44, he earned 10 varsity letters in four sports at Syracuse -- basketball, football, lacrosse and track. Young finished his BYU career with 7,733 passing yards and 56 touchdowns while running for 1,084 yards and 18 scores. He later joined Roger Staubach and the Cowboys to nab his third Super Bowl towards the end of his career. He also ran for 444 yards and eight scores. Simpson, Ricky Williams and LaDainian Tomlinson. White made 24 tackles behind the line of scrimmage as a senior when he won the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award. Two years after Jim Brown graduated, Syracuse gave Davis the No. Despite the bitterness surrounding him and the Packers, Aaron Rodgers is arguably the most talented quarterback to ever play the game by arm talent alone. Jim Thorpe (B, Carlisle, 1907-12) But Bowden is certain which Seminole was the best athlete he ever coached. Nearly a century later, Grange's first-quarter performance against Michigan in 1924 remains unmatched: In the dedication game of Memorial Stadium on the Illinois campus, Grange returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. 144. His championships came before the Super Bowl era, relegating him to the prehistory of modern football. Robinson never hid his offensive strategy: give the ball to a bell-cow back, put him behind a physical offensive line, and voila. Jake Rowe of 247 Sports recalls Tommie Frazier breaking several tackles on a play for Nebraska in the 1996 Fiesta Bowl. Who's the greatest college football player of all time? "He blocked out the sun," Colts general manager Ernie Accorsi said. Bertelli, a first-generation American from Springfield, Massachusetts, became known as the "Springfield Rifle" for his ability to throw the ball. He co-opted the Mean Green's nickname, and by his senior season, the 6-foot-4, 274-pound Greene had dominated his competition so thoroughly that he made the All-America team despite playing in the Missouri Valley Conference. This is the definitive ranking of the 50 Greatest NFL Players of All Time. McDonald's Sooners didn't lose that season, or any of three seasons. 44 jersey. Fred Biletnikoff (WR, Florida State, 1962-64) Tim Tebow ? But there was never any concern about The Horse's toughness on the football field. Built like a tank (60, 205 lbs), Woodson was was a deceptively skilled ball hawk, nabbing 71 career interceptions (3rd all-time) and 32 career defensive fumble recoveries (1st all-time). Charles Woodson (DB, Michigan, 1995-97) As one of OSU's "Super Sophomores" in 1968, Tatum helped lead the Buckeyes to a 10-0 record, Rose Bowl victory and national championship. Here's another way of knowing the impact Biletnikoff made: Florida State retired his No. 40. His career total of 662 is a Baylor record. 51. Former Nebraska star Johnny Rodgers recalls returning a punt for a touchdown in the 1971 Nebraska vs. Oklahoma game. Greg Pruitt (RB, Oklahoma, 1970-72) 1 overall. He was also the Orange's place-kicker and scored 43 points -- on six touchdowns and seven extra points -- in a 61-7 decision over Colgate in 1956. Leroy Keyes (RB, Purdue, 1966-68) In 1972, he became the school's first Heisman Trophy winner -- and first receiver to win the award. College football's top 11 players of all time (2:25) Roger Staubach, Herschel Walker and Jim Brown are among the greatest 11 players in college football history. A year earlier, he was the Rose Bowl MVP after running for 192 yards and four touchdowns while passing for 180 yards and another score in a 38-37 win over Michigan. Calvin Johnson (WR, Georgia Tech, 2004-06) 110. In 1982, when Nebraska averaged more than 500 yards and 40 points per game, on an offense that included ballhandling stars such as quarterback Turner Gill, backs Mike Rozier and Roger Craig, and wide receiver Irving Fryar, the 6-3, 275-pound Rimington won the Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year award. Francesco Totti. All three losses came in his senior season, when the All-American made 91 tackles, intercepted four passes and blocked three kicks. Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2004 Class); 2x Super Bowl Champion; 1x MVP; 1x Super Bowl MVP; 2x AFC OPoY; 1x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl. Pace was a unanimous All-American in 1995 and 1996, became the first player in history to win the Lombardi Award as a sophomore, and was the first repeat Lombardi winner. As a sophomore, he threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns to lead Stanford to a 31-14 upset win at No. Leroy Keyes had the misfortune of playing college football in the same era as O.J. Interceptions: 7 He ran for 3,212 yards during his Wisconsin career, an NCAA record at the time, and scored 25 touchdowns. The late Walter Payton, rest his soul, has a legitimate argument to be placed multiple spots higher on this list. He averaged nearly 7 yards per carry at Oklahoma. Sims proved himself worth the effort. Reggie White 12. "No Sooner player cast a longer shadow over its rich tradition than Lee Roy," Switzer said after Selmon died of a stroke in 2012. The rest, as you say, is history. Suh finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting. You can owe the Packers existence and prestige to him. As a junior in 1996, he finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting, the highest finish by a lineman since 1980, and won the Outland Trophy. Dan Marino (QB, Pitt, 1979-82) Electric. He went to Auburn and had one of the greatest single seasons in the history of the game. Rushing yards: 5,263 | Yards per carry: 5.8 | Rushing TDs: 54 He also played heavy minutes as a punter and DB, probably due to the relative size of the league back then. As a senior, he guided UT to a 10-1 record and 27-0 shutout of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Receiving yards: 2,927 | TD receptions: 28 | Receptions: 178 Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1980; Super Bowl Champion (1972); 1st-team All-Pro (1964, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 71); 11-time Pro Bowler, Teams: Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2019); Super Bowl Champion; 5-time First-team All-Pro (2004, 2006-2008, 2010); 3-time Second-team All-Pro (2003, 2009, 2011); 9-time Pro Bowler; NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2004); Tied for Most Career Playoff Interceptions (9); Longest Interception Return in NFL History (107 yards); Most Career Interception Return Yards (1,590); First player in NFL history to return an interception, punt, blocked punt and fumble for a TD; Holds the record for most multi-interception games in a career (12); Tied for most career blocked punts returned for TD (3), Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1974); 7-time first-team All-Pro (1956-1957, 1959-1963); 7 Pro Bowls; 4th most interceptions in NFL history (68); most interceptions in a season in NFL history (14), Teams: San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Achievements: Super Bowl XLIV champion; 2-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2008, 2011); First-team All-pro (2006); 12 pro bowls, Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1972; 2-time NFL champion (1958, 59); 1st-team All-Pro (1957, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64); 11-time Pro Bowler, Teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons. Nevers ran for 114 yards on 34 carries in the Cardinal's 27-10 loss to Notre Dame, which was only 13 fewer yards than the combined total of the famed Four Horsemen. However, his talent and numbers cannot be denied Baugh led the NFL in completion percentage eight times, with four passing yards titles and three titles in passer rating to boot. As a freshman, he split time with Turk Schonert in a 21-21 tie at No. He was a unanimous All-American in 1987 and '88 and won the Thorpe Award as the sport's best defensive back as a senior. Sacks: 49 | Tackles: 441 Many football fans already believed Messi was the GOAT before the tournament but after winning the biggest prize in football, that status has now been cemented. 30. Shameful. 1 of 25 Damon Allen, Quarterback (1985-2007) David Cooper/Toronto Star via Getty Images One of. His tackles behind the line of scrimmage tally is a record that might never be matched. If for nothing else, the NFLs career sack leader cant slide lower than the low 20s. Well, it's an Argentine one-two with Messi pipping the late Diego Maradona to the GOAT title. After arriving on campus as a 6-foot-3, 232-pound tight end, Sapp blossomed into a force on the defensive line. Nebraska coach Tom Osborne wouldn't have had to wait until 1994 to win his first national championship if the Cornhuskers hadn't failed to convert a 2-point conversion with 48 seconds left in a 31-30 loss to Miami in the 1984 Orange Bowl. Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers, Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1979 Class); 4x Champion (1x Super Bowl, 3x pre-Super Bowl); 3x MVP; 1x MoY; 5x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 10x Pro Bowl. The 50 greatest Man Utd players of all time have been ranked in controversial list; The 10 Greatest Footballers Of All Time Have Been Ranked By Football Fans; At 6-foot-4 with a lightning-quick release, Marino surely looked like an NFL quarterback. Four other Trojans tailbacks would follow his path. Passing yards: 7,544 | TD passes: 52 | Total offense: 7,887 yards Campbell rushed for 2,046 yards in his first two seasons in Austin. As a senior in 1983, Young led the Cougars to an 11-1 record and victory in the Holiday Bowl. Mike Ditka (TE, Pitt, 1958-60) Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2021 Class); 2x Super Bowl Champion; 5x MVP; 2x OPoY; 1x MoY; 7x First-Team All-Pro; 3x Second-Team All-Pro; 14x Pro Bowl; multiple records (career MVPs, Pro Bowls, 4,000-yard passing seasons, single-season passing yards (5,477), single-season passing TDs (55). Passing yards: 9,349 | TD passes: 77 | Pass efficiency rating: 139.3 132. Ndamukong Suh (DL, Nebraska, 2005-09) Played 207 games. 90. He won the 1940 Heisman Trophy and led the nation in scoring and all-purpose yards in 1939 and '40. Paolo Maldini 18. In many ways, Brooks might have been the greatest player that talent-rich Florida ever produced. Then there's the like's of the best soccer players in the world today, a few of whom also might have claim to the title, such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski, and Karim Benzema. Taking into account competitions of all levels, 72 players have reached the milestone according to research by the RSSSF, an organisation described by German newspaper Der . What does that mean? Teams: Baltimore Colts, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, L.A. Rushing yards: 3,768 | Rushing TDs: 44 | Receiving yards: 516 When Oklahoma adopted the Wishbone offense in 1970, Pruitt's first varsity season, it became readily apparent why. Naturally, as only one of two defensive players to earn MVP honors, and the only one to do so unanimously, Lawrence Taylor is popularly regarded as the greatest defensive player in the history of the NFL. He finished in the top three twice, making All-American as a junior and senior. That season, he had 84 tackles; led the Hurricanes in sacks (10.5), tackles for loss (9.0) and quarterback pressures (25); was a consensus All-American; and finished sixth in the Heisman voting. He led Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, to a state championship as a senior, but his only scholarship offers were from Purdue and Kentucky. 2. Tackles: 335 | Fumble recoveries: 8 Faulk made a name soon enough, rushing for 386 yards against Pacific in his second collegiate game (imagine if he had started). The only reason that Dickerson never won the Heisman is that he had the misfortune of playing at the same time as Marcus Allen and Herschel Walker. But in a Big Ten Conference that still viewed the forward pass with a raised eyebrow, Carter wreaked havoc. 2 the next season. Alas, Bailey finished seventh in the Heisman voting. Jordan finished fourth in Heisman voting in 1962. He added 13 catches for 192 yards and four touchdowns in a 36-19 rout of Oklahoma in the Gator Bowl that season. The 1956 Iowa team won a Big Ten title and beat Oregon State 35-19 in the school's first Rose Bowl. Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1991); 1x OPoY; 10x All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl. Despite that, his NFL stats and influence are both undeniable. Similarly to other players at this point of the list with their own teams, the Bears wouldnt be where they are without Butkus. Although Bo also brought Herschel to mind with his combination of speed and power, Bo, unlike Herschel, had a little shimmy when he needed it. Michael Platini 12. There is a reason why the Bengals only two AFC titles came under his tenure, and why neither of his quarterbacks at the time are in the Hall of Fame with him. The 5-7, 150-pound O'Brien may have been slight of stature, but he ran a no-nonsense huddle and his teammates loved him for it. CFB150 home. Layne was so good as a freshman at Texas that another heralded recruit, future Pro Football Hall of Famer Y.A. Lee Roy Jordan (LB, Alabama, 1960-62) Hornung remains the only player to win the Heisman for a losing team. Ward averaged 7.5 yards on each of the 707 plays that he ran or caught the ball. He also established NCAA career records for carries (905), rushing yards (3,867), touchdowns (56) and points (336). Newsome turned down Auburn, where Pat Sullivan had just passed his way to the 1971 Heisman, to sign with Bear Bryant, who proceeded to make passing a viable threat in the triple-option. The blue-ribbon panel of 150 media members, college administrators, and former coaches and players who accepted the responsibility of selecting the best players in the history of the game are suckers for the ball handlers. He was named All-American in 1986. A strong-armed and fleet-footed quarterback from tiny Mount Olive, Mississippi, Air McNair put Alcorn State, an HBCU with an enrollment of about 3,300 students, on the map during the early 1990s. As a senior, he was named UPI National Lineman of the Year and finished fifth in Heisman voting. You dont get a nickname like the Golden Arm for nothing. The next season, in 1999, Vick led the FBS in passing efficiency and tied Herschel Walker for the highest finish in Heisman voting (third) by a freshman, behind winner Ron Dayne and runner-up Joe Hamilton. Dickerson is remembered as Exhibit A for the lawlessness that ruled the Southwest Conference in the early 1980s. No player had a more integral role in establishing Clemson's recent dominance than Watson, who had a 32-3 record as a starter. 53. As a senior in 1981, Allen reaped the benefits. Texas A&M coach Gene Stallings tried to convince the Aggies' administration to bring Greene to College Station. 6. The Downtown Athletic Club bestowed the Heisman name to the award after John Heisman died the following year. Against rival Ohio State, Harmon ran 25 times for 139 yards with three touchdowns, passed for 151 yards with two more scores, kicked four extra points, returned three kickoffs for 81 yards, intercepted three passes and averaged 50 yards on three punts. He received an appointment to West Point in 1944, part of the greatest backfield class in the history of the game. How do you manage to evenreach 200 career sacks? Tackles: 251 | Blocked kicks: 4 Now that were a few years removed from the NFLs 100th Anniversary and the GOAT Tom Brady just recently retired, its time to update our rankings of the 50 Greatest NFL Players of all time. Teams: New England Patriots, L.A. Rushing yards: 2,341 | Passing yards: 1,769 | Touchdowns: 21 1 UCLA to lead the No. Deion Sanders (DB, Florida State, 1985-88) In those less cynical days, an All-American boy made his grades and kept his nose clean. Tackles: 327 | Fumble recoveries: 12 | Interceptions: 2 32. He became the first player in FBS history to run and pass for 20 touchdowns in a season. Larry Fitzgerald (WR, Pitt, 2002-03) He led the nation in kickoff return average in 1955 and rushing TDs in 1956, when he became Syracuse's first unanimous All-American and led the Orange to the Cotton Bowl. Tommy Nobis (LB, Texas, 1963-65) His career rushing total of 3,221 yards in three seasons broke a 15-year-old NCAA record. 12. In top-level association football competitions, 24 players have scored 500 or more goals over the course of their career in both club and international football, according to research by the IFFHS, first published in 2007. Johan Cruyff 5. 12 overall in the 1995 NFL draft. 