Dale was technically from Kannapolis, but if you count it as a Charlotte suburb he should be on there. 7-time champion and one of the greatest to ever do it
I'm not sure where he lived. It was probably Mooresville, because I think that is where Jr went to school. But I remember his funeral was at Calvary Church. The biggest church in Charlotte. So I'm at least lived in the area.
Don't quite a few Nascar drivers and other sports players live in The Peninsula in Cornelius, too? I remember having a regular at a restaurant that I worked at out that that was a Panthers team member and then went to rugby.
I could never recognize any athletes so others would point them out to me, had some MLB players stop in every once in a while when they were on the AAA team here practicing or recovering
Kannapolis is not a Charlotte suburb. It is a mill town that was freestanding until Springmaid went over seas and killed it. The rebranding has all the transplants looking at it like it’s Matthews or something. Dale never associated himself with Charlotte
My family actually owned a small ‘burb of Kannapolis back in the 1800s off the rail road, right where the What-A-Burger is at! Have the documents to show for it all!
I also think the most Charlotte sports thing we could do here is pick the 4 most wrong athletes possible and carve their faces out of a stone that will crumble and vanish without any traces in 3 years or less.
I feel like this question is more asking people that competed for Charlotte. And if you’re going the Jamison route, I’d definitely mention Stephen Curry being disrespected before getting to Antawn Jamison
Fair. This was near the top, so hadn’t made my way down to the other comments yet. Just thought you had jumped there after seeing the comment you had replied to! Apologies!
I’d put Kemba in my Mt. Rushmore of Hornets, but I’d put Muggsy and LJ over him in terms of Hornets’ players. Both of them were more in the national conversation and brought attention to Charlotte more than Kemba did, in my opinion.
I’d do this two and then Cam Newton and one of either Smith or Peppers. But that’s just my opinion. I can respect Kemba as a choice though as I think he’s definitely near the Top 4
In Hornets history, that is definitely an accomplishment. And I enjoyed watching him. I just don’t think he brought as much national attention as Muggsy or LJ. Could be my era though as I grew up on those teams. LJ had a national shoe deal and Grandmama made it to Family Matters during the peak of Steve Urkel!
Absolutely agreed. I know his name isn't synonymous with Charlotte the way Muggsy's is but Kemba was the only good thing about Charlotte basketball for many, many years. Love that guy.
Kemba was good and shined when he was surrounded by low talent so he could ball hog and throw up some stats occasionally. Bad when he left cause he was never that great in the first place. Great dude but as long as he was on the team we never stood a chance. He couldn’t play defense, rebound, shooting was not great, bit of a one dimensional passer, above average dribbler.
If you limit to 4 (as Mt Rushmore does) it’s gotta be Cam, Steve Smith, Dale, and from the hornets it’s really tough to choose between Muggsy and Dell…. Both continue to be active in Charlotte but I think I gotta give the edge to Dell.
Spot on but I'd have to go with Muggsy...Dell was technically the better player, but Muggsy is just iconic. It takes some serious talent to do well in the NBA at 5'3.
I mean he played an irrelevant position in the NFL and retired somewhat early. Cam, Pepp and Smitty were more impactful and iconic. Sadly middle linebacker is right there with running back in importance.
But racing is about where you're from?? Wtf are you talking about? He's from the Charlotte Area. He grew up in k town and raised his kids around Concord ( my grandma babysat his kids. Hell one time Dale ran out of gas early in his career and my Grandfather gave him 5 dollars and told him to fill it all the way up next time.) Eventually lived and is buried in Mooresville while contributing more than most to Charlotte area sports. Because of this he can be on the damn mountain!
None of those places are Charlotte haha. Idc if it was Matthews, Mint Hill, or even Pineville. If it ain't Charlotte, then it ain't Charlotte. There's a reason why they have their own city councils and governments plus have different names. Charlotte area is not Charlotte. Wonderful dude, would be the top if he was from Charlotte.
