Washington, D.C., is the nations capital and center of government, but its also a hub for some of the countrys most pa sionate sports fan bases. Although football has been the long-running constant, no matter the team name or lack thereof, baseball, basketball and hockey have carved out their own special Carson Wentz Jersey places.When The Sporting News decided on the four faces for both the city and the surrounding areas in Maryland and Virginia, the only choice in the end was to have equal representation with a delicate balance between present stars and past legends.MORE: There were many great candidates for a cla sic NFL franchise that dates back 90 years and has the pride of five championships, even though the ring drought has hit a third decade. From quarterbacks Sammy Baugh and Joe Theismann to running back John Riggins and wide receiver Art Monk, several men had strong cases.But in the end, one who played the longest with the most enduring stature was deemed as the best sculpted link to the glory days. Darrell Green ended up as the top pick in burgundy, but the red, white, blue truth is that D.C.s greatest all-time sport great is from the ice, and not the gridiron, field or court.Go figure Alexander Ovechkin, hailing from the capital of Ru sia, would become the ultimate Capital for Washington. While the NHL has faded in star power for many, Ovechkins prolific goal scoring, not tied to winning a Stanley Cup, is a worthy throwback to the leagues big-name heyday.Old school also helped Big Train Walter Johnson Jonathan Williams Jersey , arguably the greatest pitcher in MLB history, make SNs cut. His dominant succe s in a much earlier era made it difficult for any future Senators or Nationals to take him off the mount. Apropos of something, Johnsons illustrious all-D.C. career finished in the same year the real Mount Rushmore was completed, not long after he got his one World Series ring.Because its Washington, there also needs to be an unsung hero: underrated, undersized big man Wes Unseld. The late Bullets rebounder extraordinaire was in the middle of it all when the franchise made its transition from Baltimore to D.C. As a centering all-around force, Unseld, like Ovechkin, came through with a major indoor championship late in his career.For a local expert on this Mount Rushmore four, The Sporting News turned to prominent D.C. sports journalist and University of Maryland profe sor Kevin Blackistone, who was born and bred in Washington.There should be no real arguments here, Blackistone said. Its pretty cut and clear to me. Call him Alex. Call him the Great Eight. Call him Ovi or even Ovie. Just call him one of the greatest pure goal scorers in NHL history and, maybe soon, the best ever.Like other superstars in his sport, Ovechkin was a cant-mi s prospect when the Capitals jumped on him as the first overall pick when he became officially eligible in 2004. Luckily, the NHL didnt extend a lockout that might have kept him home in Moscow. He immediately became a Washington Commanders Women Jersey Washington dynamo instead as a rookie and hasnt relented since with his nose for putting the puck in the net.D.C. has a case to be the most hockey-mad city that isnt in Canada. Since Ovechkin stepped on the ice, hes given Caps fans shot and goal after shot and goal to be hockey-glad. His local sports immortality became complete with the long-desired Cup in 2018. From regular season to playoffs, Ovechkin has matched and surpa sed what any D.C. athlete had displayed before. At 36, Ovechkin is still writing the story of his career and likely wont be done until hes No. 1 in goals, even ahead of The Great One, Wayne Gretzky.Hes arguably the greatest goal scorer in the history of hockey, and that will be true even if he doesnt catch Gretzky, Blackistone said. If you look at some of the analytics in what hes been able to do, hes basically scoring more goals at a time when it is more difficult to score goals in the NHL.For many reasons, Washington D.C., has never witne sed a greater athlete than Alexander Ovechkin.For some in Washington, especially in the Ukrainian community, Ovechkins Ru sian nationalism and friendline s with Vladimir Putin have made it difficult to embrace his greatne s in his sport.They have separated the two. They have compartmentalized his politics and his athletic achievements, Blackistone said of Caps fans. Then there are casual fans who have struggled with that.Whatever the perception of Ovechkin is off the ice, theres nothing cold about the reception he will get from Capitals faithful, who were fortunate to see his generational talent wow them from left wing every game night.Ovechkin By The NumbersAll Jared Norris Jersey -Star selections12Maurice Rocket Richard Trophies (NHL Top Goal Scorer)9Hart Memorial Trophy (NHL MVP)3Goals (third all time)780TSN ARCHIVES: Hail to this cornerback, whose feet were fleetest and whose heart was the biggest. It didnt matter that Green stood at only 5-9, 194 pounds or came out of a small school then known as Texas AI. The Houstonian was meant to be a big-time Washingtonian and a pest to the diehard Dallasites who root for the rival Cowboys.For two decades, Green would and make plays on the ball and do it with a smile that could light up the whole field. He was the ultimate defensive representative of Joe Gibbs well-rounded championship teams, winning two Super Bowls under the venerable coach.Green started making his key interceptions as a rookie and didnt let up. He started his career fresh-faced at 23 in 1983 and didnt seem to age, all the way through playing at 42 in 2002. Green was a consummate profe sional and consistent playmaker, often saving his best for critical moments in the regular season and playoffs.He had signature moments. One of my favorites happened in Chicago during the 1987 playoffs, Blackistone said. He was inserted at a desperate time to return punts which he had done throughout his career when needed. He took it all the way back (52 yards) for a touchdown, tearing his ribcage muscle and cutting acro s the field holding his side.Another one was chasing down Tony Dorsett the length of the field on a long run, saving a touchdown. Another one came in the 1988 playoffs when he made a game-saving breakup.Its one thing to have Greens rare longevity in such a physical sport. Its another to back that up with liveline s to entertain and inspire a community. Green also is one of the drama-free good guys, further helping to make him an enduring multigenerational playerWashington football has been around for close to a century. Many legends have pa sed through the team, including a sweet 16 Hall of Fame players. Greens biggest competition to get on his citys Mount Rushmore came from his contemporaries, a true testament to the Gibbs Terry McLaurin Jersey era which only further validates Greens place in the top four