34. Receptions: 168 | Receiving yards: 3,467 | Total TDs: 54 Former Pittsburgh coach Foge Fazio, one of Ditka's teammates with the Panthers, once compared him to a prizefighter: "He just couldn't wait for the bell to ring and get back out there." It created a record more than broke one; no one had ever done it more than once in a season. He won the 1977 Heisman Trophy vote in a runaway, like a beer truck going downhill. The Panthers went 42-6 in Marino's four seasons, finishing as the country's No. He finished third in Heisman voting and won the Payton Award as the top FCS player in 1994. The thunder to Mean Joe Greenes other thunder, Jack Lambert made his reputation as the more mobile half of Pittsburghs iconic Steel Curtain defenses through the 1970s. 18. Bobby Layne (QB, Texas, 1944-47) Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF in 1985; NFL MVP 1971, Super Bowl VI MVP; 22,700 passing yards, 153 passing touchdowns, 20 rushing touchdowns, 2,264 rushing yards; lost statistics by delaying entry into NFL for four years because of military commitment after graduating from the Naval Academy. Those 20 victories came in 1955 and 1956, when Oklahoma finished No. Known as "Roger the Dodger," Staubach passed for 1,474 yards as a junior in 1963, while also winning the Maxwell Trophy and Walter Camp Memorial Award. As a senior, Garrett led the country with 1,440 rushing yards with 17 touchdowns (two on punt returns). Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (1971 Class); 1x Super Bowl Champion; 3x MVP; 8x First-Team All-Pro; 1x Second-Team All-Pro; 9x Pro Bowl; RoY (1957). greatest player to never compete in a Super Bowl. Regardless of the level, the diminutive Smith stood taller than most on the football field. He was named All-American and won the Butkus Award in 1988. He led the FBS in punt returns with a 15.2-yard average in 1988 and set FSU career records with 126 punt returns for 1,429 yards with three scores. However, spare a thought for Ronaldo fans who have had a tough few weeks. Anthony Munoz (OT, USC, 1976-79) We ranked college football's top 31 spring transfers: Who tops the list? Easily the second-greatest offensive lineman in NFL history (the greatest will make his appearance down this list), Hannah held the title himself, dubbed the lineman GOAT by Sports Illustrated in 1981. Even more impressive, McNair brought his team back from 11 fourth-quarter deficits to win. 66. He showed enough promise to make head coach John Robinson move another running back named Ronnie Lott to defense. 89. Jackson played his best against archrival Nebraska: He recorded an 88-yard touchdown run in 1985, and in 1986, in the final 1:22, he caught a touchdown pass and a 41-yard pass to set up the winning field goal in a 20-17 Sooners victory. Considered by many to be the greatest player to never compete in a Super Bowl, Barry Sanders is nonetheless still counted among the greatest running backs of all time. After four years in the Navy, including a tour in Vietnam, Staubach joined the Cowboys in 1969 and led them to the Super Bowl four times, including victories in 1972 and '78. He is best remembered for making 22 tackles in Nebraska's 35-31 win over Oklahoma in the Game of the Century in 1971. He was the first FBS player with a 99-yard rush. Former Volunteers quarterback Peyton Manning recounts the time he got to conduct the Tennessee band after a game. He completed an unheard-of 57 percent of passes as a sophomore. Tackles: 315 Irish coach Frank Leahy switched to the newfangled T-formation in 1942 because he had Bertelli to run it. 42. Jim Plunkett (QB, Stanford, 1968-70) 141. He took home the 1978 Heisman Trophy during his junior season. Keith Jackson (TE, Oklahoma, 1984-87) So, without further ado, let's jump right into the top-20 countdown. Listed in alphabetical order. He had 216 rushing yards in an 18-12 loss to Tennessee in the 1966 Gator Bowl. 10. He died from pneumonia at age 25. Griffin changed his coach's mind, perhaps by rushing for a school-record 239 yards in the second game of the season. Here is my guess for the 25 Top Players in NFL History, with my apologies to the hundreds of players (especially the ones I did not see play who were at a disadvantage) who could have. Raiders. He was a consensus All-American in 1963 and 1964. Purdue used Keyes not only as a game-breaking back, but he also caught 80 passes in his college career at 15.1 yards per catch. Standing at 6-foot-7, Ted Hendricks, known as "The Mad Stork," possessed quite an advantage in battles with overmatched offensive linemen. Accolades: 3-time All-Pro Championships: 1 Red Badgro was one of a kind, he did it all way before Bo Jackson. Tittle, transferred