Which Philadelphia Athlete Represented Philly The Best?

Philly has always been a sports city with high expectations of its players.  We don't always expect to win but we expect our players to give 110 percent effort.  For this, our fans are often misunderstood.

Of these 10 players in Philadelphia history, who represents Philly the best?  Again, this list isn't compiled of the best athletes to grace a field, court or ice in Philly, but the athletes that represent our city the best. They bled orange and black, powder blue, Kelly green, and red, white and blue.  

Think the exact opposite of a player like Derrick Coleman.

They made sure you got your money's worth when you showed up in the snow at Eagles games.  They gave you a reason to support a team that didn't have a fighting chance at making the playoffs.  They put their lives on the line to entertain you.  They ARE Philly.  

When you think of their name, Philly comes before or after it.  

Sure, there are guys like Charles Barkley that played IN Philly, but I'm thinking of guys that played FOR Philly.  

I may have left some off of the list that YOU think should have been on it.  I also may have put some on the list that YOU think should have been left off.  To me, these 10 athletes are Philly, regardless of if they've played for other teams in their careers.  If they left Philly, their hearts are still here.

The list is in no specific order, but if you were to rank these 10 players, who would be the #1 B.P.F.P (By Philly For Philly) athlete?

Ron Hextall

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

7 Jun 1997: Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ron Hextall stands on the ice during the Stanley Cup Finals at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Red Wings on the game 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport

Philadelphia Flyers

Mike Schmidt

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Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during the 1989 season. Mandatory Credit: Allsport USA/ALLSPORT

Philadelphia Phillies

Julius Erving

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - 1987: Julius Erving #6 of the Philadelphia 76ers rests during the 1987 game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Philadelphia 76ers

Bobby Clarke

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NEW YORK - APRIL 20: General Manager Bob Clarke of the Philadelphia Flyers speaks with media members during the lunch break at the National Hockey League Board of Governors meeting at the Westin New York Hotel on April 20, 2005 in New York City.(Photo by

Philadelphia Flyers

Reggie White

Mike Powell/Getty Images

PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 24: Defensive end Reggie White #92 of the Philadelphia Eagles stands on the sideline during a game against the Phoenix Cardinals on November 24, 1991at Sun Devil Stadium in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Powell/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Eagles

Allen Iverson

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CHICAGO - FEBRUARY 20: Allen Iverson #3 of the Philadelphia 76ers is slow to get up after being hit in the face during a game against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on February 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 122-90. NO

Philadelphia 76ers

Rod Brind'Amour

Robert Laberge/Getty Images

1993-1994: ROD BRIND' AMOUR DURING THE FLYERS GAME VERSUS THE QUEBEC NORDIQUES AT LE COLISEE'' IN QUEBEC, CANADA. Mandatory Credit: Robert Laberge/ALLSPORT

Philadelphia Flyers

Randall Cunningham

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

25 OCT 1992: RANDALL CUNNINGHAM, QUARTERBACK FOR THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, FIRES A PASS DURING THEIR 7-3 WIN OVER THE PHOENIX CARDINALS AT VETERANS STADIUM IN PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. MANDATORY CREDIT: RICK STEWART/ALLSPORT

Philadelphia Eagles

Wilt Chamberlain

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

7 Feb 1997: Former Los Angeles Laker Wilt Chamberlain addresses the media at a press conference before the NBA All-Star Game at the Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport

Philadelphia 76ers

Steve Carlton

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - 1986: Steve Carlton #32 of the Philadelphia Phillies winds up the pitch during the 1986 season MLB game against the San Diego Padres at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Phillies