Ranking top 25 players in NFL history: Dick Butkus has prominent place on league’s all-time list

In the 104-year historical past of the NFL, a number of of the sport’s iconic players have stood the check of the time. One of the ones players is former Chicago Bears nice Dick Butkus, who passed on to the great beyond on Thursday on the age of 80. Butkus’ soccer profession, which ended in 1973, stays probably the most embellished in league historical past.

Many who noticed Butkus play imagine him to be now not handiest the most efficient linebacker NFL historical past, however probably the most absolute best players in league annals. It’s now not laborious to make Butkus’ case, as he ruled his place like few others have. Despite having a fairly brief nine-year profession, Butkus won almost about each accolade a participant can earn. A primary-ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Butkus was once additionally a member of 2 All-Decade groups and was once a part of the NFL’s one centesimal Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019. 

Is Butkus the best linebacker in NFL historical past? We made up our minds to determine via score each and every of the league’s 25 biggest players. Before we dive in, right here was once the factors that went into making the list. 

• Individual good fortune/accolades gained
• Dominance throughout his technology
• Longevity and profession milestones completed 
• Enduring affect/legacy 
• Team good fortune/championships gained
• Ranking relative to his place 

Without additional ado, here is the list of the best 25 players in NFL historical past: 

25. Emlem Tunnell, DB (1948-1961): A pioneer in a number of respects, Tunnell turned into the primary Black participant to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. An established Giant who helped New York win the 1956 NFL identify, Tunnell retired after the 1962 season because the NFL’s profession chief with 79 interceptions and 1,282 interception go back yards. His 158 consecutive video games performed was once additionally an NFL document. 

24. Don Hutson, WR (1935-1945): A participant a long time forward of his time, Hudson was once the NFL’s first prolific wideout. Called an “end” in the ones days, Hudson led the NFL in receiving seven occasions, receptions 8 occasions and landing catches on 9 events. A more than one league MVP, Hudson led the Packers to 3 championships and is the primary participant in NFL historical past to document a 1,000-yard receiving season. His 99 profession touchdowns continues to be the Eleventh-highest general in NFL historical past in spite of taking part in his ultimate sport in 1945. 

23. Tony Gonzalez, TE (1997-2013): Gonzalez loved a outstanding run of constant excellence throughout his 17-year profession. He was once decided on to his first Pro Bowl at age 23 in 1999 and his final in 2013 at age 37. In between, Gonzalez was once decided on to twelve different Pro Bowls whilst changing into probably the most prolific tight finish in NFL historical past. He is 3rd all time in receptions, 6th in profession receiving yards and 8th in profession landing receptions. 

22. Gale Sayers, RB (1965-1971): Sayers packed so much into a brief profession. The “Kansas Comet” collected 9,435 blended internet yards and scored 336 issues in 68 video games with the Chicago Bears. Along with being probably the most biggest working backs in historical past, Sayers retired because the NFL’s all-time chief in kickoff go back yards. As a rookie in 1965, the sleek Sayers scored 20 touchdowns (in simply 14 video games) that incorporated a single-game document six rankings in opposition to the 49ers. 

21. Rod Woodson, DB (1987-2003): One of the best athletes who has ever performed in the NFL, Woodson excelled throughout his 17-year profession as a cornerback, protection and returner. The NFL’s DPOY in 1993, Woodson made historical past two years later via changing into the primary athlete in a significant American skilled game to go back to play in the similar season after present process primary knee surgical treatment. Five years after that, Woodson performed an integral position on the Ravens’ traditionally dominant protection that led Baltimore to its first Super Bowl win. Woodson then reached the Super Bowl with a 3rd group — the Raiders — two years later after main the NFL in interceptions at age 37. 

20. Alan Page, DT (1967-1981): Along with anchoring the Vikings’ mythical “Purple People Eater” protection, Page owns the respect as the primary defensive participant to win NFL MVP. A Pro Bowler each and every yr from 1968-76, Page collected 148.5 profession sacks, an unparalleled quantity for a defensive take on. Page’s dominance helped the Vikings win 3 NFC titles and an NFL crown in 1969. He completed his profession with 3 extraordinarily cast seasons with the Bears, recording 3 sacks in his ultimate sport. 

