Greatest NFL Football Players of All Time (2 Viewers)

[Louis Badolato]

In my lifetime (January 5, 1968 to the present), I believe that I have been lucky enough to see the golden age of professional football. I have watched the greatest teams (tail end of the 1960's Packers, 1970's Steelers, 1980's 49ers), some of the best championship games (Giants vs. Patriots, Giants vs. Bills, Patriots vs. Panthers), but above all else seen the most talented players to ever play. For my money, these are the top 10 players of my lifetime:

1. Lawrence Taylor
2. Jerry Rice
3. Deacon Jones
4. Dan Marino
5.Tom Brady
6. Ronnie Lott
7. Emmitt Smith
8. Dion Sanders
9. Peyton Manning
10. Walter Peyton

Tons of honorable mentions, for players like Dick Butkis, Barry Sanders, Joe Montana, Mike Singletary, "The Minister of Defense", Terrry Bradshaw, Mean Joe Green, Harry Carson, O.J. Simpson (he's a murderer, but he was one of the all time great running backs), Bart Star, Larry Czonka, Johnny Unitas (he played in the 1969 Superbowl III against the Jets, so still counts as being during my lifetime), Mike Ditka and Mark Bavaro (got to give tightends some love) and I could go on (hell there are probably a dozen great offensive linemen who deserve to make the list).

Obviously, number 1 on my list would be Jim Brown, but he retired before I was born. Other greats before my time would include Gayle Sayers, Nightrain Lane, Sam Huff, Slingin' Sammy Baugh, Charlie Connerly, Y.A. Tittle, Frank Gifford, and list could also go on for hours.

So two questions: (1) Would you agree that the Superbowl Era (1967 to the present) is the greatest era in professional football? (2) who are the top ten players of the Superbowl Era?

 

[VanguardFC007]

Hmm, Ill have to give some thought to this. I dont think Ive ever pondered the top 10 NFL players. On a different yet related subject, anyone ever read Johnny U? The book about Johnny Unitas.

 

[Combat]

In my lifetime (January 5, 1968 to the present), I believe that I have been lucky enough to see the golden age of professional football. I have watched the greatest teams (tail end of the 1960's Packers, 1970's Steelers, 1980's 49ers), some of the best championship games (Giants vs. Patriots, Giants vs. Bills, Patriots vs. Panthers), but above all else seen the most talented players to ever play. For my money, these are the top 10 players of my lifetime:

1. Lawrence Taylor
2. Jerry Rice
3. Deacon Jones
4. Dan Marino
5.Tom Brady
6. Ronnie Lott
7. Emmitt Smith
8. Dion Sanders
9. Peyton Manning
10. Walter Peyton

That's a pretty good list. In particular, Deacon Jones the greatest D lineman in NFL history who is often overlooked. I would take exception only with Deon and Marino. Good players, but not top 10.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Combat,

I certainly agree Deacon Jones was the greatest D-lineman ever!! They didn't keep sacks as a stat until 1985 or so, but an ESPN analyst said that from watching game films he counted 183 sacks by Deacon Jones, with 30 in one season!!! Unbelievable!! He and L.T. were the two greatest defensive players ever.

 

[tdubel]

That's a pretty good list. In particular, Deacon Jones the greatest D lineman in NFL history who is often overlooked. I would take exception only with Deon and Marino. Good players, but not top 10.

You cannot argue against Deion Sanders. He was by far the greatest cover corner to play the game. He was not the most physical, he didn't need to be. In his prime, his greatest statistic is one you will not find, it is the fact that teams openly admitted to rearranging their offense so that they didn't ever throw to his side. That is an all time great statement in itself. I don't think any other secondary player has been avoided and offenses re-schemed. Love him or hate him, you have to admire the god given ability he had (and still has, I have heard he can still run a 4.2,4.3 40 yard dash).

