Archie Griffin recalls the second chance after his first fumble, Navy's classy gesture meant a lot to Dorsett, Barry Switzer recruits Billy Sims at halftime, Conducting Tennessee band a special memory for Manning, Rodgers perfectly remembers big punt return TD vs. Oklahoma, 1982 Sugar Bowl a great memory for Marino, Emmitt Smith on his first collegiate start, Frazier's spectacular Fiesta Bowl play a vivid memory for Rowe, Coach Gailey remembers Calvin Johnson's freshman year, The story behind Desmond Howard's Heisman pose, College football's top 11 players of all time (2:25), The 150 greatest players in college football's 150-year history, College football Future Power Rankings: Defenses, Ranking college football's 10 best running backs for 2023, Deion 'ashamed' after only 1 HBCU player drafted, Spartans QB Thorne, WR Coleman enter portal, Philly Dawgs: Eagles add Ringo to UGA draft haul, Biden salutes Air Force for fall success over rivals, New Big Ten boss Petitti ready to lead 'new era', Huskers QB Thompson again in transfer portal, UVA players killed last fall honored at NFL draft. Rushing yards: 2,957 | Yards per carry: 8.3 | Touchdowns: 59 The Top 25 NFL Players of All Time | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats 40. It could be that the voters succumbed to nostalgia, hearkening to their youth to find their true heroes. Top 100 soccer players. Best players in the world In conjunction with the NFLs 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. Lowe is one of four Crimson Tide linebackers on this list, and it is no fluke that he holds his place among players such as Lee Roy Jordan, Cornelius Bennett and Derrick Thomas. The 25 best players in Ohio State football history | Yardbarker And so very, very fast. He declared for the draft after that season and was selected No. Chris Spielman (LB, Ohio State, 1984-87) Receiving. 97. The Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young, the Alabama quarterback, at No. List of the best NFL players of all time, including the greatest all-time football stars like Jerry Rice, Reggie White, and Barry Sanders. 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. He won the Nagurski and sealed his place among the game's elite. Let us know on Twitter or Facebook. Watch on ESPN+. 98. Suh finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting. In 2005, he ran for 1,740 yards, scored 19 touchdowns and helped the Trojans reach the national championship game. Ditka once punched two Pitt guards in the huddle during a game because he didn't think they were playing hard enough. At the time of his retirement, Marino held over 40 total NFL records (youll see those record breakers later), and was the first quarterback to ever surpass both the 50 and 60,000 passing yard threshold, and the 400 touchdown pass mark. Reed was named All-American in 2000 and 2001. THE GREATEST FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF ALL TIME - IMDb In four seasons, he ran for 2,341 yards, a school record that stood until 1978. Former Oklahoma RB and Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims recalls Barry Switzer recruiting him during halftime of an Oklahoma game. . Simpson averaged 31 carries and 156 rushing yards per game. One to sit on, one to think with. The challenge was daunting, considering each person had to assess talent back to 1920. It is up for debate as to whether Marinaro is the last great running back produced by the Ivy League. Desmond Howard (WR, Michigan, 1989-91) He had three straight 200-yard rushing games in the final month of the 1973 season, helping Penn State finish 12-0. John Lujack (QB, Notre Dame, 1943, 1946-47) 47); 3-time Pro Bowler, 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, 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), 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. His hard work and heart were famous, as he notably made a switch to OT briefly to understand how to beat blockers. He grew up near Philadelphia, and like every red-blooded Pennsylvania boy, dreamed of running the ball for Penn State. That the best player in the history of college football didn't win the Heisman Trophy says less about the player than it does about college football. When you talk about football history, you cant not talk about Ray Nitschke. He averaged nearly 7 yards per carry at Oklahoma. 140. Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1991; 1st-team All-Pro (1976, 78, 79, 80, 81, 83, 85); 9-time Pro Bowler. Ricky Williams (RB, Texas, 1995-98) 24. None loomed larger than Walker. Built like a tank (60, 205 lbs), Woodson was was a deceptively skilled ball hawk, nabbing 71 career interceptions (3rd all-time) and 32 career defensive fumble recoveries (1st all-time). He grew up near SMU, and as a Mustang he so captivated the city of Dallas that the Cotton Bowl, expanded twice during Walker's career, became known as The House That Doak Built. That said, 2019 actually is the 151st season of college football, so the likes of LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and Wisconsin tailback Jonathan Taylor will have to wait for College Football 151. Receiving yards: 1,565 | Return yards: 1,607 | All-purpose yards: 4,187 Griffin changed his coach's mind, perhaps by rushing for a school-record 239 yards in the second game of the season. As a senior in 1983, Rozier rewrote the school record book, with 2,148 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging nearly 8 yards per carry. By the end of his freshman year, however, the quiet, hardworking Ham had established himself as the bell cow of the recruiting class. At 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, he brings size and versatility to Arizona in a . The 1982 consensus All-American is SMU's all-time leader in rushing yards, total TDs and 100-yard rushing games. He was also the Orange's place-kicker and scored 43 points -- on six touchdowns and seven extra points -- in a 61-7 decision over Colgate in 1956. Nearly four decades later, college football remains on a first-name basis with the 1985 Heisman winner. He had 23 against USC in 1977. It's why Smith waited until junior high to use his full birth name. List of most consecutive starts and games played by National Football He finished second to South Carolina's George Rogers in Heisman Trophy voting as a senior, the highest-ever finish by a full-time defensive player. He finished his FSU career with 274 tackles, 8.5 sacks and five interceptions. Bennett had nine more sacks in his senior season, finished with 19 tackles for loss, won the Lombardi Award and was named All-American. Rod Woodson (DB, Purdue, 1983-86) Ozzie Newsome (WR, Alabama, 1974-77) A ferocious defender on the field and a gentle giant off it, Olsen was a two-time All-American at Utah State and won the Outland Trophy as the sport's best interior lineman as a senior in 1961. If not Brown, then Walker might be the player against whom every college running back is measured. Against UTEP, he set an NCAA record with 406 yards on 43 carries with six touchdowns. 4 Oklahoma. Ted Hendricks (DL, Miami, 1966-68) 45. If you were wondering where Thomas Edward Patrick Brady, Jr. was on this list, wonder no longer. Youll see a few more of these before this list is through. Tim Tebow ? He would nab 68 picks during his career, a mark good enough for fourth on the all-time list, and was even highlighted for his explosion and tackling. "Would it put an end to the debate of Maradona or Messi? The 100 Best Football Players in the World 2019: full list revealed 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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. Top-20 Greatest NFL Players Of All-Time | SportyTell As a sophomore in 1978, Lott helped the Trojans go 12-1 and win a share of a national title. Reid is a member of both the College Football and the Country Music Halls of Fame. During his senior season in 1980, he set a UNC record with 16 sacks to go with six other tackles for loss and 69 tackles in total. A bruising and powerful runner, Owens set what was then an NCAA record with 17 consecutive 100-yard rushing games. It is difficult to remember a time when Simpson wasn't a pariah, when he was celebrated for a stunning combination of size (6-2, 205) and moves and durability. 11. For two seasons, Thomas played with Cornelius Bennett. No one has ever quieted the Swamp quicker. Dick Butkus (LB, Illinois, 1962-64) He has all of the accolades and all of the longevity, and if not for four straight championship-level heartbreaks, he would have four Super Bowl rings to his name as well. Jerry Rice 2. Not Jerry. Even more impressive, McNair brought his team back from 11 fourth-quarter deficits to win. Seattle Seahawks (1995-1999) Dallas Cowboys (2000-2003) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2004-2008) New England Patriots (2009) Pittsburgh Steelers (2009) Washington Redskins (2010) Joey Galloway has had a. Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1993 Class); 1x Super Bowl Champion; 1x MVP; 1x OPoY; 2x NFC OPoY; 1x MoY; 7x First-Team All-Pro; 1x Second-Team All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl. After Messi and Argentina did lift the World Cup, Gary Lineker suggested the GOAT debate was over. Former Pittsburgh coach Foge Fazio, one of Ditka's teammates with the Panthers, once compared him to a prizefighter: "He just couldn't wait for the bell to ring and get back out there." The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner effectively completed football by leading Argentina to the 2022 World Cup. Tackles: 204 | Tackles for loss: 68 | Sacks: 52 Best Running QBs. Former Florida QB Tim Tebow recalls his famous speech, "The Promise.". As a senior at Grambling, he became