Jerry Rice, Tom Brady and Lawrence Taylor top our list of the 100 greatest NFL players of all time
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Jerry Rice, Tom Brady and Lawrence Taylor top our list of the 100 greatest NFL players of all time
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NFL 100: Who’s the greatest player of all time?
SportsPulse: NFL panel discusses who really is the greatest player to ever play football. And Tom Brady was not a unanimous choice.
USA TODAY
In conjunction with the NFL’s 100th season celebration, 19 current and former reporters across the USA TODAY Sports Network were asked to compile a list ranking the 100 greatest players in pro football history.
The challenge was daunting, considering each person had to assess talent back to 1920. While there were no strict parameters, the process for making decisions focused on the field of play and considered elements such as induction to the Hall of Fame, statistics, awards, reputation and the eye test. Each voter was asked to rank 60 players. Those votes produced a list of 170 names. A points system was used for the rankings starting with 60 points for the top player on a list down to 1. Ties were broken by using the highest single vote a player received.
Our panel: Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY; Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press; Christine Brennan, USA TODAY; Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati Enquirer; Nate Davis, USA TODAY; Pete Dougherty Green Bay Press-Gazette; Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star; Gentry Estes, Nashville Tennessean; Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire; Martin Frank, Wilmington (Del.) News Journal; Mike Jones, USA TODAY; Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY; Joe Rexrode, formerly Nashville Tennessean; Steven Ruiz, For The Win; Kent Somers, Arizona Republic; Rachel Shuster, former USA TODAY; Art Stapleton, Bergen (N.J. Record); Andy Vasquez, Bergen (N.J.) Record; Larry Weisman, former USA TODAY.
Feel free to agree, disagree, argue or simply enjoy a trip through the years. Let us know on Twitter or Facebook.
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EVERY TEAM’S BEST: Top players in the history of each NFL franchise
BEST TEAMS EVER: Which squad is best in league history?
With that, here are the best 100 player in NFL history:
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1: Jerry Rice
Position: WR
Years: 1985-2004
Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2010); 3-time Super Bowl champ; Super Bowl MVP; NFL MVP; 13 Pro Bowls; Leads the NFL in all-purpose touchdowns (208); Leads the NFL in receiving yards (22,895); Only player in NFL history with more than 20,000 receiving yards; Leads the NFL in total receptions (1,549); Leads the NFL in all-purpose yards (23,546); Leads the NFL in TD receptions (197); leads the NFL in consecutive games with at least one reception (274); holds 36 total NFL records
***
2: Tom Brady
Position: QB
Years: 2000-Present
Team: New England Patriots
Achievements: 6-time Super Bowl champ; 4-time Super Bowl MVP; 3-time NFL MVP; 3-time First-team All-Pro (2007, 2010, 2017); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (2005, 2016); 2-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2007, 2010); NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2009); Holds NFL record for most Super Bowl wins as a player (6); Holds multiple Super Bowl records including most TD passes (18), most passing yards (2,838), most completed passes (256), most passing attempts (392) and most consecutive competitions in a single SB (16); Holds NFL record for most games won by a QB (207); only QB to have 3 consecutive games w/ 300+ passing yards, 3+ TD passes and 0 interceptions; Tied for most Pro Bowl selections (14); Holds NFL record for most postseason games played (40); Holds NFL record for most postseason TD passes (73); Oldest QB to win a Super Bowl (41 years, 6 months)
***
3: Lawrence Taylor
Position: LB
Years: 1981-1993
Team: New York Giants
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1999); 2-time Super Bowl champ; 10-time Pro Bowl; 9-time first-team All-Pro (1981-1989); second-team All-Pro (1990); NFL MVP (1986); 3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1981, 1982, 1986); NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1981)
***
4: Jim Brown
Position: RB
Years: 1957-1965
Team: Cleveland Browns
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1971); 1964 NFL Champ; 4-time NFL MVP (1957,1958, 1963, 1965); 8-time first-team All-Pro (1957-1961, 1963-1965); All-Pro 2nd-team (1962); 9 Pro Bowls appearances; NFL Rookie of the Year (1957); 1st player to reach 100 rushing touchdowns ; 1st NFL player to rush for over 10,000 yards; 10th most touchdowns in NFL history (126); 5th most rushing TDs in NFL history (106); Leads the NFL in average rushing yards per game in career (104.3)
***
5: Walter Payton
Position: RB
Years: 1975-1987
Team: Chicago Bears