Tom

 

[Spitfrnd]

In my lifetime (January 5, 1968 to the present), I believe that I have been lucky enough to see the golden age of professional football. I have watched the greatest teams (tail end of the 1960's Packers, 1970's Steelers, 1980's 49ers), some of the best championship games (Giants vs. Patriots, Giants vs. Bills, Patriots vs. Panthers), but above all else seen the most talented players to ever play. For my money, these are the top 10 players of my lifetime:

1. Lawrence Taylor
2. Jerry Rice
3. Deacon Jones
4. Dan Marino
5.Tom Brady
6. Ronnie Lott
7. Emmitt Smith
8. Dion Sanders
9. Peyton Manning
10. Walter Peyton

Tons of honorable mentions, for players like Dick Butkis, Barry Sanders, Joe Montana, Mike Singletary, "The Minister of Defense", Terrry Bradshaw, Mean Joe Green, Harry Carson, O.J. Simpson (he's a murderer, but he was one of the all time great running backs), Bart Star, Larry Czonka, Johnny Unitas (he played in the 1969 Superbowl III against the Jets, so still counts as being during my lifetime), Mike Ditka and Mark Bavaro (got to give tightends some love) and I could go on (hell there are probably a dozen great offensive linemen who deserve to make the list).

Obviously, number 1 on my list would be Jim Brown, but he retired before I was born. Other greats before my time would include Gayle Sayers, Nightrain Lane, Sam Huff, Slingin' Sammy Baugh, Charlie Connerly, Y.A. Tittle, Frank Gifford, and list could also go on for hours.

So two questions: (1) Would you agree that the Superbowl Era (1967 to the present) is the greatest era in professional football? (2) who are the top ten players of the Superbowl Era?

To answer your first question, I am afraid not. My lifetime spans an earlier period and I think the 50s and 60s was really the greatest era since the players were so much tougher, more loyal and less concerned about their salaries and bonuses. Quarterbacks and receivers were not specially protected and there was no instant replay. Of course there are exceptions, Clinton Portis comes to mind for example, but I think that is generally true.

As to the list in your life time, if you are judging Johnny Unitas solely by his play in that period, you are justified in leaving him off. Otherwise, Peyton Manning couldn't carry his shoes. I also do not see Brady as qualifying yet, although he is on his way. Dion Sanders is a great example of why I don't think this era is the best. Dan Marino was great but not a great as Joe Montana. Lawerence Taylor does indeed belong on the best of the best list, even though he inadvertently ended Little Joe's career. I would also add Bradshaw, Elway and Reggie White to your list for those I would remove. Honestly though, while I still enjoy NFL football, when we are talking greatest to play the game, I would offer the following top ten in alphabetical order:

Sammy Baugh
Jim Brown
Dick Butkus
Deacon Jones
Night Train Lane
Joe Montana
Merlin Olsen
Walter Payton
Lawrence Taylor
Johnny Unitas


All of these guys played during my life time, although I was too young to remember Slingin Sammy unfortunately. My honorable mention list would include Jerry Rice, Roger Staubach, Raymond Berry, Terry Bradshaw, John Elway, Gino Marchetti, Bart Star, Steve Largent, John Mackey, Jack Ham, Dan Marino, Ronnie Lott, OJ and Mel Blount.

 

[eborris]

I would have trouble taking Dan Marino over Brett Favre and Merlin Olson over Bob Lilly on any list, not to mention Lawrence Taylor as the greatest of all time. I'm not sure I could pick the all time greatest player.

 

[Louis Badolato]

To answer your first question, I am afraid not. My lifetime spans an earlier period and I think the 50s and 60s was really the greatest era since the players were so much tougher, more loyal and less concerned about their salaries and bonuses. Quarterbacks and receivers were not specially protected and there was no instant replay. Of course there are exceptions, Clinton Portis comes to mind for example, but I think that is generally true.

As to the list in your life time, if you are judging Johnny Unitas solely by his play in that period, you are justified in leaving him off. Otherwise, Peyton Manning couldn't carry his shoes. I also do not see Brady as qualifying yet, although he is on his way. Dion Sanders is a great example of why I don't think this era is the best. Dan Marino was great but not a great as Joe Montana. Lawerence Taylor does indeed belong on the best of the best list, even though he inadvertently ended Little Joe's career. I would also add Bradshaw, Elway and Reggie White to your list for those I would remove. Honestly though, while I still enjoy NFL football, when we are talking greatest to play the game, I would offer the following top ten in alphabetical order:

Sammy Baugh
Jim Brown
Dick Butkus
Deacon Jones
Night Train Lane
Joe Montana
Merlin Olsen
Walter Payton
Lawrence Taylor
Johnny Unitas


All of these guys played during my life time, although I was too young to remember Slingin Sammy unfortunately. My honorable mention list would include Jerry Rice, Roger Staubach, Raymond Berry, Terry Bradshaw, John Elway, Gino Marchetti, Bart Star, Steve Largent, John Mackey, Jack Ham, Dan Marino, Ronnie Lott, OJ and Mel Blount.

