Philadelphia Sports: Top 10 athletes from last decade (2010-19)

No. 1: Jason Peters

I gave this away with the photo at the start of the article. There’s Jason Peters in the background, but you probably just fixated on Wentz. Gotcha!

You may also be scratching your head about the selection, and I admit that I did not think that I would end up with Peters in the top spot.

But, after evaluation, he’s the guy. And here’s why.

Peters has played the entire decade in Philadelphia after coming over in a trade with the Buffalo Bills in 2009. Already a Pro Bowler, Peters fetched a first and fourth-round pick for the Bills in the deal. But the Eagles rolled the dice, and they have been rewarded in spades.

Playing the left tackle position, which many regard as the second-most position in football, Peters has amassed six Pro Bowl selections for the Eagles this decade, with two All-Pro nods.

I can’t give a statistical evaluation for an offensive lineman like I can for a running back or wide receiver, but I do know that people more keyed in to the intricacies of football have been describing him as a first-ballot Hall of Famer for several years now, and that’s good enough for me.

No other Philadelphia athlete this decade gets such universal praise from people outside the city, and so I can only assume that he is objectively incredible when we take off our “Philly fan blinders.”

And while I realize that Peters has been in and out of the lineup with various maladies for several years now, the scope of his career has been truly amazing.

He has the respect, the accolades and the ring (albeit while injured). And now he has the No. 1 spot on our list.

You probably didn’t see it coming because it’s not a sexy pick.

It’s just the right one.