#35 Jack Youngblood: The Man Who Played a Super Bowl on a Broken Leg
In 1979, Youngblood fractured his fibula but played the entire postseason—including the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl—on a literal broken leg. Over 14 seasons with the Rams, he recorded 151.5 unofficial sacks and earned seven Pro Bowl nods. His "ironman" reputation made him a symbol of toughness for an entire generation of defensive ends. Today, the 76-year-old Hall of Famer lives in Florida, where he remains a prominent advocate for player health and safety.
He often appears at NFL events to mentor young athletes on physical resilience and the game's evolution.
#34 Mike Singletary: The "Samurai" With the Terrifying Stare
Singletary was the wide-eyed field general of the legendary 1985 Bears defense, recording 1,488 career tackles and two Defensive Player of the Year awards. His ability to diagnose plays before they happened made him the ultimate middle linebacker of the 1980s. Now 67, Singletary has transitioned from a head coaching career to becoming a highly sought-after motivational speaker and leadership consultant. He remains a fixture at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
And he frequently participates in "Gold Jacket" events and works with various charities that support underprivileged youth and educational initiatives across the United States.
#33 Michael Strahan: The Gap-Toothed Terror Who Set the Single-Season Sack Record
Strahan famously took down quarterbacks 22.5 times in 2001, setting a record that stood alone for decades. He finished his 15-year Giants career with 141.5 sacks and a Super Bowl XLII ring. Today, Strahan is arguably the most successful "second-act" player in history, serving as a co-host for Good Morning America and a lead analyst for FOX NFL Sunday. He has built a massive business empire.
His businesses includes a popular apparel line, and he runs it while maintaining his status as one of the most recognizable and beloved faces in American sports and morning television.
#32 John Randle: The Undersized Walk-On Who Talked His Way to 137.5 Sacks
Randle was an undrafted free agent who used elaborate face paint and non-stop trash talk to rattle the league’s best linemen. He finished with 137.5 sacks, the most ever by a pure defensive tackle at the time of his retirement. He was a six-time First-team All-Pro who never let his smaller stature limit his dominance. Now 58, Randle lives in Minnesota and is an official brand ambassador for the Vikings.
He is a frequent guest on NFL Network and remains active in the "Legends" community, often sharing his high-energy stories with the next generation.
#31 Julius Peppers: The Basketball Star Who Became a Top 5 Sack Artist
Standing 6’7”, Peppers used his collegiate basketball skills to become the only player in history with over 150 sacks and 10 interceptions. He was a physical freak who played 17 seasons, rarely missing a game while terrorizing quarterbacks for the Panthers, Bears, and Packers. A 2024 Hall of Fame inductee, Peppers now focuses on venture capital and philanthropic work through the Julius Peppers Foundation.
At 46, he remains in peak physical condition and is often seen on the sidelines of both NFL games and North Carolina Tar Heels basketball matchups in Chapel Hill.
#30 Mel Blount: The Cornerback Who Was So Physical the NFL Changed the Rules
Blount was so dominant at jamming receivers that the NFL had to implement the "five-yard contact rule" in 1978 just to help offenses score. A four-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers, he grabbed 57 career interceptions and won the 1975 Defensive Player of the Year award. Today, the 77-year-old runs the Mel Blount Youth Home in Pennsylvania, a long-standing non-profit that provides a stable environment and mentorship for young men.
He is widely respected as one of the most impactful former players in the country for his decades of dedicated community service.
#29 Emlen Tunnell: The First African American in the Hall of Fame
Tunnell was a WWII hero and the first Black player to be inducted into Canton, retiring with a then-record 79 interceptions. Known as the "Offense on Defense," he gained more yards on returns in 1952 than the league’s leading rusher. Tunnell passed away in 1975 while serving as a coach for the Giants, but his legacy as a pioneer and ball-hawking safety remains unparalleled.
In 2021, the Coast Guard named a cutter in his honor, ensuring that his bravery both on the battlefield and the football field is remembered by future generations.
#28 Randy White: The "Manster" (Half-Man, Half-Monster)
White earned his nickname for his terrifying combination of human intelligence and monster-like strength, leading the Cowboys to three Super Bowls. He was a co-MVP of Super Bowl XII and a nine-time All-Pro who never took a play off. Now 73, White enjoys a quiet retirement in Texas, where he is an avid outdoorsman and frequent guest at "Ring of Honor" events. He remains one of the most beloved figures in Dallas Cowboys history.
He often appears at the team’s training camp to share technique tips with young defensive tackles entering the league.
#27 Buck Buchanan: The 6'7" Giant Who Blocked Passes Like a Human Wall
The first overall pick from an HBCU (Grambling State), Buchanan was a massive force who helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl IV. He was famous for his reach, once batting down 16 passes in a single season before "swatted passes" were even a celebrated stat. Buchanan passed away in 1992, but his influence is seen today in the "Buck Buchanan Award," given annually to the best defensive player in FCS college football.