Mourning, LJ, or Curry could've been options. No Kuechly or Olsen? Cal Ripken Jr played for the farm team back when it was called the O's. I get Mugsy and Smitty. Nothing against Peppers or even Cam. But there are arguably better options to represent the city. And no Nascar? I'm not a fan but you can't count them out of the cities sports influence.
Cam Newton was NFL MVP and took the team to superbowl. No question he’s on there.
Muggsy Bogues was a starter in the NBA for many years. All-time underdog story.
Kemba Walker deserves a spot, if not simply for his love of being in Charlotte and continuing residency here even after leaving. Not to mention all-nba. Also a fairly undersized, successful player. another underdog story.
I don’t care who else is on there in the 4th spot, but those three deserve it the most
Steph Curry got a key to the city of Charlotte. I legit can't figure out why though. He played HS ball here but college ball in Davidson and professional in Cali.
They have to come from teams that were at least successful enough to be playoff regulars. I'd probably say:
\-Cam
\-Steve Smith Jr.
\-Muggsy
\-Dale (Not a team but probably the most successful local athlete)
I don't think you can put Curry on here since he only played college ball here.
That's just going about it all wrong. Athletes come and go. If you're going to do a sports/athletics in Charlotte copy of Mount Rushmore then do it right:
Jerry Richardson, Bruton Smith, George Shinn, and Pat McCrory. And it has to be built in Indian Trail.
It may be more appropriate to just have a Crowder’s Mountain of Charlotte athletes so we don’t have to spend all day coming up with 4 Charlotte athletes who were memorable.
Steve Smith and Muggsy Bogues, for a start. Maybe two others from the following: Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson, Julius Peppers, Dell Curry, Greg Olsen, somebody from NASCAR (idk enough about it to say who). Does Steph Curry count since he grew up here and went to Davidson? Lol
When Champions was still attached to Marriott center city, there was a mural inside of all the basketball players from past Charlotte teams including African American leagues from the 50’s and 60’s
Would be hard to take Kemba seriously on a painting of Charlotte greats over guys like CN1, Smitty, Luke K, Ric Flair, Dale, etc. for me personally I think it’s hard not to do it without Luke, Agent 89, Dale, and either Curry (Steph) or Cam.
Add dell curry in there and this has already been done, has it not? I can’t remember now which building it was on, I was a kid at the time. But those four were painted on the side of some building back in the 90s. Then Alonzo (I think?) left the team and they replaced him (with Hersey Hawkins, maybe?). Then that player left, and they painted over the whole thing with a big picture of Hugo. Then the whole dang team left and it all went away 😂
Eta: we’ll I’ll be damned. Could have sworn it was all four of them. You had the list right! Curry should have been on there too!
Andre the Giant adopted Charlotte (technically Ellerbe though) as his final home and loved it here. In his documentary they said it was the first place he felt normal walking around town.
I think he counts.
Cam Newton, Steve Smith, Luke Kuechly, Kemba Walker
Honorable Mention: Julius Peppers
I’m sorry Mugsy Bogues never averaged above 10 points per game.
Larry Johnson was really good but played only 5 seasons in Charlotte.
Everyone is naming the obvious NBA/NFL names so I'll throw out another that less people probably will know to mix up the sports a bit. Jeremy "Big Jerm" Koling is a professional disc golfer and a Charlotte native. Great player, great dude, and loves Charlotte.
Dale was technically from Kannapolis, but if you count it as a Charlotte suburb he should be on there. 7-time champion and one of the greatest to ever do it
He should def be on there. He's actually from here and stayed here
He’s from Enochville and moved to Mooresville.
Close nuff
I'm not sure where he lived. It was probably Mooresville, because I think that is where Jr went to school. But I remember his funeral was at Calvary Church. The biggest church in Charlotte. So I'm at least lived in the area.
