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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 12: Reggie White #92 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes up against Ray Brown #67 of the Washington Redskins during an NFL football game November 12, 1989 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. White played for the Eagles from 1985-92. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

7. Reggie White

You’d be hard pressed to find a better defensive front four than that of the Philadelphia Eagles in the mid-late 1980s. At the heart of it was The Minister of Defense, Reggie White. From 1986-89, White was one of the best defensive lineman in the game. He was selected to four consecutive Pro Bowls, as well as being First-Team All-Pro each year.

White’s three year span from 1986-88 in terms of sacks is arguably the best stretch of all time. He had 18, 21, and 18 sacks, respectively, in that three year span. He led the NFL in that category in both 1987 and 1988, winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in both seasons.

White is a member of the All-Decade team of the 1980s. His 198 career sacks are the second most all time behind Bruce Smith. He was a 13-time Pro Bowler, as well as an eight-time All-Pro. As one of the greatest pass rushers of all time, White was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. His Eagles’ teams of the late 1980s-early 90s featured some of the best defensive play in NFL history, a unit he was very much the anchor of.

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