ESPN Mt Rushmore winner is...

[ISUMatt]

ILLINOIS!!!

http://www.awfulannouncing.com/

Fans have voted Illinois’ four sports greats – Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, Ernie Banks and Mike Ditka – the most impressive quartet of sports icons representing each U.S. State, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, to be chiseled on SportsCenter’s “Mt. Rushmore of Sports.” Illinois received 28.6 percent of the votes, beating out the other four finalists – Pennsylvania, California, New York and Alabama.

Illinois- 28.6% (Michael Jordan, Walter Payton, Ernie Banks, Mike Ditka)
Pennsylvania- 25.5% (Joe Paterno, Mario Lemieux, Roberto Clemente, Wilt Chamberlain)
California- 17.4% (Tiger Woods, John Wooden, Magic Johnson, Jackie Robinson)
New York- 15.4% (Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Jim Brown, Joe Namath)
Alabama- 13.1% (Hank Aaron, Bear Bryant, Bo Jackson, Willie Mays)

[UNHWildCats]

Ted Williams (Boston Red Sox) - Teddy Ballgame was the last player to have a batting average over .400. The Hall of Famer won two Triple Crowns and two AL MVP awards.

Bobby Orr (Boston Bruins) - The Hall of Famer is the only defenseman to lead the NHL in scoring.

Tom Brady (New England Patriots) - The three-time Super Bowl winner and two-time Super Bowl MVP threw 50 touchdown passes in 2007 to set the NFL's single-season record.

Red Auerbach (Boston Celtics) - Auerbach and his iconic cigar were part of the Celtics' organization for 57 years. He coached the Celtics to nine NBA titles and also added another seven NBA titles in his role as Boston's GM and team president.

[Thunderstruck84]

I was surprised North Carolina didn't make the final 5 (MJ, Coach K, Dean Smith, Dale Earnhardt).

Can't argue with Illinois though but Mike Ditka in the top 4 is kind of surprising. Ditka over George Halas??? That's pretty questionable in my book. I'd put Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary in over Ditka as well.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I certaintly don't agree with Clemente for PA. When i think of Clemente in no way do i think of Pennsylvania. Western PA deffinately had more influence on the vote than the eastern half. Lemieux is atleast considered one of the top 5 hockey players ever.

I think Paterno, Montana, Chamberlain, and Palmer would have been a much better representation of PA.

[ISUMatt]

Can't argue with Illinois though but Mike Ditka in the top 4 is kind of surprising. Ditka over George Halas??? That's pretty questionable in my book. I'd put Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary in over Ditka as well.

Ditka is an icon in Chicago and always will be...fan favorite

[89Hen]

I think Paterno, Montana, Chamberlain, and Palmer would have been a much better representation of PA.
xnodx To not have Arnold Palmer is a travesty IMO.

[89Hen]

Ditka is an icon in Chicago and always will be...fan favorite
Ditka > Godzilla

[93henfan]

Mini Ditka > Chuck Norris

[andy7171]

Mini Ditka > Regular sized Ditka


...because Mini Ditka still has regular sized heart!