4.
The New York Silverbacks are an interesting franchise. Though they have only been around for 15 seasons, they have managed to win 2 ultimus’s, and a ton of valuable players have walked through those locker room doors to represent New York. Trying to create a Mount Rushmore for this team is a tall task, but I’ll certainly try to accomplish the feat.
Jack Banks
The first name on my Silverbacks Mount Rushmore is Jack Banks. Banks didn’t start his career in New York, but he ended up coming to New York via the S25 expansion draft. Though he struggled to find his footing in Honolulu, he shined in New York, becoming one of the best defensive ends in the league. He has over 100 career sacks and ranks in the top 10 in nearly every major defensive end statistical category. He may not have had the awards success as his peers, but he is clearly one of the best to ever put on the Silverbacks uniform. He is the Silverbacks all-time leader in tackles, sacks, safeties, and forced fumbles, along with being the 4th player inducted to the Silverbacks ring of honor.
Sam Howitzer
Originally a Yellowknife Wraith, Howitzer came to New York in a trade that preceded the S25 expansion draft. Had he stayed with Yellowknife, he likely would’ve been converted into a wide receiver, but with New York, Howitzer was the leading man for 2 Ultimus runs in Season 29 and Season 32 respectively, with the latter being his swan song. Speaking of his last season, it was by far his best, as he put up 5103 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions with a 68% completion percentage. Howitzer was never quite considered the best QB in the league, but nevertheless he remained the leader of New York, a symbol for what it means to be a Silverback. In 96 games, he completed 65% of his passes for 26383 yards, 147 touchdowns, and 75 interceptions. And as the quarterback who won the Silverbacks only 2 Ultimus’s, it is a no brainer to put Howitzer on the Silverbacks Mount Rushmore.
Tugg Speedman
The greatest wide receiver in Silverbacks history, Tugg Speedman originally came over from San Jose as a part of the expansion draft. Over the next 10 years he had in New York, he put up 1000 yard seasons in all but 2 of them, and he was a constant presence in the awards voting. The crown jewel has to be his Season 32 campaign, where he racked up 1781 yards and 13 touchdowns, as well as being a key piece in the Silverbacks Ultimus run that year. Tugg is first in every major receiving category for the Silverbacks, and he has one of the most iconic plays in Silverbacks history against Arizona, where Tugg caught the ball inside the 5, ran backwards to the 20, then ran back in for the touchdown. In 160 games for the Silverbacks, Tugg contributed 12123 yards, 938 receptions, and 79 touchdowns. He is without a doubt the greatest receiver in Silverbacks history, and another no brainer for the Silverbacks Mount Rushmore.
The last one gets a little tricky. I believe the three players I just listed should absolutely be locks for the Silverback Mount Rushmore, but the 4th spot is a little more intriguing as there are a few guys who could slot in there, so I will briefly give a rundown of each of them.
Dogwood Maple
Dogwood seemingly played for New York for about 2 millennia. He played the maximum number of years, 12, all with the New York Silverbacks, cementing himself as an absolute legend in New York. He was never quite a pro bowl caliber player, but his loyalty made him a fan favorite. His longevity was also astounding, playing in 182 games and recording an interception in all but his rookie year and his final year. In his illustrious career, Dogwood recorded 556 tackles, 9 forced fumbles, 21 sacks, and 27 interceptions. On top of being a safety, Dogwood returned kicks for a couple years too, putting up 868 return yards on 41 kick returns.
Brandon Prince
It’s time to be a little self-indulgent! Yes I am putting my old player on this list, but I think it’s fair! He’s 2nd place all-time in New York rushing, he played his entire 9 year career with New York, and as the 5th to last pick in the S28 draft, I consider him to be one of the best steals in league history. Nobody expected Prince to be anything more than a DSFL lifer who’d never get the call-up. But instead, in 144 games, Prince totaled 1283 carries for 5484 yards and 59 touchdowns, averaging 4.3 a carry for his career. He was never a very good regular season guy, only hitting 1000 yards once in his career, but he absolutely turned it up in the playoffs. In the S29 Ultimus, the Silverbacks first ever, Prince put up 126 yards and a touchdown on only 14 carries, winning Ultimus MVP in the process and helping lead New York to victory. Just a few years later in Season 32, Prince put up 76 yards on 15 carries to help New York win for a 2nd time. I know he’s my player, but I do think he was important to New York’s early success.
