NYC Ain't Got Squat on Me

For anyone that is a golf fan, you have seen it on your television constantly this week. For anyone that is a baseball fan, you hear about A-Rod and David Wright on a nightly basis. For anyone who is a football fan, you just can't get enough of Eli Manning. Basketball fans kind of like to forget they are alive... but regardless Knicks fans; you still live in New York.

I get it. I understand that you New Yorkers love your state. I understand that you take great pride in your state's athletic achievements on the grandest stages. And yes, I understand that you traditionally are known for your tough-as-nails, vulgar, rude people in the streets.

But seriously... when will enough be enough? When are we finally going to get sick of hearing about the "greatness" of New York? Since when does being an asshole come off as being a good thing? Is it possible that the media and American society is completely overlooking the greatness of other states due to the cloud of New York ass-kissing?

Take Montana, for example.

Ah yes, Montana! 147,046 square miles of pure God's country! Fishing, hunting, skiing basically anywhere you go. But let us not forget the athletic greatness of this forgotten state in all areas of sport.

For example, were you aware that Dave McNally once graced the ballfields of Billings, MT? He was a 4-time 20-game winner as a pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles and even tied a record of 17 consecutive wins in the AL between 1968-1969. Yeah.... that Dave McNally.

Also, Montana State University's men's rodeo team has won the national championship a staggering six times (1972, '75, '88, '90, '91, '95). The last time you saw a Cowboy in New York, he was wearing football cleats. Or was probably gay.

Speaking of the Cowboys, lest we forget Helena's own Pat Donovan, a four-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman for Cowboys from 1975 to '83. This guy was one of the most famous football players in the NFL for a decade! When was the last time we saw his name mentioned on E60?

Finally, and perhaps the most recent famous Montana native, we have Ryan Leaf.

Alright... so he was just busted on drug charges in Texas... BUT THAT'S IN TEXAS. While in drug-free Great Falls, Montana all Mr. Leaf did was lead C.M. Russell High to the 1992 state title. Later on, he took Washington State to the '97 Rose Bowl and was eventually the second pick overall by Chargers in '98.

So here's to you, oft-forgotten Montana, and all of your athletic greatness. You may be a box on the map of America, but you will forever hold a special place in my heart.