the first quarterback from a historically black college to be named to the Associated Press All-America team. Just look at the top of every record. After the UNC coaches moved him to outside linebacker before his junior season, Taylor dominated the opposition like few players before or after him. Regardless of the level, the diminutive Smith stood taller than most on the football field. Elways accolades dont seem to really hold up for a rank this high, until you consider the following: under him, the Denver Broncos went to five Super Bowls. He won the 1968 Heisman Trophy. Plunkett might have won the Heisman only because the favorite, Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning, broke his left arm late in the season. But Bear Bryant never beat Notre Dame, and his career turned out all right, too. Mike Rozier (RB, Nebraska, 1981-83) 38. So it should speak to the talent above Brown that as the greatest to ever play arguably the second-most important role on an NFL team, he ranks at the bottom of this particular Mt. USC went 11-0-1 and was ranked No. Randy Moss 11. Keith Jackson (TE, Oklahoma, 1984-87) After four years in the Navy, including a tour in Vietnam, Staubach joined the Cowboys in 1969 and led them to the Super Bowl four times, including victories in 1972 and '78. 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, 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), 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), 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, 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, Teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons. 1 UCLA lost to O.J. Every return, catch or run by Rocket Ismail brought a mix of anticipation and excitement. Passing yards: 5,747 | Total offense: 6,636 yards | Passing TDs: 49 But neither will anybody else." Passing yards: 11,792 | Passing TDs: 90 | Pass completions: 1,026 Twice had seven interceptions in a season. It was one of the greatest individual performances in the sport's history: 267 passing yards and 200 rushing yards to end USC's 34-game winning streak and deny the Trojans a third straight national title. Whats even crazier is that if not for a long tour of Vietnam after college, he might have had five more cracks at the NFL chip. 123. 37. Lawrence Taylor 10. Brees started 29 games in high school and never lost. The following will make you think 'how in under God did he get this SO In his junior and senior seasons, Sims rushed for 3,268 yards and 42 touchdowns. Campbell got healthy, lost the 20 pounds, and -- under new head coach Fred Akers -- rushed for 1,744 yards, 6.5 yards at a time. 51. He would be gone two years later, dying from leukemia. The Tar Heels finished 11-1 and claimed their last ACC title in 1980. Williams was exactly that during the 1998 season, winning the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. The easy way to check the best players in the world . The heir to Joe Montanas throne in San Francisco, Steve Young was a proper successor to the heritage of the Niners. Nobis was the only sophomore starter on Texas' 1963 national championship team -- and he still played both ways, at linebacker and guard, after the rules were changed in 1964 to allow two-platoon football. 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. Rushing yards: 2,071 | Yards per rush: 5.3 | Touchdowns: 31 You dont get a nickname like the Golden Arm for nothing. The online publisher has ranked the greatest footballers of all time and Messi is in at No.1. "If the law had the power to end segregation -- and by extension, discrimination -- it had the power to change a lot, and that captured me." Orlando Pace (T, Ohio State, 1996-96) Dick Butkus 14. Brown averaged 21.7 yards per catch and finished with 1,847 all-purpose yards in 1987 and earned All-America honors for the second straight season. As a freshman, he split time with Turk Schonert in a 21-21 tie at No. Marinaro remains one of only nine rushers to lead the nation in rushing in consecutive seasons, joining such stars as O.J. He was named All-American in 1986. Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1990); 4x Super Bowl Champion; 1x DPoY; 9x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl; DRoY. Messi was brilliant throughout the tournament, scoring seven goals and winning the Golden Ball. In 2009, Utah State announced that the field at Romney Stadium (now Maverik Stadium) would be named in Olsen's honor. Jake Rowe of 247 Sports recalls Tommie Frazier breaking several tackles on a play for Nebraska in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl. While not as individually highlighted as some of his predecessors on this list, Lotts viciousness as a hitter on the perimeter, and his leadership of arguably the greatest core of all time earns him his spot here.
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