Defense
Source:
| Position | Player | Team(s) played for | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defensive end | David "Deacon" Jones | Los Angeles Rams (1961–1971) San Diego Chargers (1972–1973) Washington Redskins (1974) |
Mississippi Vocational South Carolina State |
| Gino Marchetti | Dallas Texans (1952) Baltimore Colts (1953–1964, 1966) |
San Francisco | |
| Reggie White | Memphis Showboats (USFL) (1984–1985) Philadelphia Eagles (1985–1992) Green Bay Packers (1993–1998) Carolina Panthers (2000) |
Tennessee | |
| Defensive tackle | "Mean" Joe Greene | Pittsburgh Steelers (1969–1981) | North Texas State |
| Bob Lilly | Dallas Cowboys (1961–1974) | TCU | |
| Merlin Olsen | Los Angeles Rams (1962–1976) | Utah State University | |
| Linebacker | Dick Butkus | Chicago Bears (1965–1973) | Illinois |
| Jack Ham | Pittsburgh Steelers (1971–1982) | Penn State | |
| Ted Hendricks | Baltimore Colts (1969–1973) Green Bay Packers (1974) Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1975–1983) |
Miami (FL) | |
| Jack Lambert | Pittsburgh Steelers (1974–1984) | Kent State | |
| Willie Lanier | Kansas City Chiefs (AFL) (1967–1969) Kansas City Chiefs (1970–1977) |
Morgan State | |
| Ray Nitschke | Green Bay Packers (1958–1972) | Illinois | |
| Lawrence Taylor | New York Giants (1981–1993) | North Carolina | |
| Cornerback | Mel Blount | Pittsburgh Steelers (1970–1983) | Southern |
| Mike Haynes | New England Patriots (1976–1982) Los Angeles Raiders (1983–1989) |
Arizona State | |
| Dick "Night Train" Lane | Los Angeles Rams (1952–1953) Chicago Cardinals (1954–1959) Detroit Lions (1960–1965) |
Scottsbluff JC | |
| Rod Woodson | Pittsburgh Steelers (1987–1996) San Francisco 49ers (1997) Baltimore Ravens (1998–2001) Oakland Raiders (2002–2003) |
Purdue | |
| Safety | Ken Houston | Houston Oilers (AFL) (1967–1969) Houston Oilers (1970–1972) Washington Redskins (1973–1980) |
Prairie View A&M |
| Ronnie Lott | San Francisco 49ers (1981–1990) Los Angeles Raiders (1991–1992) New York Jets (1993–1994) |
Southern California | |
| Larry Wilson | St. Louis Cardinals (1960–1972) | Utah |
Read more about this topic: National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
Famous quotes containing the word defense:
“Though a censure lies against those who are poor and proud, yet is Pride sooner to be forgiven in a poor person than in a rich one; since in the latter it is insult and arrogance; in the former, it may be a defense against temptations to dishonesty; and, if manifested on proper occasions, may indicate a natural bravery of mind, which the frowns of fortune cannot depress.”
—Samuel Richardson (1689–1761)
“If violence is wrong in America, violence is wrong abroad. If it is wrong to be violent defending black women and black children and black babies and black men, then it is wrong for America to draft us, and make us violent abroad in defense of her. And if it is right for America to draft us, and teach us how to be violent in defense of her, then it is right for you and me to do whatever is necessary to defend our own people right here in this country.”
—Malcolm X (1925–1965)
“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!”
—Barry Goldwater (b. 1909)