He is remembered as a gentleman off the field and a physically overwhelming titan on it, redefining the defensive tackle position.
#26 Lee Roy Selmon: The First Face of a Franchise
Selmon was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first-ever draft pick and the heart of their defense during the "worst to first" era of the late 1970s. He won the 1979 Defensive Player of the Year award and finished with 78.5 sacks in an injury-shortened career. Selmon passed away in 2011, but his impact on Florida sports is permanent; a major expressway in Tampa bears his name, and he remains the gold standard for character and excellence in the Buccaneers organization.
His restaurant chain, Lee Roy Selmon’s, also remains a popular staple for sports fans.
#25 Darrell Green: The "Ageless" Corner Who Ran a 4.4 at Age 50
Green played 20 seasons for Washington and holds the NFL record for most consecutive seasons with an interception (19). Known as the "Fastest Man in Football," he won four NFL Fastest Man competitions and two Super Bowls. Today, the 66-year-old serves as an Associate Athletics Director at George Mason University. He is deeply involved in youth fitness programs and frequently competes in senior track and field events.
He continues to prove that his legendary speed hasn't completely faded. Green remains one of the most respected ambassadors for the Washington Commanders franchise.
#24 Kevin Greene: The Walk-On With the Most Sacks for a Linebacker
Greene finished his career with 160 sacks—the most ever for a linebacker—after starting as a college walk-on at Auburn. His long blonde hair and relentless "motor" made him a fan favorite for the Rams, Steelers, and Panthers. Greene passed away in 2020 at the age of 58, but his impact on the "Blitzburgh" era of the 1990s is legendary. He is remembered as one of the most enthusiastic players to ever strap on a helmet.
He a man who truly loved the art of the sack and mentored countless young pass rushers.
#23 Deron Cherry: The Punter Who Turned Into a 6-Time Pro Bowl Safety
Originally signed by the Chiefs as a punter, Cherry converted to safety and became one of the greatest ball-hawks of the 1980s. He recorded 50 career interceptions and was a member of the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. Today, the 66-year-old is a highly successful businessman in Kansas City and a former minority owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is very active in the Kansas City community.
Particularly through his "Deron Cherry Homeless Foundation," and remains a visible and influential figure at Chiefs home games and NFL alumni events.
#22 Charles Woodson: The Only Primarily Defensive Player to Win the Heisman
Woodson is one of the most decorated players in history, winning a Heisman, a Super Bowl, and a Defensive Player of the Year award. He finished with 65 interceptions and 13 defensive touchdowns, playing elite football well into his late 30s. Currently, the 49-year-old is a prominent wine entrepreneur with his "Intercept" brand and a lead analyst for Big Noon Kickoff on FOX.
In 2025, he also became a limited partner and minority owner of the Cleveland Browns, keeping him deeply involved in the business side of the NFL.
#21 Rod Woodson: The Interception Return King
Woodson holds the NFL record for most interception returns for touchdowns (12) and was a master of the "pick-six." He was an 11-time Pro Bowler who successfully transitioned from an elite cornerback to a Hall of Fame safety. Today, the 60-year-old is active in coaching and broadcasting. Most recently, he served as a head coach in the XFL and remains a frequent analyst for NFL Network. He also runs the Rod Woodson Football Camp.
There, he personally teaches defensive back techniques to high school and college players across the country.
#20 J. J. Watt: The Only Player With Two 20-Sack Seasons
Watt was a physical force of nature, winning three Defensive Player of the Year awards in a four-year span. He finished with 114.5 sacks and became a global icon for his $37 million Hurricane Harvey relief effort. Since retiring in 2023, Watt has become a popular broadcaster for CBS Sports and a minority owner of Burnley Football Club in England. At 36, he is also a fixture on social media.
He shares humorous insights into life after football while staying in game-ready shape, fueling constant (yet unconfirmed) rumors of a potential comeback.
#19 Junior Seau: The Emotional Heart of the 55
Seau was a 12-time Pro Bowler whose "Say Ow!" hitting style made him the face of the San Diego Chargers for 13 seasons. He recorded 1,849 tackles and was known for his incredible lateral speed and infectious passion for the game. Seau passed away in 2012, and his posthumous induction into the Hall of Fame in 2015 was one of the most emotional moments in the sport’s history.
His Junior Seau Foundation continues to thrive in San Diego, funding programs that support youth education, fitness, and ocean safety for underprivileged children in the region.
#18 Willie Lanier: "Honey Bear" Who Hit Like a Freight Train
Lanier was the first African American middle linebacker to achieve superstar status, leading the Chiefs' "Red Defense" to a Super Bowl IV victory. He was such a violent tackler that he had to wear a special padded "cushion" on the outside of his helmet to protect both himself and his opponents. Now 80, Lanier is a successful business executive and a prominent advocate for the history of HBCU football players.
