Top 25 hardest hitters in NFL history

Detroit Lions player Barry Sanders (L) is tackled by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defender John Lynch (R) after a short pass reception in the first quarter of their game 07 September at the Silverdome in Pontiac, MI. AFP PHOTO/Matt CAMPBELL (Photo by MATT CAMPBELL / AFP) (Photo by MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Giants Tiki Barber (21) is hit by Brian Dawkins (20). The New York Giants defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 30 to 24 in overtime at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on 09_17_2006. (Photo by Joseph Labolito/NFLPhotoLibrary) /

15. Brain Dawkins

The man they called “Weapon X” was lethal in both Philadelphia and Denver. Drafted in 1996 by the Eagles out of Clemson, the hard-hitting free safety would make a name for himself in the city of brotherly love.

He made his first Pro Bowl in 1999, and in 2001 he was named All-Pro for the first time in his career. He repeated as All-Pro in 2002, and was recognized as one of the best safeties in the game for both his ball hawk skills, but mainly for his hitting ability.

In the 2004 NFC Championship Game against the Atlanta Falcons, Dawkins hit Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler as he went up for a catch. Crumpler hung onto the ball, but the hit sent a message to Atlanta, who was already trailing 14-3.

Dawkins was a Pro Bowler from 2004-06 and was named All-Pro in ‘04 and ‘06. He would stay in Philadelphia until 2009 where he went to the Denver Broncos at the age of 36. He made the Pro Bowl in ‘09 and in his final season in 2011. His electrifying entrance onto the field captivated the fans, and his raw power demanded the respect of opposing offenses.

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