
 

It would have been nice to have a player/coach named that was around after 1960. But it is understandable due to the lack of success...god it sucks that I have to admit that.
 


I'd probably throw Aaron Hosack's name in there too
 


This is also on the "Off-Topic" Board, so I will repeat mine here:

Bernie Bierman, Murray Warmath, Calvin Griffith, Sid Hartman
 

I'd probably throw Aaron Hosack's name in there too

Best line of 09'.
 

Dr. Don:

Maybe I'm missing something, but what does Cal Griffith have to do with the Gophers?
 




GoAUpher said:
Adam Rittenburg has been doing an interesting segment in his blog about the "Mt. Rushmore" for each B10 team. He put up MN's entry last night (see here: http://myespn.go.com/blogs/bigten/0-2-1312/Minnesota-s-Mount-Rushmore.html).

His list?


What do you all think? Off the top of my head I'd say you'd have to consider Bobby Bell and Murray Warmath. Who else would you add?
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How about Kevin McHale? Or is this just football? Dave Winfield? I'd love to say Maroney, but I'm guessing he wasn't as dominant on a national level as those others. How about any hockey players? Maybe Lindsay Whalen...
 

Just limiting myself to guys I actually watched, I'd go Darrell Thompson, Chris Darkins, Greg Eslinger and Tyrone Carter.
 

Poser said:
It would have been nice to have a player/coach named that was around after 1960. But it is understandable due to the lack of success...god it sucks that I have to admit that.
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Yeah, I remember that Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt all played after the 1960s...
 




From guys that I watched play:

Tyrone Carter, Lawrence Maroney, Tutu Atwell, Chris Darkins
 


Mt. Rushmore really is more about foundations and trail blazing than about the greatest. so the question might be, which four have had the biggest impact on where we are today. Or the converse if one hadn't been here are we less than we are now. It's very different than who's the best.
 

The four I would choose from my lifetime:

Darrell Thompson

Tyrone Carter

Ron Johnson

Laurence Maroney


Mr. Eric Decker has a chance to make that list and replace Johnson after next year; others I would consider: Ricky Foggie, Lamanzer Williams or Greg White, Marion Barber, Matt Spaeth....
 

How dumb do you have to be to be naming non football players for a football blog Mt. Rushmore?

I'd put Garrison Keillor on there for sure and maybe Yanni.

Idiots!
 

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