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1993); Super Bowl champ; 7-time first-team All-Pro (1976-1980, 1984, 1985); second-team All-Pro (1986); NFL MVP (1977); NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1977); second leading rusher in NFL history (16,726); 4th most rushing TDs in NFL history (110)
***
6: Joe Montana
Position: QB
Years: 1979-1994
Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2000); 4-time Super Bowl champ; 3-time Super Bowl MVP; 2-time NFL MVP (1989, 1990); 8 Pro Bowl invites; 3-time first-team All-Pro (1987, 1989, 1990); 2-time second-team All-Pro (1981, 1984); holds a Super Bowl record passer rating of 127.8; holds Super Bowl records for most throws without an interception (122)
***
7: Reggie White
Position: DE
Years: 1985-2000
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2006; Super Bowl champion (1996); AP Defensive Player of the Year (1987, ‘98); 1st-team All-Pro (1986, ‘87, ‘88, ‘89, ‘90, ‘91, ‘95, 98); 13-time Pro Bowler
***
8: Peyton Manning
Position: QB
Years: 1998-2015
Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos
Achievements: 2-time Super Bowl champ; Super Bowl MVP; 14-time Pro Bowl; 7-time first-team All-Pro (2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013); 3-time second-team All-Pro (1999, 2000, 2006); 5-time NFL MVP (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013); 2-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2004, 2013); leads the NFL in career TD passes (539); holds the NFL record for most passing yards in a single season (5,477 in 2013); 2nd most passing yards in NFL history (71,940); 3rd most passes completed in NFL history (6,125)
***
9: Johnny Unitas
Position: QB
Years: 1956-1971
Teams: Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1979); Super Bowl champ; 3-time NFL Champ; 3rd longest TD streak in NFL history (47 games)
***
10: Barry Sanders
Position: RB
Years: 1989-98
Team: Detroit Lions
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF 2004; 15,269 rushing yards, 3rd all-time; 10 pro bowls; 6-time All Pro; first player to rush for 1,000 yards in his first 10 seasons.
re are Nos. 11-100 in our list of the greatest NFL players of all time:
***
11: Joe Greene
Position: DT
Years: 1969-1981
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1987); 4-time Super Bowl champ; 5-time First-team All-Pro (1972-1974, 1977, 1979); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (1971, 1975, 1976); 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1972, 1974); NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1969); 10-time Pro Bowler
***
12: Dick Butkus
Position: LB
Years: 1965-1973
Team: Chicago Bears
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1979); 6-time first-team All-Pro (1965, 1967-1970, 1972); 2-time second-team All-Pro (1966, 1971); 8 Pro Bowls; 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1969, 1970)
***
13: Ronnie Lott
Position: DB
Years: 1981-94
Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Jets
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2000; 4-time Super Bowl Champion (1982, ‘84, ‘88, ‘89); 1st-team All-Pro (81, ‘86, ‘87, ‘89, ‘90, ‘91); 10-time Pro Bowler
***
14: Anthony Munoz
Position: LT
Years: 1980-92
Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1998; 1st-team All-Pro (1981, ‘82, ‘83, ‘85, ‘86, ‘87, ‘88, ‘89, ‘90); 11-time Pro Bowler; 1991 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year
***
15: Deacon Jones
Position: DE
Years: 1961-1974
Teams: Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1980); 5-time First-Team All-Pro (1965-1969); 3-time second-team All-Pro (1964, 1970, 1972); 8 Pro Bowls; 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1967, 1968); NFL didn’t record sacks an as official stat until 1982, but it is said Jones had 194.5 during his career
***
16: Deion Sanders
Position: DB
Years: 1989-2000, 2004-05
Teams: Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2011; 2-time Super Bowl Champion (1995, ‘96); 1994 AP Defensive Player of the Year; 1st-team All-Pro (‘92, ‘93, ‘94, ‘96, ‘97, ‘98); 8-time Pro Bowler
***
17: Otto Graham
Position: QB
Years: 1946-55
Team: Cleveland Browns
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1965; 3-time NFL Champion (1950, ‘54, ‘55); 4-time AAFC champion (1946, ‘47, ‘48, ‘49); 3-time NFL UPI MVP (1951, ‘53, ‘55), 1st-team All-Pro (1947, ‘48, ‘49, ‘51, ‘53, ‘54, ‘55); 5-time Pro Bowler
***
18: John Elway
Position: QB
Years: 1983-98
Team: Denver Broncos
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2004; two-time Super Bowl champion (1998, ‘99); 1989 AP MVP; 1998 Super Bowl MVP; 1992 Walter Payton Man of the Year; 9-time Pro Bowler;
***
19: Emmitt Smith
Position: RB
Years: 1990-2004
Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Footbal HOF 2010; 18,355 rushing yards, No. 1 all-time; 4,409 attempts, No. 1 all-time; 164 rushing TDs, first all-time; started 219 of 226 games; three-time Super Bowl champ; Super Bowl MVP after 1993 season; NFL MVP 1993 season.
