Top 30 NFL players of the 1990

Top 30 NFL players of the 1990s

DENVER, UNITED STATES: Denver Brocos running back Terrell Davis (30) makes a 12 yard carry late in the second quarter during game action 24 September, 2000 at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. AFP PHOTO/ MARK LEFFINGWELL (Photo credit should read MARK LEFFINGWELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – DECEMBER 25: Center Bruce Matthews #74 of the Houston Oilers prepares to snap the football against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on December 25, 1993 in San Francisco, California. The Oilers defeated the 49ers 10-7. (Photo by Joseph Patronite/Getty Images) /

8. Bruce Matthews

Imagine being a defensive lineman, waking up and just knowing that you were going to get bullied by the absolute unit Bruce Matthews for three hours. Matthews was the embodiment of consistency throughout his near two decade career. He didn’t miss a game throughout the entirety of the 1990s, and made the Pro Bowl every year through the course of the decade.

He is easily one of the best handfuls of players in Oilers/Titans history, and some would argue he is the best. Matthews played all over the line throughout his career. Whether it was left tackle, left guard, center, right guard, or right tackle, it didn’t matter-Matthews was going to open up running lanes or prevent his opposition from sniffing the quarterback.

His legacy lives on in his multiple family members that played in the NFL both alongside him and after him. Matthews’ father played for the 49ers in the early 1950s, and his brother, Clay Matthews Jr. was a linebacker for the Browns. Each elder Matthews boy had sons and nephews who played in the league, including former Defensive Player of The Year, Clay Matthews III.

Matthews was a 14-time Pro Bowler and made seven All-Pro teams. He is a member of the 1990s All-Decade team and is easily a top five offensive lineman of all time. Matthews was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

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