who are the top football players ever (football)?

Question

I can think of Aikman, bradshaw, sanders, Deion Sanders, Payton, Faulk, Smith, Montana, Jerry Rice, who else?

Answer 1

Difficult, and almost definitely impossible question to answer.

If we are speaking purely statistically even it would be near impossible to way out. Are passing yards more important than the count of interceptions, are fumbles less important than receptions for running backs.


I would guess the simples way to list the top football players ever, would be to list the statistical leader in each of the major categories in a season, and career.

I will list the best season per stat for passing and rushing, and we can assume to some definition that at least at some point these players would be considered the best at something.

Passing Yards: Dan Marino 5084
Passing Td's: Peyton Manning 49
Passing Rating: Gary Danielson (min 25 completions)
Rushing Yards: Eric Dickerson 2105
Rushing TD's: Tomlinson (wait till tomorrow to see total)

fbjunk.com has a complete list of yearly, and by age leaders in every major catergory, I suggest going there, to see who has atleast led the league in some statistics, and use that to generate a list of names.

Also Hall of Famers should be added to the list. Smarter men than I have picked who should be considered great, and I tend to think they have the right idea.

A list of Hall of Famers can be found on NFL.com

Answer 2

Staubach, Aikman, Emmett,Deion, Larry Allen, Anthony Munoz, Joe Montana, Rice, Lott, Favre, Harrison, Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Steve Young, Jack Lambert, Dick Butkis, Walter Payton, Bob Lilly, Deacon Jones, Sammy Baugh, LT...as is lawrence taylor, Reggie White, Ray Nitchske....not that is a list...thanks again and email me if you need any more info.

Answer 3

Its impossible to judge really you'd have to go by position, because there are amazing linemen that you just cant compare to guys like Payton and Smith but by position i see it like this

QB-Jonny Unitas, Joe Namath, Dan Marino, John Elway, Brett Favre, Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Joe Montana, Joe Theisman and others

RB-Larry Czonka, Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith

WR-Jerry Rice, Art Monk, Steve Largent, Marvin Harrison

and Im afraid i have neither the knowledge of old players nor the patience to go on so in general on defense...

Lawrence Taylor, Deion Sanders, Darrell Green, Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Ray Lewis, Bronco Nagurski (dunno if thats how its spelled) and others

Those are all in no particular order in case you were wondering

Answer 4

Anthony Munoz and Jim Brown

Answer 5

hands down--- booger smoot 2 nd string windy kickoff holder. plays for the pittsburgh steelers. future hall of famer

Answer 6

John Elway, anyone?

Answer 7

bronco nergerski, dick butkus, joe montana, emmit smith, earl cambell

Answer 8

JERRY RICE