Tennessee's 10 Greatest Athletes
Honorable Mention to Hall-of-Famers from former Tennessee teams: Larry Csonka and Paul Warfield of the World Football League's Memphis Southmen, Reggie White of the United States Football League's Memphis Showboats, and Mel Daniels and Roger Brown of the American Basketball Association's Memphis Sounds.
10. Mike Fisher, center, Nashville Predators, 2011-18. After 11 seasons with the Ottawa Senators, he asked to be traded to Nashville to be closer to the home of his wife, country singer Carrie Underwood -- which makes her married name "Carrie Fisher." He scored 111 of his 278 career goals with the Predators, and helped them reach the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals.
9. Frank Wycheck, tight end, Tennessee Oilers/Titans, 1997-2003 (plus 1995 and 1996 as the Houston Oilers). A 3-tie All-Pro, he will be forever remembered for his option pass to Kevin Dyson in the 1999 AFC Wild Card Game that became "the Music City Miracle."
8. Zach Randolph, forward, Memphis Grizzlies, 2009-17. A 2-time All-Star, the Grizzlies have announced that they will retire his Number 50 when he retires as a player. He is now with the Sacramento Kings.
7. Tony Allen, guard, Memphis Grizzlies, 2010-17. Although he never made an NBA All-Star Game, and his biggest achievement was helping the Boston Celtics win the 2008 NBA Championship, he made 3 All-Defensive First Teams and 3 All-Defensive Second Teams. Kobe Bryant autographed a pair of sneakers for him, calling him "the best defender I ever faced!" The Grizzlies have announced that they will retire his Number 9 when he retires as a player. That may be soon in coming, as he is currently without a team.
6. David Legwand, center, Nashville Predators, 1999-2014. He is the franchise's all-time leader with 210 goals, 356 assists and 566 points, and led them to their 1st Playoff series win in 2011.
5. Shea Weber, defenseman, Nashville Predators, 2006-16. A 6-time All-Star, he helped the Preds reach the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals. He is now the Captain of the Montreal Canadiens.
3. Bruce Matthews, offensive tackle, Tennessee Oilers/Titans, 1997-2001 (plus 1983 to 1996 as the Houston Oilers). He made the Pro Bowl in his last 14 seasons, including the 5 he played in Tennessee, the last at age 40. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Titans have retired his Number 74.
2. Steve McNair, quarterback, Tennessee Oilers/Titans, 1997-2005 (plus 1995 and 1996 as the Houston Oilers). A 3-time Pro Bowler, he led the Titans to the 1999 AFC Championship, and was named NFL Most Valuable Player in 2003. In a career that also included 2 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, he passed for 31,304 yards and rushed for 3,590 more. Although it is not officially retired, the Titans have not given his Number 9 out since he retired.
1. Eddie George, running back, Tennessee Oilers/Titans, 1997-2003 (plus 1996 as the Houston Oilers). The 1995 Heisman Trophy winner at Ohio State, he was the 1996 NFL Rookie of the Year and a 4-time Pro Bowler. He rushed for 10,441 yards and 68 touchdowns. He also caught 268 passes for 2,227 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Although it is not officially retired, the Titans have not given his Number 27 out since he retired. It makes absolutely no sense that he is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.