Top 10 Pittsburgh Born Sports Figures

Brian Gulish by Contributor Written on June 21, 2009

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PITTSBURGH - JUNE 04:  The Pittsburgh skyline during game six of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Finals between the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Mellon Arena on June 4, 2008 in Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania. The Red Wings defeated the Penguins 3-2
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Top 10 Sports Figures from Pittsburgh, PA

Whether they are from the gridiron or the wrestling mat, the baseball diamond or the green's of August, Pittsburgh, PA has produced some of the greatest athletes and sports figures of all time. Sit back and enjoy the top ten Pittsburgh born sports figures.

#10- Kurt Angle

31 Jul 1996: Kurt Angle of the United States holds the American flag at the free-style wrestling competition during the Summer Olympics at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mt. Lebo's Kurt Angle is an olympic gold medalist. Upon leaving high school, Angle competed at Clarion University as a collegiate. He then enterted the world of professional wrestling, following in the shoes of Bruno Sammartino and Larry Zbysko as other Pittsburghers to hit the squared circle.

#9- Ty Law

HOUSTON - JANUARY 27:  Cornerback Ty Law #24 of the New England Patriots answers questions on media day January 27, 2003 at Reliant Stadium before Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers in Houston, Texas.  (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

The former Aliquippa Quip is a three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots. While he may not be the most well known player from Pittsburgh, he is one of the most successful to come out of western PA.

#8- Mike Ditka

15 Oct 1989:  Head coach Mike Ditka of the Chicago Bears, left, has a few words with an official during the Bears 33-28 loss to the Houston Oilers at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.  Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel  /Allsport

The coach of the Super Bowl shuffle winning Bears is also an Aliquippa native. He stayed in the area and went to Pitt before moving on to the NFL.

#7- Bill Cowher

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 18:  Head coach Bill Cowher of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Alltel Stadium on September 18, 2006 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars defeated the Steel

Born and bred in Carlyton, Cowher was the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers for fifteen seasons. He won one Super Bowl, two AFC Titles and numerous division crowns for his hometown team.

#6- Joe Namath

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 26:  Former Jets quarterback is introduced during halftime festivities celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Jets' win over the Colts in Super Bowl III during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the New York Jets on

Joe Namath went from coming through on a guarantee to wanting to kiss Suzzy Kobler on Monday Night Football, "Broadway Joe" from Beaver Falls is a one of a kind star that a city like Pittsburgh calls its own.

#5- Tony Dorsett

ANAHEIM, CA - JANUARY 4:  Running back Tony Dorsett #33 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes for yards during a 1985 NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium on January 4, 1996 in Anaheim, California.  The Rams won 20-0.  (Photo

Tony Dorsett is another local product, even though he had an Aliquippa zip code, this former Pitt Panther was a high school star at Hopewell. Known for his running at Pitt, and later for the Dallas Cowboys, Dorsett is definitely a Pittsburgh kid.

#4- Joe Montana

9 Jan 1993: Quarterback Joe Montana of the San Francisco 49ers passes the ball during a playoff game against the Washington Redskins at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game 20-13.

No matter what you say, with four Super Bowl titles, Joe Montana is arguably the greatest QB to play the game. Although he went to Notre Dame, and later playing for the 49'ers and Chiefs, Montana forever will be born in Pittsburgh, PA.

#3- Ken Griffey, Jr.

SEATTLE - APRIL 18:  Ken Griffey Jr. #24 of the Seattle Mariners bats against the Detroit Tigers during the game on April 18, 2009 at Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

This Donora, PA "kid" is just what the Pirates could have used the past sixteen losing seasons. Some believe he had the chance to break Hank Aaron's homerun record before Barry Bonds. It says here, no matter what his generation has done, Junior is the best "non-steroid" using baseball player of his time.

#2- Dan Marino

Official quaterback Dan Marino throws a pass during MTV's 'Rock 'N Jock' in the NFL Experience at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla..  1/26/01  Photo by Scott Gries/ImageDirect

Central Catholic to Pitt, the Steelers COULD have drafted Marino. It is ashame he only played in one Super Bowl, which he lost. One of the best QB's of all time, Marino is a good face for the city of champions.

#1- Arnold Palmer

CHAMPIONS GATE, FL - DECEMBER 07:  Arnold Palmer of the USA at the 8th hole during the final round of the Del Webb Father Son Challenge on the International Course at Champions Gate Golf Club on December 7, 2008 in Champions Gate, Florida.  (Photo by Davi

He may not have the majors of Jack or Tiger, but he has his fair share. Latrobe's Palmer is a legend among legends, in golf and sports. A great ambassador for the game and for western PA, Palmer is the face for Pittsburgh born sports figures.

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written on June 21, 2009 Opinion

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