Fansided

Picking the Sports Mount Rushmore for all 50 states

By Dave Stevenson

PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 02: Detail of baseballs during batting practice to the MLB opening day game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 2, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - APRIL 02: Detail of baseballs during batting practice to the MLB opening day game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 2, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI – DECEMBER 5: Peyton Manning
MIAMI – DECEMBER 5: Peyton Manning /

Indiana

Indiana has a very strong case for having the most impressive Mount Rushmore of all 50 states. Each of its four members are all-timers in their sports.

Quarterback Peyton Manning led the Indianapolis Colts out of obscurity and made them America’s darlings. He put up jaw dropping numbers in Indianapolis for well over a decade and led the Colts to their first Super Bowl win in Indy in 2006. Without Manning, the Colts might not even be in Indianapolis.

Bob Knight‘s coaching style was controversial, but you can’t argue with his success. One of the most successful men’s basketball coaches of the past 40 years, Knight led the University of Indiana Hoosiers to three national titles and 11 regular season championships. He also coached the 1984 men’s basketball team to a gold medal.

Larry Bird got his start in Indiana, starring for the Indiana State University Sycamores. He was the National Player of the Year in 1979 and led them to the NCAA Tournament finals in that same season. Later, he returned to Indiana as the Pacers head coach from 1997 to 2000 and he currently serves in their front office as the President of Basketball Operations. In between his stints in Indiana, he was a pretty good NBA player as well.

Tony Stewart has become one of NASCAR’s most popular drivers, winning three titles as a driver and two as an owner. In 604 races over 18 years in the Sprint Cup Series, Stewart has 48 wins and 308 top 10 finishes.

Next: Georgia