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QB Johnny Constantine Unitas 6'1" 194 lbs.
The Golden Arm and often called Johnny U, played in the 1950s through the 1970s, spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Colts. He was a record-setting quarterback and the NFL most valuable player in 1959, 1964 and 1967. His record of throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games (between 1956-1960) remains unsurpassed as of 2009. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks of all time. He was part of "the greatest game in NFL History", the 1958 NFL championship game vesus the New York Giants. The game was the first overtime championship game in history, and Unitas and the Colts came out on top with a 23-17 victory. Unitas was a 10 time pro bowler, and 6 time pro bowler. He was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 |
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RB Barry David Sanders 5'9" 201lbs.
Sanders was far too quick for defenders to hit solidly on a consistent basis, and too strong to bring down with arm tackles. Though short at 5'8", his playing weight was 203 lb (91 kg) and Sanders had a large portion this weight in his exceptionally large and muscular legs, which provided him with a very low center of gravity; His weight was also the same as Walter Payton and only slightly under the NFL average for a back. His agility and quick acceleration combined with his low center of mass made him very difficult to bring down. Sanders was a 10 time pro bowler, and a 6 time all pro. Many people believe that if he had not retired so early in his career, Sanders would have broken the all time rushing record. He was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004 |
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FB Larry Richard Csonka 6'3" 237lbs.
Larry Csonka was one of the biggest running backs of his day and pounded through the middle of the field with relative ease, often dragging tacklers 5–10 yards. He was described as a bulldozer or battering ram. His running style reminded people of a legendary power runner from the 1930s, Bronko Nagurski. He rarely fumbled the ball or dropped a pass. He was also an excellent blocker. He lead the Miami Dolphins in rushing for five straight years. He was a 5 time pro bowler, and a two time super bowl winner.He was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 |
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WR Jerry Lee Rice 6'2" 200lbs.
Jerry Rice is widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver ever and one of the greatest players in NFL history. The all-time leader in every major statistical category for wide receivers and the all-time NFL leader in touchdowns scored with 208, Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl 13 times (1986–1996, 1998, 2002) and named All-Pro 10 times in his 20 NFL seasons. He won three Super Bowl rings playing for the San Francisco 49ers and an AFC Championship with the Oakland Raiders. Rice was know a particularity fast player, however he used quickness and a variety of moves to confuse defenders. Rice is remembered for his work ethic and dedication to the game. In his 20 NFL seasons, Rice missed only 10 regular season games, 7 of them in the 1997 season, and the other 3 in the strike-shortened season of 1987. His 303 games are by far the most ever played by an NFL wide receiver, and are only 72 games behind the NFL record for games played by any player. In addition to staying on the field, his work ethic showed in his dedication to conditioning and running precise routes. Also known as one of the best blockers at his position, there was no aspect of playing wide receiver at which Rice did not excel. |
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WR Lynn Curtis Swann 5'11" 180lbs.
Lynn Swann only played 8 seasons in the NFL but he made a huge impact on the league. Swann retired after the 1982 season with four Super Bowl rings. He amassed 336 career receptions for 5,462 yards and 51 touchdowns, along with 72 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, and 739 punt return yards and a touchdown. Swann was a pro bowl selection three times (1975, 1977, 1978) and was selected on the 1970s all-decade team. Swann was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Though his professional career didn't yield large statistics, Swann was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001, a year before his teammate John Stallworth. Swann was know for hiss acrobatic catches, and easy flowing playing style. |
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TE Tony David Gonzalez 6'5" 251lbs.
Tony Gonzalez was rated as one of the top tight ends in the 1997 NFL Draft, and was considered a top 15 selection. The Chiefs had decided to draft Gonzalez, but were unlikely to be able to draft him with their 18th overall pick. The Chiefs thus traded up with the Houston Oilers to get the number 13 selection and draft Gonzalez.Gonzalez became NFL all time leader in reception yards for a tight end with 10,064, surpassing Shannon Sharpe. He recorded 96 receptions for 1,058 yards and was also elected to his 10 career Pro Bowl despite Kansas City starting 3 different quarterbacks. He is the greatest receiving tight end of all time. He is a first ballot hall of famer. |
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OT Anthony Michael Munoz 6'7" 280lbs.