I had Reggie White on my Honorable Mention list under his unofficial title, "The Minister of Defense" - I thought that sufficiently identified him, so I didn't spell his name out. I certainly have no problem with the people you put on your lifetime list, but, as most of them played before I was born, I couldn't put them on mine.

But, as far as comparing eras, todays NFL players are so much bigger, stronger, and faster than the teams that played in the 1950's, that for me, there can be no way I don't consider the 50's the golden age (unlike Baseball, where Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Duke Schneider, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and their contemporaries would take todays players apart).

 

[gk5717]

I did see Jim Brown play, and to this day I still think he was the best ever.

Not in the top ten all time but those 3 years Kurt Warner was leading the Rams, wow!
Gary

 

[lancer]

IMHO all this talk about who is greatest is a black hole with the following exception, the 1958 NFL Championship Game. It all starts there in terms of the popularity and money for todays game. As that game contained no less than 12 future Hall-of-Famers, I think you must pull the "best" list from that game. I am not saying that there have not been equally great players before or since, but certainly not so many in such a pivotal game. Todays NFL players, owners, fans owe those men from 1958. As to the best player ever, there is only one: John Unitas. The MVP of the most important football game ever played and the best QB to ever play. -- lancer

 

[VanguardFC007]

IMHO all this talk about who is greatest is a black hole with the following exception, the 1958 NFL Championship Game. It all starts there in terms of the popularity and money for todays game. As that game contained no less than 12 future Hall-of-Famers, I think you must pull the "best" list from that game. I am not saying that there have not been equally great players before or since, but certainly not so many in such a pivotal game. Todays NFL players, owners, fans owe those men from 1958. As to the best player ever, there is only one: John Unitas. The MVP of the most important football game ever played and the best QB to ever play. -- lancer

Agreed. Johnny Unitas put up great numbers in a time when teams ran 1st and passed 2nd. He also played in quite a few less games because the NFL schedule was only 12 and then 14 games.

 

[Combat]

You cannot argue against Deion Sanders. He was by far the greatest cover corner to play the game. He was not the most physical, he didn't need to be. In his prime, his greatest statistic is one you will not find, it is the fact that teams openly admitted to rearranging their offense so that they didn't ever throw to his side. That is an all time great statement in itself. I don't think any other secondary player has been avoided and offenses re-schemed. Love him or hate him, you have to admire the god given ability he had (and still has, I have heard he can still run a 4.2,4.3 40 yard dash).

Tom

Sporting News had Deion at #37 which is generous. That was in 2000 - so he probably would slip down even further today. When you are talking about the top 10 of all time, that's a tall order. I just don't see Deion on that list. He was a physically talented player no doubt, but also one of the first "show me the money" guys. All about him and forget the team. TO and some other prima donnas have followed in his footsteps. On the upside, he did burn Dan "the even more annoying" Snyder for a lot of money during his Redskin days. That's about the best I can say for him.

 

[bromhead]

bronco nagurski by far

 

[Louis Badolato]

Guys,

First of all, I happen to think Johnny Unitas was one of the all time greats, and I put him on my alternate list despite the fact that during my lifetime he was at the tail end of his remarkable career. If I was born in 1958 instead of 1968 he would probably be my 3rd highest ranked quarterback. But the greatest player of all time? Why do quarterbacks get so much credit? I just don't get it.

Let me break the news to you. In 1961 the Giants had what was thought to be the greatest offense ever put on a football field at that time. They played the Packers in the Championship game. The pack had a great defense. No where near the greatest of all time, but a great defense. When Vince Lombardi was asked how his defense was going to slow down the "greatest ever" Giants offense (with a half a dozen hall of famers on it) he laughed. He told the reporters that he could run the same defense all day, and still shut down this "great" offense, because defense overmatches offense. The end result, the Packers blew the Giants out, because Lombardi is right, a great defense will always beat a great offense. That's why the all time teams always have amazing defenses.

