Who Are the Faces of Philadelphia Sports?
Welcome to the best sports city in the world.
The place where anyone who isn’t a part of the movement is declared an enemy and even those who declare themselves as neutral may feel the wrath; sorry Santa.
A hard-nosed, blue-collar city that expects nothing but the best from anyone lucky enough to put on a uniform representing the City of Brotherly Love.
So, what exactly does it take to be the face of Philadelphia?
Well, it takes…
- The heart of 2001 NBA MVP, Allen Iverson. The expressive (sometimes to a fault) yet ultra-talented two-guard, better known as “The Answer” to the question as to who would bring the 76ers into the new millennium as THE GUY.
- The passion of Brian Dawkins. The 2018 NFL Hall of Fame safety who’s inspired play, hard hits and motivating speeches epitomized what it meant to put an entire team and city on your back in efforts to lead them to greatness or put your body on the line trying.
- The endearment of Chase Utley. The fans fell in love with the second basemen from the moment he stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam in his first at-bat. The love still never faded, even after Utley returned to Philadelphia as a member of Dodgers and stung the Phillies for two homers. In the event many would be booed, Utley was the exception to the rules.
You see these are just a few ingredients necessary when attempting to earning the respect of the Philly Faithful. However, where the stripes are earned at are on the playing field. Many of the traits mentioned are present in members of Philadelphia sports teams rosters.
Which creates the question, which current player is the face of Philadelphia?
In order to get come up with the answer, a few members here at PHLSportsNation collaborated in order to identify which players can stake claim to the aforementioned title.
Photo: NBA.com
76ers: Joel Embiid
– Ryan Boran
When it comes to Philadelphia sports, fans are currently spoiled by how much talent and promise the players in this city possess. The Sixers and Flyers are gearing up for deep playoff runs, the Eagles are getting healthy again and looking to make yet another super bowl push, and if the MLB does have a season, the Phillies have the players to make it to the postseason.
But when discussing who the true face of Philadelphia sports is, look no further than Joel Embiid. The biggest star on the most winningest team in the city, Joel Embiid is the star of Philadelphia sports media.
Starting with his career accolades, in four NBA seasons, Embiid has been named an All-Star three times, made the 2016-17 All-Rookie first team, made the NBA All-Defensive second team twice, and All-NBA second team twice. For his career, Embiid averages a double-double with 24.1 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. And although he is not the only burgeoning young star on the Sixers’ roster, he is certainly the most mainstream.
And that brings us to our second point, Joel’s mainstream status. No other Philadelphia sports star has crossed over into the mainstream like Joel Embiid. Embiid is in Hulu commercials, Jolly Rancher commercials, Mountain Dew commercials, he was in a Lil Dicky song, and he has a strong social media presence. Embiid has manufactured “feuds” with the talking heads of NBA media like Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal which only furthers his notoriety outside of the Philadelphia sports market. Joel is also the embodiment of the new formula in sports known as “The Process” so much so that he has taken it as his nickname. This formula of intentionally being bad, building through the draft, and letting new, younger stars be the foundation upon which a team is built is cultivating sports.
The process that Sixers’ fans have trusted all these years is paying off with playoff runs and that is on the back of Joel Embiid. Whether or not it will lead the team to a championship is yet to be seen, but if it does, there will be no question who the face of Philadelphia sports will be if there is even still a question.
Photo: Jose F. Moreno/The Inquirer
Phillies: Bryce Harper
– Andrew Robinson
In the past, one may say that Chase Utley epitomized Philadelphia. He always gave 100%, was one of the smartest ballplayers around, and his work ethic was one of legend. Now, though, Bryce Harper has taken that role. Since signing his then-record contract, Harper has embraced the city of Philadelphia as his own. He has bought a house in the city with his wife and young son, his Twitter bio reads “Philly Loaded,” and he caters to the fans whenever he can, even taking to bowing in the outfield before games.
Harper plays with a kind of reckless abandon that is reminiscent of Utley and even Pete Rose. He constantly tries to take the extra base, guns down runners from the outfield, has a feel for the theatrics, and has become one with the city.
