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Top 30 NFL Players of the 1980s

By Jarrett Bailey

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants in action against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game September 30, 1990 at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Taylor played for the Giants from 1981-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 30: Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants in action against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game September 30, 1990 at The Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Taylor played for the Giants from 1981-93. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Raiders cornerback Lester Hayes comes off of the field following his 18-yard interception return for a touchdown during the Raiders 38-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1983 AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 1, 1984 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rob Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Los Angeles Raiders cornerback Lester Hayes comes off of the field following his 18-yard interception return for a touchdown during the Raiders 38-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1983 AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 1, 1984 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rob Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

14. Lester Hayes

Lester Hayes ushered in the new decade with one of the best defensive seasons in NFL history. In 1980, the former fifth round pick out of Texas A&M had 13 interceptions, just one away from breaking Dick “Night Train” Lane’s NFL record for interceptions in a season. He earned his first Pro Bowl appearance, as well as a First-Team All-Pro nod for his historic season, and was named Defensive Player of the Year. The Raiders would go on to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV.

Hayes would make the Pro Bowl every season from 1980-1984. He had three interceptions in 1981, and two interceptions in 1982. While these weren’t numbers that blew anyone away, his presence on the outside strayed quarterbacks to throw to the other side of the field, rather than test the ball hawk.

In 1983, Hayes helped the Raiders win another Super Bowl, this time a 38-9 blowout over a Washington team who had one of the best offenses of all time that season. Hayes made his final Pro Bowl in 1984, but had four interceptions in 1985, and two more in 1986 before retiring.

Hayes is a member of the 1980s All-Decade team, and widely regarded as one of the best players not in the Hall of Fame.

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