He remains active in the Kansas City community and is a regular guest of honor at the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies.
#17 Gino Marchetti: The Man Who Redefined the Defensive End Position
Marchetti was a WWII veteran of the Battle of the Bulge who brought that same discipline to the Baltimore Colts, earning nine consecutive First-team All-Pro selections. He was voted the "greatest defensive end in pro football history" during the NFL’s 50th anniversary. Marchetti passed away in 2019 at the age of 93, but he is remembered as the first true pass-rushing specialist who used speed and hand-fighting rather than just raw bulk.
His chain of "Gino’s Giants" burger restaurants also became a legendary part of Baltimore and Mid-Atlantic culture for decades.
#16 Jack Ham: The Linebacker With the "Fastest Eyes" in the Game
Ham was the cerebral heart of the Steel Curtain, recording 32 interceptions and 21 fumble recoveries—stats that rivaled most safeties. He was a four-time Super Bowl champion who coaches often described as the most technically perfect linebacker to ever play. Today, the 77-year-old is a respected radio analyst for Penn State football and a frequent guest on Pittsburgh sports media. He is also a businessman in the coal industry.
And he remains deeply involved in Western Pennsylvania charitable organizations, often appearing at golf tournaments to raise money for local youth sports programs.
#15 Bob Lilly: "Mr. Cowboy" Who Never Missed a Game
Lilly was the first-ever draft pick for the Dallas Cowboys and played 14 seasons without ever missing a single game, earning 11 Pro Bowl nods. He was the anchor of the "Doomsday Defense" and famous for his 29-yard sack of Bob Griese in Super Bowl VI. Now 86, Lilly is a professional landscape photographer and resides in Texas. He is often called the "greatest Cowboy of all time."
And he remains a revered figure at AT&T Stadium, where he is frequently honored during the team’s "Ring of Honor" induction ceremonies.
#14 Merlin Olsen: The Gentleman Giant of the "Fearsome Foursome"
Olsen made the Pro Bowl in 14 of his 15 seasons, a record for defensive players that highlights his incredible consistency. Standing 6’5”, he was the cornerstone of the Rams' defensive line and was famously impossible to move in the run game. After football, Olsen became a beloved actor on Little House on the Prairie and a Hall of Fame broadcaster. He passed away in 2010, but he remains a symbol of the "scholar-athlete."
He was a Phi Beta Kappa student and a perennial All-Pro who played with both brain and brawn.
#13 Alan Page: The MVP Who Became a Supreme Court Justice
Page was the first defensive player to win the NFL MVP (1971) and a primary member of the Minnesota Vikings' "Purple People Eaters." He recorded 148.5 sacks and was known for his incredible endurance, often running marathons during the offseason. After retiring, he became an Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, serving for 22 years. Today, the 80-year-old focuses on the Page Education Foundation, which has provided thousands of scholarships to minority students.
In 2018, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his legal and philanthropic contributions.
#12 Night Train Lane: The Rookie Who Set a Record That Still Stands
In 1952, Lane recorded 14 interceptions in just 12 games—a rookie record that has never been broken in over 70 years. He was famous for his "Night Train Necktie" tackle, a move so dangerous the NFL eventually had to ban it. Lane passed away in 2002, but his legacy as the most feared cornerback in history remains intact. He is consistently ranked as the greatest undrafted player in NFL history.
And he serves as the benchmark for every physical, ball-hawking defensive back who has entered the league since the 1950s.
#11 Deion Sanders: "Prime Time" Who Shut Down Half the Field
Sanders was the ultimate "shutdown corner," a two-sport star who remains the only person to play in a Super Bowl and a World Series. He recorded 53 interceptions and was a threat to score every time he touched the ball on returns. Currently, "Coach Prime" is the head coach at the University of Colorado, where he has revitalized the program and become the most influential figure in college football.
At 58, he remains a global brand, a media powerhouse, and a mentor to the next generation of "shutdown" defensive backs.
#10 Aaron Donald: The "Undersized" Tackle With Three DPOY Trophies
Donald retired in 2024 after a 10-year career where he made the Pro Bowl every single season and won three Defensive Player of the Year awards. Despite being labeled "too small," he recorded 111 sacks and was virtually unblockable in one-on-one situations. As of 2026, Donald is newly inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and spends his time growing his "AD99" fitness brand.
He remains a fixture in Los Angeles, working as a consultant for the Rams and focusing on his family while maintaining his status as the greatest interior defender of the modern era.