Bryce Harper may not yet be Chase Utley when it comes to Philadelphia, but he’s well on his way. Without a doubt, Bryce Harper is the face of the Phillies and a face of Philadelphia.
Photo: Scott Burnside/The Athletic
Flyers: Claude Giroux
– Tommy Tomasino
There’s no question about it when I think of everything that is Philadelphia, I think of Philadelphia Flyers Captain Claude Giroux. Claude Giroux is the ultimate Philadelphian. I mean, yes, his stats are off the charts. Over the past decade, only 3 players have scored more points than him in the entire NHL. However, I think G brings more to the city of brotherly love than just point production and athletic prowess. The soft-spoken, mild-mannered captain leads his team by example and makes everyone around him better. He is incredibly respectful to fans and the media, which is not always an easy task.
G takes his responsibilities as captain and the face of the Flyers organization very seriously.
He’s helped countless children and their families in the Philadelphia community through the Claude Giroux Foundation.
Established in 2014, the Foundation aims to give back to struggling families and children in particular, by supporting a number of organizations that do just that. He’s been a part of countless fund-raising campaigns, most recently helping raise $250K, for Philabundance, a Delaware Valley hunger-relief organization, helping to fight the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by feeding 160,000 people.
And let’s not forget the classy yet powerful message Captain Claude send out in the aftermath of the George Floyd murder. The fact is Claude Giroux is a true Philadelphian through and through. He’s hardworking and genuinely cares for his fellow man. He’s a class act, and every child, not only in Philadelphia but in America should look up to and emulate the Flyers Captain, Claude Giroux.
Photo: Paul Rudderow/Philly Soccer Page
Union: Jim Curtin
– Brett Krasnov
Thinking about who on the Philadelphia Union most embodies the face of Philadelphia, I must go straight to the top with Head Coach Jim Curtin.
In my years of covering the team, I have found him to be honest to a fault.
He has never been shy about commenting on current events affecting the team and the community, as evidenced by his opening statement at last week’s presser. He was also first in line to defend MF Alec Bedoya on his gun safety comments after scoring a goal. He also has never backed down from defending his players when he felt they were getting a raw deal from the press or the fans. Some of his “disagreements” with a local beat writer about F FaFa Picault at post-game pressers are legendary. At the same time, he always took the heat when the team performed below expectations, understanding fully, and accepted when the fans were blaming him.
Add all that to the fact that he was, and seemingly always will be a local character, born in Orland PA, a standout as a defender at Villanova University, the first to be drafted in MLS from Nova, and still lives in Center City with his family.
Photo: Michael Bryant/The Inquirer
Eagles: Lane Johnson
–Will Connell
It’s tough to decide which Eagle best embodies the city. We are a city that’s too often overlooked, that thrives on disrespect, that will take all the trash talk in the world and shove it right back down your throat. In the past, I would have considered Malcolm Jenkins, Beau Allen, or the obvious all-time choice: Brian Dawkins.
As far as the active roster is concerned, the ultimate Philadelphia Eagle has to be Lane Johnson: he is a workhorse in the trenches who protects his own. When Demarcus Lawrence scoffed at Wentz’s extension, Johnson took to Twitter to remind the world that Lawrence has yet to sack the NDSU product.
There are a lot of great choices for which Eagle most embodies the city, but Johnson’s talent, grit, and unapologetic approach to the game have earned him the keys to the city.
While each of these players has many of, if not each of the traits previously described, and has earned the right to be declared the face of Philadelphia, due to their outstanding performances on their respective playing fields. The fact of the matter is that there can only be one person that can reign supreme in this specific topic. So just take a moment to think the next time you’re on your way to the game;
You’re coming up the intersection of South Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, passing the NovaCare Complex. Xfinity Live! is jam-packed, as the Wells Fargo Center beautifully drapes in the background. Citizens Bank Field on your left and Lincoln Financial Field right in your eye sights.
Who is the first athlete currently representing Philadelphia, that comes to mind?
At that point my friend, you are one step closer to identifying the face of Philadelphia.
Featured Image: Philly Mag
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