Top 30 NFL players of the 1900s

Top 30 NFL Players of the 1900s

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Joe Montana #16 of the San Francisco 49ers passes during pregame warm up before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on September 13, 1987 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the 49ers 30-17. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

6 of 30

Defensive tackle Bob Lilly of the Dallas Cowboys in a 1972 game. (Photo by James Flores/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

25. Bob Lilly

When you are in the conversation for greatest Dallas Cowboy of all time, you know you were pretty great. Bob Lilly was known as “Mr. Cowboy.” The former No. 13 overall pick out of TCU spent 14 seasons with the franchise, where he put together an impressive list of accolades.

He was named to seven All-Pro teams and was an 11-time Pro Bowler. He is part of the NFL’s 1960s All-Decade Team, as well as the All-Decade team of the 1970s. Furthermore, he is also part of both the NFL’s 75th anniversary and 100th anniversary teams.

Whether he was lined up on the outside or on the interior of the defensive line, Lilly was a constant force up front. He is part of the Dallas Cowboys ring of honor, and was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980. One of the most feared members of Dallas’ “Doomsday Defense,” Lilly is one of the best defensive lineman of all time.

His dominance in the trenches helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl VI, where they beat the Miami Dolphins. Lilly sacked Dolphins quarterback Brian Griese for a 29 yard loss- a play that perfectly encapsulates his Hall of Fame career.

Home/NFL