NFL free agency is in full swing. But there’s always time for a little history lesson. So we give you the league’s best player from each of the 50 United States.
While some think we might be a country divided, we will all agree that it’s always fun to travel down memory lane. And it’s worth noting that some of these memories are a lot longer than others.
These are the kind of pieces that both diehard and casual fans enjoy. There’s no real correct answer. It’s the opportunity to discuss the game we all love. And in this case, also show a little state pride. That certainly “trumps” no football talk at all.
Finally, a big thanks to both Pro Football Reference and the Pro Football Hall of Fame website for their assist when it came to the birthplaces of these select NFL players. We can’t “state” it much better than that.
Alabama: Bart Starr
When you help lead a team to five league championships, it’s hard to keep you off any kind of list that includes the word “best” and insinuates greatness.
Led by Hall of Fame head coach Vince Lombardi, the Green Bay Packers dominated the NFL in the 1960s. That included three straight title from 1965-67 – those final two years represented by victories in the first two Super Bowls. The MVPs in each of those contests was quarterback Bart Starr, a native of Montgomery as well as a product of the University of Alabama.
The legendary signal-caller is one of seven members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame born in the 22nd state. That includes the likes of long-overdue 2016 class member Ken Stabler, as well as our runner-up selection.
Honorable Mention: TE Ozzie Newsome
Next: Alaska
Alaska: Mark Schlereth
Talk about a “polar” opposite? What about a three-time Pro Bowler that was born in the most frigid of states who now waxes poetic about the game he excelled in and also sells some stinkin’ good chile?
Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Mark Schlereth would play his college football at the University of Idaho. Far from a national powerhouse, it was hard to ignore his performance. In those days, the NFL draft was 12 rounds. In 1989, the 6-foot-3, 282-pound lineman was taken by the Washington Redskins with 263rd overall selection. That would be Round No. 10.
During his career with both the ‘Skins and the Denver Broncos, Schlereth played and started at both guard spots. In his third season, he was in the opening lineup the entire year and part of a Washington team that would go onto capture Super Bowl XXVI at the expense of the Buffalo Bills.
After six seasons in D.C., the two-time Pro Bowler would sign with the Denver Broncos. He would play a half-dozen years in the Mile High City and was a pivotal part of the club’s back-to-back NFL championship campaigns in 1997 and ’98. The latter year saw him as one of the escorts to a 2,008-yard rushing season by newly-elected Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis.
A dozen NFL seasons added up to 156 regular-season outings (140 starts) and a trio of Super Bowl rings.
Honorable Mention: DT Travis Hall
Arizona: Randall McDaniel
When it comes to the state of Arizona, we all know it’s a dry heat.
When it comes to listing the great NFL players to ever play the guard position, it’s not a dead heat when it comes to Pro Football Hall of Famer Randall McDaniel. That’s not to take anything away from fellow Canton enshrinee and honorable mention Curley Culp. The sturdy pro was a force on the defensive side of the football and was a member of some phenomenal units.
But consider the consistency and the overall performance of the long-time Minnesota Vikings’ guard, who finished his career with a two-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As a rookie, the 19th overall pick in the draft in the 1988 draft started 15-of-16 games that year. One season later, McDaniel opened in 13-of-14 contests and was named to the first of what would be 12 consecutive Pro Bowls.
Over the next 12 campaigns from 1990-2001, McDaniel would not miss a game or a start. The seven-time All-Pro was never part of a team that won an NFL title or even played in a Super Bowl. But he was a mainstay in his teams’ lineups and would finish his career with a combined 220 regular-season starts. He would get the call from Canton and was a member of the Class of 2009 in what was his third year of eligibility.
Honorable Mention: DT Curley Culp
Next: Arkansas
Arkansas: Don Hutson
One of the first things that’s discussed when the topic of wide receiver Don Hutson comes up is that the Green Bay Packers star and charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1963 was “ahead of his time.”
As time goes on, you begin to understand just how phenomenal the Hall of Fame performer was when it came to his craft. Back in the day before the game of professional football began to realize what the passing attack would mean, he put up numbers that even the modern-day player would gasp at.
In 11 seasons with the Packers from 1935-45, the native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, totaled 488 catches for 7,991 yards and 99 touchdowns. That’s an impressive 16.4 yards per reception. And those 99 scores rank 11th all-time in league annals despite the fact that Huston last took the field more than 60 years ago. He held the record for most career touchdown receptions for 44 years until Seattle Seahawks wideout and fellow Hall of Famer Steve Largent caught his 100th scoring pass against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1989.
Some say that the eight-time All-Pro and member of three NFL championship teams in Green Bay was Jerry Rice before there was…Jerry Rice. Perhaps it’s a little more accurate to say that there will never be another Don Huston (obviously), who scored through the air seemingly at will.
Honorable Mention: T Willie Roaf
Next: California
California: Tom Brady
Talk about loaded? The state of California has produced its share of NFL playing legends. From Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2017 member Terrell Davis to the league’s second-leading pass-catcher of all time in tight end Tony Gonzalez. There’s a total of 22 men born in the Golden State that have a bust in that building in Canton, Ohio.
And then there’s New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. He’s the only quarterback to start seven Super Bowls. He’s the only player to win five Super Bowl rings with the same team. He’s the only man to be named Super Bowl MVP four times. And he just helped Bill Belichick’s team orchestrate the greatest comeback in the 51-year history of the Big Game. The Pats trailed the Atlanta Falcons, 28-3, in the third quarter on the first Sunday in February in Houston and rallied for a 34-28 overtime triumph.
Brady, a sixth-round draft choice and the 199th player selected in the 2000 NFL draft, is one of the great stories in league history. The former University of Michigan quarterback turns 40 years old in August and has shown few signs of slowing down. And he’s been bad news for the rest of the league since taking over as New England’s starting signal-caller in the team’s third game of the 2001 season.
Finally, it’s safe to say that you have to be pretty amazing to rank ahead of a player many feel was the greatest offensive lineman in the history of the league.
Honorable Mention: T Anthony Munoz
Next: Colorado
Colorado: Aaron Smith
Talk about an under-the-radar success story? Back in 1999, the Pittsburgh Steelers grabbed a defensive end from Northern Colorado in the fourth round. He went on to become one of the more unsung players in the team’s history and extremely appreciated by those who understood the game.
After playing in only six games as a rookie, Aaron Smith became a mainstay for head coaches Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin. Flanked primarily by defensive end Brett Keisel and fortified by nose tackle Casey Hampton, Pittsburgh’s three-man front was one of the better units in the league.
In the 3-4 defense, it’s the outside linebackers that are the primary pass rusher. But Smith managed to rack up 44 sacks during his 13-year career with the Black and Gold. He also totaled seven forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries while batting down 20 passes. He earned his lone Pro Bowl invitation in 2014 during Pittsburgh’s 15-1 campaign.
Injuries severely hampered Smith’s ability to stay on the field his final three seasons in the league. After playing and starting every game during the club’s Super Bowl XLIII championship year in ‘08, he would suit up for a total of 15 contests from 2009-11.
As for our honorable mention selection, he was a pass-rushing specialist who totaled an impressive 80.5 sacks and 18 forced fumbles with four different franchise in 13 NFL seasons.
Honorable Mention: DE Andre Carter
Next: Connecticut
Connecticut: Floyd Little
The city of New Haven, Connecticut, is known for a few things. It has phenomenal pizza and is the home of the first hamburger (Louis’ Lunch).