***
20: Dan Marino
Position: QB.
Years: 1983-1999
Teams: Miami Dolphins
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2005); 3-time First-team All-Pro (1984-1986); 4-time second-team All-Pro; NFL MVP (1984); Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (1998); NFL Rookie of the Year (1983); NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1994); 9-time Pro Bowler; Held multiple NFL passing records that have since been broke
***
21: Gale Sayers
Position: RB
Years: 1965-71
Team: Chicago Bears
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1977; 1st-team All-Pro (1965, ‘66, ‘67, ‘68, ‘69); 4-time Pro Bowler; four seasons in top 10 of all NFL rushers; career cut short by injuries; as a rookie scored four TDs, including 96-yard kickoff return, against Vikings, and later in season scored six touchdowns against 49ers including an 80-yard pass play, 50-yard run and 65-yard punt return.
***
22: Sammy Baugh
Position: QB
Years: 1937-52
Team: Washington Redskins
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1963; 2-time NFL champion (1937, ‘42); 1st-team All-Pro (1937, ‘40, ‘42, ‘43); 6-time Pro Bowler
***
23: Ray Lewis
Position: LB
Years: 1996-2012
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2018; 2-time Super Bowl champion (2001, 2013); 2003 AP Defensive Player of the Year; 2000-01 Super Bowl MVP; ranks second in league history for solo tackles; 1st-team All-Pro (1999, 2000, ‘01, ‘03, ‘04, ‘08, ‘09); 13-time Pro Bowler
***
24: Randy Moss
Position: WR
Years: 1998-2012
Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2018); 4-time First-team All-Pro (1998, 2000, 2003, 2007); NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1998); 6-time Pro Bowler; Pro Bowl MVP (1999); Holds NFL record for most TD receptions in a season (23); Holds NFL record for most TD receptions in a rookie season (17); Only player to catch 90+ touchdown passes, return a punt for a touchdown, and throw 2 touchdown passes
***
25: Don Hutson
Position: E
Years: 1935-45
Team: Green Bay Packers
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1963; 3-time NFL champion (1936, ‘39, ‘44); 2-time NFL MVP (1941, ‘42); 1st-team All-Pro (1938, ‘39, ‘40, ‘41, ‘42, ‘43, ‘44, ‘45); 4-time Pro Bowler
***
No. 26 Brett Favre
Position: QB
Years: 1991-2010
Teams: Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2016); Super Bowl champ; 3-time first-team All-Pro (1995-1997); 3-time second-team All-Pro (2001, 2002, 2007); 11-time Pro Bowler (1992, 1993, 1995-1997, 2001-2003, 2007-2009); 3-time AP NFL MVP; 2nd in the NFL in career passing yards (71,838); Has the most career starts of any NFL player (298, 322 including the post season); 1st player to 500 career TD passes; 1st NFL QB to defeat 32 franchises
***
27: Alan Page
Position: DT
Years: 1967-81
Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF in 1988 in hometown of Canton, Ohio; played in 238 consecutive games, including postseason; NFL MVP for 1971 season; NFL defensive player of the year 1971, 1973; 23 fumble recoveries.
***
28: Bruce Smith
Position: DE
Years: 1985-2003
Teams: Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2009); 8-time First-team All-Pro (1987, 1988, 1990, 1993-1997); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1989, 1998); 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1990, 1996); NFL career sack record (200 sacks)
***
29: Jack Lambert
Position: LB
Years: 1974-1984
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1990); 4-time Super Bowl champion; 6-time First-team All-Pro (1976, 1979-1983); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1975, 1978); 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1976, 1983); NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1974); 9-time Pro Bowler
***
30: John Hannah
Position: G
Years: 1973-85
Team: New England Patriots
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1991; 1st-team All-Pro (1976, ‘78, ‘79, ‘80, ‘81, ‘83, ‘85); 9-time Pro Bowler.
