Who belongs on the SEC's all-time Mount Rushmore?
The Mount Rushmore conversation is one of my favorite conversations that sports fans have with one another. The discussion of course refers to determining who the best four players or coaches are in a given sport.
With the rise of Lebron James in the NBA, the discussion began in recent years whether The King himself should be added to the NBA’s Mount Rushmore. Similarly, Tom Brady has put himself into the Mount Rushmore conversation with regards to the NFL in recent years. While the SEC has had no Lebron James or Tom Brady in recent years (sorry, Johnny), it is still worth debating who belongs on the SEC’s all-time Mount Rushmore.
With only four spots available, it’s a subjective and difficult exercise. Here’s my SEC football Mount Rushmore:
Who’s In?
Bear Bryant
Best known for his legendary run as the head football coach of the Crimson Tide, Bryant also coached at Kentucky and Texas A&M. Bryant has a 323–85–17 career record as head coach.
During his 25-year run at Alabama, Bryant accumulated six national championships and 13 conference championships. It’s not just the wins and championships that Bryant left as his legacy. Bryant-Denny stadium is partially named after the legendary coach, and the black and white houndstooth pattern blankets the Crimson Tide faithful every game day in Tuscaloosa.
When it comes to legendary SEC coaches, nobody matches the Bear.
Tim Tebow
The youngest member of the Mount Rushmore group, Tim Tebow is considered by many as the greatest player in SEC football history. The iconic Florida quarterback helped lead the Gators to two national championships and two conference championships. He also added a Heisman Trophy in a non-championship season.
Despite the massive success on the field, Tebow is also remembered for his leadership and legendary moments such as “the speech” following the 2008 loss to Ole Miss.
Career numbers: 9,285 yards passing, 88 TD, 16 INT; 2,947 yards rushing, 57 TD
Individual superlatives: Heisman (2007); All-American (2007-08); All-SEC (2007-09); SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2008); Maxwell Award (2007-08); Davey O’Brien Award (2007)
While other top talents such as Cam Newton have likely matched Tebow’s abilities, nobody was as good for as long as Florida’s Tim Tebow.
Herschel Walker
Widely considered one of the best athletes in the history of college football, Walked earned consensus All-American status three times and won the Heisman Trophy in 1982. He also finished in the top three of Heisman voting three seasons in a row.
During Walker’s freshman season, he set the NCAA freshman rushing record and was the first true freshman to become a first-team All-American. His dominance on the field as a freshman helped Georgia win the national championship.
Career numbers: 5,259 yards rushing, 49 rushing TD
Individual superlatives: Heisman (1982); All-American (1980-82); SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2008); Maxwell Award (1982); Walter Camp Award (1982), College Football Hall of Fame inductee (1999), Jersey #34 retired
Steve Spurrier
While the previous three Mount Rushmore representatives were either legendary coach or legendary player, Steve Spurrier is both. Spurrier’s SEC story begins in the 60s as the Heisman winning quarterback of the Florida Gators, and amazingly, his story continues to be written as the current head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks.
As a player, Spurrier was named first-team All-American in 1965 and 1966. He also won the Heisman Trophy in 1966.
As head coach, Spurrier led the Gators to a national championship in 1996 and six SEC championships (1991, 1993-96, 2000). Spurrier’s also been responsible for the best multi-year run in South Carolina football history when the Gamecocks won 11 games three straight seasons.
Simply put, Spurrier is SEC royalty. His talents as player and coach are only matched by his ability to wildly entertain not just South Carolina fans but SEC fans across the southeast each year. We hope Spurrier coaches for another ten years.