It is also the birthplace of arguably the first star player in the history of the Denver Broncos. This was a franchise born in 1960 in the original AFL. For the most part, this was a less-than-successful franchise which would not reach the playoffs until 1977. That was the year of the “Orange Crush” defense featuring Tom Jackson, Randy Gradishar, Lyle Alzado, Billy Thompson and more.
The sixth overall pick in the 1967 NFL draft from Syracuse University, Little would rack up an impressive 12,173 all-purpose yards and 54 total touchdowns in nine seasons in the Mile High City. The five-time Pro Bowler ran for 6,323 yards and 43 scores, caught 215 passes for 2,418 yards and nine touchdowns and also returned kicks. He took back a pair of punts for scores, one each in his first two seasons in the NFL.
Little’s best season when it came to running the ball was 1971, when he rushed for 1,133 yards and six touchdowns. That was also the start of a three-year span in which he gained at least 1,200 yards from scrimmage. He also tallied a combined 32 touchdowns in 42 contests.
The Broncos have gone on to be one of the more successful franchises since the merger. But in those early days, Floyd Little would mean a lot.
Honorable Mention: DE Dwight Freeney
Next: Delaware
Delaware: Luke Petitgout
Remember the rules when it comes to this list. This piece deals with where players were born. So if you were looking for the University of Delaware’s Joe Flacco, that’s a swing and a miss.
At the moment, there’s no member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinee from the first state in the union. But we just saw a pair of players from the Blue Hen State take the field in Super Bowl LI. New England Patriots safety Duron Harmon was born in the capital city of Dover. On the other side of the field was then-Atlanta Falcons reserve middle linebacker Paul Worrilow – who is now a member of the Detroit Lions.
As for our choice, former University of Notre Dame standout Luke Petitgout was the 19th overall selection in the 1999 draft by the New York Giants. He was mainly a starter during his first seven seasons with the club and lined up at left guard (8 starts in ’99) and both left and right tackle over those years. In 2006, he would suffer a broken leg and was limited to nine games.
The ex-Golden Domer was released by the club following the season and wound up latching on with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As fate would have it, he saw action in only four contests that year – his final season in the league.
Honorable Mention: RB Tim Wilson
Next: Florida
Florida: Emmitt Smith
If we were talking the greatest athlete from the Sunshine State, you could do worse than professional football and baseball player Deion Sanders. But this is the greatest NFL player from each of the 50 states and the choice here is the man who’s amassed more rushing attempts and gained more yards on the ground than any performer in the league’s 97-year history.
A first-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 1990, University of Florida running back Emmitt Smith would go onto total 4,409 carries, 18,355 rushing yards and 164 rushing touchdowns in 15 NFL seasons with the ‘Boys (1990-2002) and Arizona Cardinals (2003-04).
His 175 total visits to the end zone ranks second in league history next to fellow 2010 Hall of Fame classmate Jerry Rice (208). He was also part of three Super Bowl championship teams (1992, ’93 and ‘95) and was that game’s Most Valuable Player in a 30-13 win over the Buffalo Bills at the Georgia Dome (XXVIII).
The eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, born in Pensacola, won four NFL rushing titles in his first six seasons in the league. It’s safe to say that the accolades are simply endless. After gaining 937 yards during his rookie campaign, Smith would run for at least 1,000 yards in each of his next 11 seasons.
The state of Florida has certainly had its share of football stars. All told, there’s 11 players from FLA in the Hall of Fame. That includes a defensive end who coined the term “sack.”
Honorable Mention: DE Deacon Jones
Next: Georgia
Georgia: Jim Brown
You will get your fair share of people who will tell you that he remains the best running back in NFL history. That’s quite a statement considering that the Pro Football Hall of Famer played his final game well over a half-century ago. But the overwhelming images of Jim Brown running over, around and through opposing defenses for nine seasons is hard to forget. And who would want to?
The former Syracuse football star and lacrosse standout was simply one of a kind. He played nine seasons for the Cleveland Browns from 1957-65. He walked away from the game 52 years ago to pursue other interests. The numbers are indeed impressive. The film on Brown is must-see if you love this game.
His 12,312 yards on the ground and 126 total touchdowns (in 118 regular-season games) both rank 10th in NFL annals. Brown played for nine seasons and led the league in rushing yards eight times. He also caught 262 passes for 2,499 yards and 20 scores. Only once in his career did he not score at least 10 touchdowns in a season.
And talk about walking away in your prime? Brown ran for 1,400-plus yards in each of his final three campaigns, including an amazing 1,863 yards in 1963. And it’s pretty astonishing when you consider the fact that the eight-time All-Pro averaged 104.3 rushing yards per contest for his nine-year career.
Honorable Mention: G John Hannah
Next: Hawaii
Hawaii: Matt Blair
When you mention the 50th state and the game of football, we’ll go out on a limb and probably the first thing that comes to many people’s minds is the Pro Bowl. Now the all-star “game” is no longer a mainstay in the Aloha State but it certainly has some history on the island. And who wouldn’t want to spend a few days in paradise?
Longtime NFL fans will certainly recall the great defenses of the Minnesota Vikings. The units were keyed by stars up front. Member of the “Purple People Eaters” included Hall of Famers Alan Page and Carl Eller, as well as defensive end Jim Marshall and inside defenders Doug Sutherland and Gary Larsen. But the team also had its share of standout linebackers in Wally Hilgenberg, Jeff Siemon and Matt Blair.
The latter was not only a rangy defender and really made a name for himself on special teams. Born in the city of Hilo, he was a second-round pick by the Vikings in 1974 from Iowa State University. His impressive 12-year resume includes 16 interceptions, 20 fumble recoveries and a team-record 20 blocked kicks.
Blair played in 160 regular-season games with the Purple Gang in a dozen years and started 130 of those contests. The athletic and opportunistic defender was named to a half-dozen Pro Bowls and can be found among the franchise leaders when it comes to total tackles.
Next: Idaho
Idaho: Larry Wilson
Individual quarterback sacks did not become an official NFL statistic until the 1982 season. There has been a theory that that the practice finally began due to a rookie outside linebacker for the New York Giants Lawrence Taylor…the first L.T.
That’s too bad. Officially, Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones never recorded a sack. And he was the guy who came up with the term.
That also means that the player who became synonymous with the safety blitz doesn’t have any numbers to back that up. But anyone who saw then-St. Louis Cardinals’ defender Larry Wilson play knows he was the innovator of the tactic. For 13 seasons he terrorized opposing offenses in a variety of ways. We may never know how many times that he dropped enemy quarterbacks. We do know that in 13 seasons with the Big Red that he accumulated an amazing 66 takeaways. He took back five of his 52 interceptions for scores. He also returned two of his 14 fumble recoveries for touchdowns.
A seventh-round pick by the club in the 1960 NFL draft, the University of Utah product was as consistent as they come. He picked off at least two passes in each of his 13 pro campaigns. In 1966, he led the NFL with 10 interceptions and returned those thefts for a total of 180 yards and two touchdowns. The eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978.
Honorable Mention: T Jordan Gross
Next: Illinois
Illinois: Dick Butkus
You want to tell Pro Football Hall of Fame Dick Butkus that he’s not the greatest NFL player from the state of Illinois? Be our guest.
In all seriousness, one of the game’s most physical performers showed us what the definition of intimidation truly was. Both he and the legendary Gale Sayers were the Chicago Bears’ first-round draft choices in 1965. Neither would ever play in a postseason game. But each left their mark in the league. And in the case of Butkus, that was as much literally as figuratively.
