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30 greatest NFL defensive players of all-time

By Daniel Tran

Nov 3, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants former players Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson listen to Michael Strahan (left) speak to fans after receiving his NFL Hall of Fame ring during half time ceremony at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants former players Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson listen to Michael Strahan (left) speak to fans after receiving his NFL Hall of Fame ring during half time ceremony at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL Defensive Players
Nov 3, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; General view of MetLife Stadium prior to the start of Monday Night Football game between the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts. Mandatory Credit: Jim O /

15. Emlen Tunnell, Defensive Back

Before there was Deion Sanders, there was Emlen Tunnell. Tunnell may have lacked the outward confidence of Sanders, but he had nearly the same skill set as Prime Time during the span of his 14-year career.

Like Sanders, Tunnell excelled at defending the pass and had a knack for coming up with the ball. During his tenure with the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers, Tunnell intercepted the ball 79 times, leading the NFL at the time of his retirement in 1960. He was also very adept at recovering loose balls, retrieving 16 fumbles for his career.

Tunnell also took some snaps on the offensive end, but his play on special teams was where he made a bigger impact. Tunnell scored six total return touchdowns in his career and led the league with 489 punt return yards in 1951.

After being selected to nine Pro Bowls and eight All-Pro teams, Tunnell was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967; the first African-American to do so.

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