19. Anthony Munoz, LT (1980-1992): The biggest left take on in NFL historical past, Munoz earned 11 immediately Pro Bowl nods and was once an All-Pro in 9 of his 13 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. A pillar on the Bengals’ first two Super Bowl groups, Munoz’s go coverage helped each Ken Anderson and Boomer Esiason win league MVPs. 

18. Emmitt Smith, RB (1990-2004): The small however sturdy working again was once the engine at the back of the Cowboys’ Nineteen Nineties dynasty. From 1991-95, Smith gained 4 dashing titles, league and Super Bowl MVPs and 3 Super Bowls. Smith persevered to churn out 1,000-yard seasons after the Cowboys’ championship years and stays the NFL’s all-time profession chief with 18,355 dashing yards and 164 dashing touchdowns. 

17. John Elway, QB (1993-98): Elway’s greatness will also be measured in the truth that he carried the Broncos to 3 Super Bowls over a four-year span in the overdue ’80s. Denver was once woefully overmatched in the ones video games, however Elway ended his profession with back-to-back Super Bowl wins as soon as the Broncos constructed a championship-caliber group round him. He gained Super Bowl MVP honors in his ultimate sport. 

16. Randy Moss, WR (1998-2010, 2012): Moss’ nickname, “The Freak,” was once becoming as he possessed skills that now and then seemed to be otherworldly. Moss burst onto the scene as a rookie via catching 17 touchdowns for the 15-1 Vikings. Nine years later, Moss loved an ancient partnership with Tom Brady that incorporated each players environment person information (Brady with 50 landing passes, Moss with 23 landing catches) for the NFL’s handiest undefeated group in a 16-game common season. Moss is moment all-time at the back of Rice in profession landing catches and is fourth all-time in receiving yards. 

15. Joe Greene, DT (1969-1981): The spine of the Steelers’ Seventies dynasty, “Mean Joe” gained Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1972 and in 1974. In ’74, Green spearheaded the Steelers’ first of 4 Super Bowl wins throughout the last decade. In Super Bowl IX, he intercepted Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton and recovered a vital fumble as Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” protection close out Minnesota’s offense. Greene was once so dominant that the NFL outlawed his stunt alignment that made him just about unattainable for inner linemen to dam. 

14. Aaron Donald, DT (2014-present): If any individual was once to make a case for Donald as the best defensive participant in league historical past, they would not get a controversy right here. A 3-time Defensive Player of the Year, Donald was once an All-Pro each and every yr from 2015-22 and has been named to the Pro Bowl in each and every of his 9 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Donald’s sheer will helped the Rams come again to defeat the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. 

13. Ray Lewis, LB (1996-2012): A throwback participant, Lewis’ depth and mastery of his place led the Ravens to 2 Super Bowl titles. He was once the most efficient participant on the Ravens’ traditionally nice 2000 protection that allowed simply six issues in 3 playoff video games. In 17 seasons, Lewis racked up over 2,000 tackles, 31 interceptions, 41.5 sacks, 19 compelled fumbles and 20 fumble recoveries. 

12. Dan Marino, QB (1983-1999): Widely considered the best natural passer the NFL has ever observed. During his 17-year profession (all with the Dolphins), Marino gained 5 passing titles and led the NFL in landing passes 3 immediately seasons from 1984-86. His 1984 season is one for the ages. That season, Marino set then-NFL information with 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns whilst main Miami to the Super Bowl. Marino, whose profession accolades additionally contains successful Comeback Player of the Year in 1994, retired because the NFL’s all-time profession chief in passing yards and landing passes. 

11. Johnny Unitas, QB (1956-1973): The NFL’s absolute best quarterback throughout the league’s first 50 years. “Johnny U” led the Colts to NFL titles in 1958 and ’59 and a Super Bowl identify in 1970. He was once the successful quarterback in what many imagine the best sport in NFL historical past: the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Colts and Giants that was once the primary extra time contest in league historical past. His document of 47 immediately video games with a minimum of one landing go stood from 1960 till Drew Brees handed him in 2012. 

10. Joe Montana, QB (1979-1994): The QB who held the mantle as the best of all time sooner than Tom Brady got here alongside. “Cool Joe” was once the primary three-time Super Bowl MVP whilst main the 49ers to 4 Super Bowl wins throughout the Eighties. Montana was once sensible in large video games; he threw 0 interceptions in 4 Super Bowls whilst recording probably the most biggest person efforts in Super Bowl historical past. Montana solidified his standing as an all-time legend after main the 49ers’ iconic, 92-yard game-winning power in Super Bowl XXIII. 