to LSU after only two weeks of preseason camp. Against UTEP, he set an NCAA record with 406 yards on 43 carries with six touchdowns. Archie Griffin recalls the second chance after his first fumble, Navy's classy gesture meant a lot to Dorsett, Barry Switzer recruits Billy Sims at halftime, Conducting Tennessee band a special memory for Manning, Rodgers perfectly remembers big punt return TD vs. Oklahoma, 1982 Sugar Bowl a great memory for Marino, Emmitt Smith on his first collegiate start, Frazier's spectacular Fiesta Bowl play a vivid memory for Rowe, Coach Gailey remembers Calvin Johnson's freshman year, The story behind Desmond Howard's Heisman pose, College football's top 11 players of all time (2:25), The 150 greatest players in college football's 150-year history, College football Future Power Rankings: Defenses, Ranking college football's 10 best running backs for 2023, Deion 'ashamed' after only 1 HBCU player drafted, Spartans QB Thorne, WR Coleman enter portal, Philly Dawgs: Eagles add Ringo to UGA draft haul, Biden salutes Air Force for fall success over rivals, New Big Ten boss Petitti ready to lead 'new era', Huskers QB Thompson again in transfer portal, UVA players killed last fall honored at NFL draft. Teams: Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins, Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (2009); 8-time First-team All-Pro (1987, 1988, 1990, 1993-1997); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1989, 1998); 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1990, 1996); NFL career sack record (200 sacks), Achievements: Inducted into the Pro Football HOF (1990); 4-time Super Bowl champion; 6-time First-team All-Pro (1976, 1979-1983); 2-time Second-team All-Pro (1975, 1978); 2-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1976, 1983); NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1974); 9-time Pro Bowler. Reggie White (DE, Tennessee, 1980-83) Nearly four decades later, college football remains on a first-name basis with the 1985 Heisman winner. That adage spurred Griffin throughout his senior year; he won the Heisman again. Short of championships, Randy Moss was the heir to Jerry Rices throne as the best pass catcher in the NFL, and if not for a pesky New York Giants team and history on Ray Lewis side, would have gotten himself a pair of rings to boot. Simpson and No. Pruitt got 9.4 yards per carry on 16.1 attempts per game. He is the only defensive player to win Associated Press Player of the Year, and he claimed the Outland, Lombardi, Bednarik and Nagurski honors as a senior. 1 with Alabama for a second straight season. When Baugh came out of West Texas, Horned Frogs coach Dutch Meyer made the forward pass a main course on the offensive menu rather than a side dish. As a senior, Marinaro made every All-America team, won the Maxwell Award and finished second for the Heisman. Roger Staubach, Herschel Walker and Jim Brown are among the greatest 11 players in college football history. Lionel Messi has been named the greatest footballer of all time following his World Cup win. Reid is a member of both the College Football and the Country Music Halls of Fame. Slingin' Sammy not only could throw the ball, he could throw the ball downfield, something unheard of at the time. Marco van Basten 13. Tackles: 250 | Interceptions: 14 | Fumble recoveries: 10 Here are our Top 25 Steelers of all time. List of the best NFL players of all time, including the greatest all-time football stars like Jerry Rice, Reggie White, and Barry Sanders. Raiders. Ronaldinho 9. Rimington was not only a two-time All-American, but also a two-time Academic All-American as well. By Ameche's senior season, the 220-pound fullback needed special shoulder pads. 124. The Guardian picks the best prospect from each club born between 1 September 2000 and 31 August 2001, an age band known as first . Rushing yards: 1,455 | Yards per carry: 4.9 | Touchdowns: 19 Nile Kinnick (RB, Iowa, 1937-39) Of very few players can we say, "He changed the game." The 25 greatest footballers of all time have been named - Messi, Ronaldo or Maradona? 