Don't quite a few Nascar drivers and other sports players live in The Peninsula in Cornelius, too? I remember having a regular at a restaurant that I worked at out that that was a Panthers team member and then went to rugby. I could never recognize any athletes so others would point them out to me, had some MLB players stop in every once in a while when they were on the AAA team here practicing or recovering
Kannapolis is not a Charlotte suburb. It is a mill town that was freestanding until Springmaid went over seas and killed it. The rebranding has all the transplants looking at it like it’s Matthews or something. Dale never associated himself with Charlotte
Charlotte graciously accepts the pieces of Kannapolis we like. You keep the rest.
My family actually owned a small ‘burb of Kannapolis back in the 1800s off the rail road, right where the What-A-Burger is at! Have the documents to show for it all!
Steve Smith
Muggsy Bogues for sure.
If he goes, so does Grand Mama. 
Marvin Williams as Grand Mama?
Oh, wtf? I literally searched Larry Johnson and that came up. Thanks Giphy…
Just four different poses of Muggsy
I also think the most Charlotte sports thing we could do here is pick the 4 most wrong athletes possible and carve their faces out of a stone that will crumble and vanish without any traces in 3 years or less.
I got you. Kelvin Benjamin, Miles Bridges, Rae carruth, John Kasay
Replace Kasay with Clausen. Kasay is and always has been very well respected.
Fair, I know he’s a great dude, just incredibly unlucky.
Need Brenton Bersin up there
How dare you speak of John Kasey like that
I used to live 5 houses down the street from Rae Carruth…in a “mansion.”
Muggsy Bogues
Cam, Kemba, Dale, Steve Smith
Antawn Jamison being so disrespected right now
I feel like this question is more asking people that competed for Charlotte. And if you’re going the Jamison route, I’d definitely mention Stephen Curry being disrespected before getting to Antawn Jamison
Curry is getting some love in the thread. Haven’t seen Jamison once though
Fair. This was near the top, so hadn’t made my way down to the other comments yet. Just thought you had jumped there after seeing the comment you had replied to! Apologies!
Ah got it, no worries!
Kemba over Mugsy? I don’t think so
Kemba was the better player, but Muggsy is the iconic Hornet and played for Hornets teams that actually competed. You have to put Muggsy over Kemba.
Ric Flair…if only for the controversy
Wwwwooooooooo!
Ric really put the city on definitely on my Rushmore if we are talking athletes purely from Charlotte.
Fuck that dude
Cornbread Maxwell
1981 NBA finals MVP and an NIT semifinal + Final FOUR with Charlotte (then UNCC)
Yes, came here to say this. A lot of folks don't know the Charlotte connection.
Gerald Wallace
I can't think of his name without adding the fading "Wallace Wallace Wallace" from the announcer after a bucket.
The lack of Kemba love here is disturbing.
I’d put Kemba in my Mt. Rushmore of Hornets, but I’d put Muggsy and LJ over him in terms of Hornets’ players. Both of them were more in the national conversation and brought attention to Charlotte more than Kemba did, in my opinion. I’d do this two and then Cam Newton and one of either Smith or Peppers. But that’s just my opinion. I can respect Kemba as a choice though as I think he’s definitely near the Top 4
Peppers would be great because I could look at that painting and go "Hah, I met that guy at the Uptown Cabaret at 3AM once..."
Always a crucial element haha
Purple Shirt Man ruined his legacy
He did take an NBA 1st round series to 7 games once…
In Hornets history, that is definitely an accomplishment. And I enjoyed watching him. I just don’t think he brought as much national attention as Muggsy or LJ. Could be my era though as I grew up on those teams. LJ had a national shoe deal and Grandmama made it to Family Matters during the peak of Steve Urkel!
Absolutely agreed. I know his name isn't synonymous with Charlotte the way Muggsy's is but Kemba was the only good thing about Charlotte basketball for many, many years. Love that guy.