While Sayers was the beauty, Butkus was the beast. He terrorized opposing offenses and enjoyed stopping running backs literally in their tracks. Talk about immediate impact (literally)? The fearsome middle linebacker was an All-Pro and a Pro Bowler in his rookie campaign. In fact, he would be named to the latter in each of his first eight seasons and earn four more All-Pro nods.
Butkus sized up at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds and was not only quick but extremely instinctive. He not only picked off 22 passes in nine seasons but also recovered 27 opponent’s fumbles. The native of the Windy City was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. From his name on the annual award for college football’s best linebacker to Rocky Balboa’s dog, the word “Butkus” just epitomizes toughness.
Honorable Mention: QB Otto Graham
Next: Indiana
Indiana: Rod Woodson
There were few players in league history that can boast the overall athleticism of defensive back/kick returner Rod Woodson. His combination of speed and overall football skills made him an amazing prospect. And the Pittsburgh Steelers would waste little time securing his services in the 1987 NFL draft.
The 10th overall pick that year draft finished his stellar career with 71 interceptions. Only fellow Pro Football Hall of Famers Paul Krause (81) and Emlen Tunnell (79) have totaled more thefts from opposing passers. But no player in league annals has more returned more picks for scores (12) than the former Purdue University star.
Woodson would rack up more than half of those interceptions (38) in his 10 seasons in the Steel City. He would go onto play for the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders. He would eventually make the transition from standout cornerback to heady safety.
The 11-time Pro Bowler was part of a Super Bowl championship team in Baltimore (2000) and was a season-long starter on one of the greatest defensive units in NFL history. Woodson was end his playing career with the Silver and Black, where he made a Super Bowl appearance with his third different team in 2002.
Between interceptions (12), fumble recoveries (1) and both punt (2) and kickoff returns (2), the versatile weapon would score a total of 17 touchdowns in as many NFL seasons.
Honorable Mention: G Bob Kuechenberg
Next: Iowa
Iowa: Kurt Warner
There are a total of seven men that will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. Perhaps the most unlikely of those is a player would go onto win a pair of league MVP awards and also quarterback a club to a Super Bowl title.
Up until this past February, new Pro Football Hall of Fame signal-caller Kurt Warner owned the top three passing yardage performances in Super Bowl history. Two came with the St. Louis Rams and another with the Arizona Cardinals. Now those totals rank 2-4 after New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw for a record 466 yards in his team’s 34-28 overtime comeback win in Super Bowl LI.
No matter. The former undrafted free agent’s story is one of a fairy tale. He remains the only player to throw at least 40 touchdown passes in a season and win the Super Bowl that same campaign. The veteran passer is also the last player to win a league title and NFL Most Valuable Player honors the same season (1999).
His path to Canton took many turns. From being in the Green Bay Packers’ organization to stints in the Arena Football League and NFL Europe (and a little work in a grocery store as well). He joined the Rams in 1998 and suddenly found himself the starter in ’99 when Trent Green went down in the preseason. Warner’s 414-yard, two-touchdown performance in St. Louis’ 23-16 win in Super Bowl XXXIV made him a household name.
Honorable Mention: RB Darren Sproles
Next: Kansas
Kansas: Barry Sanders
It was instant excitement every time he touched the football.
Even when it came to a loss of yardage play, which Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders had his share of in 10 magnificent seasons, was worth the watch. And then there was the spectacular play and effort that simply blew your mind.
Sanders was an easy choice in his first year of eligibility when it came to enshrinement in Canton, Ohio. There couldn’t have been a lot of thought when it came to his inclusion. A total of 10 seasons in the Motor City saw the former Oklahoma State University star and 1988 Heisman Trophy winner run for 15,269 yards and 99 scores. Only fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame members Emmitt Smith (18,355) and Walter Payton (16,726) have gained more yards on the ground.
Add in 10 touchdown receptions and Sanders (109) is one of only 24 players in league annals to reach the end zone at least 100 times. All told, 10 seasons added up to 10 Pro Bowl invitations and at least 1,100 yards rushing in each of those campaigns.
Much more importantly, we would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the recent news regarding the “Kansas Comet.” Courtesy of Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star, Pro Football Hall of Famer Gale Sayers is battling dementia these days.
Honorable Mention: RB Gale Sayers
Next: Kentucky
Kentucky: Dermontti Dawson
The Pittsburgh Steelers have enjoyed a long history of success dating back to the early 1970s and continuing into this current century. They have had their share of great players at a number of positions, with linebacker standing out more than the others. But two things the franchise has not had a lot of are two of the most important things a football team needs: Head coaches and centers.
You actually have to go back to 1969 to when the Steeler hired Chuck Noll, who would eventually launch a dynasty. He would be followed by Bill Cowher and now Mike Tomlin, who will be entering his second decade on the job in 2017.
For the most part since the mid-‘70s, the Black and Gold have had a mere handful of performers anchoring the middle of the offensive line. As of late, it’s been Pro Bowler Maurkice Pouncey. He followed standout pivot Jeff Hastings. But in really started roughly four decades ago with back-to-back Hall of Famers in Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson. The latter was born in Lexington and was a second-round draft choice by the Steelers in 1988.
The former University of Kentucky standout would take over at the pivot in ’89 and would not miss a game or start the next 10 seasons. All told, he would spend 13 seasons with the franchise and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.
Honorable Mention: RB Paul Hornung
Next: Louisiana
Louisiana: Peyton Manning
This was a tough call because the list is so very impressive. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw, running backs Marshall Faulk and Jim Taylor and defensive back Aeneas Williams are among the eight Pro Football Hall of Famers who were born in Louisiana.
Our selection just walked away from the game after the 2015 season. But if you watch football on Sundays you still see plenty of legendary quarterback Peyton Manning on your television. At least for now, he’s the NFL’s all-time leader in each of the four major passing categories – including yards (71,940) and touchdown passes (539). We also know that both New Orleans’ Drew Brees and New England’s Tom Brady, both still putting up huge numbers, are more than capable of toppling those figures.
Peyton Manning was the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He’s also the only starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl title with two different franchises. He was the game’s MVP for the Colts when the team beat the Chicago Bears in 2006 (XLI). Nine years later, he appeared to be on his last legs with the Denver Broncos in 2015 but was bailed out by a great defense in Super Bowl 50.
Despite his ups and downs in his final year in the league, Manning is always in the discussion when it comes to the best players to ever his position. He may not be everyone’s choice, but the 14-time Pro Bowler’s incredibly positive impact on the game can’t be disputed.
Honorable Mention: RB Marshall Faulk
Next: Maine
Maine: Al Harris
It’s based in the eastern part of the United States and is more known for not only its lobster but the fine water of Poland Spring. Still, longtime NFL defensive end Al Harris really knows what it means to be from Maine. Born in the city of Bangor, he was a ninth-round draft choice by the Chicago Bears in 1979. After appearing in only four games during his rookie campaign, the former Arizona State Sun Devil began to make his presence felt.
In the mid-1980s, he was part of some fearsome defensive units under head coach Mike Ditka and coordinator Buddy Ryan. In 1984, the Bears set an NFL record with 72 sacks. Harris was a 16-game starter that season.
Then came 1985 and both Harris and safety Todd Bell found themselves on the outside looking in due to contract issues. Both players missed the entire season, one that resulted in a Super Bowl championship for the franchise. In other words, there was no shuffling for the versatile defender than lined up at both defensive end and outside linebacker.
Harris would return to the field in 1986 and play three more seasons for coach Ditka. The Bears would be in the playoffs each of those years but fell short of getting back to the Big Game. He would eventually head to the City and be reunited with Ryan, now the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. It was a solid yet unspectacular career for the defensive performer.
