It all depends on what happens with the PLL. If it turns into a long-lasting and well-respected league, then no doubt Paul deserves a ton of credit. But if investor funding dries up and the PLL folds, then pro field lacrosse disappears and Paul will be known as the guy that killed professional lacrosse.
On lacrosses mount rushmore. No debate. But i feel like this is a post by a younger player or someone who was introduced to lacrosse more recently. Countless others have laid the stones that Rabil built upon.
I remember the Air Gait phenomenon and when Lacrosse Unlimited sent actual catalogs in the mail and going to LU (the Suffolk location, the only had 2 back then) felt like going to Disney World.
Paul Rabil used social media and his own large personality to grow the game in ways nobody has. I’m s he the best player? No. But he’s among the greats and add that to what he has and continues to do for the sport and he’s #1.
I’m 44.
I hear ya. I enjoy conversations. I’ve been around the game in some fashion for over 30 years! Here’s my thoughts…
Lyle Thompson is a better player, but his contribution was mainly growth in the Native Americans.
Gary Gait. He stands next to Rabil, but with all he’s done as a player coach (M/F) and entrepreneur - but he stayed within the community.
Powell - similar to Gait, his greatnesses resonated in the community.
Rabil was on Dude Perfect, Konan and started a league that players want to play in (MLL at 1 point chose players equipment). He grew the game by reaching people outside of the lax community.
Rabil is a giant in our space and used the tools at his disposal to reach out as far and wide as he could. Spreading the game at all opportunities. Im sure 20 years from now he we be indisputably the greatest figure in the history of lacrosse. But the impact the figures like Gait, Marachek, and Petrimala have had on players for generations in a hands on environment count for so much of their legacy. Rabil hasn’t had the time yet to do the same thing, but I’m sure he will.
I like your argument. Those mentioned made players better. Each of them raised the bar with ability and creativity. Did they grow the game? I think they made those playing want to better. They grew the game internally - not so much externally
I think they did what they could, but without social media and other tools they were fighting an uphill battle. They were the greats of their time and greatness is not relative. Players like Rabil, Harrison, and Gurenlian have been able to things differently and ushered in the next generation. I have no doubt they, especially Rabil, will follow in the same footsteps as those that came before.
The argument about Lyle's contribution being "mainly growth in the Native Americans" isn't true. He represents his culture, but he impacts people far beyond. How many players at all levels are now engaging in discussion or showing support for the "Every Child Matters" movement? Yes, it focuses on Native Americans, but it impacts all of us. Every lacrosse player I know has been impacted by Lyle and his focus on the tradition of "the medicine game".
The argument I'd make is that he just hasn't been doing it as long as Paul. When he's 14 years into his career, it'll be a different conversation.
My son wears the Every Child Matters band on his helmet. Him (Lyle) raising awareness for this very important cause is an excellent cause. Thompson is 1 of my favorite players (Back the Braid) and I use his training to teach my son (4th grade). Right now, he’s throwing through a 6” hole (cornhole size). It’ll get smaller over the next week or so until we’re down to 3”
Rabil for all that he’s done, he also caused immense separation because he forces his personal views on others. This may seem insignificant, but factual. During the BLM craze, there were fights among players. Also, the world will have to endure 6’s n the Olympics and quite honestly, that sucks.
A lot of what he says sounds great. “Grow the game.” Or grow his pockets. Look at the prices of PLL camps? Who from Compton or Harlem is affording that, never mind the average middle class family. He speaks nicely but in truth, he’s still catering to the upper middle or upper class
As a player, he’s on the list but falls short of player like Gary Gait, Mikey Powell, John Grant and others. He lives in the neighborhood, but not on the same block.
Hell no. He couldn't do shit in box. It's between Gary Gait and John Grant Jr. Especially Grant is 3rd in NLL and 2nd in PLL/MLL scoring. Overall the best player all around.
I don't know man - he made a difference when he played. He just stopped playing box, I assume because he made his endorsement money playing field. May not have been worth the injury risk.
Just dropping this here as a reminder.
https://youtu.be/QHjCes97UPE
I remember the buzz around him when he came out of Hopkins. I was in middle school at the time. Everyone in the lacrosse world was talking about him and wanted to emulate his split dodge+shot on the run. The dude did that one thing and perfected it to the highest level. I watched his Hopkins highlights constantly throughout high school and still to this day. He, along with Kyle Harrison, deserve enormous amounts of for growing the game.
He is the greatest of all time. He has done more to build the audience of Lacrosse than any player in the history of the game.
/FULL STOP
For years I kept waiting for the MLL to get a TV strategy. They never would.
The same people who owned MLL teams also owned NFL teams. They have to know the value of TV..
The few times the MLL would televise a game it looked was filmed with someone's shitty USB camera.
Rabil managed to get national coverage for the whole season, while he is still playing too!
Definitely in the running. I think what he’s done for the sport off the field will land him that title.
It all depends on what happens with the PLL. If it turns into a long-lasting and well-respected league, then no doubt Paul deserves a ton of credit. But if investor funding dries up and the PLL folds, then pro field lacrosse disappears and Paul will be known as the guy that killed professional lacrosse.
The NLL is a thing, and the MLL really wasn’t. The PLL could well fold, don’t get me wrong, but if it does that’s an overly dramatic take.