Jim Brown's Browns were beaten twice in a row (the last game of the season to tie for the lead and then in a playoff game) by the New York Giants defense with Sam Huff and Rosie Greer. Would you consider Bart Starr to be the best Quarterback ever? Well his Packers teams dominated the Johnny Unitas led Colts all through the 1960's . . . why? Defense (and coaching). Was Terry Bradshaw better than Unitas? No way. But given the Steel Curtain defense, he won 4 Superbowls. So there is no way that a quaterback is going anywhere in the top three for me, give me (in their prime) Deacon Jones at one defensive end, Reggie White at the other, Mean Joe Green and Randy White on the inside, Lawrence Taylor at strong side outside linebacker, Dick Butkis at the other, Mike Singletary at middle linebacker, Ronnie Lot at Strong Safety, Nighttrain Lane at one corner and Deion Sanders at the other, and an average offense, and I'll beat an all century team at offensive positions every time.

 

[Warrior]

"IMHO all this talk about who is greatest is a black hole with the following exception, the 1958 NFL Championship Game. It all starts there in terms of the popularity and money for todays game. As that game contained no less than 12 future Hall-of-Famers, I think you must pull the "best" list from that game."

I agree 1000%; that is THE greatest football game of all time, followed closely by the Packers-Cowboys NFL Championship game and Super Bowl III.

The 1958 Championship game is the greatest football game of all time, won by the Colts, who were loaded with stars.

I only wish I was born at that time so I could have seen that thrilling, never to be topped win by the Colts, the Baltimore Colts, the one and only true Baltimore team and Colt team.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Sporting News had Deion at #37 which is generous. That was in 2000 - so he probably would slip down even further today. When you are talking about the top 10 of all time, that's a tall order. I just don't see Deion on that list. He was a physically talented player no doubt, but also one of the first "show me the money" guys. All about him and forget the team. TO and some other prima donnas have followed in his footsteps. On the upside, he did burn Dan "the even more annoying" Snyder for a lot of money during his Redskin days. That's about the best I can say for him.

One question: With you season on the line, who would you rather have covering the other team's best receiver then Deion Sanders, all time? You give me a credible alternative, and I'll take him off my list.

 

[Spitfrnd]

One question: With you season on the line, who would you rather have covering the other team's best receiver then Deion Sanders, all time? You give me a credible alternative, and I'll take him off my list.

Mel Blount, Mike Haynes and Willie Brown for starters. I would put any season on the line with one of those guys at corner. Herb Adderley wouldn't be a bad pick either.

 

[Spitfrnd]

"IMHO all this talk about who is greatest is a black hole with the following exception, the 1958 NFL Championship Game. It all starts there in terms of the popularity and money for todays game. As that game contained no less than 12 future Hall-of-Famers, I think you must pull the "best" list from that game."

I agree 1000%; that is THE greatest football game of all time, followed closely by the Packers-Cowboys NFL Championship game and Super Bowl III.

The 1958 Championship game is the greatest football game of all time, won by the Colts, who were loaded with stars.

I only wish I was born at that time so I could have seen that thrilling, never to be topped win by the Colts, the Baltimore Colts, the one and only true Baltimore team and Colt team.

You have my vote; as you know since I have spoken before about this greatest game. As I also said, I was fortunate enough to have seen it live, in Maryland rooting for the one and only Colts.

 

[Spitfrnd]

...But, as far as comparing eras, todays NFL players are so much bigger, stronger, and faster than the teams that played in the 1950's, that for me, there can be no way I don't consider the 50's the golden age (unlike Baseball, where Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Stan Musial, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Duke Schneider, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and their contemporaries would take todays players apart).

Louis you are right that they are bigger, stronger and faster. But you have to put that in context. They are also the products of a football system that now starts in kindergarten and where the superior players are nurtured and managed with incredible care and attention. Do you really think that those greats from the 50s and 60s would not have been even more amazing with todays care and attention? In that context, I think many of those guys would take todays players apart. You go tell Mean Joe, Gino Marchette, Art Donavon, Sam Huff and Merlin Olsen, in their primes, that they are wussies, I wouldn't even do that today.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Mel Blount, Mike Haynes and Willie Brown for starters. I would put any season on the line with one of those guys at corner. Herb Adderley wouldn't be a bad pick either.

Those guys are all greats, but none of them are physically gifted enough to cover todays top wide receivers. But that goes to the next point of yours I will be addressing.