Honorable Mention: OLB John Bunting
Next: Maryland
Maryland: Sean Landeta
Yes, kickers and punters are players too. And we do our share to show that on this fun list. After all, we just saw only the second pure placekicker (Morten Andersen) earn a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
As we know, it took an awfully long time for the Hall to induct a pure punter. The Raiders’ Ray Guy finally got the nod in 2014.
This is not an endorsement for Sean Landeta when it comes to Canton, Ohio. But the native of Baltimore enjoyed quite the NFL career after spending time in the United State Football League. His National Football League days would span 21 seasons and five franchises.
Of course, he was best known for his eight and a half years with the New York Giants, were he was a part of two Super Bowl championship teams. He would also enjoy stints with the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.
Like every other great player in NFL history, a little bad comes with the good. And let’s not forget that only Jeff Feagles (1,713) has launched more punts in NFL history than Landeta (1,401). But there was that one weather-influenced/missed punt in the 1985 NFC Divisional Playoffs at blustery Solider Field that will always stick in people’s minds.
Honorable Mention: RB Chris Warren
Next: Massachusetts
Massachusetts: Howie Long
Like son, like father? It wasn’t long ago that New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long was walking off the field at NRG Stadium a Super Bowl champion. His team’s memorable 25-point comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons was simply stunning. Now according to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the nine-year pro has latched on with the Philadelphia Eagles.
More than 30 years earlier, the Los Angeles Raiders rolled the Washington Redskins, 38-9, in Super Bowl XVIII at Tampa Stadium. Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long was one of the team’s stars at the time and played a pivotal role in that championship season. The Somerville, Massachusetts native was a second-round pick by the Silver and Black in 1981.
The Villanova standout spent the vast majority of his 13 seasons with the team at left defensive ends. While individual sacks were not official while Long was a rookie, he still managed to rack up 84 quarterback traps in his final 12 NFL campaigns. His best seasons came from 1983-85, when he totaled at least 10 sacks in each of those campaigns.
In his second year of eligibility, the talented defender was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The two-time All-Pro was named to a total of eight Pro Bowls. Long continues to entertain us on Sundays via his broadcast work. But he was a lot of fun to watch when he was on the field as well.
Honorable Mention: LB Nick Buoniconti
Next: Michigan
Michigan: Paul Krause
When you have the most of anything in NFL history, more times than not that means a good thing. There are certainly exceptions to the rule but an all-time leader in league history is usually a positive. That’s is indeed the case when it comes to Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Paul Krause. He waited his share of time getting an invitation to Canton, Ohio. But he certainly belongs there thanks to his ball-hawking accomplishments and football instincts.
A native of Flint, Michigan, and a product of the University of Iowa, Krause’s 81 picks ranks first in NFL annals. As a rookie with the Washington Redskins in 1964, the team that made him a second-round draft choice, he led the league with a dozen interceptions. He would spend four years with the ‘Skins and pick off 28 passes. But in 1968, he was inexplicably traded to the Minnesota Vikings. In a dozen seasons with the Purple Gang, Krause totaled 53 more interceptions. By the way, add in 19 fumble recoveries and it’s an even 100 takeaways by the ball-hawking defensive back.
Despite the record for interceptions, Krause waited an awfully long time to be enshrined in the Hall. His final NFL season came in 1979 and even though he was first eligible in 1985, he wasn’t elected for another 13 years. Of course, all’s well that ends well for the heady defender that was part of all four of Minnesota’s Super Bowl teams.
Next: Minnesota
Minnesota: Dave Casper
The Oakland Raiders always seemed to be ahead of the curve when it came to the rest of the NFL. While the franchise has its problems for a long time winning the Super Bowl, the team’s offense was something to watch. But when John Madden’s club opted to take a chance on a former offensive tackle turned tight end in the second round of the 1974 draft, there had to be some skeptics.
But Notre Dame’s Dave Casper proved to be one of the most sure-handed players to ever play the position. He added an extra dimension to an attack keyed by an efficient offensive line, wide receivers Fred Biletnikoff and Cliff Branch and left-handed quarterback Ken Stabler.
The former Golden Domer caught 378 passes for 5,216 yards and 52 scores in 11 seasons with the Raiders, Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings. And the four-time All-Pro would consistently find himself in the right place at the right time.
There was the fabled “Ghost to the Post” play in the 1977 AFC Divisional Playoffs against the then-Baltimore Colts on Christmas Eve. Less than a calendar year later, there was the infamous “Holy Roller” play that led to an amazing 21-20 win over the Chargers in San Diego in Week 2 of the 1978 season. It led to a rule change that stands to this day. Just call him “Davey on the spot.”
Honorable Mention: RB Ernie Nevers
Next: Mississippi
Mississippi: Jerry Rice
There are some that not only consider him the greatest wide receiver in NFL history but perhaps the best player in league annals.
Born October 13, 1962 in Crawford, Mississippi, Jerry Rice would rewrite the record book when it came to catching the football. His resume is mind-boggling. In 20 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks (a total of 11 games with the latter), he pulled down an astonishing 1,549 for 22,895 yards and an astounding 197 touchdowns.
The first-ballot Hall of Famer is also the NFL’s all-time leader in receiving when it comes to the postseason. He was part of four Super Bowl teams with the Niners (3) and Raiders (1) and won all three with San Francisco. Rice was the MVP of Super Bowl XXIII, catching 11 passes for a record 215 yards and a score in the club’s 20-16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
In retrospect, it is somewhat hard to believe that there were 15 players better than Rice, the 16th overall pick in the 1985 draft. The Mississippi Valley State product totaled 1,000-plus receiving yards 14 times and totaled at least 100 receptions four times. We could fill three or four of these pages with his accolades.
And obviously, when it came to this state, you had to come up with someone pretty extraordinary to bump “Sweetness” to second place.
Honorable Mention: RB Walter Payton
Next: Missouri
Missouri: Kellen Winslow
Let’s eliminate any early confusion. We are talking about the father of former University of Miami and well-traveled NFL tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. And besides, his talented son was born in San Diego, California, not the Gateway City.
Yes, Dad was quite the force during the days of head coach Don Coryell during the Chargers’ heydays of the late 1970s and the early ‘80s. It was an offensive attack spearheaded by Hall of Fame performers such as quarterback Dan Fouts and wide receiver Charlie Joiner.
But it was tight end Kellen Winslow, the Bolts’ first-round selection in 1979, who would arguably paved the way for the exploits of the modern-day tight end. The St. Louis native proved to be a very lucky 13th overall pick for the Chargers. He would last only nine seasons but his impact was lasting. The former University of Missouri standout racked up 541 catches for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns.
Of course, the real lasting memory of Winslow is being carried off the field by teammates following the Chargers’ scintillating 41-38 overtime win over the Miami Dolphins in the 1981 AFC Divisional Playoffs. The three-time All-Pro amassed 13 catches for 166 yards and a touchdown, plus blocked a Miami field goal, in a memorable victory.
That explosive San Diego offense was one of the best units in NFL history. And the addition of Winslow in 1979 made them something special.
Honorable Mention: CB Roger Wehrli
Next: Montana
Montana: Jerry Kramer
And with all due respect, you knew the choice here was not going to be quarterback Ryan Leaf. Simply put, that’s a different kind of bust.
When it comes to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the never-ending discussion among writers and fans about omissions, the one name that comes off on a yearly basis is Jerry Kramer. Will this be the year the Veterans’ Committee will nominate the five-time All-Pro as well as winner of five NFL championships?
Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 1958 NFL Draft, the native of Jordan, Montana, would play 11 seasons for the franchise. Known primarily for his work on the offensive line, the 6’3”, 245-pound blocker also did a little placekicking work for Vince Lombardi’s club in the early 1960s, as well as in the final season of his career.
As we know, the Packers relied on a power running game and Kramer was one of the key performers in the trenches. The “sweep” was a staple in Lombardi’s playbook and the offensive line was a big part of the franchise’s five titles – which includes wins in the first two Super Bowls.
Perhaps one day we will not only be talking about Kramer as the best NFL player born in the state of Montana but will be referring to him as a Pro Football Hall of Famer as well.
Honorable Mention: QB John Friesz
Next: Nebraska
Nebraska: Mick Tingelhoff
The video above is all you need to know about how Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton feels about his longtime teammate. And some will tell you that center Mick Tingelhoff waited far too long to take his rightful place in Canton, Ohio.
For quite a spell, it seemed like any member of those Minnesota Vikings teams were being “punished” for failing to win any of those four Super Bowls in an eight-year span. Slowly but surely, the Hall of Fame would welcome not only quarterback Fran Tarkenton and defensive tackle Alan Page. We would see head coach Bud Grant, tackle Ron Yary, safety Paul Krause and defensive end Carl Eller get their day in the Canton sun as well.
For Tingelhoff, it seemingly took a lot longer. And it’s almost unimaginable that the six-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro selection was an afterthought. He first suited up in 1962 for the Vikings, the team’s second year in the NFL. He would play and start every game for the franchise for 17 seasons. That’s 240 regular-season outings and 240 starts. Try and put that in perspective when it comes to today’s landscape of professional sports.
It’s a moot point now that the legendary pivot has taken his rightful place with the greats of the game. Tingelhoff finally received his gold jacket in 2015.
Honorable Mention: RB Ahman Green
Next: Nevada
Nevada: Steven Jackson
Perhaps our selection for the state of Nevada is somewhat of a gamble (yes, pun very intended). And this isn’t the time or forum to get into the Silver and Black’s eventual move to Las Vegas in a few years. That’s a story that will have legs for quite a spell.
Here we are talking about reliability. And when it comes to consistency, running back Steven Jackson was as good as it got. The native of the new home for the Oakland Raiders was the 24th overall pick in the 2004 draft by the then-St. Louis Rams. After running for 673 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season, the former Oregon State product totaled at least 1,000 yards on the ground each of the next eight years. That production was followed by a pair of seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and then a cup of clam chowder with the New England Patriots.
Talk about production? There were a total of 2,764 carries for 11,438 yards and 69 scores. Jackson also amassed 461 receptions for 3,683 yards and nine touchdowns. His rushing total ranks 18th in NFL history and his 15,121 total yards from scrimmage is just outside of the league’s Top 20 all-time. So is the versatile Jackson truly Hall of Fame material? There’s plenty of time to discuss considering the three-time Pro Bowler won’t be eligible until 2021.
Honorable Mention: RB DeMarco Murray
Next: New Hampshire
New Hampshire: Greg Landry
Talk about a little NFL trivia? Until strong-armed Matthew Stafford earned an invitation in 2014, the last time we saw the Detroit Lions send a quarterback to the Pro Bowl was in 1971.
Anyone want to take a guess? It was Nashua, New Hampshire native Greg Landry. The longtime franchise based in the Motor City used the 11th overall pick in the 1968 draft to secure the services of the University of Massachusetts standout.
Landry would enjoy a respectable NFL career during an era when the passing game took a major back seat to defense and the ground attack. He would spend the first 11 years of his pro career with the Lions, starting all 14 games in both ’71 and 1972. The athletic signal-caller would throw for a total of 12,451 yards and 80 scores to go with 81 interceptions. Where Landry was most effective was as a runner, something you saw a lot of from quarterbacks than one would expect during that era. With the Lions, he would rack up 2,502 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.
Landry would go onto a three-year stint with the then-Baltimore Colts (1978-81) and started and played one game for the Chicago Bears in 1984. All told, the 6’4”, 210-pound signal-caller would finish with 16,052 career yards through the air, 98 TD passes and 103 interceptions during his three-team NFL stint.
Honorable Mention: C Don Macek
Next: New Jersey
New Jersey: Franco Harris
It remains one of the most spectacular and unpredictable plays in sports history. It also help launch an NFL dynasty.
The “Immaculate Reception” goes down in the books as a 60-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Terry Bradshaw to rookie running back Franco Harris. As a rookie in 1972, the former Penn State Nittany Lion started a little slow before finding his rhythm late in the season. The Steelers would win the AFC Central with an 11-3 record and were headed to the playoffs for only the second time in 40 NFL seasons.
Then came that play. It was the first postseason win in franchise history. Two years later, the club won its first league championship. With 158 yards rushing and the game’s first touchdown, Harris would be named MVP of Super Bowl IX. There would be three more Lombardi Trophies for the team over the next five years.
Harris remained the focal point of the ground attack for more than a decade. His 12,120 rushing yards (which includes that forgettable stint with the Seattle Seahawks in ’84) still ranks 14th in NFL history. And he is one of only 24 players in the league to score at least 100 total touchdowns.
When it came to his career, Harris was usually in the right place at the right time and usually came up big during the playoffs…as did the Steelers in general.
Honorable Mention: LB Dave Robinson
Next: New Mexico
New Mexico: Ronnie Lott
With the recent talk of former All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis making the conversion to safety (and possibly returning to the New England Patriots), it’s timely that Albuquerque native Ronnie Lott is the subject here.
The hard-hitting Pro Football Hall of Famer began his NFL career in 1981 with the San Francisco 49ers at corner before moving to safety. But let’s be honest, the four-time Super Bowl champion was an impact player in every sense of the word. He would play 14 seasons, 10 with the Niners and then a pair of two-year stints with the Raiders and Jets.
Lott’s 63 interceptions are tied for eighth in NFL history. Add in 17 fumble recoveries, 16 forced fumbles and you get the picture. As a rookie, he was part of a rebuilt secondary that was the catalyst to a 13-3 record and the first of those four Lombardi Trophies. And who can forget that the 10-time Pro Bowler was willing to lose the tip of a finger to continue to play the game?
There are a few other notable players from our 47th state. Along with our honorable mention selection, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention one-time Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joe Kapp, who took the Purple Gang to Super Bowl IV. He enjoyed a solid playing career and we certainly will never forget his role as the “Walking Boss” in the original version of “The Longest Yard.” And there’s also one-time Washington Redskins running back Timmy Smith. The one-hit wonder ran for a Super Bowl record 204 yards (2 touchdowns) against the Denver Broncos in XXII.
Honorable Mention: WR Tommy McDonald
Next: New York
New York: John Mackey
He looked like a man among boys and with good reason. John Mackey, born in Queens, was a king-sized assignment for opposing defenses. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 224 pounds, the Syracuse University produced proved to be quite the target for quarterbacks such as Johnny Unitas and Earl Morrall.
A second-round selection (19th overall) by the then-Baltimore Colts in 1963, Mackey would play nine seasons for the franchise before spending his final NFL season with the San Diego Chargers. With the Colts, he hauled in 320 passes for 5,126 yards and 38 touchdowns. Those are somewhat modest numbers compared to today’s game and the statistics you see put up by the likes of Rob Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham and a few others. But what cannot be overlooked is a scintillating average of 16.0 yards per catch by the star performer
Mackey would earn five Pro Bowl invitations and was named All-Pro three times during his relatively short career. He was a member of the club’s Super Bowl V championship team, grabbing a deflected throw and scoring on a 75-yard play in the 16-13 victory at the Orange Bowl.