9. Dick Butkus, LB (1965-73): The phrase legend is incessantly used loosely in sports activities, however now not in Butkus’ state of affairs. The Chicago Bears iconic linebacker struck concern into opposing offenses all over his nine-year taking part in profession. A ferocious tackler, Butkus was once additionally impeccable in go protection. He picked off a minimum of one go yearly of his profession and pulled down 5 passes throughout his standout rookie season. 

8. Barry Sanders, RB (1989-1998): Unless you noticed him play, it is laborious to explain the revel in of gazing Barry Sanders on the soccer box. The former Detroit Lions superstar ran with a mode that wasn’t observed sooner than and hasn’t been observed since. A wizard with the soccer, Sanders made the unattainable glance regimen. He incessantly grew to become what seemed to be five-yard losses into lengthy runs that at the moment are performed on loops on the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Sanders parlayed his distinctive working taste right into a embellished profession that incorporated 4 dashing titles and 15,259 profession dashing yards in 10 seasons. 

7. Reggie White, DE (1985-1998, 2000): The “Minister of Defense” compiled a Hall of Fame profession with each the Eagles and Packers. Along with being a menacing go rusher, White made historical past when he turned into the primary superstar participant to signal with a brand new group in loose company after becoming a member of the Packers in 1993. Three years later, White hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy after recording 3 sacks in Green Bay’s first Super Bowl win in 29 years. 

6. Lawrence Taylor, LB (1981-1993): Taylor was once so dominant as a rookie that he gained each Defensive Rookie of the Year and NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. Five years later, Taylor gained league MVP whilst main the Giants to their first Super Bowl identify. Taylor’s ferocious go rush revolutionized the sport whilst making left take on probably the most league’s maximum essential positions. 

5. Peyton Manning, QB (1998-2015): If Brady is Jack Nicklaus, Manning is Arnold Palmer in this epic QB contention. Brady has extra titles, however Manning has his personal distinctive legacy that features a document 5 league MVPs in addition to being the primary beginning quarterback to win Super Bowls with two other golf equipment. And like Palmer did with golfing, Manning has served as an important ambassador for the NFL, however throughout his taking part in and in retirement. 

4. Walter Payton, RB (1975-1987): How just right was once “Sweetness?” So just right that there’s a reputable argument to be made relating to whether or not or now not he’s the best working again in NFL historical past. He’s with out query the best again because the 1970 merger. Quite most likely probably the most fearless participant of all time, Payton robotically took on eight-man fronts for mediocre Bears groups. When the Bears in the end turned into aggressive later in his profession, Payton led them to a championship after gaining over 2,000 all-purpose yards for the Super Bowl XX champions. Along together with his working prowess, Payton was once a phenomenal blocker, receiver and general soccer participant. 

3. Jim Brown, RB (1957-1965): It’s laborious to quantify how dominant Brown was once throughout his 9 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He is on the quick list of athletes who towered over the contest, a list that still contains Babe Ruth, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Wilt Chamberlain, Cheryl Miller, Serena Williams, Jesse Owens and Michael Phelps. Brown led the NFL in dashing 8 occasions and carried the Browns to their final league identify in 1964. His profession yards-per-game moderate of 104.3 yards stays the easiest general of any participant in NFL historical past. 

2. Jerry Rice, WR (1985-04): Rice belongs on any Mount Rushmore in regards to the NFL’s all-time biggest players. His list of NFL information spans longer than a soccer box. A 3-time Super Bowl champion with the 49ers, Rice stuck his document 8th profession Super Bowl landing with the Raiders at age 40. His profession tally of twenty-two,895 receiving yards is over 5,000 yards greater than the second-closest wideout, Larry Fitzgerald. In 1987, Rice stuck 22 touchdowns — a document that stood for twenty years — in spite of taking part in in handiest 12 video games. 

1. Tom Brady, QB (2000-2022): It’s laborious to pinpoint when Brady ended the argument because the NFL’s biggest participant. He firmly entered the dialog after main the Patriots from at the back of in opposition to Seattle in Super Bowl XLIX. Brady entered “arguably the greatest” territory after he and the Patriots pulled off the best comeback in Super Bowl historical past in opposition to Atlanta. His final two titles — particularly his ultimate one with the Buccaneers at age 43 — cemented his legacy as the best winner and participant the game has ever observed.