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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SAN FRANCISCO – JANUARY 6: Mike Singletary #50 of the Chicago Bears plays in the Conference Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers played on January 6, 1985 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) /

10. Mike Singletary

The best thing about making this list was searching “Mike Singletary,” and seeing the first option that popped up was “Mike Singletary eyes.” Imagine how horrifying it must have been to be a quarterback playing in Soldier Field, and staring across the line of scrimmage to see Mike Singletary looking at you like a hungry lion.

The Bears fielded legendary defenses in the 1980s, all of which Singletary was the biggest impact player. He was a Pro Bowler every year from 1983-89 and made six consecutive All-pro teams from 1984-89.

In 1985, the Bears fielded one of the best defenses the NFL has ever seen en route to a Super Bowl XX win over the New England Patriots. Singletary had one of his best seasons that year on a defense that ranked first in total defense, and allowed just 12.4 points per game. Singletary was named Defensive Player of the Year that season.

The former second round pick is one of the best inside linebackers of all time. He was a 10-time Pro Bowler and a seven-time All-Pro. He’s a member of the 1980s All-Decade team and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

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