Big 3 Sports Blog

A while back I wrote an article for each State’s Mount Rushmore for the 21^st Century.  It sparked a lot of reaction and intelligent debate, which is the goal of any article.  And I’ll be honest, it was fun to compile.

So, with the NFL season (hopefully) just around the corner, I decided to compile another Mount Rushmore, focusing on, you got it, the NFL.  This Mount Rushmore covers every position in football, along with a few other categories.  Note – This is focused on pro football only.

Shameless plug – Check out the Mount Rushmore for BASEBALL positions and Mount Rushmore for BASKETBALL positions I’ve also done!

Back to football.  Let’s take a look.  And as always, tell me how I’m wrong!

Quarterback
Tom Brady – Future Hall of Famer; 2000’s All-Decade Team; 2010’s All-Decade Team; 6-time Super Bowl Champion (a record); 4-time Super Bowl MVP (a record); 3-time NFL MVP; 3-time All-Pro; 14-time Pro Bowler (tied for record); 2^nd in career Passer Rating; 2^nd in career Passing Touchdowns; 2^nd in career Passing Yards; led the NFL in Touchdowns 4 times; led the NFL in Passing Yards 3 times; led the NFL in Passer Rating 2 times; (current) career 219-64 record, 541 Passing Touchdowns, 74,571 Passing Yards; married to Gisele
Peyton Manning – Future Hall of Famer; 2000’s All-Decade Team; 2-time Super Bowl Champion; 1-time Super Bowl MVP; 5-time NFL MVP (a record); 7-time All-Pro; 14-time Pro Bowler (tied for record); 3^rd in career Passing Touchdowns; 3^rd in career Passing Yards; 9^th in career Passer Rating; led the NFL in Touchdowns 4 times; led the NFL in Passer Rating 3 times; led the NFL in Passing Yards 3 times; career 186-79 record, 539 Passing Touchdowns, 71,940 Passing Yards
Joe Montana – Hall of Famer; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 4-time Super Bowl Champion; 3-time Super Bowl MVP; 2-time NFL MVP; 3-time All-Pro; 8-time Pro Bowler; led the NFL in Passer Rating 2 times; led the NFL in Touchdowns 2 times; career 117-47 record, 273 Passing Touchdowns, 40,551 Passing Yards
Aaron Rodgers – Future Hall of Famer; 2010’s All-Decade Team; 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 1-time Super Bowl MVP; 2-time NFL MVP; 2-time All-Pro; 8-time Pro Bowler; 1^st in career Passer Rating; 8^th in career Passing Touchdowns; led the NFL in Passer Rating 2 times; led the NFL in Touchdowns 2 times; (current) career 113-60-1 record, 364 Passing Touchdowns (to only 84 Interceptions), 46,946 Passing Yards
Honorable Mentions – John Elway, Johnny Unitas, Drew Brees, Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Otto Graham

Running Back*
*I separated Running Backs and Fullbacks, due to changes in game style and terminology; see Fullback section below
Barry Sanders – Hall of Famer; 1990’s All-Decade Team; 1-time NFL MVP; 6-time All-Pro; 10-time Pro Bowler; 2^nd in career Rushing Yards per Game; 4^th in career Rushing Yards; 8^th in career Rushing Yards per Attempt; led the NFL in Rushing Yards 4 times; led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns 1 time; led the NFL in Yards per Attempt 1 time; Rushed for over 1,000 Yards 10 times (every season of his career); career 15,269 Rushing Yards, 99 Rushing Touchdowns; arguably the most electrifying offensive player in NFL history
Walter Payton – Hall of Famer; 1970’s All-Decade Team; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 2-time NFL MVP; 5-time All-Pro; 9-time Pro Bowler; 2^nd in career Rushing Yards; 5^th in career Rushing Touchdowns; 6^th in career Rushing Yards per Game; led the NFL in Rushing Yards 1 time; led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns 1 time; led the NFL in Rushing Yards per Attempt 1 time; Rushed for over 1,000 Yards 10 times; career 16,726 Rushing Yards, 110 Rushing Touchdowns
Eric Dickerson – Hall of Famer; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 5-time All-Pro; 6-time Pro Bowler; 5^th in career Rushing Yards per Game; 9^th in career Rushing Yards; led the NFL in Rushing Yards 4 times (including a still-standing record 2,105 Yards in 1984); led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns 1 time; Rushed for over 1,000 Yards 7 times; career 13,259 Rushing Yards, 90 Rushing Touchdowns
Adrian Peterson – Future Hall of Famer; 2010’s All-Decade Team; 1-time NFL MVP; 4-time All-Pro; 4-time Pro Bowler; 4^th in career Rushing Touchdowns; 5^th in career Rushing Yards; 8^th in career Rushing Yards per Game; led the NFL in Rushing Yards 3 times; led the NFL in Touchdowns 2 times; Rushed for over 1,000 Yards 8 times; career 14,216 Rushing Yards, 111 Rushing Touchdowns
Honorable Mentions – Emmitt Smith, O.J. Simpson, Steve Van Buren, Lenny Moore, Dutch Clark

