Nothing sparks debate quite like the title, “Greatest of All-Time.”

Babe Ruth or Ted Williams? Wayne Gretzky or Bobby Orr? Dale Earnhardt or Richard Petty?

Arena Football has its own debate.

“Touchdown” Eddie Brown, the game’s quintessential Offensive Specialist… or Barry Wagner, the greatest Ironman to ever strap on a helmet?

In 2006, the Arena Football League’s Historical Committee was tasked with making that tough call, eventually reaching a decision – by one vote.

The result? Eddie Brown, 136. Barry Wagner, 135.

While there was little doubt as to who the top two players should be, not everyone was entirely pleased with the final order. Mr. Wagner, in particular, politely disagreed with the Committee’s verdict.

“It shouldn’t be a debate,” Wagner insisted. “Nobody played both ways like I did. Nobody put up the numbers that I did. Nobody won the awards that I did.”

It’s true. Nobody did what Wagner did.

The 6-foot-3 wide receiver/defensive back from Alabama A&M debuted with the Orlando Predators in 1992 and immediately lit up the AFL. Even if he would’ve called it quits after that rookie season, he still may have been denoted as one of the all-time greats, simply for his performance on June 19 of that year against the Detroit Drive. Locked in a fierce fourth quarter battle, Wagner orchestrated what has come to be known as the “Miracle Minute.” He caught two touchdown passes and a game-winning two-point conversion, recovered an onside kick and made the game-saving tackle – all in the final 60 seconds.

Wagner played another 15 years, rewriting the record books and cementing his spot in Arena Football history. However, two years into Wagner’s career, a receiver from Louisiana Tech who seemed to match Wagner in ability – and brashness – made his presence felt.

“Wagner is supposed to be the man,” a rookie Eddie Brown said. “But, there’s a new sheriff in town, gentlemen. I’m going to shatter the record and mail the ball to him.”

That may not have sat well with “Wags,” but Brown backed it up. For the better part of ten years, Wagner and Brown competed to be “the man.” It became the AFL equivalent of the Magic-Bird rivalry of the NBA in the 1980s – one built on mutual respect for the other’s ability, juxtaposed with a burning desire to be the best.

“Always remember there’s somebody out there trying to beat you,” Wagner said. “I played 16 years, working out two, sometimes three times a day because I didn’t want anybody to ever be better that me. I wanted to be the best to ever play the game – and I was… by far. Regardless of what people voted, I know.”

Certainly, Wagner’s Ironman abilities made him a once-in-a-lifetime athlete, but Brown’s dominance on the offensive side of the ball solidified “Touchdown” as the greatest offensive specialist of all-time.

“They called him ‘Touchdown’ for a reason,” remembered Mike Hohensee, who once coached Brown in Albany. “I don’t remember ever seeing him drop a pass in the end zone.”

But perhaps what made Brown and Wagner so special was the fact that each was motivated by the successes of the other. Make no mistake, both loved and respected the game. But both wanted to be the best. And neither wanted anyone – especially not the other – to beat him.

Barry Wagner played 16 years of Arena Football in Orlando and San Jose. Eddie Brown electrified crowds for ten in Albany and Indiana.

As a rookie in 1994, Brown won the League’s MVP Award. The following season, Wagner won the award.

Wagner was an eight-time All-Arena selection. Brown got the nod four times.

Brown took home Offensive Player of the Year honors twice – once in 1996 and again in 1999. Wagner was named Ironman of the Year six consecutive seasons, from his rookie year in 1992 to 1997, the year he also earned Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Wagner made seven trips to the ArenaBowl, earning rings in 1998, 2002 and 2004 and was named ArenaBowl Ironman of the Game four times. Brown made just won ArenaBowl appearance – ArenaBowl XIII, when his Albany Firebirds celebrated a 59-48 victory over Barry Wagner’s Orlando Predators. Brown earned MVP honors. Wagner was named Ironman of the Game.

Wagner holds the AFL career records for touchdowns (410) and points (2,490). Brown holds the League’s record for the most touchdowns in a single game with nine.

Both men were Arena Football Hall of Fame inductees in 2011.

With the League entering its 25th season in 2012, the AFL Silver Anniversary Committee will have to make the tough choice between Wagner and Brown once again. However, the Committee will also need to consider whether or not the two players will have competition for the top spot.

Does a player like Aaron Garcia, who placed 11th in 2006 and has claimed virtually every AFL passing record since then, including tossing his professional football-record 1,000th career touchdown last season, deserve consideration? Will the Committee reevaluate the careers of players like George LaFrance or Hunkie Cooper? Committee members will have much to think about, but as far as Wagner and Brown are concerned, the decision is easy. Wagner urges voters to look at the stats. Brown says to look at the question.

“The question that was asked had nothing to do with defense,” Brown said. “It just asked for the best player. There was nothing about ‘Ironman.’ If you say best player on offense and the best on defense, I would be the best on ‘O’ and he’d be the best on ‘D,’ but that wasn’t the question. It was ‘best player.’ I was definitely that.”

Regardless of who ends up being “#1” this time around, both men had incredible careers that will be forever woven into the fabric of Arena Football. Eddie Brown and Barry Wagner left it all on the field, giving fans their money’s-worth… and voters plenty to consider.