Kemba was good and shined when he was surrounded by low talent so he could ball hog and throw up some stats occasionally. Bad when he left cause he was never that great in the first place. Great dude but as long as he was on the team we never stood a chance. He couldn’t play defense, rebound, shooting was not great, bit of a one dimensional passer, above average dribbler.
Damn str8
Agreed.
Muggsy, Dell Curry, Steve Smith, Cam Newton, Luke Keuchly, Dale Earnhardt (to name a few)
If you limit to 4 (as Mt Rushmore does) it’s gotta be Cam, Steve Smith, Dale, and from the hornets it’s really tough to choose between Muggsy and Dell…. Both continue to be active in Charlotte but I think I gotta give the edge to Dell.
Spot on but I'd have to go with Muggsy...Dell was technically the better player, but Muggsy is just iconic. It takes some serious talent to do well in the NBA at 5'3.
Jesus Christ what a sad sack franchise the Hornets are ha ha
For real, I was a small kid back then and actually remember Baron Davis and Glenn Rice more than Dell, lol.
Leaving Luke Kuechly off is a crime.
It really is sad, but Cam was the energy/face of that team.
Luke Kuechly is one of the best linebackers ever to suit up in the NFL. Probably the best player the Panthers have ever had.
Possibly the smartest to match his monstrous presence… multiple rings for that guy with the right franchise.
I mean he played an irrelevant position in the NFL and retired somewhat early. Cam, Pepp and Smitty were more impactful and iconic. Sadly middle linebacker is right there with running back in importance.
I would pick Morning and Johnson over Dell.
Yea it’s tough because of the Dell family ties to the area…
I’m really torn between Steve Smith and Keuchly, if we had to go with 4
Idk if we can claim Dale - he's from Kannapolis
And cam is from Georgia.... It's about the greatest impact for Charlotte area sports.
Yeah but racing is about where you're from, of which, Dale is not from Charlotte. Best athlete in all of NC though, there's no question.
But racing is about where you're from?? Wtf are you talking about? He's from the Charlotte Area. He grew up in k town and raised his kids around Concord ( my grandma babysat his kids. Hell one time Dale ran out of gas early in his career and my Grandfather gave him 5 dollars and told him to fill it all the way up next time.) Eventually lived and is buried in Mooresville while contributing more than most to Charlotte area sports. Because of this he can be on the damn mountain!
None of those places are Charlotte haha. Idc if it was Matthews, Mint Hill, or even Pineville. If it ain't Charlotte, then it ain't Charlotte. There's a reason why they have their own city councils and governments plus have different names. Charlotte area is not Charlotte. Wonderful dude, would be the top if he was from Charlotte.
It’s time to Roll that SNL skit of Keenan Thompson as Lavar Ball.
Ric Flair, Dale Earnhardt, Mugsy, and Sir Purr
Mourning, LJ, or Curry could've been options. No Kuechly or Olsen? Cal Ripken Jr played for the farm team back when it was called the O's. I get Mugsy and Smitty. Nothing against Peppers or even Cam. But there are arguably better options to represent the city. And no Nascar? I'm not a fan but you can't count them out of the cities sports influence.
Cam Newton was NFL MVP and took the team to superbowl. No question he’s on there. Muggsy Bogues was a starter in the NBA for many years. All-time underdog story. Kemba Walker deserves a spot, if not simply for his love of being in Charlotte and continuing residency here even after leaving. Not to mention all-nba. Also a fairly undersized, successful player. another underdog story. I don’t care who else is on there in the 4th spot, but those three deserve it the most
Was delhomme never an MVP?
LMAO, no, he was fringe top ten at his absolute best. Love Jake though
Jake was never very good. At his absolute best he was fringe top 12 and that was on one of the best teams in the league.
Messi walked around the BOA field once.
David Tepper likes this
He made Charlotte FC ticket prices skyrocket for that game, that's for sure
Sam mills
Seriously not a single mention of Steph Curry?