Fullback*
*I separated Running Backs and Fullbacks, due to changes in game style and terminology; see Running Back section above
Jim Brown – Hall of Famer; 1960’s All-Decade Team; 1-time NFL Champion; 3-time NFL MVP; 8-time All-Pro; 9-time Pro Bowler; 1^st in career Rushing Yards per Game; 5^th in career Rushing Yards per Attempt; 6^th in career Rushing Touchdowns; led the NFL in Rushing Yards 8 times (in a 9 year career); led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns 5 times; led the NFL in Rushing Yards per Attempt 2 times; Rushed for over 1,000 Yards 7 times (in a 9 year career); career 12,312 Rushing Yards, 106 Rushing Touchdowns
Earl Campbell – Hall of Famer; 1970’s All-Decade Team; 1-time NFL MVP; 3-time All-Pro; 5-time Pro Bowler; led the NFL in Rushing Yards 3 times; led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns 2 times; led the NFL in Rushing Yards per Attempt 1 time; Rushed for over 1,000 Yards 5 times; career 9,407 Rushing Yards, 74 Rushing Touchdowns
Franco Harris – Hall of Famer; 1970’s All-Decade Team; 4-time Super Bowl Champion; 1-time All-Pro; 9-time Pro Bowler; led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns 1 time; Rushed for over 1,000 Yards 8 times; career 12,120 Rushing Yards, 91 Rushing Touchdowns
Marion Motley – Hall of Famer; 1940’s All-Decade Team; 1-time NFL Champion; 2-time All-Pro; 1-time Pro Bowler; 3^rd in career Rushing Yards per Attempt; led the NFL in Rushing Yards 2 times; led the NFL in Touchdowns 1 time; led the NFL in Rushing Yards per Attempt 1 time; career 4,720 Rushing Yards, 31 Rushing Touchdowns
Honorable Mentions – Jim Taylor, John Riggins, Larry Csonka, Bronko Nagurski, Mike Alstott

Fullback*
*These are your modern, primarily blocking Fullbacks
Daryl Johnston – 3-time Super Bowl Champion; 2-time Pro Bowler; career 2,227 Rushing Yards, 14 Rushing Touchdowns; lead blocker for 4-time rushing leader Emmitt Smith
Lorenzo Neal – 2000’s All-Decade Team; 2-time All-Pro; 20004-time Pro Bowler; career 807 Rushing Yards, 6 Rushing Touchdowns; lead blocker for 1,000 yard rusher in 11 consecutive seasons
Tony Richardson – 2000’s All-Decade Team; 3-time Pro Bowler; career 1,727 Rushing Yards, 15 Rushing Touchdowns; lead blocker for 1,000 yard rusher in 9 consecutive seasons
Tom Rathman – 2-time Super Bowl Champion; career 2,020 Rushing Yards, 26 Rushing Touchdowns; lead blocker for Roger Craig; first player to have 1,000 Rushing Yards and 1,000 Receiving Yards in the same season
Honorable Mentions – John L. Williams, Mack Strong, Sam Gash, William Henderson, Kyle Juszczyk