Anthony Muñoz was the third overall pick in the 1980 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. His selection was viewed as a major risk by many pundits since knee problems limited the 6'-6", 280-pound Muñoz to just a combined eight games in his junior and senior seasons at USC. He became a starter in his rookie season and remained a fixture at left tackle for the Bengals for 13 seasons and is considered one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history. Despite his history of injuries, Muñoz missed just three games during his first 12 seasons. His rigorous workout routine included working out in the weight room he had installed in his home and running three to four miles every day. In addition to his talents as a blocker, Anthony Muñoz was also a capable receiver, notching 7 receptions for 18 yards and scoring 4 touchdowns on tackle-eligible plays. Muñoz was an 11-time (all consecutive) Pro Bowl selection, a 9 time All Pro, the Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1981, 1987, and 1988 was awarded the NFL Players Association Lineman of the Year honors in 1981, 1985, 1988, and 1989. The NFL Alumni Association voted Munoz the Offensive Lineman of the Year four times (1987, 1989-1991). At the time of his retirement, his Pro Bowl selections were the most ever by an offensive lineman in league history. In 1994, Muñoz was named to the National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. In 1999, he was ranked #17 on Sporting News' list of the 100 greatest football players and was the highest-ranked offensive lineman. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998. |
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OG John Allen Hannah 6'2" 265lbs.
John Hannah played his entire professional career with the New England Patriots. Hannah was named All-Pro 10 times (1976-1985) and was also selected to play in 9 Pro Bowls. He is also one of the few players to have been named to the NFL All-Decade Team twice, as Hannah was selected to both the 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Teams. Hannah was also selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, being the #1 guard in the team.In 1991 he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1999, he was ranked number 20 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, the highest-ranking Patriot, the highest-ranking guard, and the second-ranked offensive lineman behind Anthony Muñoz. |
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C Jim John Langer 6'2" 250lbs.
Jim Langer is considered one of the greatest NFL centers of all time and a hard working and quick blocker. Langer was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987. Langer became the starter at center in the 1972 season and played in 141 consecutive games over 8 seasons until a knee injury ended his playing days with Miami nine games into the 1979 season. Langer was traded to the Minnesota Vikings prior to the 1980 season, playing 2 seasons with the Vikings before retiring after the 1981 campaign. During a phenomenal 6-year stretch Langer was named All-Pro 4 times 1974-1977, and 2nd Team All-Pro twice, in 1973 and 1978. He also appeared in the Pro Bowl each of those seasons. Langer played in three Super Bowls with the Dolphins. |
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OG Larry Chatmon Little 6'1" 265lbs.
Undrafted out of college, Larry Little began his professional career as a free agent with the AFL's San Diego Chargers in 1967 and 1968, and was traded to the AFL's Miami Dolphins for the 1969 season, when he was named an AFL All-Star. He then played with the NFL Dolphins from 1970 through 1980. Little was a key contributor to the success of the Dolphins' punishing running attack of the early and mid 1970's, which featured Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris, and Jim Kiick. In 1999, he was ranked number 79 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. |
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OT Arthur "Art" Shell 6'5" 265lbs.
Shell was drafted by the AFL's Oakland Raiders from Maryland State College. Playing offensive tackle, Shell participated in 24 playoff contests, including Super Bowls XI and XV, and was named to eight Pro Bowls. Shell was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. In 1999, he was ranked number 55 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. He was a 3 time First Team All Pro. He was elected to the 1970s All Decade Team. |
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DE Reggie Howard White 6'5" 300lbs.
Reggie White played defensive end for 17 seasons in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers becoming one of the most decorated players in NFL history. The 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 13-time Pro Bowl and 12-time All-Pro selection holds 2nd place all-time amongst career sack leaders with 198.5 (behind Bruce Smith's 200 career sacks) and was selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL 1990s All-Decade Team and the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. During his professional career, he became famous not only for his outstanding play, but also for his Christian ministry as an ordained Evangelical minister. This led to his nickname, "the Minister of Defense." White was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. |
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DT Joe Edward Greene 6'4" 275lbs.
Known as “Mean Joe” Greene, this man played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. Throughout the early 1970s he developed into arguably the most dominant defensive lineman in the NFL. He is considered by many to be one of the best defensive linemen to ever play the game and was the cornerstone of the famous “Steel Curtain” defense. He is also a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and a four-time Super Bowl champion. He was strong, quick and intense. He was the NFL's rookie of the year in 1969, even though he played on a poor Steelers team that went 1-13 and had a long standing reputation of being a doormat for other NFL teams. In his early years with the Steelers, Greene was at times uncontrollable and often let his temper get the best of him. He was twice recognized as the NFL defensive player of the year in 1972 and 1974. He was a 10 time pro bowler and was a 5 Time First Team All Pro |
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DE Bruce Bernard Smith 6'4" 265lbs.
In his 19 NFL seasons, Bruce Smith played in 279 games, amassing 200 sacks, two interceptions, 46 forced fumbles, and 15 fumble recoveries, which he returned for 33 yards and a touchdown. Of his 19 seasons in the NFL, 14 of them were seasons where he had at least ten sacks, a testament to his consistency year in and year out. He was also named All-Pro nine times. At the height of his career, Smith was known as one of the NFL's most fearsome defensive players. His sack record attests to this, though his public demeanor suggested he was quite mild-mannered off the field. In 1999, Smith was ranked number 58 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. In 2005, he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. In 2006, Smith was voted into the College Football Hall of Fame. |
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OLB Lawrence Julius Taylor 6'3" 241lbs.
