 Classic SI photo by Bill Frakes |
Always in a Rush
Despite a heralded prep and college career in Florida, Emmitt Smith was ignored by the NFL until the 17th pick of the 1990 draft. He would prove all his detractors (most felt he was too small) wrong, becoming the NFL's all-time leading rusher in his 13 seasons as a Cowboy. Now he plans to add to that total as a member of the Cardinals.
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GREATEST ATHLETES |
Deion Sanders, Fort Myers
All-state in three sports at North Fort Myers High; football All-America at Florida State; best cornerback in NFL history; 183 steals in the majors.
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Emmitt Smith, Pensacola
Ran for 3,928 yards at Florida; NFL's alltime leader in rushing TDs; helped lead Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles.
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Steve Carlton, Miami
Second-winningest lefty (329); second-most career strikeouts (4,136); four Cy Young Awards.
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FLASHBACK |
1973: 17-0-0
With a super-perfecta performance the Dolphins drub the Redskins 14-7 and take pro football's biggest purse
It was not always easy, and far less dramatic than it might have been, but the Miami Dolphins finally demonstrated rather conclusively that they are the biggest fish in the pro football pond. On the record, then, Miami is the best club in pro football history.
FULL STORY
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THE SI POLL |
Who do Floridians root for? SI asked the Sunshine State residents to weigh in* on sports.
Favorite major league baseball team
Florida Marlins | 30% |
New York Yankees | 16% |
Favorite NFL team
Miami Dolphins | 25% |
Tampa Bay Bucs | 25% |
Favorite NBA team
Miami Heat | 14% |
Orlando Magic | 12% |
No favorite | 43% |
Favorite NHL team
Florida Panthers | 16% |
Tampa Bay Lightning | 12% |
No favorite | 40% |
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Favorite pro team
Tampa Bay Bucs | 17% |
Miami Dolphins | 17% |
New York Yankees | 9% |
Favorite college team
Florida Gators | 20% |
Miami Hurricanes | 15% |
Fla. St. Seminoles | 14% |
Greatest athlete who ever lived in or played for a team in your state
Dan Marino | 33% |
Emmitt Smith | 8% |
Steve Spurrier | 5% |
Bob Griese | 5% |
State's biggest rivalry
Florida-FSU | 58% |
FSU-Miami | 17% |
Florida-Miami | 7% |
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More a fan of college or pro sports?
Pro | 56% |
College | 12% |
Equal | 31% |
Favorite sport to play
Golf | 19% |
Swimming | 19% |
Fishing | 13% |
Favorite sports to watch on TV**
Football | 88% |
Baseball | 56% |
Summer Olympics | 43% |
Winter Olympics | 41% |
**Multiple responses allowed. | |
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*Harris Interactive poll, conducted online, of 402 Florida residents who identified themselves as sports fans. Margin of error +/-5%.
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Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary |
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STATITUDES |
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17-0 Record of the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only perfect season in NFL history.
5 National titles won by the Miami Hurricanes football team.
2 National titles won by the Florida State Seminoles football team.
1 National titles won by the Florida Gators football team.
14 Consecutive seasons the Florida State football team has finished in the top five.
17 Consecutive seasons the Florida women's tennis team has finished in the top five.
2,298 Points scored at Miami by Rick Barry, most in school history.
7 Number of times Richard Petty won the Daytona 500, a record.
1959 Year of first Daytona 500, won by Lee Petty.
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ENEMY OF THE STATE |
George Steinbrenner
Poor George (who leads the pack with four Enemy selections) can't catch a break, even in the state he has called home for the last 31 years. Floridians' most hated foes: the University of Georgia (13%), Steinbrenner's Yankees (11%) and the Jets (10%).
George Steinbrenner | 15% |
Steve Spurrier | 11% |
Wayne Huizenga | 9% |
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FAST FACTS |
Admission to statehood: March 3, 1845 (27th state)
Area: 65,758 square miles
Bird: Mockingbird
Capital: Tallahassee
Economy: Agriculture -- Citrus, vegetables, nursery stock, cattle, sugarcane, dairy products. Industry -- Tourism, electric equipment, food processing, printing and publishing, transportation equipment, machinery.
Flower: Orange blossom (Citrus sinensis)
Nickname: Sunshine State
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Population: 15,982,378 (4th)
Pro sports teams: Florida Marlins, Florida Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Orlando Magic, Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Major college programs: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, Central Florida Knights, Florida A&M Rattlers, Florida Atlantic Owls, Florida Gators, Florida International Golden Panthers, Florida State Seminoles, Jacksonville Dolphins, Miami Hurricanes, South Florida Bulls, Stetson Hatters
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