The Athletes Who Just Missed Our 'Most Philly' List

We couldn't fit everyone in the top 25, but these folks deserve some recognition, too.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Philadelphia Magazine has published a list of the 25 Most Philly Athletes of All Time, but there were many other notable athletes who just missed the cut. This article highlights some of those athletes who were considered for the list but ultimately did not make the final ranking.

Why it matters

In a city as passionate about sports as Philadelphia, creating a definitive list of the most iconic local athletes is bound to be controversial. This article gives recognition to some of the athletes who were close to making the top 25, providing a more complete picture of Philadelphia's rich sports history and the debates it sparks among fans.

The details

The article explains that the magazine's staff and contributors submitted their top picks for the 25 Most Philly Athletes list, which resulted in a long list of nearly 70 names. These were then voted on and ranked, with points assigned to each ranking. The final list was then edited with some names added and removed. However, the article notes that many readers disagreed with the choices, leading the magazine to highlight some of the athletes who just missed the cut.

  • The 25 Most Philly Athletes of All Time list was published in the March 2026 issue of Philadelphia magazine.

The players

Vince Papale

One of the athletes included in the top 25 list.

Smarty Jones

Another athlete included in the top 25 list.

Allen Iverson

The #1 pick on the top 25 list.

Bernard Hopkins

An athlete who some readers felt should have been ranked higher on the list.

Jimmy Rollins

An athlete who some readers felt should have been included on the list.

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What they’re saying

“He went to high school here, left for L.A., and never looked back.”

— Richard Rys (Philadelphia magazine)

What’s next

The article encourages readers to email the magazine's executive editor, Bradford Pearson, to share their thoughts on the list and why their favorite athletes should have been included.

The takeaway

Creating a definitive list of the most iconic local athletes in a sports-crazed city like Philadelphia is bound to be controversial, as this article demonstrates. The magazine's effort to recognize some of the athletes who just missed the cut for the top 25 list provides a more complete picture of the city's rich sports history and the passionate debates it sparks among fans.