Lawrence Taylor is considered to be one of the greatest defensive players in the history of football, and has been called the greatest defensive player of all time by members of the media, former players, and coaches. Taylor won several defensive awards after his rookie season. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Taylor was a disruptive force at outside linebacker, and is widely considered to have changed the pass rushing schemes, offensive line play, and offensive formations used in the NFL. Taylor produced double-digit sacks each season from 1984 through 1990, including a career high of 20.5 in 1986. He also won a record three Defensive Player of the Year awards and was named the league's MVP for his performance during the 1986 season. He was named first-team All-Pro in each of his first nine seasons and was a key member of the Giants' defense, nicknamed "The Big Blue Wrecking Crew". Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs developed the two tight end offense and the position of h-back to prevent Taylor from blitzing into the backfield unhindered. His skills at outside linebacker forced other coaches to retool their offensive schemes to manage his impact. In the late '70s and early '80s, a blitzing linebacker was almost always picked up by a running back. However, these players were usually no match for Taylor. The tactic employed by Bill Walsh in the 1982 playoffs, namely of employing an offensive guard to block Taylor, began to be copied around the league. This move, however, left a hole in the offensive protection that a middle linebacker could exploit. Later, Walsh and other coaches began using offensive left tackles to block Taylor. Although Taylor made adjustments to his game to remain dominant, it soon became common in the NFL for offensive linemen to pick up blitzing linebackers, such as Taylor. In addition to the changes in offensive schemes Taylor influenced, he also introduced new defensive techniques to the game such as chopping the ball out of the quarterback's hands rather than tackling him. |
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MLB Jack Harold Lambert 6'4" 220lbs.
Jack Lambert won four Super Bowls in his 11 year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and is recognized as one of the best middle linebackers in the history of the NFL. Selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 1974 NFL Draft, many pro football coaches and scouts thought Lambert was too small to play linebacker in the NFL. While most of his pro career he was reported to be 6'4" and 220 pounds, he measured 6'4½" and 204 pounds as a rookie. However, he displayed strength at warding off blockers, quick feet, and extreme tenacity. These traits, coupled with intellect and ability to read offenses led to his quick ascension with the Steelers.Lambert went on to earn the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award as a central figure on a great Steeler defense. Lambert was known for the intensity with which he played. Lambert prided himself on his ability to hit hard and intimidate the opposition. By the time of his retirement, he was widely recognized as one of the great middle-linebackers in the history of the game. He was the Steelers starting middle linebacker, for eleven seasons; and according to Steelers media guides averaged 146 tackles per season through his 10th year. He recorded only 19 in his 11th and final season because of the injury suffered to his toe. |
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MLB Ray Anthony Lewis 6'1" 250lbs.
He has played for the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL since 1996. Lewis has been selected to ten Pro Bowls and been named an Associated Press All-Pro eight times. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2000 and 2003; he was the sixth player to win the award multiple times. He was also the second linebacker to win the Super Bowl MVP Award and the first linebacker to win the award on the winning Super Bowl team. Throughout his career Lewis has built a reputation as a leader and intimidating force at middle linebacker. He has led his team in tackles in nine of his eleven seasons. His defenses are consistently ranked among the best during his stint. Today he is considered one of the most dominant linebackers in the history of the NFL. He is considered a first ballot hall of famer |
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OLB Jack Raphael Ham Jr. 6'1" 225lbs.
He is considered one of the greatest outside linebackers in the history of the NFL. He won the starting left linebacker job as a rookie. He was First-team All-Pro six years and was named to eight straight Pro Bowls. He was named the greatest outside linebacker of all time by a consortium of professional sports writers, beating Lawrence Taylor for this honor. Rick Korch again raised this question in his book "The Truly Great, The 200 Best Football Players Of All Time", published in 1993. Korch gave the nod to Lawrence Taylor but by the narrowest of margins. Jack Ham was blessed with tremendous quickness, according to Steeler's coach Chuck Noll and teammate Andy Russell he was the "fastest Steeler for the first ten yards, including wide receivers and running backs", this was on a team which included John Stallworth, Lynn Swann and Frank Lewis. He was one of the few outside linebackers who could play pass defense as well as the NFL's top safeties. Although he was a ferocious hitter, he was known as a player who couldn't be fooled and was seldom out of position. Maxie Baughan, the great former NFL linebacker said of Ham, "He was one of the more intelligent players to ever play that position. He was able to diagnose plays. You couldn't ever fool him." |
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CB Rod Kevin Woodson 6'0" 205lbs.