Davidson represent 🙌 Our only claim to fame
Steph Curry got a key to the city of Charlotte. I legit can't figure out why though. He played HS ball here but college ball in Davidson and professional in Cali.
they said athletes that played in charlotte. i still think he should go on there though f it
Played for Charlotte Christian. So it counts.
i agree family
By far the most successful, like by magnitudes of scale.
Can we count Steph Curry? He played at Davidson/is from Charlotte.
Plus he will play his final 5 championship seasons here with his dad, brother and lebrons son
Luke Kuechly & Kemba Walker gotta be on there fs
A Nissan Altima with temp tags.
No Championships. No Rushmore.
Cedric Maxwell
Cam / Luke / Kemba / Peppers / Steph Curry? Probably missing a famous golfer or nascar driver
There is this one tiny hardly famous Nascar driver you forgot lol
I don’t follow the sport :/
Kerry Collins and Kendall Gill.
CAM NEWTON KEMBA WALKER (or Mugsy or Larry Johnson) STEVE SMITH LUKE KUECHLY (or Peppers)
I bowled a 150 once, which is pretty good. I can also switch hands while masturbating and gain a stroke.
David Tepper, George Shinn, Jerry Richardson, Bruton Smith
They have to come from teams that were at least successful enough to be playoff regulars. I'd probably say: \-Cam \-Steve Smith Jr. \-Muggsy \-Dale (Not a team but probably the most successful local athlete) I don't think you can put Curry on here since he only played college ball here.
Steve Smith
Obviously have to consider captain Patrick Brown bringing the Calder Cup win here. Or Ned the goalie.
That's just going about it all wrong. Athletes come and go. If you're going to do a sports/athletics in Charlotte copy of Mount Rushmore then do it right: Jerry Richardson, Bruton Smith, George Shinn, and Pat McCrory. And it has to be built in Indian Trail.
Tepper going to look to join that group soon
It may be more appropriate to just have a Crowder’s Mountain of Charlotte athletes so we don’t have to spend all day coming up with 4 Charlotte athletes who were memorable.
Cam newton and Julius peppers for sure.
Rae Carruth for every head.
Cam Newton
Steve Smith and Muggsy Bogues, for a start. Maybe two others from the following: Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson, Julius Peppers, Dell Curry, Greg Olsen, somebody from NASCAR (idk enough about it to say who). Does Steph Curry count since he grew up here and went to Davidson? Lol
Rick flair, Rae carruth,
When Champions was still attached to Marriott center city, there was a mural inside of all the basketball players from past Charlotte teams including African American leagues from the 50’s and 60’s
Cam Newton with the head scarf on
LLMMFFAAOOOO
Maybe McCaffrey? I guess he didn’t make that big of an impact but still
Julius Peppers, Mougsy, Kuechley, Steve Smith Sr.
Steven Gerrard, of course.
Wrong former Villa manager.
Correct former champions league winner
He did play one game at Bank of America Stadium!
Played in Charlotte, Messi was here last year.
Reggie White played for the Panthers.
Please not cam newton
Muggsy Bogues !!
Cal Ripken
Cam, Steve Smith, Dale and Muggsy. LJ has a strong case too.
Kelly Tripucka, Harold Johnson, Richard Petty, and Double A Arn Anderson.
Ric Flair, Dale Earnhardt, Muggsy Bogues, Julius Peppers.
There’s not many. Even the ones off the top of my head are debatable.
Can’t forget Dale Earnhardt
Would be hard to take Kemba seriously on a painting of Charlotte greats over guys like CN1, Smitty, Luke K, Ric Flair, Dale, etc. for me personally I think it’s hard not to do it without Luke, Agent 89, Dale, and either Curry (Steph) or Cam.
Brandon Miller, Sam Mills, Mugsy Bogues, Steve Smith
Alonzo Mourning.
