Taylor Among Top 10 Football Players Of The Century
December 10, 1999 | Football
Dec. 10, 1999
UNC linebacker Lawrence Taylor (1977-80) was named as one of the top 10 football players of the century, as selected by a panel of experts for The Associated Press.
Taylor tied for fifth place on the list with another legendary linebacker, Dick Butkus.
While at UNC, Taylor was a consensus All-America and the ACC Player of the Year in 1980. He set a UNC record with 16 sacks that season, leading UNC to an 11-1 record, an ACC Championship and a top-10 final ranking by both AP and UPI.
Taylor was a first-round NFL Draft selection by the New York Giants and earned Rookie of the Year honors in his first season in the league. He went on to set NFL records with 142 career sacks and 10 consecutive Pro Bowl berths, and is now enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Taylor, who had 10 or more sacks in seven consecutive NFL seasons, was named one of ESPN's 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century (#40).
Here is the complete list of the AP top-10 football players of the century:
1. JIM BROWN: RB. Syracuse 1954-56, Cleveland Browns 1957-65. Led NFL in rushing in eight of his nine seasons and retired with 12,312 yards, then the leading career total. His 5.22 yards per carry is the leading career average for a running back.
2. DON HUTSON: WR-DB. Alabama 1933-35, Green Bay Packers 1935-45. Had 488 receptions for 7,991 yards and 99 touchdowns, a record for receiving touchdowns that stood for more than four decades. He led the league in receiving in eight of his 11 seasons and was league MVP in 1941 and 1942. Led league in scoring five straight seasons - 1940-44 - an NFL record.
3. SAMMY BAUGH: QB-DB. Texas Christian 1934-36, Washington Redskins 1937-52. Led the NFL in passing six different seasons. Also a fine punter who in 1943 led the league in passing, interceptions and punting.
4. RED GRANGE: RB. Illinois 1923-25, Chicago Bears 1925, New York (football) Yankees 1925-27, Chicago Bears 1929-34. A legend at Illinois, Grange joined the Bears in the NFL's formative years and drew 73,000 to first game, about 10 times previous average.
5.(tie) DICK BUTKUS: LB. Illinois 1962-64, Chicago Bears 1965-73. The prototypical middle linebacker at 245 pounds, 10-20 pounds more than LBs of his era but just as fast. All-Pro six times, made eight straight Pro Bowls. Recovered 25 fumbles and caused dozens more.
5.(tie) LAWRENCE TAYLOR: LB. North Carolina 1977-80, New York Giants 1981-93. Cornerstone of Super Bowl champions, 1987 and 1991. The first outside linebacker to specialize in pass rushing, something that's routine today. NFL MVP in 1986-87 season.
7. JOHN UNITAS: QB. Baltimore Colts 1956-72, San Diego 1973. Led Colts to two NFL titles, including the 1958 overtime game against the Giants considered the greatest game ever played. Passed for 40,239 yards, and had at least one TD pass in 47 straight games. A free agent who was playing sandlot football when signed by the Colts.
8.(tie) JOE MONTANA: QB. Notre Dame 1975-78, San Francisco 49ers 1979-1992, Kansas City Chiefs 1993-1994. Just a third-round draft choice in 1979, he led 49ers to four Super Bowl titles. League MVP in 1988-89, Super Bowl MVP in 1985 and 1990.
8.(tie) WALTER PAYTON: RB. Jackson State 1972-74, Chicago Bears 1975-87. Career rushing leader with 16,726 yards and holds single-game record with 275 yards. Led Bears to Super Bowl victory in 1986. NFL MVP in 1977. Led NFL in rushing in 1977, NFC 1978-80. Died Nov. 1 of cancer.
8.(tie) JERRY RICE: WR. Mississippi Valley State 1981-84, San Francisco 49ers 1985-present. Holds pile of receiving records, including career leader in receptions (1,139), yards (17,612), most yards gained in a season (1,848) and most 100-yard games (64). Played on four Super Bowl winners with 49ers and was Super Bowl MVP in 1989.