As one of the best defensive backs in NFL history, Rod Woodson holds the records for career interception return yardage (1,483), interception returns for touchdowns (12) and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. His 71 career interceptions is the 3rd-most in NFL history. He was an inductee of the Class of 2009 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Woodson was named to the Pro Bowl eleven times, a record for a defensive back. He was also the first player to earn trips to the Pro Bowl at cornerback, safety and kick returner. He was named 1993's NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. He was also a 7 time All-Pro selection. Woodson finished second to Darrell Green in the 1988 NFL Fastest Man Contest. He was named to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team. What made it notable was that Woodson was one of only five active players to be named to the team. In 1999, he was ranked number 87 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. The College Football News has also honored him as one of the 100 greatest players of the 20th century. In 2007, he was ranked number 22 on USA Today list of the 25 best NFL players of the past 25 years. |
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SS Ronnie Mandel Lott 6'0" 203
Ronnie Lott starred as a cornerback, free safety and strong safety in college football and the NFL. He is most well known for his hard hits on opposing players. A Pro Bowler at both cornerback and safety, Lott is widely considered one of the best defensive backs in NFL history. In his 14 seasons, Lott recorded 8.5 sacks and 63 interceptions, which he returned for 730 yards and five touchdowns. He recovered 17 fumbles, returned them for 43 yards, and gained 113 yards on kickoff returns. Lott also played in 20 postseason games, recording nine interceptions, 89 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two touchdowns. He was also named All-Pro eight times, All-NFC six times, and All-AFC once. Beyond statistics, Lott had an uncanny awareness of how a play was developing, which allowed him to break up passes and earn a reputation as one of the hardest and most efficient open-field tacklers. |
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FS Mel Lacy Renfro 6'0" 190lbs.
Mel Renfro was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 1964 NFL Draft. The speedy Renfro (4.65 40-yd dash) became an exceptional threat to wide receivers. Mel led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 1969. Renfro was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first ten seasons in the League, including five All-Pro selections in 1964, 1965, 1969, 1971, and 1973. Mel also was a significant threat on special teams, performing punt and kickoff return duties in addition to playing on defense, leading the league in punt and kickoff return yardage in 1964.Renfro was added to the Texas Stadium Ring of Honor in 1981, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996. |
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CB Deion Luwynn Sanders 6'1" 198
This man carries the nicknames "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion". Sanders is considered one of the most versatile athletes in history because he played multiple sports at multiple positions. In the NFL he played mainly cornerback but also some wide receiver and special teams for the Atlanta Falcons, the San Francisco 49ers, the Dallas Cowboys, the Washington Redskins and the Baltimore Ravens, winning the Super Bowl with the 49ers and Cowboys. In Major League Baseball, he played for the New York Yankees, the Atlanta Braves, the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants. Sanders was a perennial All-Pro and one of the most feared pass defenders to ever play the game. While critics argued that his tackling was poor and he was not much of a factor in run support, they could not deny his closing speed. Deion was know for his speed. He was known for high steeping on his way to the endzone, while tacklers still had an angle on him. His 40-yard dash time was unoffically recorded at 4.20. During his career, Sanders intercepted 52 passes for 1,331 yards (a 25.1 yards per return average), recovered four fumbles for 15 yards, returned 155 kickoffs for 3,523 yards, gained 2,199 yards on 212 punt returns, and caught 60 passes for 784 yards. Sanders amassed 7,838 all-purpose yards and scored 22 touchdowns: nine interception returns, six punt returns, three kickoff returns, three receiving, and one fumble recovery. His 19 defensive and return touchdowns are an NFL record. He was selected to eight Pro Bowls in 1991-1994, 1996–1999. He was also awarded the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1994. |
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K Morten Anderson 6'2" 225lbs.
Morten Anderson holds the distinction of being the all-time leading scorer in NFL history and the all-time leading scorer for two different teams; the New Orleans Saints, with whom he spent 13 seasons, and the Atlanta Falcons, with whom he spent a combined 8 seasons. |
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P Ray William Guy 6'3" 200lbs.
Ray Guy was the first pure punter ever to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft when the Oakland Raiders selected him in 1973. Ray Guy was known for punts with a high hang time; he once punted the ball with so much hangtime that the opponents pulled the ball and had it tested for helium. The hangtime statistic was also instituted in the NFL during his time, probably because of him. Ray Guy played in 207 consecutive games, punted 1,049 times for 44,493 yards, averaging 42.4 yards per punt, with a 33.8 net yards average, had 210 punts inside the 20 yard line (not counting his first 3 seasons, when the NFL did not keep track of this stat), with just 128 touchbacks, led the NFL in punting three times, had a streak of 619 consecutive punts before having one blocked, has a record of 111 career punts in post season games, had five punts of over 60 yards during the 1981 season, and never had a punt returned for a touchdown. Ray Guy was selected to seven AFC Pro Bowl teams, and in 1994, he was named the punter on the National Football League's 75th Anniversary Team. |
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