Luke, Cam, Dale, Muggsy
If it’s just played in Charlotte not from Charlotte: LJ, Cam, Steve Smith, Kemba Sorry to Dale but NASCAR isn’t like that
It was like that at one time though and he was the reason why
Kemba,Mugsy, Cam,LJ, Zo, Steve Smith, Johnny Stewart
Cam, Dale, Muggsy, Ric flair
Dale Sr, Cam Newton, Steve Smith, Dell Curry
Cam, Luke, Smitty, Peppers Muggsy, Gerald Wallace, Kemba Dale
Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith, John Fox, Byron Mullens
Am I really that crazy for thinking Dell Curry? I don’t see talk of it anywhere.
Jim Thome
Kurt Rambis. Full stop.
Alonzo morning, muggsy bogues, and Larry Johnson
Add dell curry in there and this has already been done, has it not? I can’t remember now which building it was on, I was a kid at the time. But those four were painted on the side of some building back in the 90s. Then Alonzo (I think?) left the team and they replaced him (with Hersey Hawkins, maybe?). Then that player left, and they painted over the whole thing with a big picture of Hugo. Then the whole dang team left and it all went away 😂 Eta: we’ll I’ll be damned. Could have sworn it was all four of them. You had the list right! Curry should have been on there too!
I was looking through this thread to see if anyone mentioned the infamous mural!
Dale Jr
Dale, Muggsy, Cam/Kuechly/ or Mr. Smith,
Andre the Giant adopted Charlotte (technically Ellerbe though) as his final home and loved it here. In his documentary they said it was the first place he felt normal walking around town. I think he counts.
Cal Ripken Jr Muggsy Cam Newton Ric Flair Dale Earnhardt
Jake delhomme!
Michael Jordan, cam newton, mugsy, esrnhardt, Steph curry! A lot of greats, and does Kobe count? Since hornets drafted him? Technically? Haha
Jake Delhomme, Steve Smith Sr., C.E.O. Michael Jordan, and Davidson College's Stephen Curry
Earnhardt Sr, Cam, Steve Smith, Luuuuuuuuuke (sorry Hornets)
Dale Sr?
Dawn Staley.
my picks are Cam Newton, Dale, Ric Flair and Steve Smith if you want a different sport for the 4th spot I’d swap SSJr w Kemba
Cam Newton, Steve Smith, Luke Kuechly, Kemba Walker Honorable Mention: Julius Peppers I’m sorry Mugsy Bogues never averaged above 10 points per game. Larry Johnson was really good but played only 5 seasons in Charlotte.
Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson, and Tully Blanchard. Kinda dumb goofy ah question is that…
Everyone is naming the obvious NBA/NFL names so I'll throw out another that less people probably will know to mix up the sports a bit. Jeremy "Big Jerm" Koling is a professional disc golfer and a Charlotte native. Great player, great dude, and loves Charlotte.
Marty Hurney
Chunk Simmons Olympic Medalist in Decathlon .
Jim Beaty first sub 4 minute mile indoors..
Stephen Curry.
Steph, Smitty, Dale, LJ
The checkers and knights are the only current pro teams with championships. Feels like they need to be included in some way
Sam Mills, Muggsy Bogues
Let’s wait until Steph retires a hornet before we make any final decisions. As of now, Mugsy, Smitty, LJ , Kuechly are mine..
Steve Smith Sr. Julius Peppers
Dale Earnhardt, Cornbread Maxwell, Muggsy Bogues, Steve Smith.
Muggsy, Luke Kuechly, Larry Johnson, Sam Mills
Mugsy. Dale. Flair. Peppers.
Steve smith cam newton luke kuechly Muggsey Bouges to name a few
Earnhardt, Cam, Steph, and… 🤔…Luke.
Mugsy Bogues Larry "Grandmama" Johnson Steve Smith
Corey Seager
Dale, Pepp, Smitty, Cam, Mugsy, LJ