NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
The National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team was voted on by a panel consisting of media members, former players and league personnel in 2019 to honor the greatest players of the first 100 years of the
Selection process
The team was chosen by a panel of 26 voters made up of coaches, team and front office executives, former players and members of the media between April and June 2018. New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach and former color commentator John Madden were also two of the voters and were in charge of looking over film and issuing a report to the committee on players in the early years of the league. There was a vote to trim the list to 160 in mid-May 2018, after considering the "Golden Era" players recommended by Belichick and Madden. Another debate was held in May with the final votes due on June 15, 2018.[1]
Players were selected at each position group, and were voted in no order. There were 10 quarterbacks, 12 running backs, 10 wide receivers, 5 tight ends, 7 tackles, 7 guards, 4 centers, 7 defensive ends, 7 defensive tackles, 6 outside linebackers, 6 middle/inside linebackers, 7 cornerbacks, 6 safeties, 2 kickers, 2 punters, 2 kick/punt returners, and 10 coaches selected to the team.[1] No long snappers were selected.
The roster was unveiled over six weeks on NFL Network by host Rich Eisen alongside Cris Collinsworth from NBC Sports and Belichick.
All-Time Team
Offense
Sources:[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Bold denotes unanimous selection.[2][5][8][10]
Defense
Sources:[6][11][12][13][14][15][16]
Bold denotes unanimous selection.[14][15][16]
Special teams
Position | Player | Team(s) played for | Accolades |
---|---|---|---|
K | Jan Stenerud | Kansas City Chiefs (1967–1979)[g] Green Bay Packers (1980–1983) Minnesota Vikings (1984–1985) |
1969), Super Bowl champion (IV )
|
Adam Vinatieri | New England Patriots (1996–2005) Indianapolis Colts (2006–2019) |
NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, 3× First-team All-Pro (2002, 2004, 2014), 3× Pro Bowler (2002, 2004, 2014), 4× Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLI) | |
P |
Ray Guy | Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1973–1986) | Hall of Fame (2014), NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, 6× First-team All-Pro (1973–1978), 7× Pro Bowler (1973–1978, 1980), 3× Super Bowl champion (XI, XV, XVIII) |
Shane Lechler | Oakland Raiders (2000–2012) Houston Texans (2013–2017) |
) | |
KR |
Devin Hester | Chicago Bears (2006–2013) Atlanta Falcons (2014–2015) Baltimore Ravens (2016) Seattle Seahawks (2016) |
) |
PR |
Billy "White Shoes" Johnson | Washington Redskins (1988) |
) |
Head coaches
Coach | Team(s) coached | Accolades |
---|---|---|
Bill Belichick | Cleveland Browns (1991–1995) New England Patriots (2000–2023) |
Sporting News NFL Coach of the Year (2003, 2007), Maxwell Club NFL Coach of the Year (2007), 6× Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, LIII )
|
Paul Brown | Cleveland Browns (1946–1962)[b] Cincinnati Bengals (1968–1975)[k] |
) |
Joe Gibbs | Washington Redskins (1981–1992, 2004–2007) |
Pro Football Weekly NFL Coach of the Year (1982, 1983), UPI NFC Coach of the Year (1982), 3× Super Bowl champion (XVII, XXII, XXVI )
|
George Halas | Decatur Staleys / Chicago Staleys / Chicago Bears (1920–1929, 1933–1942, 1946–1955, 1958–1967) | NFL champion (1921, 1933, 1940, 1941, 1946, 1963)
|
Curly Lambeau | Washington Redskins (1952–1953) |
) |
Tom Landry | Dallas Cowboys (1960–1988) | ) |
Vince Lombardi | Washington Redskins (1969) |
) |
Chuck Noll | Pittsburgh Steelers (1969–1991) | Hall of Fame (1993), NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, NFL 1980s All-Decade Team, Maxwell Club NFL Coach of the Year (1989), UPI AFC Coach of the Year (1972), 4× Super Bowl champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV) |
Don Shula | Baltimore Colts (1963–1969) Miami Dolphins (1970–1995) |
) |
Bill Walsh | San Francisco 49ers (1979–1988) | ) |
Finalists
Quarterbacks
On December 21 and December 22, 2019, quarterbacks Joe Montana and Tom Brady were announced as the first two quarterbacks to make it to the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.[3][4] On December 23, 2019 the remaining 20 finalists for the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team were announced. They included Troy Aikman, Sammy Baugh, Terry Bradshaw, Drew Brees, John Elway, Brett Favre, Dan Fouts, Otto Graham, Bobby Layne, Sid Luckman, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Joe Namath, Aaron Rodgers, Bart Starr, Roger Staubach, Fran Tarkenton, Johnny Unitas, Norm Van Brocklin, and Steve Young.[17]
Running backs
On November 18, 2019, 24 running back finalists were announced. The finalists included
Wide receivers
On December 16, 2019, 24 wide receivers were announced as finalists for the 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. They included Lance Alworth, Raymond Berry, Fred Biletnikoff, Cris Carter, Tom Fears, Larry Fitzgerald, Marvin Harrison, Bob Hayes, Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch, Don Hutson, Michael Irvin, Calvin Johnson, Charlie Joiner, Steve Largent, Dante Lavelli, James Lofton, Don Maynard, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Pete Pihos, Jerry Rice, John Stallworth, Charley Taylor, and Paul Warfield.[19]
Tight ends
On December 9, 2019, 12 tight end finalists were announced, including Dave Casper, Mike Ditka, Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, Rob Gronkowski, Ron Kramer, John Mackey, Ozzie Newsome, Charlie Sanders, Shannon Sharpe, Kellen Winslow, and Jason Witten.[20]
Offensive linemen
On December 9, 2019, 40 offensive linemen were announced as finalists.