Wide Receiver
Jerry Rice – Hall of Famer; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 1990’s All-Decade Team; 3-time Super Bowl Champion; 1-time Super Bowl MVP; 10-time All-Pro (tied for record); 13-time Pro Bowler; 1^st in career Receiving Touchdowns; 1^st in career Receiving Yards; 1^st in career Receptions; 1^st in overall Touchdowns; led the NFL in Receiving Touchdowns 6 times; led the NFL in Receiving Yards 6 times; led the NFL in Receptions 2 times; over 1,000 Receiving 14 times (including 11 consecutive years); career 1,549 Receptions, 22,895 Receiving Yards, 197 Receiving Touchdowns; did I even need to list his accolades?
Don Hutson – Hall of Famer; 1930’s All-Decade Team; 3-time NFL Champion; 2-time NFL MVP; 8-time All-Pro; 4-time Pro Bowler; led the NFL in Receiving Touchdowns 9 times; led the NFL in Receptions 8 times; led the NFL in Receiving Yards 7 times; over 1,000 Receiving 1 time; career 488 Receptions, 7,991 Receiving Yards, 99 Receiving Touchdowns; considered to have been the first modern wide receiver
Lance Alworth – Hall of Famer; 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 1-time AFL Champion; 6-time All-Pro; 7-time Pro Bowler; led the League in Receiving Touchdowns 3 times; led the NFL in Receiving Yards 3 times; led the NFL in Receptions 3 times; over 1,000 Receiving 7 times; career 542 Receptions, 10,266 Receiving Yards, 85 Receiving Touchdowns
Randy Moss – Hall of Famer; 2000’s All-Decade Team; 4-time All-Pro; 6-time Pro Bowler; 2^nd in career Receiving Touchdowns; 4^th in career Receiving Yards; 4^th in overall Touchdowns; led the NFL in Receiving Touchdowns 5 times; over 1,000 Receiving 10 times; career 982 Receptions, 15,292 Receiving Yards, 156 Receiving Touchdowns; one of the most gifted athletes this game has even seen
Honorable Mentions – Marvin Harrison, Larry Fitzgerald, Raymond Berry, Terrell Owens, Julio Jones

Tight End
Tony Gonzalez – Hall of Famer; 2000’s All-Decade Team; 6-time All-Pro; 14-time Pro Bowler (tied for record); 3^rd in career Receptions (1^st among Tight Ends); 6^th in career Receiving Yards (1^st among Tight Ends); 8^th in career Receiving Touchdowns (2^nd among Tight Ends); led the NFL in Receptions 1 time; over 1,000 Receiving 4 times; career 1,325 Receptions, 15,127 Receiving Yards, 111 Receiving Touchdowns
Antonio Gates – Future Hall of Famer; 2000’s All-Decade Team; 3-time All-Pro; 8-time Pro Bowler; 7^th in career Receiving Touchdowns (1^st among Tight Ends); 3^rd in career Receiving Yards among Tight Ends; 3^rd in career Receptions among Tight Ends; over 1,000 Receiving 2 times; career 955 Receptions, 11,841 Receiving Yards, 116 Receiving Touchdowns
Rob Gronkowski – Future Hall of Famer; 2010’s All-Decade Team; 3-time Super Bowl Champion; 4-time All-Pro; 5-time Pro Bowler; 3^rd in career Receiving Touchdowns among Tight Ends; led the NFL in Touchdowns 1 time; over 1,000 Receiving 4 times; career 521 Receptions, 7,861 Receiving Yards, 79 Receiving Touchdowns
Shannon Sharpe – Hall of Famer; 1990’s All-Decade Team; 3-time Super Bowl Champion; 4-time All-Pro; 8-time Pro Bowler; 4^th in career Receiving Yards among Tight Ends; 4^th in career Receptions among Tight Ends; 6^th in career Receiving Touchdowns among Tight Ends; over 1,000 Receiving 3 times; career 815 Receptions, 10,060 Receiving Yards, 62 Receiving Touchdowns
Honorable Mentions – Mike Ditka, Jason Witten, Ozzie Newsome, Kellen Winslow, John Mackey
Note – I fully expect Travis Kelce to be on the Rushmore in about 5 years

