In the storied history of the NFL, the safety position has been graced by some of the most dynamic and influential players to ever step onto the field. These athletes have changed the way the game is played.
Let’s delve into the careers of 15 legendary safeties, each of whom has demonstrated exceptional skill, tenacity, and leadership, earning their place among the gridiron’s elite.
15. Eric Berry
Eric Berry’s NFL career, though brief, was impactful. A five-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-team All-Pro, Berry overcame cancer to return to elite form. His versatility, ball-hawking skills, and leadership made him one of the best safeties of his era, despite playing only six full seasons.
14. Steve Atwater
Known as the “Smiling Assassin,” Steve Atwater was a hard-hitting safety for the Denver Broncos. An eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion, Atwater recorded over 1,000 tackles and 24 interceptions in his career. His devastating hit on Christian Okoye in 1990 remains one of the most iconic moments in NFL history.
13. John Lynch
John Lynch was a hard-hitting safety known for his bone-crushing tackles and football IQ. A key member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ dominant defense, Lynch made nine Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl XXXVII. His leadership and versatility earned him induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
12. Kenny Easley
Kenny “The Enforcer” Easley was a dominant force for the Seattle Seahawks from 1981-1987. The five-time Pro Bowler and four-time First-team All-Pro was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1984. Despite a shortened career due to kidney issues, Easley’s impact earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
11. Cliff Harris
Nicknamed “Captain Crash” for his hard-hitting style, Cliff Harris was a key player in the Dallas Cowboys’ dominant defense of the 1970s. The six-time Pro Bowler appeared in five Super Bowls, winning two. Harris’s impact on the free safety position earned him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
10. Donnie Shell
Donnie Shell, a key member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ “Steel Curtain” defense, played 14 seasons and won four Super Bowls. An undrafted free agent, Shell became the NFL’s career leader in interceptions by a strong safety with 51. His hard-hitting style and playmaking ability earned him five Pro Bowl selections and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
9. Willie Wood
Willie Wood was a key player in the Green Bay Packers’ dynasty of the 1960s. An undrafted free agent, he became a five-time First-team All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowler. Wood’s 48 career interceptions rank second in Packers history. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest safeties ever.
8. Paul Krause
Paul Krause holds the NFL record for career interceptions with 81, a testament to his exceptional ball-hawking skills. The eight-time Pro Bowler played for 16 seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings. Krause’s durability was remarkable, missing only two games due to injury throughout his career. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
7. Emlen Tunnell
Emlen Tunnell, nicknamed “the Gremlin,” was a pioneering African-American player in the NFL. He played 14 seasons (1948-1961) for the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers, setting records with 79 interceptions and 2,209 punt return yards. Tunnell was the first African-American inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967.
6. Larry Wilson
Larry Wilson revolutionized the safety position with his innovative blitzing techniques. The eight-time Pro Bowler intercepted 52 passes for 800 yards and five touchdowns during his 13-year career with the Cardinals. Wilson’s toughness was legendary, famously intercepting a pass with casts on both hands due to broken wrists.
5. Brian Dawkins
Nicknamed “Weapon X,” Brian Dawkins was a game-changing safety for the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. Known for his fierce hitting and versatility, Dawkins made nine Pro Bowls and was selected to five All-Pro teams. He finished his career with 37 interceptions, 36 forced fumbles, and 26 sacks, showcasing his all-around impact on the field.
4. Ken Houston
Ken Houston’s 14-year NFL career was marked by exceptional play and numerous accolades. He intercepted 49 passes, returning 9 for touchdowns, and made 12 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1968-1979. Houston’s versatility and ball-hawking skills made him one of the most feared safeties of his era, earning him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
3. Troy Polamalu
Troy Polamalu revolutionized the safety position with his versatility and instincts. In his 12-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he amassed 32 interceptions, 12 sacks, and 783 tackles. An eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time First-team All-Pro, Polamalu was the 2010 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a key contributor to two Super Bowl victories.
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2. Ed Reed
Ed Reed, a nine-time Pro Bowler and 2019 Hall of Fame inductee, revolutionized the safety position with his ball-hawking skills. He holds the NFL record for interception return yards (1,590) and postseason interceptions (9, tied). Reed’s ability to read quarterbacks and make game-changing plays solidified his status as one of the greatest safeties ever.
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1. Ronnie Lott
Ronnie Lott is widely considered the greatest safety in NFL history. A 10-time Pro Bowler and 8-time First-team All-Pro, Lott won four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers. Known for his fierce tackling and football IQ, he recorded 63 interceptions and 5 defensive touchdowns in his 14-year career. Lott was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
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