Unfortunately, it took quite a bit of time for Mackey to get his due from the voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The game-breaking performer finally got his overdue recognition from Canton in 1992 – 20 years after he left the game. Simply put, the numbers don’t do justice to the greatness of this player.
Honorable Mention: WR Art Monk
Next: North Carolina
North Carolina: Bruce Matthews
When you think of versatility in today’s game, it’s usually a running back who can carry and catch the football and also block. It’s a wide receiver who can also returns punts and kickoffs.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews was a master at his craft. He would eventually be a starter on all five positions on the offensive line (not at the same time). He would play 19 seasons for the Houston Oilers/turned Tennessee Oilers/turned Tennessee Titans. It added up to an amazing 296 regular-season contests with the franchise. And all but three of those games saw the ninth overall pick in the 1983 NFL draft in the starting lineup.
The former USC star was an immediate standout during his rookie season. In 1988, he would earn the first of what would be 14 consecutive Pro Bowl invitations. Matthews was named All-Pro seven times and opened holes for some great running backs and kept quarterbacks such as Hall of Famer Warren Moon out of harm’s way.
Recently, Bruce’s father, Clay Matthews Sr., passed away at the age of 88 years old (story courtesy of the Associated Press). He’s the patriarch of quite a football legacy that includes former star outside linebacker Clay Matthews (Bruce’s son) and current Green Bay Packers defender Clay Matthews.
As for our second choice, he was another revolutionary performer whose versatility made him a very dangerous defender.
Honorable Mention: OLB/DE Bobby Bell
Next: North Dakota
North Dakota: Phil Hansen
Anthony Sambrotto of BuffaloBills.com has the current story on a second-round draft choice in 1991 from North Dakota State who was a big part of his franchise’s defensive units for more than a decade.
Born in Ellendale, North Dakota, Phil Hansen played 11 seasons for the team based in Orchard Park, New York. He was a member of the Bills’ last three Super Bowl teams, playing with the likes of fellow defensive end Bruce Smith.
His NFL career included 156 regular-season contests, with 148 starts. He totaled 61.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and one interception (that came in his final NFL season in 2001). Hansen logged 10 or more starts in nine of his 11 campaigns and was in the opening lineup for every game five times during his NFL career.
These days, the former football standout has turned his attention to hoops as both a coach and an official.
"“I got asked to coach football and I’ve been through 22 years of organized football and it was just more than I wanted to do to be a coach,” said Hansen to Sambrotto. “It takes time to be good at it, and my family was young at the time and I decided not to. Officiating was just a way that I could kind of stay involved. You don’t have to worry about injured kids or who you’re going to play, you just get the best part which is the game.”"
A member of the Bills’ Wall of Fame, Hansen is now making a much bigger impact in a far more important way.
Honorable Mention: DT Gary Larsen
Next: Ohio
Ohio: Alan Page
There are so many great stories when it comes to numerous people. That includes the greats of the game we all enjoy so much. But former Notre Dame star/turned NFL legend Alan Page’s tale may indeed top them all.
During his latter teen years, he was part of a construction crew in his hometown of Canton, Ohio. The project was a building that would become the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Talk about a Forrest Gump-like moment?
As we all know, Page would go on to become one of the best defensive lineman in league history. He was the leader of the fabled “Purple People Eaters” that included fellow Hall of Famer Carl Eller and standouts Jim Marshall, Doug Sutherland and Gary Larsen. In the middle of the 12th season with the Vikings, he was inexplicably cut loose by Minnesota and was scooped up by the rival Chicago Bears. He would close out the year with that club and play three more seasons in the Windy City before retiring.
How dominant was Page? In 1971, he was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player. It was the first time since the award was given out that a defensive player earned the honor (the Giants’ Lawrence Taylor earned the award in 1986). Page was a member of all four Super Bowl teams.
When it comes to our “second-place” suggestion, he was a pivotal part of that legendary Pittsburgh Steelers defense of the 1970s that helped the team hoist four Lombardi Trophies in a six-year span.
Honorable Mention: MLB Jack Lambert
Next: Oklahoma
Oklahoma: Steve Largent
He was the first true member of the Seattle Seahawks to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And he possessed two of the surest hands the game has ever seen. But while he spent his entire NFL career in the Pacific Northwest, he was not drafted by the expansion franchise.
Steve Largent was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and played for the Hurricane. But he was originally a fourth-round draft choice by the Houston Oilers in 1976. But he never played for that franchise and wound up being dealt to the Seahawks that same year. During his rookie season in the Pacific Northwest, he caught 54 passes for 705 yards and a pair of touchdowns during his and the team’s debut campaign.
As it turned out, he was just getting warmed up. Over 14 seasons, Largent would total 819 receptions for 13,089 yards and 100 scores. He was the first player in NFL history to reach the century mark in touchdown catches. And he remains one of 10 players in league annals to reach that impressive mark. The University of Tulsa standout totaled 1,000-plus receiving yards eight times and twice led the league in that category.
Ironically, our honorable mention choice was the first member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be enshrined in Canton. And NFL history majors will remember that the Seahawks and Bucs bothered joined the league in the same year (1976).
Honorable Mention: DE Lee Roy Selmon
Next: Oregon
Oregon: Dave Wilcox
These days, the San Francisco are a team in rebuilding mode once again. It’s coming off a dreadful 2-14 season, with both victories coming over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. Former Atlanta Falcons’ offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is now the franchise’s fourth different head coach in as many years (following Jim Harbaugh, Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly). Was it really that long ago that this club was in three straight NFC title games and was falling just short in Super Bowl XLVII?
The team has had its share of great defensive players. But one of its early legends was a 6’3”, 241-pound linebacker who spearheaded some solid defensive units.
Born in Ontario, Oregon, the former Boise State and University of Oregon product was a third-round draft choice by the 49ers in 1964. Never the member of an NFL championship team, Wilcox was a seven-time Pro Bowler who started in 145 of his 153 regular-season outings. The rangy defender picked off 14 passes and added a dozen fumble recoveries in his 11 seasons with the Niners. He finally got the call to join the Hall in 2000, 36 years after his final game.
It wouldn’t be out of the question one day to see our honorable mention choice take the top spot in a future pieces. The seven-year pro and three-time All-Pro has wreaked havoc for both the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins in a relatively short time.
Honorable Mention: DT Ndamukong Suh
Next: Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania: Joe Montana
At least there’s not going to be a debate here involving the legendary four-time Super Bowl champion and the equally-brilliant Tom Brady – a native of California.
When it comes to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, no state in the union is more represented than Pennsylvania. With the recent addition of defensive end/outside linebacker Jason Taylor (born in Pittsburgh), there are now 33 members from the Keystone State.
And that includes quarterback Joe Montana, who spent his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers and eventually, the Kansas City Chiefs. But it was his work and accomplishments in the Bay Area that are legendary. He helped lead the franchise to four NFL championships, including back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 1988 (XXIII) and ’89 (XXIV).
The former Notre Dame Golden Domer orchestrated his share of comeback victories, perhaps the most notable 92-yard drive in the closing moments of Super Bowl XXIII when his touchdown pass to John Taylor were the go-ahead points in a 20-16 win.
The debate regarding the greatest quarterback in league history usually includes Montana, but the final answer is only subjective. The crafty signal-caller was a three-time Super Bowl MVP. In a total of four appearances in the Big Game, he threw a combined 11 touchdown passes without an interception. And our runner-up selection is also another name mentioned in that greatest quarterback discussion.
