MattFancy Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 http://blog.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/ Three years ago, UnWise Mike wrote a column, dubbing Clinton Portis D.C.'s most popular athlete, ahead of Gilbert and Ovechkin. Two years ago, I did a similar Top Six list, leading with the same three names as Wise, but in a different order: Gilbert, then Portis, then Ovechkin. Then a few months ago, the AP's Joseph White wrote this: Ovechkin has clearly become Washington's No. 1 sports star -- ahead of the Redskins' Clinton Portis (who seemed to spend all of last season grumbling about one thing or another) and the Wizards' Gilbert Arenas (who hasn't played all season because of a knee injury). So is it a done deal then? I certainly thought so, and for months I've told anyone who asked that Ovechkin has the crown, full stop, next question. But then I started chatting with Wise the other day, and he still disagreed. If we were in a room with Ovechkin, Portis, Gilbert and a random sampling of D.C. area residents, he asked, would Ovie really attract the biggest crowd? I said yes. Wise said no. But who cares what we think? Let's find out what you think? Even cooler, I'm going to find out what the local media thinks, via the first ever D.C. Sports Bog Top 5 Athlete Poll. To me, there are only five reasonable answers for the top spot: the three names of above, plus Zimmerman and Cooley, but I'll let the people speak. And, of course, I asked some wise observers for their thoughts on who's most popular. Read the thoughts of Portis, Cooley and Smoot below. click link for more So what do you guys think? Who is the most popluar athlete in the area? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herrmag Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 UnWise Mike is a moron. He was trying to list off all of the popular players in the area, and actually forgot to mention Ovechkin (his co-host had to throw in the name). Ovechkin should be the #1, but he plays hockey and is Russian, which are 2 counts against him. Portis (for now) probably is, but if the Wiz start winning next season, it'll be Gil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattFancy Posted August 27, 2009 Author Share Posted August 27, 2009 I'd say Ovechkin is easily the BEST athlete in the area. But unless you're a hockey fan, most of the people in the area probably don't know who he is. My vote is for Cooley. Everyone knows who Chris Cooley is. 2nd would be Ports, then Ovechkin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedskinsFan28 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 What, no Luciano Emilio? Seriously though, I think the question changes depending on what time of the year it's asked. I voted Portis, but before you know it, in a few months the town will be Rocking the Red with Ovechkin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsBry Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Chris is my favorite player in football right now so he gets my vote. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoRUSupposed2Be Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I think Alex Ovechkin wins because he's been to the second rounder two times now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeysc23 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Definitely Ovechkin. Dude has a personality that fans follow. As for UnWise Mike he is a hockey hating idiot. Cannot stand his columns or when he is on CSN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Ovi. Depending on how the Wiz do, Arenas could be close. Cooley and CP not far behind. Zimmerman last. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GhostofSparta Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Personally, my favorite on the list is Cooley. But then again I don't follow hockey or basketball, and I'm an O's fan. In general though, I get the feeling that Ovechkin is more popular among MD/VA/DC sports fans because there's no competition. There's no Baltimore hockey team to divide loyalties, and Ovechkin is basically the only star on the Caps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Bay Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Good points, Ghost. But something, too, that Ovechkin has going for him is that he's the equivelant (roughly) of a Tom Brady or a Peyton Manning to the NHL. Something that this area hasn't had in quite some time as well. If hockey were bigger in this town he'd blow everyone away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Sports Bog? I knew DC was built on a swamp, but I didn't know it was a bog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.A.C.O.L.B. Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 First off, Ovechkin is a niche star in a niche sport. Gilbert is DC though. He's fully ingrained himself into the culture while I feel like Ovechkin and Portis just play here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Personally, my favorite on the list is Cooley. But then again I don't follow hockey or basketball, and I'm an O's fan. In general though, I get the feeling that Ovechkin is more popular among MD/VA/DC sports fans because there's no competition. There's no Baltimore hockey team to divide loyalties, and Ovechkin is basically the only star on the Caps.Green is somewhat of a star. Varly too. Of course, with Ovi, being the best player in the league, and NOT EVEN IN YOUR PRIME YET... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 First off, Ovechkin is a niche star in a niche sport. Gilbert is DC though. He's fully ingrained himself into the culture while I feel like Ovechkin and Portis just play here. If the Wiz do well, Gil may equal Ovi. But "niche sport"? Tell that to the 19-20K Rockin' the Red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sticksboi05 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 First off, Ovechkin is a niche star in a niche sport. Gilbert is DC though. He's fully ingrained himself into the culture while I feel like Ovechkin and Portis just play here. You sure? Caps shirts etc. are all over the place now, even in the heart of "non hockey" DC. The moment the Caps finally get to round 3 every other athlete will literally be left in the dust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsHokieFan Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Easily Ovechkin by far Non hockey people in this town know Ovechkin. In 2006, when you'd see him out, nobody knew who he was. Now he is mobbed anytime out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 First off, Ovechkin is a niche star in a niche sport. Gilbert is DC though. He's fully ingrained himself into the culture while I feel like Ovechkin and Portis just play here. Nobody talks about Gilbert outside of DC. He hasn't even been an athlete in a year. He can take the #1 spot but it's going to take some winning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Nobody talks about Gilbert outside of DC. He hasn't even been an athlete in a year. He can take the #1 spot but it's going to take some winning.This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullnelson9999 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 First off, Ovechkin is a niche star in a niche sport. Gilbert is DC though. He's fully ingrained himself into the culture while I feel like Ovechkin and Portis just play here. Gilbert would have left if we didnt give him that huge contract. How ingrained is he really? Everyone knows who ovechkin is on some scale, just like everyone knows who Sidney Crosby is. They may be the only two, but people know 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenspandan Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 ovechkin is the greatest player in the world at his sport, plus he is a very likable dude. MVP of the entire league two years running, and the team actually wins a ton of games and makes the playoffs. ovechkin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissU28 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Portis. I wouldn't know Ovechkin if I saw him. Most people that pay attention to the NFL know who Portis is- and I think there are more people that pay attention to the NFL than the NHL. I don't think a ton of people outside the DC area know who Cooley is. Portis is much more recognizable. Edit: I know it says DC's most popular athlete....and I don't change my vote. Portis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Thought experiment: each team without said player. NATIONALS: Eh, it would suck, but... WIZARDS: Look at most of last season. REDSKINS: Sellouts still CAPS: ticket sales fall; team MIGHT not make playoffs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeysc23 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Nobody talks about Gilbert outside of DC. He hasn't even been an athlete in a year. He can take the #1 spot but it's going to take some winning. Exactly. Gilbert could maybe contend for second if he actually played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfan44 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I voted for Cooley because I am first and foremost a Redskins fan, but in the over all picture, Ovechkin then Cooley are the most popular. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinfan133 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I think Zimmerman voted for himself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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