The New York Silverbacks are an interesting franchise. Though they have only been around for 15 seasons, they have managed to win 2 ultimus’s, and a ton of valuable players have walked through those locker room doors to represent New York. Trying to create a Mount Rushmore for this team is a tall task, but I’ll certainly try to accomplish the feat.
Jack Banks
The first name on my Silverbacks Mount Rushmore is Jack Banks. Banks didn’t start his career in New York, but he ended up coming to New York via the S25 expansion draft. Though he struggled to find his footing in Honolulu, he shined in New York, becoming one of the best defensive ends in the league. He has over 100 career sacks and ranks in the top 10 in nearly every major defensive end statistical category. He may not have had the awards success as his peers, but he is clearly one of the best to ever put on the Silverbacks uniform. He is the Silverbacks all-time leader in tackles, sacks, safeties, and forced fumbles, along with being the 4th player inducted to the Silverbacks ring of honor.
Sam Howitzer
Originally a Yellowknife Wraith, Howitzer came to New York in a trade that preceded the S25 expansion draft. Had he stayed with Yellowknife, he likely would’ve been converted into a wide receiver, but with New York, Howitzer was the leading man for 2 Ultimus runs in Season 29 and Season 32 respectively, with the latter being his swan song. Speaking of his last season, it was by far his best, as he put up 5103 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions with a 68% completion percentage. Howitzer was never quite considered the best QB in the league, but nevertheless he remained the leader of New York, a symbol for what it means to be a Silverback. In 96 games, he completed 65% of his passes for 26383 yards, 147 touchdowns, and 75 interceptions. And as the quarterback who won the Silverbacks only 2 Ultimus’s, it is a no brainer to put Howitzer on the Silverbacks Mount Rushmore.
Tugg Speedman
The greatest wide receiver in Silverbacks history, Tugg Speedman originally came over from San Jose as a part of the expansion draft. Over the next 10 years he had in New York, he put up 1000 yard seasons in all but 2 of them, and he was a constant presence in the awards voting. The crown jewel has to be his Season 32 campaign, where he racked up 1781 yards and 13 touchdowns, as well as being a key piece in the Silverbacks Ultimus run that year. Tugg is first in every major receiving category for the Silverbacks, and he has one of the most iconic plays in Silverbacks history against Arizona, where Tugg caught the ball inside the 5, ran backwards to the 20, then ran back in for the touchdown. In 160 games for the Silverbacks, Tugg contributed 12123 yards, 938 receptions, and 79 touchdowns. He is without a doubt the greatest receiver in Silverbacks history, and another no brainer for the Silverbacks Mount Rushmore.
The last one gets a little tricky. I believe the three players I just listed should absolutely be locks for the Silverback Mount Rushmore, but the 4th spot is a little more intriguing as there are a few guys who could slot in there, so I will briefly give a rundown of each of them.
Dogwood Maple
Dogwood seemingly played for New York for about 2 millennia. He played the maximum number of years, 12, all with the New York Silverbacks, cementing himself as an absolute legend in New York. He was never quite a pro bowl caliber player, but his loyalty made him a fan favorite. His longevity was also astounding, playing in 182 games and recording an interception in all but his rookie year and his final year. In his illustrious career, Dogwood recorded 556 tackles, 9 forced fumbles, 21 sacks, and 27 interceptions. On top of being a safety, Dogwood returned kicks for a couple years too, putting up 868 return yards on 41 kick returns.
Brandon Prince
It’s time to be a little self-indulgent! Yes I am putting my old player on this list, but I think it’s fair! He’s 2nd place all-time in New York rushing, he played his entire 9 year career with New York, and as the 5th to last pick in the S28 draft, I consider him to be one of the best steals in league history. Nobody expected Prince to be anything more than a DSFL lifer who’d never get the call-up. But instead, in 144 games, Prince totaled 1283 carries for 5484 yards and 59 touchdowns, averaging 4.3 a carry for his career. He was never a very good regular season guy, only hitting 1000 yards once in his career, but he absolutely turned it up in the playoffs. In the S29 Ultimus, the Silverbacks first ever, Prince put up 126 yards and a touchdown on only 14 carries, winning Ultimus MVP in the process and helping lead New York to victory. Just a few years later in Season 32, Prince put up 76 yards on 15 carries to help New York win for a 2nd time. I know he’s my player, but I do think he was important to New York’s early success.