NFL: The 1990s All-Decade Team

6 of 10

In his lone season in San Francisco, Deion Sanders was the Defensive Player of the Year. /

Cornerback: Deion Sanders, Atlanta Falcons (1990-93), San Francisco 49ers (1994), Dallas Cowboys (1995-99)

Sanders was one of those rare defensive backs who changed games as teams learned quickly not to challenge the former No. 5 overall pick out of Florida State.

Sanders’ 39 interceptions ranked fourth in the decade and he tied with Rod Woodson for the most touchdown returns with eight.

He was a six-time All-Pro and helped the 49ers and Cowboys to Super Bowl titles in 1994 and 1995, respectively and was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1994 despite playing in only 14 games.

Rod Woodson was a ballhawk in the 1990s, with more interceptions than any other player. /

Cornerback: Rod Woodson, Pittsburgh Steelers (1990-96), San Francisco 49ers (1997), Baltimore Ravens (1998-99)

Woodson had more interceptions than any player in the 1990s, 46 of them, and brought eight of them back for scores, tied with Deion Sanders for the most in the decade.

Woodson was a four-time All-Pro in the 1990s and went to seven Pro Bowls, six with Pittsburgh and one with Baltimore.

He also had an impact in other areas on defense, recording six sacks and 100 tackles from his left cornerback position in 1992.

He was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 and led the NFL with seven interceptions in 1999.

Steve Atwater didn’t tip-toe through the secondary. /

Safety: Steve Atwater, Denver Broncos (1990-98), New York Jets (1999)

Atwater, quite simply, brought the thump.

A two-time All-Pro with the Broncos, Atwater had four straight seasons in the 1990s with 140 or more tackles and also showed some ball skills with 21 interceptions in the decade.

But it was his reputation as a fearless hitter that made opposing receivers tread carefully across the middle of the Denver defense in the 1990s.

Atwater went to eight Pro Bowls in the decade and helped the Broncos to their first two Super Bowl titles in 1997 and 1998.

LeRoy Butler’s career took off with a move to safety. /

Safety: LeRoy Butler, Green Bay Packers (1990-99)

Butler ranked second among safeties in the 1990s with 36 interceptions, trailing only the 42 made by Eugene Robinson.

But Butler could do more than just play center field. He had 17.5 sacks in the decade and topped the 100-tackle mark twice.

He was a four-time All-Pro and, just for good measure, is credited with being the originator of the Lambeau Leap.

His career took off in 1992, when he was moved from cornerback to safety and he never made the Packers regret that decision.

Home/NFL