Honorable Mention: QB Johnny Unitas
Next: Rhode Island
Rhode Island: Al Del Greco
As you may have noticed (but not necessarily agree with), the fact is that kickers are football players too. As we have already seen, the state of Maryland gave us punter Sean Landeta. And it won’t be long before you see another kicking specialist in this slide show.
These days, former NFL placekicker Al Del Greco is perhaps more known for his great play in celebrity golf tournaments. But he enjoyed a long career driving a football through the uprights. Born in the capital city of Providence, the New England native would play 17 seasons for three different franchises in five different “cities.”
He began his career with the Green Bay Packers and would move onto the St. Louis Cardinals, who would eventually move to Arizona. Then in 1991, he joined the Houston Oilers, a club that would become the Tennessee Oilers and then the Tennessee Titans.
Got that? What you really need to remember is the longevity and excellence. Del Greco ranks 18th in league annals in both career points scored (1,584) and field goals (347). He spent his final 10 seasons in the league with the Oilers/Titans – making an appearance with the club in Super Bowl XXXIV.
The staff at Pro Football Reference tells us that the NFL has seen 39 players come from the smallest state in the country. That includes current Washington Redskins defensive back Will Blackmon, as well as a key reserve for the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers’ front four.
Honorable Mention: DT Steve Furness
Next: South Carolina
South Carolina: Art Shell
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989, tackle Art Shell was a massive figure who was one of the premier players at his position for 10-plus years. He is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1970s. He spent his entire 15-year career with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.
Born in the city of Charleston, the product of University of the Maryland Eastern Shore was a third-round selection by the Silver and Black in the 1968 draft. He would play in a total of 207 games and start 169 of those contests – the overwhelming majority at left tackle alongside fellow Hall of Famer Gene Upshaw. They combined to make up one of the best strong-side blocking combinations in league history.
Shell and his Raiders’ teammate earned a pair of championship rings in 1976 and 1980. Against the Minnesota Vikings at the Rose Bowl (Super Bowl XI), he held defensive end Jim Marshall without a tackle. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound earned eight Pro Bowl invitations – including seven straight from 1972-78.
While our focus in this piece is on players, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention Shell’s head-coaching career. It included a pair of stints (1989-94 and 2006) with the Silver and Black. The first went a whole lot better than the second. But it was his impressive playing career that is the headline here.
Honorable Mention: LB Harry Carson
Next: South Dakota
South Dakota: Adam Vinatieri
Just for kicks, we’re talking special teams once again. And while there are very few players in this piece that are still active in the league, it’s hard to ignore who many people consider the most clutch performer at his position in NFL annals. There are now two pure placekickers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The first was the legendary Jan Stenerud. This August we will see a bust for Morten Andersen – the NFL’s all-time leader in points scored (2,544) and field goals made (565).
Someday, many feel former undrafted free agent Adam Vinatieri may also find himself within that hallowed Hall. He’s in the midst of his third decade in the league and only Andersen and Gary Anderson rank ahead of him in scoring and field goals.
Signed by the New England Patriots in 1996 from South Dakota State, Vinatieri spent nine seasons in Foxborough playing for Bill Parcells, Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick. His field goal at the gun in Super Bowl XXXVI and another with four seconds remaining in Super Bowl XXXVIII helped deliver a pair of championships. The Pats’ 24-21 win over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX was also decided by a field goal.
In 2006, Vinatieri signed with the Indianapolis Colts. He delivered five field goals in a 15-6 playoff win over the Baltimore Ravens. A few weeks later, the team would triumph in Super Bowl XLI. All told, there would be six Super Bowl appearances for the NFL’s all-time leader in postseason scoring.
But perhaps Vinatieri’s greatest moment came in the snow in the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoffs. The game was known more for the infamous “Tuck” play. But the now 21-year veteran booted field goals of 45 and 23 yards in the closing second and overtime, respectively, in less-than-desirable conditions.
Honorable Mention: QB Norm Van Brocklin
Next: Tennessee
Tennessee: Reggie White
Some consider him the greatest defensive linemen in pro football history. Here, our focus in the NFL. But as we know, that’s only one part of Reggie White’s amazing career on the gridiron. Prior to him joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 1985, he was part of the USFL’s Memphis Showboats. We bring that up because it reminds us just how much football the University of Tennessee star played that year.
As a rookie with the Birds, the “Minister of Defense” played 13 games and totaled an equal amount of quarterback traps. In eight seasons in the City of Brotherly Love, White suited up for 121 contests and totaled 124 tackles. He would then become the focal point of the NFL free agency in 1993 and opted to sign with the Green Bay Packers.
His three sacks in Super Bowl XXXI were the exclamation point in the team’s 35-21 win over the New England Patriots. He would play six seasons in Titletown and rack up another 68.5 sacks in 95 games. White stepped away from the game for a year and then returned in 2000 to play one season for the Carolina Panthers.
The world lost the 13-time Pro Bowler in 2004 at the young age of 43. He would take his rightful place in Canton two years later. And you could certainly make the case for White being the most dominant defensive lineman in league history.
Honorable Mention: DE Doug Atkins
Next: Texas
Texas: Earl Campbell
While Pennsylvania is the clubhouse leader when it comes to its native sons in the Pro Football Hall of Fame (33), the Lone Star State isn’t too far behind with 31 members. That includes Class of 2017 member LaDainian Tomlinson, the fifth-leading rusher in NFL history. Other Hall of Famers include Raymond Berry, Eric Dickerson, Joe Greene, Thurman Thomas and Gene Upshaw – as well as our “slingin’” honorable mention choice. It’s safe to say that this is quite the prestigious list.
But it’s the “Tyler Rose” that gets the nod here. Running back Earl Campbell was the first overall pick in the 1978 draft by the Houston Oilers. He would enter the league with a bang, leading the NFL in rushing yards in each of his first three seasons. He would play a pivotal role in the team reaching the AFC title game in both ’78 and ’79 and in the playoffs in 1980.
In those first three NFL campaigns, the University of Texas superstar would rack up an impressive 1,043 carries for an astonishing 5,081 yards and 45 touchdowns in 46 regular-season outings. In his first six seasons with the Oilers, he would total at least 300 carries five times. And who know what his numbers would have looked like when a strike limited the 1982 season to nine contests.
Midway through 1984, the Oilers dealt Campbell to the New Orleans Saints and was reunited with head coach Bum Phillips. But all those years of carries for the “Luv Ya Blue” took its toll. Despite an abbreviated career, he was an easy choice when the Hall of Fame came calling.
Honorable Mention: QB Sammy Baugh
Next: Utah
Utah: Merlin Olsen
Back in the day when the Pro Bowl was simply a football game, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Merlin Olsen made it a yearly ritual.
Talk about a hot commodity? The Utah State product, born in the city of Logan, was not only the third overall selection in the 1962 NFL draft, he was the second pick in the AFL draft by the Denver Broncos. Of course, he would go onto sign with the elder league and would make an immediate impact.
Olsen was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first 14 seasons in the league. He was a charter member of the Rams’ “Fearsome Foursome,” joined by fellow Hall of Famer Deacon Jones, along with Roger Brown and Lamar Lundy. As time wore on, the pieces around Olsen changed with the additions of Larry Brooks and ends Fred Dryer and Jack Youngblood – the latter also enshrined in Canton. All told, the 15-year pro played in 12 out of 14 contests during his rookie campaign. He would not miss a game in his final 14 seasons.