Defensive linemen
On November 25, 2019, 33 defensive linemen were announced as finalists.[22] Seventeen of the 33 defensive linemen were defensive ends, including Doug Atkins, Willie Davis, Carl Eller, Len Ford, Bill Hewitt, Deacon Jones, Howie Long, Gino Marchetti, Julius Peppers, Andy Robustelli, Lee Roy Selmon, Bruce Smith, Michael Strahan, DeMarcus Ware, J. J. Watt, Reggie White, and Jack Youngblood. Sixteen of the 33 defensive linemen were defensive tackles, including Junious "Buck" Buchanan, Curley Culp, Art Donovan, "Mean" Joe Greene, Cortez Kennedy, Bob Lilly, Gene "Big Daddy" Lipscomb, Leo Nomellini, Merlin Olsen, Alan Page, John Randle, Warren Sapp, Tom Sestak, Ernie Stautner, Randy White, and Bill Willis.
Linebackers
On November 25, 2019, 25 linebacker finalists were announced. The finalists included Chuck Bednarik, Bobby Bell, Derrick Brooks, Dick Butkus, Harry Carson, Bill George, Kevin Greene, Jack Ham, Ted Hendricks, Clarke Hinkle, Sam Huff, Luke Kuechly, Jack Lambert, Willie Lanier, Ray Lewis, Von Miller, Ray Nitschke, Dave Robinson, Joe Schmidt, Junior Seau, Mike Singletary, Lawrence Taylor, Derrick Thomas, Brian Urlacher, and Dave Wilcox.[23]
Defensive backs
On December 2, 2019, 30 defensive back finalists were announced.
Special teamers
On December 2, 2019, 12 special teams finalists were announced.[25] Four of the 12 special team finalists were kickers, including Morten Andersen, Lou Groza, Jan Stenerud, and Adam Vinatieri. Four of the 12 special team finalists were punters, including Ray Guy, Yale Lary, Shane Lechler, and Jerrel Wilson. Four of the 12 special team finalists were return specialists, including Mel Gray, Devin Hester, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, and Brian Mitchell.
Coaches
On November 20, 2019, 20 head coaches were announced as finalists, including Bill Belichick, Paul Brown, Guy Chamberlin, Tony Dungy, Weeb Ewbank, Joe Gibbs, Sid Gillman, Bud Grant, George Halas, Curly Lambeau, Tom Landry, Marv Levy, Vince Lombardi, John Madden, Chuck Noll, Steve Owen, Bill Parcells, Fritz Pollard, Don Shula, and Bill Walsh.[26]
Selection panel
Members of the 26 person panel were:[27]
League voters
- Joel Bussert: Former NFL Vice President of Player Personnel and NFL historian
- Joe Horrigan: 42-year Pro Football Hall of Fame executive
- Chris Willis: NFL Films historian
Coaches
- Bill Belichick: Six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach
- Tony Dungy: Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl-winning head coach
- Dick LeBeau: Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back and two-time Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator
- John Madden: Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl-winning head coach
- Don Shula: Pro Football Hall of Famer and two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach
- Dick Vermeil: Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl-winning head coach
General managers
- Ernie Accorsi: 19-year NFL general manager
- Gil Brandt: Pro Football Hall of Famer and two-time Super Bowl-winning front office executive
- Charley Casserly: Super Bowl-winning general manager
- Bill Polian: Pro Football Hall of Famer and Super Bowl-winning general manager
- Ron Wolf: Pro Football Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl-winning general manager
Players
- Dan Fouts: Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and veteran broadcaster
- Ron Jaworski: Former NFL quarterback and veteran broadcaster
- Ozzie Newsome: Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end and two-time Super Bowl-winning general manager
- Art Shell: Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive tackle, two-time Super Bowl champion and former head coach
Media
- Dave Anderson: Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist with The New York Times who covered the NFL for more than 50 years
- Judy Battista: NFL Media national columnist and reporter
- Jarrett Bell: Pro Football Hall of Fame voter and USA Today NFL columnist
- Chris Berman: ESPN anchor since 1979
- Dallas Morning Newscolumnist
- Peter King: Pro Football Hall of Fame voter and veteran sportswriter
- Don Pierson: Author and veteran sportswriter
- Pro Football Writers Association
See also
- National Football League All-Decade Teams
- National Football League 50th Anniversary All-Time Team
- National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
- The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players
Notes
- ^ NFL Championship Game, with the NFL champion playing against a team consisting of All-Stars from other NFL teams.
