9. Gino Marchetti, Defensive End
In 1972, Gino Marchetti was voted as the greatest defensive end ever by the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he was elected in that year. There are still some today that would agree with that assessment.
Marchetti spent about three years in the United States Army fighting in World War II. After finishing his service, he attended Modesto Junior College and then transferred to the University of San Francisco where helped the Dons to an undefeated season in 1951. Marchetti was then drafted by the New York Yanks (which would turn into the Dallas Texans) in the second round of the 1952 NFL Draft, beginning a superstar career.
Marchetti would go on to help the Baltimore Colts (formerly the Dallas Texans) win two consecutive championships, get selected to 11 Pro Bowls and 10 All-Pro teams. He was so good that opposing coach Sid Gillman of the Los Angeles Rams would say that it was a waste of time running a play towards Marchetti’s side. That kind of fear and respect is rare to find even in today’s NFL.
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