Strange when you think about the undefeated 1972 Dolphins not one of them can really be even considered for greatest athelete in Florida history. I guess they were aptly named when people referred to the team as"The No Name Dolphins"... OK it was the "no Name Defense" but thinking back about the team even hall of famers Nick Buoniconti, Larry Csonka, Larry Little, Bob Griese, Jim Langer and Paul Warfield don't hold a candle to Marino.
If we count the college teams, i would say Deion would be a very close second to Dan Marino...if we counted just plain pure athleticism Sanders would be the man.
If it was just born in FL, id have to go with Bob Hayes. Great all-around athlete. Won gold medals in track and field and he revolutionized the NFL. The zone defense was created because of his speed.
Chris at Olympic names two great athletes-except Ted Williams and Eldrick Tiger Woods both grew up in California and attended Cypress Western and San Diego Hoover High Schools respectively. Woods attended Stanford while Williams first proffesional team was also in San Diego as was his pilot training.
I know you said they live there but that was for tax and fishing reasons only.