***
31: Bob Lilly
Position: DT
Years: 1961-74
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1980; Super Bowl Champion (1972); 1st-team All-Pro (1964, ‘65, ‘66, ‘67, ‘68, ‘69, ‘71); 11-time Pro Bowler
***
32: Ed Reed
Position: S
Years: 2002-2013
Teams: Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Houston Texans
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2019); Super Bowl Champion; 5-time First-team All-Pro (2004, 2006-2008, 2010); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (2003, 2009, 2011); 9-time Pro Bowler; NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2004); Tied for Most Career Playoff Interceptions (9); Longest Interception Return in NFL History (107 yards); Most Career Interception Return Yards (1,590); First player in NFL history to return an interception, punt, blocked punt and fumble for a TD; Holds the record for most multi-interception games in a career (12); Tied for most career blocked punts returned for TD (3)
***
33: Dick ‘Night Train’ Lane
Position: CB
Years: 1952-1965
Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1974); 7-time first-team All-Pro (1956-1957, 1959-1963); 7 Pro Bowls; 4th most interceptions in NFL history (68); most interceptions in a season in NFL history (14)
***
34: Drew Brees
Position: QB
Years: 2001-Present
Teams: San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints
Achievements: Super Bowl XLIV champion; 2-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2008, 2011); First-team All-pro (2006); 12 pro bowls
***
35: Gino Marchetti
Position: DE
Years: 1952-66
Teams: Dallas Texans, Baltimore Colts
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1972; 2-time NFL champion (1958, ‘59); 1st-team All-Pro (1957, ‘58, ‘59, ‘60, ‘61, ‘62, ‘64); 11-time Pro Bowler
***
36: Tony Gonzalez
Position: TE
Years: 1997-2013
Teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2019); 6-time First-team All-Pro (1999-2001, 2003, 2008, 2012); 4-time Second-team All-Pro (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007); 14-time Pro Bowler (tied for most all-time); holds the NFL record for total receiving yards by a TE (15,127); Leads the NFL in career receptions for TEs (1,325); Second in NFL history for receptions behind Jerry Rice; tied for most seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards by a TE (4).
***
37: Rod Woodson
Position: DB
Years: 1987-2003
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2009; 2001 Super Bowl champion; 1993 AP Defensive Player of the Year; 1st-team All-Pro (1989, ‘90, ‘92, ‘92, ‘94, 2002); 11-time Pro Bowler
***
38: Eric Dickerson
Position: RB
Years: 1983-93
Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, Atlanta Falcons
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1999; 1986 AP Offensive Player of the Year; 1st-team All-Pro (1983, ‘84, ‘86, ‘87, ‘88); 6-time Pro Bowler
***
39: Mel Blount
Position: DB
Years: 1970-83
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1989; 4-time Super Bowl champion (1974, ‘75, ‘78, ‘79); 1975 AP Defensive Player of Year; 1st-team All-Pro (1975, ‘81); 5-time Pro Bowler
***
40: O.J. Simpson
Position: RB
Years: 1969-79
Teams: Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1985; 1973 NFL AP MVP; 1973 Bert Bell Award winner; 1st-team All-Pro (1972, ‘73, ‘74, ‘75, ‘76); 6-time Pro Bowler
***
41: Aaron Rodgers
Position: QB
Years: 2005-Present
Team: Green Bay Packers.
Achievements: Super Bowl XLV champion; 2x NFL MVP (2011, 2014); Super Bowl XLV MVP; 2-time First-team All-pro (2011, 2014); Second-team All-pro (2012); Seven pro bowls
***
42: Ray Nitschke
Position: LB
Years: 1958-72
Team: Green Bay Packers
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1978; 3-time NFL champion (1961 ‘62, ‘65); 2-time Super Bowl champion (1966, ‘67); 1st-team All-Pro (1964, ‘65); Pro Bowler
***
43: Forrest Gregg
Position: T
Years: 1956-71
Teams: Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1977); 3-time Super Bowl Champion, 7-time First-team All-pro (1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967); nine pro bowls.