Center
Jim Otto – Hall of Famer; 1-time AFL Champion, 10-time All-Pro (tied for record); 12-time Pro Bowler
Mike Webster – Hall of Famer; 1970’s All-Decade Team; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 4-time Super Bowl Champion, 5-time All-Pro; 9-time Pro Bowler
Mel Hein – Hall of Famer; 1930’s All-Decade Team; 2-time NFL Champion, 5-time All-Pro; 4-time Pro Bowler
Bulldog Turner – Hall of Famer; 4-time NFL Champion; 7-time All-Pro; 4-time Pro Bowler
Honorable Mentions – Jim Langer, Dwight Stephenson, Jim Ringo, Dermontti Dawson

Offensive Guard
Bruce Matthews – Hall of Famer; 1990’s All-Decade Team; 7-time All-Pro; 14-time Pro Bowler (tied for record)
Gene Upshaw – Hall of Famer; 1970’s All-Decade Team; 2-time Super Bowl Champion;  5-time All-Pro; 7-time Pro Bowler
Randall McDaniel – Hall of Famer; 1990’s All-Decade Team; 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 6-time All-Pro; 11-time Pro Bowler
John Hannah – Hall of Famer; 1970’s All-Decade Team; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 7-time All-Pro; 9-time Pro Bowler
Honorable Mentions – Jerry Kramer, Larry Allen, Dan Fortmann, Alan Faneca

Offensive Tackle
Anthony Munoz – Hall of Famer; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 9-time All-Pro; 11-time Pro Bowler
Jonathan Ogden – Hall of Famer; 2000’s All-Decade Team; 1-time Super Bowl Champion, 4-time All-Pro; 11-time Pro Bowler
Forrest Gregg – Hall of Famer; 1960’s All-Decade Team; 2-time Super Champion, 3-time NFL Champion; 7-time All-Pro; 9-time Pro Bowler
Joe Thomas – Future Hall of Famer; 2010’s All-Decade Team; 6-time All-Pro; 10-time Pro Bowler
Honorable Mentions – Cal Hubbard, Walter Jones, Ron Mix, Rosey Brown

Defensive Tackle
Alan Page – Hall of Famer; 1970’s All-Decade Team; 1-time NFL MVP; 6-time All-Pro; 9-time Pro Bowler
Joe Greene – Hall of Famer; 1970’s All-Decade Team; 4-time Super Bowl Champion; 4-time All-Pro; 10-time Pro Bowler
Merlin Olsen – Hall of Famer; 1960’s All-Decade Team; 1970’s All-Decade Team; 5-time All-Pro; 14-time Pro Bowler (tied for record)
Buck Buchanan – Hall of Famer; 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 4-time All-Pro; 8-time Pro Bowler
Honorable Mentions – Bob Lilly, Randy White, John Randle, Leo Nomellini

Defensive End
Reggie White – Hall of Famer; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 1990’s All-Decade Team; 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 13-time All-Pro; 8-time Pro Bowler; 2^nd in career Sacks; led the NFL in Sacks 2 times; 198 career Sacks
Deacon Jones – Hall of Famer; 1960’s All-Decade Team; 5-time All-Pro; 8-time Pro Bowler; an estimated 173.5 career Sacks
Bruce Smith – Hall of Famer; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 1990’s All-Decade Team; 11-time All-Pro; 8-time Pro Bowler; 1^st in career Sacks; 200 career Sacks
Gino Marchetti – Hall of Famer; 1950’s All-Decade Team; 2-time NFL Champion, 7-time All-Pro; 11-time Pro Bowler
Honorable Mentions – Andy Robustelli, Bill Hewitt, Doug Atkins, Lee Roy Selmon
Note – I fully expect J.J. Watt to be on the Rushmore in about 5 years

Linebacker
Lawrence Taylor – Hall of Famer; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 2-time Super Bowl Champion; 1-time NFL MVP; 8-time All-Pro; 10-time Pro Bowler; Led the NFL in Sacks 1 time; 132.5 career Sacks; arguably the most dominant defensive player in history
Ray Lewis – Hall of Famer; 2000’s All-Decade Team; 2-time Super Bowl Champion; 1-time Super Bowl MVP; 7-time All-Pro; 13-time Pro Bowler, 1^st in career Tackles
Jack Lambert – Hall of Famer; 1970’s All-Decade Team; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 4-time Super Bowl Champion; 6-time All-Pro; 9-time Pro Bowler
Chuck Bednarik – Hall of Famer; 1950’s All-Decade Team (as a Center); 2-time NFL Champion, 6-time All-Pro; 8-time Pro Bowler
Honorable Mentions – Mike Singletary, Dick Butkus, Joe Schmidt, Junior Seau
Note – Aside from Quarterback, this may have been the most difficult one to narrow down

