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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Ravens’ Ed Reed, left, attempts to block a punt by Falcons’ Michael Koenen during a game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, November 19, 2006, at the M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens won 24-10. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

20. Ed Reed

While many consider Ed Reed the greatest ball hawk of all time, he was also keen on lowering the shoulder into the chest of a receiver to break up a pass.

Reed led the league in interceptions three times, which is probably why people don’t seem to remember his ability to separate players from the ball. Regardless, Reed would detach opponents from their souls.

We all know how unique a talent that Reed was on the back end of the defense for all of those years in Baltimore. He patrolled the Ravens secondary and constantly made play after play, several of which resulted in scores going the other way. He was a Pro Bowler for the first time in 2003 where he intercepted seven passes. In 2004, he led the league in interceptions with nine and was named First-Team All-Pro and was named Defensive Player of the Year. Injuries limited him to just 10 games in 2005, but he rebounded in 2006 with five interceptions and another All-Pro selection.

Reed was a nine-time Pro Bowler and a five-time All-Pro. He helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII and is a member of the 2000s All-Decade Team. Whether it was intercepting passes, or laying out receivers, Reed proved himself to be one of the best defenders of all time.

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