4 Most Controversial Philadelphia Sports Figures
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- If you ask SI.com, they'll tell you Philly is the most hated sports town. If you ask me, I'll say it's the most passionate, misunderstood sports town.
Either way, the point is, Philly likes to yell about its sports figures as much as any other town in America. So if you want to get sports fans in the city of brotherly love riled up, here are the best four names to mention (honestly, I couldn't think of a worthy fifth name to round out a top-five).
4. Chase Utley
It pains me to put "The Man" on this list, but if I'm being honest I have no choice.
Despite Utley's age (36), despite his accolades (six-time all-star, World Series champion), and despite his unprecedented tenure in Philadelphia (13 years), some fans still find the need to point out his obvious demise. Certain fans feel the need to highlight his putrid 2015 season and his inability to stay healthy late into his career. And a portion of Philly---gulp---hopes he is traded.
And there are even those vacuous fans who don't understand why Utley gets a "free pass," something that was undoubtedly earned.
It's basically the large group of Utley die-hards vs. everyone else.
3. Sam Hinkie
Sam Hinkie is the leader of the 76ers and their polarizing rebuilding process, which has become a national story, now entering year three. Hinkie supporters have created slogans like "Trust the Process" and Hinkie haters laugh, mocking their "naive" and "blind" support for a man with "no track record for success."
Often, you'll realize the younger-ish Philadelphia sports fans "Trust the Process" and the older-ish fans do not. Maybe patience has something to do with that.
2. Sam Bradford
Just say the name Sam Bradford at a Philadelphia sports bar, I dare you. Bradford is the ultimate unknown. One on hand, he is a former Heisman Trophy winner with uncanny accuracy. The man was a high-school star at pretty much any sport you can think of (golf, ice hockey, basketball, baseball, and football).
On the other hand, Bradford has under-achieved since being the first overall pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2010. Furthermore, after back-to-back ACL tears, Bradford has only played seven games in the last two years.
So many "if's" with the Eagles' starting quarterback has Philadelphia yelling, one way or another.
1. Chip Kelly
Where to even begin? If it wasn't for Deflategate and the country's fascination with it, Chip would be the regarded as the most controversial figure in all of sports.
Between his fast-paced and unconventional offense, his sports science health-focused style, his secretive private life, racial allegations from former players (fair or unfair), his sarcastic press conferences, his ability to gain control of all personnel decisions this early into his NFL coaching tenure (leading to controversial roster changes this past offseason), and his impressive 20-12 combined record during his first two seasons, there's always something to argue about when it comes to Chip.