***
44: Chuck Bednarik
Position: C/LB
Years: 1949-62
Team: Philadelphia Eagles
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1967; 2-time NFL champion (1949, ‘60); 1st-team All-Pro (1950, ‘51, ‘52, ‘53, ‘54, ‘60); 8-time Pro Bowler
***
45: Jim Thorpe
Position: RB
Years: 1920-28
Teams: Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, Oorang Indians, Rock Island Independents, New York Giants, Chicago Cardinals
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1963); First-team All-pro (1923)
***
46: Mike Singletary
Position: LB
Years: 1981-92
Team: Chicago Bears
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1998); Super Bowl XX Champion; 7-time First-team All-pro (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991); Second-team All-pro (1990); 10 pro bowls
***
47: Red Grange
Position: RB
Years: 1925-34
Teams: Chicago Bears, New York Yankees
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1963); 2-time First-team All-pro (1930, 1931)
***
48: Roger Staubach
Position: QB
Years: 1969-79
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF in 1985; NFL MVP 1971, Super Bowl VI MVP; 22,700 passing yards, 153 passing touchdowns, 20 rushing touchdowns, 2,264 rushing yards; lost statistics by delaying entry into NFL for four years because of military commitment after graduating from the Naval Academy.
***
49: Jim Parker
Position: OG/OT
Years: 1957-1967
Team: Baltimore Colts
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1973); 2-time NFL champion, 9-time First-team All-Pro (1957-1965); Second-team All-Pro (1966); 8-time Pro Bowler
***
50: Bronko Nagurski
Position: FB
Years: 1930-43
Team: Chicago Bears
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1963; 3-time NFL champion (1932, ‘33 ‘43,); 1st-team All-Pro (1932, ‘33, ‘34, ‘36)
***
51: John Mackey
Position: TE
Years: 1963-72
Teams: Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1992); Super Bowl V champion; 3-time First-team All-pro (1966,1967,1968); five pro bowls
***
52: Terrell Owens
Position: WR
Years: 1996-2010
Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2018); 5-time First-team All-pro (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007); 3rd all-time receiving yards; six pro bowls
***
No. 53 Merlin Olsen
Position: DT
Years: 1962-1976
Team: Los Angeles Rams
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1982); 5-time First-team All-Pro (1966-1970); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (1965, 1973, 1974); NFL Rookie of the Year (1962); 14-time Pro Bowler (this is a career NFL record. Olsen is tied with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Bruce Matthews and Tony Gonzalez)
***
No. 54. LaDainian Tomlinson
Position: RB
Years: 2001-11
Teams: San Diego Chargers, New York Jets
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2017); NFL Most Valuable Player (2006); NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2006); 3-time First-team All-pro (2004, 2006, 2007); 2-time Second-team All-pro (2002, 2003); five pro bowls
***
No. 55 Gene Upshaw
Position: G
Years: 1967-81
Team: Oakland Raiders
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1987); 2-time Super Bowl champion; AFL Champion; 5-time First-team All-pro (1968, 1969, 1970, 1974, 1977); 4- time Second-team All-pro (1972, 1973, 1975, 1976); seven pro bowls
***
No. 56 Steve Young
Position: QB
Years: 1985-99
Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF 2005; two-time NFL MVP (1992, 1994); Super Bowl MVP (1994); 33,124 passing yards, 64.3 completion percentage, 232 touchdowns, 4,239 rushing yards, 43 touchdowns; seven-time Pro Bowler; won six NFL passing titles.
***
No. 57 Marshall Faulk
Position: RB
Years: 1994-2005
Teams: Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2011); Super Bowl champion; 3-time First-team All-Pro (1999-2001); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (1994, 1995, 1998); NFL MVP (2000); 3-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1999-2001); NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1994); 7-time Pro Bowler; one of only 3 NFL players to amass at least 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards; only player to accumulate 12,000 rushing and 6,000 receiving yards; only NFL RB with 100+ rushing and 30+ receiving TDs; holds NFL career record for most games with a rushing and receiving TD (15).
