Top 10 Safeties in the NFL All-Time
By Emily Johnson
Introduction
As a die-hard NFL fan, I have always been fascinated by the safety position. It’s a crucial position on the field that often goes unnoticed. In this article, I will be sharing my personal list of the top 10 safeties in NFL history. I have based my rankings on a combination of statistics, expert opinions, and my own experiences as a fan. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Top 10 Safeties in the NFL All-Time
Ed Reed
Ed Reed is widely regarded as one of the best safeties to ever play the game. He played for the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans during his 12-year career. Reed was a 9-time Pro Bowler, a 5-time First-Team All-Pro, and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2004. He is also tied for the most interception return touchdowns in NFL history.
Troy Polamalu
Troy Polamalu spent his entire 12-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was a 8-time Pro Bowler, a 4-time First-Team All-Pro, and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2010. Polamalu was known for his incredible instincts and ability to make game-changing plays.
Paul Krause
Paul Krause played for the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings during his 16-year career. He was an 8-time Pro Bowler, a 4-time First-Team All-Pro, and holds the NFL record for most interceptions in a career with 81. Krause was known for his ball-hawking ability and his knack for always being in the right place at the right time.
Ken Houston
Ken Houston played for the Houston Oilers and Washington Redskins during his 14-year career. He was a 12-time Pro Bowler, a 7-time First-Team All-Pro, and is widely regarded as one of the best safeties of all time. Houston was known for his hard hits and his ability to cover the entire field.
Steve Atwater
Steve Atwater played for the Denver Broncos and New York Jets during his 11-year career. He was an 8-time Pro Bowler, a 2-time First-Team All-Pro, and won two Super Bowls with the Broncos. Atwater was known for his punishing hits and his ability to intimidate opposing players.
John Lynch
John Lynch played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos during his 15-year career. He was a 9-time Pro Bowler, a 2-time First-Team All-Pro, and won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers. Lynch was known for his hard hits and his ability to read the opposing quarterback.
Ronnie Lott
Ronnie Lott played for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, and New York Jets during his 14-year career. He was a 10-time Pro Bowler, a 6-time First-Team All-Pro, and won four Super Bowls with the 49ers. Lott was known for his hard hits and his ability to play through injuries.
Earl Thomas
Earl Thomas has spent his career with the Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans. He is a 7-time Pro Bowler, a 3-time First-Team All-Pro, and won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks. Thomas is known for his incredible range and his ability to make game-changing plays.
Jack Tatum
Jack Tatum played for the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers during his 10-year career. He was a 3-time Pro Bowler and a 1-time First-Team All-Pro. Tatum was known for his hard hits and his intimidating presence on the field.
Donnie Shell
Donnie Shell played for the Pittsburgh Steelers during his 14-year career. He was a 5-time Pro Bowler and a 3-time First-Team All-Pro. Shell was known for his hard hits and his ability to read the opposing offense.
Curiosities and Interesting Information
- The safety position was first introduced in the NFL in 1946.
- The first African-American safety to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was Kenny Houston in 1986.
- Ed Reed holds the record for the longest interception return in NFL history with a 107-yard return for a touchdown.
- Troy Polamalu once tackled a player by his hair during a game.
- Paul Krause was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
- Ken Houston was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.
- Steve Atwater was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
- John Lynch is currently the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers.
- Ronnie Lott was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
- Earl Thomas has been named to the Pro Bowl in every season in which he has played at least 12 games.
- Jack Tatum was known as The Assassin for his hard hits on opposing players.
- Donnie Shell was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
My Personal Experiences
As a fan of the Dallas Cowboys, I have seen some of these safeties play against my team. One game that stands out to me is when Troy Polamalu intercepted a pass from Tony Romo and returned it for a touchdown. It was a heartbreaking moment for me as a fan, but I couldn’t help but be in awe of Polamalu’s incredible playmaking ability.
Another moment that stands out to me is when Ed Reed intercepted a pass from Peyton Manning in the playoffs and returned it for a touchdown. It was a game-changing play that helped the Ravens advance to the Super Bowl.
Expert Quotes
Ed Reed was one of the most versatile safeties I ever played against. He was a ball hawk, he was a tackler, he was a playmaker. He was the complete package. – Ray Lewis
I’ve never seen a safety as instinctive as Troy Polamalu. He had a way of knowing exactly what the offense was going to do before they even did it. – Bill Belichick
Paul Krause was one of the smartest players I ever coached. He always knew where the ball was going to be. – Bud Grant
FAQs
Who is the best safety in NFL history?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as it is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, many experts and fans consider Ed Reed to be the best safety of all time.
Who has the most interceptions in NFL history?
Paul Krause holds the NFL record for most interceptions in a career with 81.
Who is the hardest hitting safety in NFL history?
There have been many hard-hitting safeties throughout NFL history, but one that stands out is Jack Tatum. He was known for his punishing hits and his intimidating presence on the field.
Who is the most underrated safety in NFL history?
One safety that is often overlooked is Donnie Shell. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1970s and was a key member of their legendary defense. Despite being a 5-time Pro Bowler and a 3-time First-Team All-Pro, Shell is often forgotten when discussing the best safeties of all time.