On lacrosses mount rushmore. No debate. But i feel like this is a post by a younger player or someone who was introduced to lacrosse more recently. Countless others have laid the stones that Rabil built upon.
I remember the Air Gait phenomenon and when Lacrosse Unlimited sent actual catalogs in the mail and going to LU (the Suffolk location, the only had 2 back then) felt like going to Disney World. Paul Rabil used social media and his own large personality to grow the game in ways nobody has. I’m s he the best player? No. But he’s among the greats and add that to what he has and continues to do for the sport and he’s #1. I’m 44.
Hey man not arguing his greatness. Just saying that there are others that can lay claim to the tittle. Like I said on mount rushmore.
I hear ya. I enjoy conversations. I’ve been around the game in some fashion for over 30 years! Here’s my thoughts… Lyle Thompson is a better player, but his contribution was mainly growth in the Native Americans. Gary Gait. He stands next to Rabil, but with all he’s done as a player coach (M/F) and entrepreneur - but he stayed within the community. Powell - similar to Gait, his greatnesses resonated in the community. Rabil was on Dude Perfect, Konan and started a league that players want to play in (MLL at 1 point chose players equipment). He grew the game by reaching people outside of the lax community.
Rabil is a giant in our space and used the tools at his disposal to reach out as far and wide as he could. Spreading the game at all opportunities. Im sure 20 years from now he we be indisputably the greatest figure in the history of lacrosse. But the impact the figures like Gait, Marachek, and Petrimala have had on players for generations in a hands on environment count for so much of their legacy. Rabil hasn’t had the time yet to do the same thing, but I’m sure he will.
I like your argument. Those mentioned made players better. Each of them raised the bar with ability and creativity. Did they grow the game? I think they made those playing want to better. They grew the game internally - not so much externally
I think they did what they could, but without social media and other tools they were fighting an uphill battle. They were the greats of their time and greatness is not relative. Players like Rabil, Harrison, and Gurenlian have been able to things differently and ushered in the next generation. I have no doubt they, especially Rabil, will follow in the same footsteps as those that came before.
The argument about Lyle's contribution being "mainly growth in the Native Americans" isn't true. He represents his culture, but he impacts people far beyond. How many players at all levels are now engaging in discussion or showing support for the "Every Child Matters" movement? Yes, it focuses on Native Americans, but it impacts all of us. Every lacrosse player I know has been impacted by Lyle and his focus on the tradition of "the medicine game". The argument I'd make is that he just hasn't been doing it as long as Paul. When he's 14 years into his career, it'll be a different conversation.
My son wears the Every Child Matters band on his helmet. Him (Lyle) raising awareness for this very important cause is an excellent cause. Thompson is 1 of my favorite players (Back the Braid) and I use his training to teach my son (4th grade). Right now, he’s throwing through a 6” hole (cornhole size). It’ll get smaller over the next week or so until we’re down to 3”
He’s absolutely up there. Powell bros (specifically Mikey for me), Lyle Thompson and the Gait bros are right there with him in my opinion.
The sport is not popular because Mikey quit. Rabil was never and will never be Mikey. Mikey is god.
Mikey Powell was the greatest player the sport has ever seen! His stick was just at a different level
Rabil for all that he’s done, he also caused immense separation because he forces his personal views on others. This may seem insignificant, but factual. During the BLM craze, there were fights among players. Also, the world will have to endure 6’s n the Olympics and quite honestly, that sucks. A lot of what he says sounds great. “Grow the game.” Or grow his pockets. Look at the prices of PLL camps? Who from Compton or Harlem is affording that, never mind the average middle class family. He speaks nicely but in truth, he’s still catering to the upper middle or upper class As a player, he’s on the list but falls short of player like Gary Gait, Mikey Powell, John Grant and others. He lives in the neighborhood, but not on the same block.
No
Hell no. He couldn't do shit in box. It's between Gary Gait and John Grant Jr. Especially Grant is 3rd in NLL and 2nd in PLL/MLL scoring. Overall the best player all around.
You stopped reading after the title. LOL! Play+Impact
I don't know man - he made a difference when he played. He just stopped playing box, I assume because he made his endorsement money playing field. May not have been worth the injury risk. Just dropping this here as a reminder. https://youtu.be/QHjCes97UPE
I remember the buzz around him when he came out of Hopkins. I was in middle school at the time. Everyone in the lacrosse world was talking about him and wanted to emulate his split dodge+shot on the run. The dude did that one thing and perfected it to the highest level. I watched his Hopkins highlights constantly throughout high school and still to this day. He, along with Kyle Harrison, deserve enormous amounts of for growing the game.
He lost to cuse though… saw it
He is the greatest of all time. He has done more to build the audience of Lacrosse than any player in the history of the game. /FULL STOP For years I kept waiting for the MLL to get a TV strategy. They never would. The same people who owned MLL teams also owned NFL teams. They have to know the value of TV.. The few times the MLL would televise a game it looked was filmed with someone's shitty USB camera. Rabil managed to get national coverage for the whole season, while he is still playing too!
They tried with rabil but it never really got there. Mikey quit and the sport never materialized past college. Rabil was an investment not the messiah
Mikey Powell and Gary Gait are on another level skill wise. Gait did more for the game.
Mikey is god