Cornerback
Rod Woodson – Hall of Famer; 1990’s All-Decade Team; 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 6-time All-Pro; 11-time Pro Bowler; 1^st in career Interception Return Touchdowns; 3^rd in career Interceptions; led the NFL in Interceptions 1 time; 71 career Interceptions
Deion Sanders – Hall of Famer; 1990’s All-Decade Team; 2-time Super Bowl Champion; 6-time All-Pro; 8-time Pro Bowler; 4^th in career Interception Return Yards; 5^th in career Interception Return Touchdowns; 53 career Interceptions; arguably the most electrifying defensive player in NFL history
Dick “Night Train” Lane – Hall of Famer; 1950’s All-Decade Team; 3-time All-Pro; 7-time Pro Bowler; 4^th in career Interceptions; 6^th in career Interception Return Yards; 68 career Interceptions
Willie Brown – Hall of Famer; 1970’s All-Decade Team; 1-time Super Bowl Champion, 5-time All-Pro; 9-time Pro Bowler
Honorable Mentions – Champ Bailey, Mike Haynes, Darrell Green, Mel Blount

Safety
Ronnie Lott – Hall of Famer; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 1990’s All-Decade Team; 4-time Super Bowl Champion; 6-time All-Pro; 10-time Pro Bowler; 8^th in career Interceptions; led the NFL in Interceptions 2 times; 63 career Interceptions
Emlen Tunnell – Hall of Famer; 1950’s All-Decade Team; 2-time NFL Champion; 4-time All-Pro; 9-time Pro Bowler; 2^nd in career Interceptions; 5^th in career Interception Return Yards; 79 career Interceptions
Ed Reed – Hall of Famer; 2000’s All-Decade Team; 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 5-time All-Pro; 9-time Pro Bowler; 1^st in career Interception Return Yards; 7^th in career Interceptions; 64 career Interceptions
Jack Christiansen – Hall of Famer; 1950’s All-Decade Team; 3-time NFL Champion; 6-time All-Pro; 5-time Pro Bowler; led the NFL in Interceptions 2 times; 46 career Interceptions
Honorable Mentions – Ken Houston, Paul Krause, Larry Wilson, Johnny Robinson

Kicker
Adam Vinatieri – Future Hall of Famer; 2000’s All-Decade Team; 4-time Super Bowl Champion; 3-time All-Pro; 3-time Pro Bowler; 1^st in career Points Scored; 1^st in career Field Goals Made; most clutch Kicker in NFL history
Lou Groza – Hall of Famer; 1950’s All-Decade Team; 4-time NFL Champion; 4-time All-Pro; 9-time Pro Bowler
Jan Stenerud – Hall of Famer; 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 1-time All-Pro; 6-time Pro Bowler
Morten Andersen – Hall of Famer; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 1990’s All-Decade Team; 3-time All-Pro; 7-time Pro Bowler; 2^nd in career Points Scored; 2^nd in career Field Goals Made
Honorable Mentions – Gary Anderson, George Blanda, Matt Stover, Stephen Gostkowski
Note – I fully expect Justin Tucker to be on the Rushmore in about 10 years

Punter
Shane Lechler – Future Hall of Famer; 2000’s All-Decade Team; 2010’s All-Decade Team; 6-time All-Pro; 7-time Pro Bowler; 1^st in career Yards Per punt; led the league in Yards per Punt 5 times
Ray Guy – Hall of Famer; 1970’s All-Decade Team; 3-time Super Bowl Champion; 3-time All-Pro; 7-time Pro Bowler; led the NFL in Yards per Punt 3 times; first Punter to ever be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Sammy Baugh – Hall of Famer; 2-time NFL Champion; 3-time All-Pro (while he was a Punter); 5-time Pro Bowler (while he was a Punter); led the NFL in Yards per Punt 5 times
Yale Lary – Hall of Famer; 3-time NFL Champion; 3-time All-Pro; 9-time Pro Bowler
Honorable Mentions – Jerrel Wilson, Jeff Feagles, Reggie Roby, Sean Landeta
Note – I fully expect Johnny Hekker to be on the Rushmore in about 10 years

