Who's the greatest athlete in South Hampton Roads history?

This area needs to stop hateing on Sweet Pea and look at his body of work. Sweer Pea had not been the best role model but you cant deny he`s been the best in his sport. There is nobody on this list that can say that they were the best in their sport world wide and for several different times and occasions.

This pole needs to be redone because how in the hell can Jesse Williams not be on the list and Percy Harvin is. Someone must be some kin to Percy who made this list. If you dont know about Jesse then I`ll tell you with just one hint 9.2 100yd dash.

The greatest thing about coming up with this type of list is the back and forth volley of varied opinions. Hence a volley from my court: Top 50...and coming in at 1st place...wow!? Based on the guidelines - and this definitely serves as no disrespect for Ace Parker - but in spite of some possible sure-fire ommissions - Sweat Pea Whitaker should have rated as the #1 South Hampton Roads (that would typically be: from Norfolk, VaBeach, Chesapeake and Portsmouth) athlete. Again, no disrepect to any of the others' accomplishments but Mr. Whitaker not only "won" at his sport of choice, but continued his "dominance" "world wide" amateur ranks, culminating with Olympic Gold and THEN went on to "world wide" dominance in several weight classes as a professional "world wide" champ...hint, hint, hint...against ALL takers throughout the world. Now I like the NFL, NBA, MLB, PGA, etc. like the next person but for the most part (PGA I guess would argue as the exception) the professional alphabet soup world of boxing transverses a "world-wide" playing field. Hence, Sweat Pea - again no disrepect to others - had the most expansive accomplishments, all the while representing South Hampton Roads! So

RLJOD, all great athletes, but the guidlines were the Top 50 SOUTH Hampton Roads Athletes.

I noticed three glaring omissions... Newport News' Leroy Keyes(Carver H.S. great, Purdue All-American, '67 Heisman Runner-up), Hampton H.S. great Henry Jordan, whom is in the Pro Football Hall of fame(though born in Emporia) and Lawrence Taylor( Is Williamsburg not regarded as South Hampton Roads, perhaps?). I'd like an explanation.

I am not supprised that martial arts was left out!! How about Grandmaster ER Spruiell Judo champion for years even his 60's!

http://www.vatkd.com/judo_homepage04.htm

Also the famous boxer and kickboxer Curtis Bush..number of world titles in professional boxing and kickboxing.

http://www.webspawner.com/users/curtistheexplosiv/index.html

Just my opinion....
the Silver Dragon from Suffolk!

Happy New Year

Please explain WHY your 2 "jailbird" heroes (Vick & Iverson), should be on any list for recognition, when Pete Rose was banned from the Baseball Hall of Fame!!!

They are both a disgrace to Hampton Roads AND No example for young athletes!

If some past great athletes like Michael Vick or Allan Iverson were on this list in their day?

There are only two wrestlers listed. Think about it. How many local state champion wrestlers has Hampton Roads had? ...and how many of those are three-time state champions? Don't the VP writers realize how much discipline, intelligence, and athletic ability is required to accomplish this? Oh, I get it, we're talking about MONEY sports.

oops..... How many spelling comments am I going to get?

not even half the population and just as many athletes produced...the pennisula! That is the real list that needs to be made.

ok...i thought the poll covered all of hampton roads...the 7 cities. i see now that it is south hampton roads (the southside), so the iverson/vick omission makes sense.

still doesn't explain how parade all americans and nfl players, darby and goganious were omitted. grizzard was at the navy academy breaking roger staubach's records, and was snubbed....hmmmmm. doug west, all state football player and in wrestling....wow...21-0 with 19 pins in the unlimited weight class. find me a better stat.

makes no sense to me, but i loved the article! so much talent to choose from. i'm truly proud to be a local and to have played with, and against, some of the best athletes in the nation.....

Carl Perry was a 4 time state champ and national champion at Illinois.

... goes to the athlete that HAS NOT engaged in guns, crimes, and other illegal activities. I guess that leaves me without a vote, huh?

Hey, what is the problem Pilot, only ball players listed? What of Curtis Bush, some of the fastest martial arts hands and feet in the world. Several championships, great respect from students and competetors, and a fine person.

What of Bobby Holland, Sr.? A superior citizen of the Commonwealth, Virginia Beach and the OBX. Oh yea, did I mention that he has been a US championship SURFER for decades. Currently, Mr. Holland remains a force to be reckoned with in the water and continues to display championship abilities and attitudes when ever he touches water.

All the others listed worked a couple of years as a pro, wrecked their bodies and now survive on pensions. Think out of the box there Pilot choosers. Far as I can tell from Pilot's listing, none there are as important as those listed above, or represent this region better.

He didn't start as a freshman though, he was Charles Woodson's back up but he did play a lot. He was my role model back in those days. Won a National Championship at Michigan too. You can make a list out of all the Norview athletes. Dave Martin is still playing in the league, and he also won a National Championship at Tennessee the year after James. I would also nominate Sweet Pea's nephew, Ronyell Whitaker. The Eastern District had a lot of great athletes in the mid-late 90's.

I feel that a great athelete was left off the list. His name is Tommy Graves. He attended Lake Taylor High School, graduating in 1973. He was an All-Star in Football, Basketball, and, although not well known, Track. In high school he was 6 feet 5 inches and weighed 220 pounds. He was the starting quarterback and starting free safety in football, a starter at forward in basketball, and ran the 400x4 relay in track. He was recruited by Michigan State, where he started at free safety and graduated. He was drafted by the Pittsburg Steelers to play linebacker, although he had never played that position. And this was during the years of the Steel Curtain, and the Hall of Fame linebackers Lambert & Hamm! As a rookie, he earned a Super Bowl Championship Ring. All the talk of Kenny Easley is deserving, but, in my opinion, Kenny Easley was the next Tommy Graves.

I've seen some good points about athletes left off of the "list." May I add David Robinson and the late Alton Grizzard, both Green Run High School and Naval Academy graduates for consideration. Although Mr. Robinson did not blossom into a blue chip athlete until he hit his growth spurt at Annapolis, he began his journey in Virginia Beach. As for Alton, his leadership and ability as quarterback at the Naval Academy should not be forgotten nor overlooked. RIP Alton.

over 500 amatuer fights with only 4 loses, 1 gold medal, and World champion in 4 different weight classes SweetPea Whitaker is also one of the greatest athletes of alltime. You know the one with Micheal Jordan, Lance Armstrong, Joe Montana and Muhamid Ali. Sweetpea had a style that was unique and uncanny. In his reign he brought Hampton roads 9 title fights never forgeting his roots.,and taking a loss along the way cause all we had to offer was that dump called Scope. He now works as a sucessful trainer for up and coming new fighters. He will be inducted into the boxing hall of fame this year. I'd run out of room if I listed all his acomplishments so go google him then come back and tell me about it. Compare the articles about your favorite athlete to mine Pound for Pound the best ever AMAZING

Was drafted in both football and baseball, he player in 2 super bowles.
Stukes was a three sport star at then Crestwood high School. He is one the areas greatest sports stars.