Fansided

Each state’s nominee for America’s Team

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the San Francisco 49ers 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins defeat the San Francisco 49ers 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Florida

Miami Dolphins

This was actually the toughest decision on the entire list, since Florida is one of the few states with multiple teams in all four major sports, plus an MLS club. College football fandom is also fractured throughout Sunshine State with Miami, Florida and Florida State all having strong fanbases.

There are multiple NFL teams as well, and though the Miami Dolphins have had the greatest success and richest history, the additions of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars have eaten into the number of Phins fans inside state borders.

If we were making this list five years ago, the Miami Heat would be an easy choice. With LeBron James and Dwayne Wade leading the charge, the Heat won two NBA Championships and gained a national following. Truthfully, if only Wade were left the Heat would likely get the nod since he was part of all five Finals teams in franchise history, as well as all three championship squads. But the Miami Heat of 2017 don’t look much like the Heat of 2013, the team has had one winning season since LeBron left for Cleveland, and most of the country has lost interest.

There are even out of the box candidates such as the Tampa Bay Storm and the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the Arena Football League and North American Soccer League,respectively, are worth consideration given their longstanding success in keeping their respective leagues afloat. It’s also worth mentioning that NASCAR and the PGA and LPGA have headquarters in the state.

But, when in doubt, defer to history and success, and no Florida team has been around longer than the Dolphins, who were established in 1966, and no NFL team in history has done what the 1972 squad did – finish a prefect season with a Super Bowl title.

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