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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BUFFALO, NY – CIRCA 1990: Bruce Smith #78 of the Buffalo Bills in action against the New York Jets during an NFL football game circa 1990 at Rich Stadium in Buffalo, New York. Smith played for the Bills from 1985-99. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

24. Bruce Smith

Bruce Smith is the NFL’s all-time leader in sacks, so it’s fair to assume that at least a few of them were a bit stiff and made quarterbacks a bit uncomfortable.

Smith sent a message when he hit quarterbacks. He’d likely be penalized for every one of his sacks nowadays for unnecessary roughness, but let’s not kill the buzz of talking about one of the NFL’s all time great pass rushers.

Smith was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1985 with the first overall pick. He would prove to be worthy of that selection over the course of a 19 year career. In 1987, Smith was selected to his first Pro Bowl and was named All-Pro for the first time in his career. He recorded 12 sacks that season and he repeated both feats in 1988 after recording 11 sacks.

Smith’s most dominant year came in 1990. He notched 19 sacks and was named All-Pro for the third time, and was a Pro Bowler for the fourth time. The Bills of the early 1990s are remembered for their incredible offense that featured a Hall of Fame trio of Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas, and Andre Reed, but Smith was amazing in his own right.

He was the best player on Buffalo’s defense for a decade and a half before going to Washington in 2000. Smith continued to be productive in his final years, but some falloff was expected. He retired with 200 sacks, which remains the most in league history.

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