***
No. 58 Raymond Berry
Position: Split end
Years: 1955-67
Team: Baltimore Colts
Achievements: Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973; 2-time NFL champion (1958, ‘59); 1st-team All-Pro (1958, ‘59, 60); 6-time Pro Bowler
***
59: Earl Campbell
Position: RB
Years: 1978-85
Teams: Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1991; 1979 AP MVP; NFL PFWA MVP (1978, ‘79); AP Offensive Player of the Year (1978, 1979, 1980); 1st-team All-Pro (1978, ‘79, ‘80); 5-time Pro Bowler
***
60: Junior Seau
Position: LB
Years: 1990-2009
Teams: San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2015); 8-time First-team All-Pro (1991-1996, 1998, 2000); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1997, 1999); NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1992); NFL Man of the Year (1994); 12-time Pro Bowler
***
61: Charles Woodson
Position: DB
Years: 1998-2015
Teams: Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers
Achievements: Super Bowl XLV champion; 2009 Defensive Player of the Year; 3-time First-team All-Pro (1999, 2009, 2011); Four-time Second-team All-Pro (2000, 2008, 2010, 2015); nine pro bowls; NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
***
62: Lance Alworth
Position: WR
Years: 1962-72
Teams: San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1978); Super Bowl VI champion; AFL Champion (1963); AFL Player of the Year (1963); 6-time First-team All-Pro (1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968); Second-team All-Pro (1969); seven pro bowls
***
63: Bart Starr
Position: QB
Years: 1956-1971
Team: Green Bay Packers
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1977); 2-time Super Bowl champ; 2-time Super Bowl MVP; 5-time NFL champ; 4-time Pro Bowl; first-team All-Pro (1966); 3-time second-team All-Pro (1961, 1962, 1964); NFL MVP (1966); holds the NFL record for the highest postseason passer rating (104.8)
***
64: J.J. Watt
Position: DE
Years: 2011-Present
Team: Houston Texans
Achievements: 5-time First-team All-Pro (2012-2015, 2018); 3-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2012, 2014, 2015); Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2017); 5-time Pro Bowler; Pro Bowl Defensive MVP (2014); Bert Bell Award (2014); first player with multiple 20-sack seasons (2012, 2014)
***
65: Larry Fitzgerald
Position: WR
Years: 2004-Present
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Achievements: 1st-team All-Pro (2008); 2-time 2nd-team All-pro (2009, 2011), 11-time Pro Bowler, Pro-Bowl MVP (2008); Holds NFL record for most seasons with 90+ receptions (8); Most TD receptions in a postseason (7 in 2008); Most receptions in a postseason (30 in 2008); Most receiving yards in a postseason (546 in 2008); Third all-time in career receptions (1,303); Second all-time in career receiving yards (16,279)
***
66: Mike Webster
Position: C
Years: 1974-90
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1997); 5-time First-team All-pro (1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983); Second-team All-Pro (1984); nine pro bowls
***
67: Jack Ham
Position: LB
Years: 1971-1982
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1988); 4-time Super Bowl champ; 6-time First-team All-Pro (1974-1979); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1973, 1980); NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1975); 8-time Pro Bowler
***
68: Joe Namath
Position: QB
Years: 1965-77
Teams: New York Jets, L.A. Rams (1977)
Achievements: Five pro bowls; Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP; Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1985); first to pass for more than 4,000 yards in one season; had 27,663 passing yards and 173 TDs for career.
***
69: Orlando Pace
Position: LT
Years: 1997-2009
Teams: St. Louis Rams, Chicago Bears
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2016); 3-time First-team All-Pro (1999, 2001, 2003); Second-team All-Pro (2000); seven pro bowls.
***
70: Art Shell
Position: OT
Years: 1968-82.
Team: Oakland Raiders (L.A. 1982).
Achievements: Two-time Super Bowl champion. Hall of Fame. Played 207 games. NFL 1970s all-decade team.
***
71: Ted Hendricks
Position: LB.
Years: 1969-83
Teams: Baltimore Colts, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, L.A. Raiders.
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1990); 4-time Super Bowl champion; 4-time First-team All-Pro (1971, 1974, 1980, 1982); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1972, 1976); 8-time Pro Bowler
***
72: Randy White
Position: DT.
Years: 1975-88
Team: Dallas Cowboys.
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1994; 1977 Super Bowl Champion; 1977 Super Bowl MVP; 1st-team All-Pro (1978, ‘79, ‘81, ‘82, ‘83, ‘84, ‘85); 9-time Pro Bowler
***
73: Bruce Matthews
Position: OL.
