Top 30 NFL players of the 1980s

Top 30 NFL Players of the 1980s

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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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 30: Emmitt Smith #22 of the Dallas Cowboys gets tackled from behind by Bruce Smith #78 of the Buffalo Bills during Super Bowl XXVIII on January 30, 1994 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Cowboys won the Super Bowl 30 -13. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

13. Bruce Smith

The tear that Bruce Smith went on in the late 1980s was the catalyst for what would become a Hall of Fame career in which he totaled the most sacks in NFL history. From 1986-89, Smith had 51 sacks. The season in which he had the most takedowns of the quarterback was in 1986, where he totaled 15. Oddly enough, he didn’t make the Pro Bowl that season. He did, however, have three consecutive trips to Honolulu to close out the decade.

In 1987, Smith had 12 sacks and forced three fumbles, earning both his first Pro Bowl and a First-Team All-Pro selection. He was an All-Pro once again in 1988 after having 11 sacks and forcing three more fumbles.

Smith would go on to have one of the best careers in NFL history in the 1990s, but he gave us a big glimpse into what was to come when he arrived on the scene in the late 1980s. He is a member of the All-Decade team, and would go on to have 11 Pro Bowl appearances and eight All-Pro selections. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009, and is still the NFL’s all time sacks leader.

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