Yes, that’s a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback as our runner-up pick. He owns the Super Bowl record for touchdowns passes in a game (6) and was one of the most versatile players ever at his position. But with all due respect to the great-great-great-grandson of Brigham Young, we lean to “Father Murphy.”
Honorable Mention: QB Steve Young
Next: Vermont
Vermont: Steve Wisniewski
You look at the numbers and remember the performance and you wonder why guard Steve Wisniewski hasn’t earned an invitation to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He played 13 seasons for the Silver and Black. The native of Rutland, Vermont, played and started in 206 regular-season games. He was in the opening lineup for all 16 contests 11 times during his underrated career. Wisniewski’s final season came in 2001, one year before the Oakland Raiders made an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVII.
But does anyone recall that the former Penn State University star was actually a second-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1989 draft? His rights and a sixth-round pick were dealt to the Raiders for three draft choices, including a second-round selection that turned into fullback Daryl Johnston.
When it was all said and done, the former Nittany Lion standout was named to eight Pro Bowls and was also named All-Pro twice. He was the mainstay on a very formidable offensive front that was part of several teams that wound up in the playoffs. Wisniewski is part of a football family that saw his brother Leo play three seasons with the Colts. And his nephew Stefen, a quality center, recently re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. But when it comes to the longtime guard for the Raiders, you could make quite the case for him being a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Honorable Mention: OL Bob Yates
Next: Virginia
Virginia: Lawrence Taylor
Fierce. Relentless. Former University of North Carolina defensive end/turned NFL outside linebacker Lawrence Taylor (the original L.T.) often looked like a man among boys during his amazing career with the New York Giants. A very angry man when it came to chasing down opposing quarterbacks.
Some consider Taylor to be the greatest defensive player in league annals. Of course, that’s subject to a very healthy discussion. But there is absolutely no doubt that he changed the game. The 3-4 defense suddenly became much more vogue in the National Football League. Many teams were looking for a pass-rushing force similar to Taylor.
There would eventually be some pretty good ones like fellow future Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas. But to be blunt, they all paled in comparison to the former Tar Heel. And it’s interesting to note that individual sacks did not become an official NFL statistic until 1982, the year after Taylor’s rookie campaign.
That memorable sound byte from the 10-time Pro Bowler spoke volumes when it came to his ferocity. All told, he was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year three times, including his first two seasons in the NFL. In 1986, he not only earned that honor but was the league’s Most Valuable Player. That season would conclude with a Super Bowl XXI title for Big Blue. There would be another four years later as the Giants upended the Buffalo Bills in Tampa.
Off the field has been a different story for the Hall of Famer. Then again, on the field he was quite different as well.
Honorable Mention: QB Fran Tarkenton
Next: Washington
Washington: John Elway
The 42nd state has certainly provided the National Football League with its share of talent. There are the likes of quarterback Drew Bledsoe, longtime center Don Mosebar and do-it-all performer Eric Metcalf.
There’s one guy that kind of tops them all. He’s one of four members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame born in the Evergreen State.
Quarterback John Elway was never known for his extraordinary numbers. But it is worth noting that he is one of 10 players in NFL history to throw at least 300 career touchdown passes. He also closed his 16-year career with a pair of back-to-back Super Bowl titles (XXXII and XXXIII). In his final appearance on the field, he earned game MVP honors after leading his club to a 34-19 win over the Atlanta Falcons in South Florida.
Of course, the talented signal-caller was the first overall pick in the 1983 NFL draft…by the Baltimore Colts. But he really didn’t want to play for the struggling franchise and his rights were dealt to the Broncos. He would suit up for Denver for 16 seasons and led the club to five Super Bowl appearances. As we know, the first three trips didn’t go so well.
These days, Elway is running the show for the Broncos’ organization. He remains the face of the franchise. And as we saw that Sunday against the Green Bay Packers in San Diego, the Pro Football Hall of Fame did everything he could to win.
Next: West Virginia
West Virginia: Sam Huff
These days, the NFL is often referred to as a quarterback-driven league. But “back in the day,” it was a game more known for running attacks and fearsome defenses. And when it came to stopping opponents, the glamour position was usually the middle linebacker in the 4-3. That was really the scheme of choice until some franchises in the mid- to late 1970s and early ‘80s made the 3-4 much more vogue.
Over the years, we have some great players man the middle spot. From Bill George, Dick Butkus, Joe Schmidt and Ray Nitschke to Tommy Nobis, Nick Buoniconti, Jack Lambert and Mike Singletary. There was the relentless Ray Lewis, who figures to be headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame very soon.
Speaking of those inducted in Canton, there was also Sam Huff. A five-time Pro Bowler, he spent his first eight seasons in the league with the New York Giants before being traded to the Washington Redskins in 1964. He would play four more seasons with his new team, retire in 1968 and then return to the NFL thanks to some prompting by new Washington head coach Vince Lombardi.
Huff played at least 10 contests in each of his 13 campaigns. Those were the days of 12- and then 14-game seasons. The two-time All-Pro finished with his share of tackles, 30 interceptions and 17 fumble recoveries.
Honorable Mention: DE Gino Marchetti
Next: Wisconsin
Wisconsin: J.J. Watt
It takes a lot to relegate a Pro Football Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl champion to honorable mention status on any lists of bests. But despite missing the final 13 games of the 2016 with injury issues, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has brought a lot to the table in just six seasons in the league.
In what was their 10th draft in the team’s brief history, the Texans made the former University of Wisconsin star the 11th overall pick in the ’11 draft. When on the field, he’s been nothing short of spectacular. A three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Watt has played 83 regular-season contests and totaled 76 sacks. There’s also the matter of knocking down 45 passes, 15 forced fumbles and 13 fumble recoveries. And there’s those three receptions for four yards and three scores in 2014.
There’s been suggestions that the Texans could trade Watt in order to orchestrate a deal for a quality quarterback. The “logic” is that Houston finished as the league’s top-ranked defense in 2016 in terms of yards allowed with the four-time All-Pro on the sidelines for all but three games. It’s an interesting theory but consider the following: Just how good could the Texans be on defense this upcoming season with Watt, outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus and former 2014 first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney (among others) now coming into his own? Stay tuned.
Honorable Mention: C Mike Webster
Next: Wyoming
Wyoming: Boyd Dowler
Last but not least, let’s get one thing straight. Wyoming is one of the 50 United States and not an entity upon itself, no matter what misinformed Sal may think.
In any case, the real subject is the game of football and former NFL wide receiver Boyd Dowler was pretty good at it. He spent 11 seasons with Green Bay Packers from 1959-69, hauling in 448 passes for 6,918 yards and 40 touchdowns.
The rangy receiver would retire in 1970 and spend that season as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Rams under eventual Hall of Fame coach George Allen. The latter was hired by the Washington Redskins in 1971 to lead their team and Allen orchestrated a trade with the Packers to obtain Dowler’s playing rights. The wideout would spend one season in D.C., playing 12 games and catching 26 balls for 352 yards for the playoff-bound Redskins.
For his career, Dowler was a member of five NFL title teams – all with the Packers. He was named to a pair of Pro Bowls and his career totals saw him average an impressive 15.3 yards per catch on 474 career grabs with the two teams.
More fansided.com: NFL Primetime: Rise of a Football Empire
Speaking of a little irony, our runner-up choice for the state spent nine seasons with the Redskins and also caught passes. He was a two-time Pro Bowler who amassed 429 receptions for 4,711 yards and 33 touchdowns for the franchise.
Honorable Mention: TE Chris Cooley