Years: 1983-2001
Teams: Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans.
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2007; 1st-team All-Pro (1988, ‘89, 90, ‘92, ‘98, ‘99, 2000); 14-time Pro Bowler; started 293 games in career (second in NFL history).
***
74: Larry Allen
Position: OL.
Years: 1994-2007
Teams: Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers.
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2013; 1995 Super Bowl Champion; 1st-team All-Pro (1996, ‘97, ‘98, ‘99, 2000, ‘01); 11-time Pro Bowler
***
75: Terry Bradshaw
Position: QB
Years: 1970-83
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers.
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1989; 4-time Super Bowl champion (1974, ‘75, ‘78, ‘79) ; 1978 AP MVP; Super Bowl MVP (1978, ‘79); 1978 Bert Bell Award winner; 1st-team All-Pro (1978); 3-time Pro Bowler
***
76: Sid Luckman
Position: QB.
Years: 1939-50
Team: Chicago Bears.
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1965; 1943 Joe F. Carr MVP Trophy winner; 4-time NFL Champion (1940, ‘41, ‘43, ‘46); 1st-team All-Pro (1941, ‘42, ‘43, ‘44. ‘47); 3-time Pro Bowler
***
77: Jim Otto
Position: Center.
Years: 1960-74
Team: Oakland Raiders.
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1980; 1st-team All-Pro selection (1960, ‘61, ‘62, ‘63, ‘64, ‘65, ‘67, ‘68, ‘69, ‘70); 12-time Pro Bowler
***
78: Michael Strahan
Position: DE.
Years: 1993-2007
Team: New York Giants.
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2014); Super Bowl champ; 7 Pro Bowls; 4-time first-team All-Pro (1997, 1998, 2001, 2003); 2-time second-team All-Pro (2002, 2005); NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2001); holds the NFL record for most sacks in a season (22.5); 6th most career sacks in NFL history (141.5)
***
79: Kellen Winslow Sr.
Position: TE.
Years: 1979-87
Team: San Diego Chargers.
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1995); 3-time First-team All-Pro (1980-1982); Second-team All-Pro (1987); 5-time Pro Bowl selection
***
80: Adrian Peterson
Position: RB.
Years: 2007-present
Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Washington Redskins.
Achievements: NFL Most Valuable Player (2012); NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2012); 4-time First-team All-Pro (2008, 2009, 2012, 2015); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (2007, 2010, 2013); seven pro bowls; NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2007). Eight on all-time rushing list coming into 2019 season.
***
***
81: Walter Jones
Position: OT.
Years: 1997-2008
Team: Seattle Seahawks
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2014); 4-time First-team All-Pro (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (2006, 2008); nine pro bowls.
***
82: Willie Lanier
Position: LB.
Years: 1967-77
Team: Kansas City
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (1986); Started 146 of 149 regular-season games. Eight pro bowls (1968-75). Three-time All-Pro (1968, 1971, 1973).
***
83: Michael Irvin
Position: WR.
Years: 1988-1999
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2007); 3-time Super Bowl champ; First-team All-Pro (1991); Two-time Second-team All-pro (1992, 1993); five pro bowls.
***
84: Jonathan Ogden
Position: OT.
Years: 1996-2007
Team: Baltimore Ravens
Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF (2013); Super Bowl champ; 4-time First-team All-Pro (1997, 2000, 2002, 2003); 5-time Second-team All-Pro (1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2006); 11 pro bowls.
***
85: Marvin Harrison
Position: WR.
Years: 1996-2008
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2016); Super Bowl champ; 3-time First-team All-Pro (1999, 2002, 2006); 5-time Second-team All-Pro (2000, 2001, 2003-2005); 8-time Pro Bowl selection; Holds multiple NFL receiving records including most receptions in a single season (143), most consecutive seasons of 1,000+ all-purpose yards and 10+ TD receptions (8), first player to record two seasons of 1,600 yards receiving in NFL history, (1999 & 2002); also holds multiple records with Peyton Manning as a QB/WR pair.
***
86: Derrick Thomas
Position: LB.
Years: 1989-1999
Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2009); 3-time First-team All-Pro (1990-1992); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (1993, 1994, 1996); 9-time Pro Bowl selection; NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1989); holds the NFL record for sacks in a single game (7).