130. Synonymous with the peak of the San Francisco 49ers, Montana was the undisputed GOAT quarterback before a certain Patriot/Buccaneer leveled up in the 2010s (more on that later). Even after Tomlinson set school records with 2,554 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns as a senior at Waco's University High, Texas and Texas A&M thought he was too small and too slow. 1. 128. He is Nebraska's all-time leader with 25 touchdown catches and 1,515 punt return yards. Major Achievements: 2018 FIFA World Cup, 2022 World Cup finalist, 2022 World Cup Golden Boot, 2018 World Cup Young Player Award, 2022 World Cup Silver Ball, 2018 Kopa Trophy, 2017 Golden Boy, 2x. That sums up Peyton Mannings career. Claiborne was a smart coach. Archie Griffin (RB, Ohio State, 1972-75) Davis led Syracuse to the 1959 national championship, almost single-handedly beating Texas 23-14 in the Cotton Bowl. As a three-year starter, Beban went 24-5-2. But what makes him the greatest tight end of all time is his stats. Thorpe did a lot on the field no one had ever seen before. "If Messi were to win it here, my view would change.". In conjunction with the NFLs 100th season celebration, 19 current and former reporters across the USA TODAY Sports Network were asked to compile a list ranking the 100 greatest players in pro football history. He finished second in 2003 Heisman Trophy voting, the highest finish for a receiver since Michigan's Desmond Howard won in 1991. Merlin Olsen (DL, Utah State, 1959-61) This is a list of the most consecutive starts and games played by a player by position in the National Football League (NFL). Teams: Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins, Notable accolades: Hall of Fame (2009); 2x DPoY; 8x First-Team All-Pro; 2x Second-Team All-Pro; 11x Pro Bowl; 4x AFC DPoY. He was born in 1987 in Rosario, Argentina's third-biggest . The offensive line needs more respect. Red Grange (RB, Illinois, 1923-25) Achievements: Inducted into Pro Football HOF 2005; two-time NFL MVP (1992, 1994); Super Bowl MVP (1994); 33,124 passing yards, 64.3 completion percentage, 232 touchdowns, 4,239 rushing yards, 43 touchdowns; seven-time Pro Bowler; won six NFL passing titles. 121. Cornelius Bennett (LB, Alabama, 1983-86) He was a Pro Bowler and All-Pro back until injuries took his career at the turn of the 70s, and he remains the youngest ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at 34. He finished second to South Carolina's George Rogers in Heisman Trophy voting as a senior, the highest-ever finish by a full-time defensive player. Pittsburgh coach Jackie Sherrill once said Green had only one speed: full speed. He had 11 games with 200 or more yards, which is tied for most in FBS history. 1 all-time; 164 rushing TDs, first all-time; started 219 of 226 games; three-time Super Bowl champ; Super Bowl MVP after 1993 season; NFL MVP 1993 season. After his two goals in the final as well as a successful spot-kick in the penalty shootout, Jamie Carragher tweeted: that Messi is "the best there has ever been". "He's so fast, agile and competitive." Thorpe was a consensus All-American in 1911 and 1912 and in the inaugural College Football Hall of Fame class. He took college football seriously not for the millions it might (and did) afford him professionally, but because he loved it, loved the stories that dad Archie told him about playing at Ole Miss, and loved the stories he created at Tennessee. One of the most explosive offensive players in history, McCaffrey broke Barry Sanders' NCAA single-season all-purpose yards record (3,864) as a sophomore in 2015, when he had eight straight games with more than 200 total yards; finished runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting; and was a unanimous All-American and the AP player of the year. Randy Moss (WR, Marshall, 1996-97) Alabama won the game 28-10, marking the Tide's first victory over the Irish in five tries. When he left after his senior season of 2001, Miami had regained the national championship. Just look at the top of every record. That wasn't Defensive Player of the Year, mind you -- it was hardly a stretch to consider the 6-4, 238-pound White the best. 97. Achievements: Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1986; 1975 NFL MVP; 1st-team All-Pro (1975); nine pro bowls (1964-65, 1967-70, 1974-76). Former OU coach Barry Switzer has repeatedly called Selmon the best player he ever coached.