Is “Rocky” the greatest sports’ movie figure?

The epic 1976 film introduced Rocky Balboa into our lives, and his name has become instant recognition to the average person and sports fan.

Aside from Rocky, what are some other sports movie figures that you remember? Do you recall “Slap Shot’s” Hanson Brothers? How about Rudy or Apollo Creed?

In this week’s version of my Yesterday column – reminiscing about sports and pop culture in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and sometimes before and beyond – I’ll take a look at some of the more popular sports screen stars, a select group in a recent Times News Facebook poll.

And ... what former NFL star played the role of “Mongo” in a legendary 70s film? Who was known as “Polish Power,” and what former Phillie was the first sportscaster on Channel 6’s “Action News?”

Rockin’ The Top: “Rocky” topped the poll, gaining 45 percent of the voters. The film was inspired by former boxer Chuck “The Bayonne Bomber” Wepner, who was a journeyman brawler whose ragged road to the ring inspired “Rocky.”

Wepner nearly beat Muhammed Ali in a March 1975 bout, one in which Ali needed a 15th-round TKO knockout to finally win the fight. Like Rocky, Wepner made the sign of the cross with swollen eyes before the final round. He hung on until 15 seconds were left in the fight.

It is a classic fight to watch on YouTube.

Speaking of Rocky, Burgess “The Penguin” Meredith was the legendary trainer. In addition to his “Batman” role, Meredith was famous to me for his Twilight Zone role of Henry Bemis in the season one episode “Time Enough At Last.” Bemis surfaced a nuclear bomb and had time enough to read before he broke his glasses.

Rudy Reigns: In 1993, “Rudy” hit the big screen, and it developed into one of the most inspirational stories over the last 40 years.

Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger served in the Navy for two years before he began his collegiate career at Holy Cross College in Indiana. “Rudy” moved on to Notre Dame, and the rags-to-riches, 5-6, 145-pound defensive end – yes, defensive end – recorded a sack on the final play of a November 1975 game against Georgia Tech. He was carried off the field by his teammates. Ironically, the opposing quarterback’s name was Rudy Allen.

Like Wepner’s saga, this is another great motivational piece. “Rudy” took home 35 percent of the polling participants.

Who Are These Guys?: Hockey hit the cinema in 1977 when “Slapshot” debuted. It was based on the antics of the Johnstown Jets of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). In the movie, the team was the Charleston Chiefs, and they were in their last year of existence.

The Hanson Brothers’ characters were based on the real-life episodes and played by the Carlson brothers, who did spend some time in the WHA and the NHL. Donned with their large-rimmed glasses, the Hanson Brothers were noted for their fighting and utilized the hockey term “putting on the foil” by covering their knuckles with tin foil and hockey tape.

The trio tapped all the right buttons to still be recognized as sports’ legendary figures. They garnered 14 percent of the poll.

The NAHL still has a franchise in Johnstown (Tomahawks) as well as a Philadelphia-based team (Rebels).

No Bull Here: Crash Davis was the lead character in “Bull Durham,” which debuted in 1988. It is often overlooked by “Field of Dreams,” but it is a good baseball movie.

Crash Davis was a real baseball player, but Davis’ movie character is based on director Ron Shelton’s time in the minor leagues from 1967 to 1971. Davis’ career was chronicled in the Single-A Carolina League, but Shelton has a number of stops in the east and south.

The real Davis had a three-year career with the Philadelphia A’s from 1940-42.

Bull Durham gained two percent of the online poll.

Apollo Had His Creed: Apollo Creed became a fixture in the “Rocky” film series, appearing in the first four. The flamboyant Creed, who reflected Ali in his mannerisms, was the antagonist in the opening two films, and he later worked with Balboa before he was killed by the Russian boxer Drago in Rocky IV.

Carl Weathers, who played Creed, passed away at the age of 76 Feb. 1. Weathers played in seven games as a linebacker for the Raiders in 1970, but he was released in 1971. From there, he had a three-year career in the Canadian Football League before he began a full-time acting career.

Football Follies: Besides Weathers, other notable former NFL players that made the transition to a movie mogul with Jim Brown. Alex Karras, Ed Marinaro, Terry Crews, Terry Bradshaw, Fred Dryer, Brian Bosworth, and John Matuszak.

Karras hit it big in the early 70s for his role as “Mongo” in “Blazing Saddles,” as well as some other TV shows, and Dryer was an 80s and 90s TV standout in “Hunter.” Karras also had a six-year run on “Webster,” and Marinaro had a steady role in “Hill Street Blues.”

Matuszak played a role in “The Goonies” and “North Dallas Forty,” and he also was in a number of other TV shows.

You can also turn back to the clock to recall watching both former Rams and “Fearsome Foursome” members Merlin Olsen and Rosey Grier, who both had their share of TV shows.

“Football Follies” also was a title for an annual end of the season NFL special that we all enjoyed.

By the way, Creed generated just one percent of the vote.

Brooky: When speaking about former players, let’s not forget about Tom Brookshier and Bill White.

Brookshier was a sportscaster and director at Channel 10 before he went to the networks broadcasts. “Brooky” was both genuine and relatable.

White, who I mentioned recently, was the first sportscaster on Channel 6’s “Action News” in its debut in 1970. He joined the Yankees’ broadcast team in 1972. I always liked White.

Phillies Phodder: Each week, I’ll have a Phillies’ trivia question for you to ponder. Test your Phillies’ knowledge without looking it up or looking below for the answer.

Here you go ... Who is the first Phillie to homer from both sides of the plate in a game?

The answer will be at the end of this column.

Readers Write:

Schilling Shouldn’t Be Shunned

Hello Jeff,

Reading your column about the Hall of Fame, I feel Curt Schilling should definitely be in the Hall. Just compare his numbers to those already in. I suspect his vocalizing of his politics has hurt him and that is not fair. He deserves to be in. Also, you did not mention it, but Schilling and Randy Johnson won the Series for the D-Backs also.

Regarding Scott Rolen, I think he was inducted in the 2023 class.

Bruce Charles

Whitehall Township

Editor’s Note: Rolen was inducted in 2023.

WWF Wrestler Wrap: Each week, we’ll look back at a former WWF star from our past.

Do you remember Ivan “Polish Power” Putski? He became a fixture during the 1970s and was renowned for grabbing the microphone from the ring announcer and yelling “Polish Power” while he was usually holding a kielbasa.

Putski would have a test of strength against an opponent, and he usually was successful. He came to the WWF from the NWA where he was a multi-tag-team winner.

At the end of his career as well as after he left, Putski was a frequent competitor in a strongest man competition.

Phillies Trivia Answer: Steve Jeltz homered from both sides of the plate against the Pirates on June 8, 1989. Jeltz didn’t start the game, as he went 2-4 with five RBIs in a 15-11 win at the Vet. Pittsburgh scored 10 runs in the top of the first.

Memory Lane: Each week, I look back at a former athlete, coach, manager, or media personality from our yesterday.

Do you remember Hugh Gannon? He was a Philadelphia sportscaster for over 20 years, and most of us will remember him from his days at Channel 10. Gannon also was the first sports director for the PRISM network.

Gannon also did radio work for WPEN, and he called daily horse races at Philadelphia Park for five years.

He passed away at the age of 70 in 2006.

Feedback: Your thoughts, comments, and ideas are always welcomed at www.tnsports@tnonline.com