***
87: Troy Polamalu
Position: S.
Years: 2003-14
Team: Pittsburgh
Achievements: Eight pro bowls (2004-08, 2010-11, 2013) and four-time All-Pro (2006, 2008, 2010-11). Twice had seven interceptions in a season. Started 142 regular-season games. NFL defensive player of the Year in 2010 (AP). Super Bowl champ.
***
88: Aaron Donald
Position: DL.
Years: 2014-present
Teams: St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams
Achievements: 2-time AP Defensive Player of the Year (2017, ‘18); 1st-team All-Pro (2015, ‘16, ‘17, ‘18); 5-time Pro Bowler.
***
89: Rob Gronkowski
Position: TE.
Years: 2010-18
Team: New England Patriots
Achievements: 3-time Super Bowl Champion 2015, ‘17, ‘19); 1st-team All-Pro (2011, ‘14, ‘15, ‘17); 5-time Pro-Bowler; 2014 AP Comeback Player of the Year.
***
90: Tony Dorsett
Position: RB.
Years: 1977-88
Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1994; 1977 Super Bowl champion; 1st-team All-Pro (1981); 4-time Pro Bowler; 1977 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
***
91: Lee Roy Selmon
Position: DE.
Years: 1976-84
Team: Tampa Bay
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1995; 1979 AP Defensive Player of the Year; 1st-team All-Pro (1979); six pro bowls.
***
92: Fran Tarkenton
Position: QB.
Years: 1961-78
Teams: Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants.
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1986; 1975 NFL MVP; 1st-team All-Pro (1975); nine pro bowls (1964-65, 1967-70, 1974-76).
***
93: Marion Motley
Position: FB.
Years: 1946-55
Teams: Cleveland (AAFC), Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1968. 2nd black player ever inducted); NFL champion; 4-time AAFC champion; Pro Bowl; 2-time First-team All-Pro (1948, 1950); averaged 5.6 YPC (a record that still stands for FBS).
***
94: Herb Adderley
Position: DB.
Years: 1961-72
Teams: Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1980; 3-time Super Bowl Champion (1965, ‘66, ‘67); 1st-team All-Pro (1962, ‘63, ‘65, ‘66); 5-time Pro Bowler
***
95: Adam Vinatieri
Position: K.
Years: 1996-Present
Teams: New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts
Achievements: 4-time Super Bowl champ; 3-time First-team all-Pro (2002, 2004, 2014); 3-time Pro Bowl selection; Holds NFL records for most consecutive FGs made (44), most career FGs made (582) and most career points in NFL history (2,600); Only player to score 1,000+ points for 2 teams.
***
96: Darrell Green
Position: CB.
Years: 1983-2002
Team: Washington Redskins
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2008; 2-time Super Bowl champion (1987, ‘91); 1996 Walter Payton Man of the Year; 1st-team All-Pro (1991); 7-time Pro Bowler.
***
97: Mike Haynes
Position: CB.
Years: 1976-89
Teams: New England Patriots, L.A. Raiders
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1997); Super Bowl champ; 2-time First-team All-Pro (1984, 1985); 6-time Second-team All-Pro (1976-1980, 1982); 9-time Pro Bowl selection; NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1976).
***
98: Willie Brown
Position: CB.
Years: 1963-78
Teams: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1984); 3-time Super Bowl champ; 2-time First-team All-Pro (1971, 1973); AFL champion (1967); 3-time First-team All-AFL (1964, 1968, 1969); 4-time Pro Bowl selection; held the Super Bowl record for longest interception (75 yards) until James Harrison broke it.
***
99: Franco Harris
Position: RB.
Years: 1972-84
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks
Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1990); 4-time Super Bowl champ; Super Bowl MVP; First-team All-Pro (1977); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1972, 1975); NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1972); 9-time Pro Bowl selection; rushed for 1,000 or more yards in 8 seasons
***
100: Troy Aikman
Position: QB.
Years: 1989-2000
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2006; 3-time Super Bowl champion (1992, ‘93, ‘95); 1992 Super Bowl MVP; 1997 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year; 1st-team All-Pro (1993); 6-time Pro Bowl selection
Contributing: Tess DeMeyer, Lila Bromberg,, Thomas Hindle
Sources: Pro Football Hall of Fame, Pro Football Reference, USA TODAY research
