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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Chicago Bears Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton (34) keeps his center of gravity low as he bursts through the line during a 34-21 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on December 20, 1987, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Damian Strohmeyer/Getty Images) /

8. Walter Payton

They called him “Sweetness” for a reason- Walter Payton was the definition of poetry in motion. Every cut was calculated, and every long run was like a symphony orchestra performing at its peak. Payton continued his dominance from the 1970s into the next decade. He was selected to his fifth Pro Bowl in 1980 while also being named First-Team All-Pro for the third time. He ran for 1,460 yards that season, while also catching 46 passes and totaling seven touchdowns.

Payton’s best stretch of the decade came from 1983-86. He made the Pro Bowl every year and was named first-team All-Pro in 1984 and 1985. Sweetness helped the Bears win the Super Bowl in 1985 as part of a team that fielded one of the best defenses in NFL history. He ran for over 1,500 yards and nine touchdowns that season as the Bears went on to demolish the Patriots 42-10 in Super Bowl XX.

At the time of his retirement in 1987, Payton was the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards. He was a nine-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro selection. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993, and will forever be known as one of the greatest players in NFL history.

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