Soon we’re going to have actual sports to talk about. We just have to hold out a little bit longer.

God bless the hosts and producers over at 94 WIP, who have done an admirable job trying to fill the void during COVID-19. We’re going on three months now and I sense that we’re all running out of steam and ideas, because today there’s a poll up on Twitter asking whether Smarty Jones or Terrell Owens is the better Philly athlete of the past 50 years:

Is a horse an athlete? That’s a question for another time, but I’ll bite on this poll topic for the sake of the post.

Terrell Owens returned from a broken leg to catch nine passes for 122 yards in the Super Bowl. Fantastic receiver, HUGE acquisition for the Eagles back then, but unfortunately all of the contract nonsense and Donovan McNabb drama ensued.

Smarty Jones, however, fractured his skull at age two and then went on to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. He was THAT close to winning the Triple Crown but placed second at the Belmont when motherf****** Birdstone came from behind and had to ruin Philadelphia’s best sporting run in a long time.

Both Owens and Jones exemplify what it means to be “Philly tough,” but I honestly might have to go with Smarty here. Both were elite at their respective sports, both came close to winning it all, and then fell just short at the end. Smarty, however, didn’t give us residual drama and headaches over the next 15 years, not like the T.O. situation. It’s also worth pointing out that he’s a horse and cannot talk.

Anyway, this is part of a running segment WIP is doing called “G.O.A.T. of Broad Street,” which is described as such:

“we will finally determine who the greatest athlete in Philadelphia sports history is. Remember, in order to qualify, the athlete must have played in Philadelphia in the last 50 years (1970). Please cast your vote here to help us decide!”

We need sports to return.

Lord hear our prayer.