- ^ a b c The Browns competed in the All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1949.
- ^ The Bills competed in the American Football League from 1960 to 1969.
- ^ The Chargers competed in the American Football League from 1960 to 1969.
- ^ The Rockets competed in the All-America Football Conference from 1946 to 1949.
- ^ a b c d The Raiders competed in the American Football League from 1960 to 1969.
- ^ a b c d The Chiefs competed in the American Football League from 1960 to 1969.
- PFWA and Pro Football Weekly, and an All-Pro inside linebacker by The Sporting News.
- ^ The Broncos competed in the American Football League from 1960 to 1969.
- ^ The Oilers competed in the American Football League from 1960 to 1969.
- ^ The Bengals competed in the American Football League from 1968 to 1969.
- ^ The Packers did not join the National Football League until 1921.
References
- ^ a b King, Peter. "FMIA Week 12: Why Dominant, Deep 49ers Might Be NFL's Scariest Team". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
The committee of 25 had two long conference calls in April 2018 to handle the nominating process. Belichick and Madden were tabbed to pore over film and their own knowledge to issue a report to the committee on the players in the early years of the league. There was a vote to trim the list to 160 in mid-May, after considering the true old-timers recommended by Belichick and Madden. Over a long meeting in late May, final discussions and debates were held. Our votes were due June 15, 2018.
- ^ a b NFL's All-Time Team: Tom Brady, Joe Montana top quarterbacks
- ^ a b Joe Montana first quarterback named to All-Time Team
- ^ a b Patriots QB Tom Brady named to NFL All-Time Team
- ^ a b c Battista, Judy (November 22, 2019). "NFL's All-Time Team: Jim Brown tops RBs; Bill Belichick a coach". NFL.com. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "OFFICIAL ALL-TIME TEAM ROSTER". NFL.com. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
- ^ Bergman, Jeremy. "Tony Gonzalez first TE named to NFL 100 All-Time Team". NFL.com. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
- ^ a b c NFL's All-Time Team: Tight ends, offensive linemen revealed
- ^ Randy Moss first WR named to NFL 100 All-Time Team
- ^ a b NFL's All-Time Team: Jerry Rice headlines wide receivers
- ^ Bergman, Jeremy. "Ravens legend Ray Lewis named to NFL All-Time Team". NFL.com. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
- ^ Bergman, Jeremy. "Steelers legend Joe Greene named to NFL All-Time Team". NFL.com. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- ^ Bergman, Jeremy. "Deion Sanders first DB named to NFL 100 All-Time Team". NFL.com. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
- ^ a b NFL's All-Time Team: Lawrence Taylor headlines defensive front
- ^ a b Ronnie Lott, Mel Blount among cornerbacks on NFL's All-Time Team
- ^ a b c Battista, Judy. "NFL's All-Time Team: Defensive backs, special teams revealed". NFL.com. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
- ^ Quarterback finalists announced for NFL All-Time Team
- ^ Running back finalists announced for All-Time Team
- ^ Wide receiver finalists announced for NFL All-Time Team
- ^ "Tight end finalists announced for NFL All-Time Team". NFL.com. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ^ "Offensive linemen finalists announced for NFL All-Time Team". NFL.com. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ^ Defensive lineman finalists revealed for NFL 100 All-Time Team
- ^ Linebacker finalists announced for NFL 100 All-Time Team
- ^ Defensive back finalists announced for NFL All-Time Team
- ^ Special teams finalists announced for NFL 100 All-Time Team
- ^ Coaching finalists announced for NFL 100 All-Time Team
- ^ NFL 100 ALL-TIME TEAM TO BE REVEALED OVER 6 WEEKS BEGINNING NOVEMBER 22