#9 Ed Reed: The Safety Who Baited QBs Into a 107-Yard Mistake
Reed was a chess master on the field, holding the NFL record for interception return yards (1,590) and the two longest returns in history. He was so feared that Bill Belichick would write "Find 20" on his playbooks to ensure his team always knew where Reed was. Today, the 47-year-old serves as a senior football advisor at his alma mater, the University of Miami.
He is also a frequent guest analyst for major networks and remains a vocal mentor for safeties, often hosting "brain trust" sessions for young players looking to master the mental side of football.
#8 Ronnie Lott: The Man Who Chose Amputation Over Missing a Snap
Lott was the ultimate "big hitter" who famously had a portion of his pinky finger amputated in 1985 to avoid missing playing time. A four-time Super Bowl champion, he was an All-Pro at both cornerback and safety, finishing with 63 interceptions. Currently, the 66-year-old is a highly successful venture capitalist in Silicon Valley and a prominent philanthropist. He remains deeply connected to the San Francisco 49ers.
And he is a powerful advocate for player safety initiatives, balancing his "tough guy" legacy with a modern focus on long-term athlete wellness and mental health.
#7 Bruce Smith: The Only Member of the "200 Sack Club"
Smith is the NFL’s all-time sack leader with exactly 200, a record that has stood since 2003. He was the anchor of the Buffalo Bills' four consecutive Super Bowl teams and was a 13-time All-Pro who could win with speed, power, or technique. Today, the 62-year-old is a successful real estate developer and hotel designer in Virginia. He is also a dedicated advocate for the health of retired NFL players.
And he remains a beloved figure in Buffalo, frequently returning to Highmark Stadium as a "Legend of the Game" to inspire the current Bills roster.
#6 "Mean" Joe Greene: The Anchor of the Steel Curtain
Greene transformed the Pittsburgh Steelers from a losing franchise into a four-time Super Bowl dynasty in the 1970s. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year, his #75 is one of only two jerseys officially retired by the team. Now 79, Greene is the revered patriarch of the Steelers organization. He retired from a front-office role in 2013 and now spends his time as an ambassador for the team.
He appears at major charity events and Hall of Fame ceremonies, while remaining a symbol of the toughness and "Blue Collar" identity of the city of Pittsburgh.
#5 Ray Lewis: The Emotional Heart With 2,000+ Tackles
Lewis is the only player in NFL history to record at least 40 sacks and 30 interceptions, finishing with an incredible 2,059 total tackles. He was the emotional leader of the Ravens for 17 seasons, ending his career with a Super Bowl victory in 2013. Today, the 50-year-old is a high-profile motivational speaker and television personality. He recently expanded his "Power52" foundation to provide even more green-energy job training for urban communities.
Lewis remains a constant presence at NFL events, serving as a spiritual and professional mentor for the league’s most elite linebackers.
#4 Dick Butkus: The Man Who Defined the Word "Intimidation"
Butkus was the most feared man in football history, once recovering 27 fumbles and tackling opponents with such force that he changed how the linebacker position was played. He was an eight-time Pro Bowler for the Bears and a member of two All-Decade teams. Although he passed away in 2023 at the age of 80, his legacy is immortalized through the annual Butkus Award.
He is remembered as the ultimate "enforcer," a man who played every snap with a level of intensity and ferocity that remains the benchmark for defensive greatness in the city of Chicago.
#3 Deacon Jones: The Man Who Invented the "Sack"
Jones coined the term "sack" and was the pioneer of the "head slap" move, which was eventually banned because it was too effective. He unofficially recorded 173.5 sacks, including three seasons with over 20 takedowns. Jones passed away in 2013, but the NFL honored his legacy by creating the "Deacon Jones Award," given annually to the league's top sack artist. He is remembered as the first truly "fast" defensive end who could chase down running backs from behind.
He proved that defensive linemen could be just as athletic as the skill players they were hunting.
#2 Reggie White: The "Minister of Defense" and the Hump Move
White finished his career with 198 sacks and a Super Bowl ring, utilizing his famous "hump move" to toss 300-pound linemen aside with a single arm. He was an ordained minister who was a 13-time All-Pro and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. White passed away in 2004 at age 43, but his impact remains massive. He was a pioneer of NFL free agency and remains the gold standard for defensive ends.
Both the Eagles and Packers have retired his jersey, and he is universally regarded as the most naturally gifted defensive lineman to ever play.
#1 Lawrence Taylor: The Player Who Changed How the Game Is Coached
"LT" is the only defensive player to win a unanimous NFL MVP (1986) and remains the only rookie to ever win Defensive Player of the Year. He finished with 132.5 sacks and two Super Bowl rings, fundamentally changing offensive strategies and making the "Left Tackle" a high-priority position. Today, the 67-year-old lives in Florida and is a frequent guest at Giants games.
Despite a career defined by intensity, he is now a relaxed figure on the golf circuit, widely acknowledged by Bill Belichick and every major coach as the greatest defensive player in history.