Kick Returners
Josh Cribbs – 2000’s All-Decade Team; 1-time All-Pro; 3-time Pro Bowler; 1^st in career Kickoff Return Touchdowns; 3^rd in career Kickoff Return Yards; led the NFL in Yards per Kickoff Return 1 time; led the NFL in Kickoff Return Yards 1 time
Gale Sayers – Hall of Famer; 1960’s All-Decade Team (as a Halfback); 5-time All-Pro; 4-time Pro Bowler; 1^st in career Yards per Kickoff Return; 4^th in career Kickoff Return Touchdowns; led the NFL in Yards per Kickoff Return 2 times
Dante Hall – 2000’s All-Decade Team; 1-time All-Pro; 2-time Pro Bowler; 4^th in career Kickoff Return Touchdowns; 5^th in career Kickoff Return Yards; led the NFL in Yards per Kickoff Return Yards 1 time; best nickname in NFL history (The Human Joystick)
Cordarrelle Patterson – 2010’s All-Decade Team; 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 3-time All-Pro; 3-time Pro Bowler; 2^nd in career Yards per Kickoff Return; 3^rd in career Kickoff Return Touchdowns; led the NFL in Yards per Kickoff Return 3 times
Honorable Mentions – Brian Mitchell, Mel Gray, Allen Rossum, Percy Harvin

Punt Returners
Devin Hester – 2000’s All-Decade Team; 2010’s All-Decade Team; 3-time All-Pro; 4-time Pro Bowler; 1^st in career Punt Return Touchdowns; 3^rd in career Punt Return Yards; 9^th in career Yards per Punt Return; led the NFL in Yards per Punt Return 2 times; led the NFL in Punt Return Yards 2 times
Brian Mitchell – 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 1-time All-Pro; 1-time Pro Bowler; 1^st in career Punt Return Yards; 3^rd in career Punt Return Touchdowns; led the NFL in Yards per Punt Return 1 time; led the NFL in Punt Return Yards 1 time
Billy “White Shoes” Johnson – 1970’s All-Decade Team; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 1-time All-Pro; 3-time Pro Bowler; 7^th in career Punt Return Yards; 8^th in career Yards per Punt Return; 9^th in Punt Return Touchdowns; led the NFL in Yards per Punt Return 2 times
Desmond Howard – 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 1-time Super Bowl MVP; 1-time All-Pro; 4^th in career Punt Return Touchdowns; 6^th in career Yards per Punt Return; led the NFL in Yards per Punt Return 1 time; led the NFL in Punt Return Yards 1 time
Honorable Mentions – Eric Metcalf, Jack Christiansen, Dave Meggett, Tim Brown

Special Teams
Steve Tasker – 7-time All-Pro; 7-time Pro Bowler
Matthew Slater – 3-time Super Bowl Champion; 2-time All-Pro; 8-time Pro Bowler
Bill Bates – 3-time Super Bowl Champion; 1-time All-Pro; 1-time Pro Bowler
Brendon Ayanbadejo – 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 2-time All-Pro; 3-time Pro Bowler
Honorable Mentions – Larry Izzo, Kassim Osgood, Zak DeOssie, Mosi Tatupu

Head Coach
Bill Belichick – Future Hall of Famer; 2000’s All-Decade Team; 2010’s All-Decade Team; 6-time Super Bowl Champion (a record); 3-time Coach of the Year; 273-127 record, 68.3% winning percentage; 3^rd in career Wins
Vince Lombardi – Hall of Famer; 2-time Super Bowl Champion; 3-time NFL Champion; 2-time Coach of the Year; 96-34-6 record, 73.8% winning percentage; Super Bowl Trophy named after him
George Halas – Hall of Famer; 5-time NFL Champion; 2-time Coach of the Year; 318-148-31 record, 68.2% winning percentage; 2^nd in career Wins
Bill Walsh – Hall of Famer; 1980’s All-Decade Team; 3-time Super Bowl Champion; 1-time Coach of the Year; 92-59-1 record, 60.9% winning percentage; architect of the West Coast Offense
Honorable Mentions – John Madden, Curly Lambeau, Don Shula, Paul Brown, Tom Landry

Executive
Tex Schramm & Gil Brandt – Hall of Famers, 2-time Super Bowl Champions; architects of 70’s Cowboys Super Bowl teams
Bill Polian – Hall of Famer; 1-time Super Bowl Champion; architect of 90’s Bills Super Bowl teams and 00’s Colts Super Bowl teams
Dick Haley – 4-time Super Bowl Champion; architect of 70’s Steelers Super Bowl teams
Jim Finks – Hall of Famer; architect of 70’s Vikings Super Bowl teams
Honorable Mentions – Ron Wolf, George Young, Bobby Beathard, Ozzie Newsome

Owner
Art Rooney – Hall of Famer; 4-time Super Bowl Champion; helped build the Steelers dynasty of the 70’s; owned the Steelers for 50 years
George Halas – Hall of Famer; 5-time NFL Champion; helped build the Bears dynasty of the 40’s; owned the Bears for 47 years
Lamar Hunt – Hall of Famer; 1-time Super Bowl Champion; 1-time AFL Champion; helped build the Chiefs dynasty of the 60’s; owned the Chiefs for 47 years; integral part of AFL-NFL merger
Al Davis – Hall of Famer; 3-time Super Bowl Champion; helped build the Raiders dynasty of the 70’s and 80’s; owned the Raiders for 48 years; in his later years, you could make a case for him being one of the worst owners in history as well
Honorable Mentions – Robert Kraft, Paul Brown, Ed DeBartolo, Wellington Mara, Packer Fans (including me, I am part owner!)

Commissioner
Pete Rozelle – Hall of Famer; NFL Commissioner from 1960-1989; negotiated NFL-AFL merger; oversaw landmark television contracts; started Monday Night Football; was the first to suggest televising the NFL Draft; largely responsible for making the NFL as big as it is today
Paul Tagliabue – Hall of Famer; NFL Commissioner from 1989-2006; expanded League to 32 teams (current number); secured largest television contracts in entertainment history; oversaw nearly 2 decades of labor peace; established NFL as a global brand
Bert Bell – Hall of Famer; NFL President from 1946-1959; first Commissioner to get football on television; established revenue-sharing (emphasizing parity); facilitated a merger with the AAFC, establishing the NFL as the gold standard for football; created the Pro Bowl (I am not sure that is a good thing)
Roger Goodell – Future Hall of Famer; NFL Commissioner from 2006-present; presides over the most profitable sport, in its most profitable time, ever; implemented the NFL Personal Conduct Policy; oversaw SpyGate, BountyGate, and DeflateGate controversies; yes, I agree, he’s not very likeable
Honorable Mention – Joseph Carr, Elmer Layden, Carl Storck, Jim Thorpe

Announcer
Pat Summerall – NFL Announcer from 1962-2002; called a record 16 Super Bowls; referred to as the “voice of football”
Dick Enberg – NFL Announcer from 1966-2007; called 8 Super Bowls; well known for his signature on-air catchphrases
Jim Nantz – NFL Announcer from 1987-present; called 6 Super Bowls; arguably the best announcer in all of sports
John Madden – NFL Color Commentator from 1979-2008; called 11 Super Bowls; one of the more popular announcers in sports history
Honorable Mentions – Joe Buck, Jack Buck, Howard Cosell, Al Michaels, Chris Collinsworth
Note – I acknowledge, ranking announcers is incredibly subjective

Other
Walter Camp – Referred to as the “Father of American Football”; innovations included the snap, the down system, the points system, and the offensive arrangements of players
NFL Films – Thought to be largely responsible for football’s popularity the last 50+ years; Founder Ed Sabol and son Steve Sabol are both Hall of Famers
Fantasy Football – An estimated 50 million play fantasy football; significant driver in NFL television ratings
Madden Football – Over 130 million copies sold since its inception; similar effect to fantasy football…keeps people (specifically youth) interested in football
Honorable Mentions – AFL-NFL Merger, Pop Warner, Jim Thorpe, Gambling

So, there they are.  Now, tell me how I’m wrong and who I missed!!!

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