The Best Defensive NFL Players Of All Time
by afstallion | created - 2 months ago | updated - 2 months ago | PublicThe Best Defensive NFL Players Of All Time
1. Bruce Smith
Actor | Little Giants
Bruce Smith was born on June 18, 1963 in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. He is an actor, known for Little Giants (1994), Uncle Drew (2018) and Arli$$ (1996). He has been married to Carmen Lathan since July 7, 1990. They have one child.
2/1224
2. Reggie White
Actor | Touched by an Angel
Reginald Howard White was born on December 19, 1961 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was born to unmarried parents, Charles White and Thelma Dodd Collier. He was raised by his mother until age eight when he was placed with his grandmother, Mildred Dodd.
At Howard High School, Reggie lettered in ...
3/1111
3. Deacon Jones
Actor | Heaven Can Wait
Defensive left end for the L.A. Rams. Member of the "Fearsome Foursome" [Jones, Lamar Lundy, Merlin Olsen and Roosevelt Grier]. Specialized in 'sacking' the quarterback. Has been given credit for originating that term. Inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. Has guest-starred on several TV series ...
2/?
4. Julius Peppers
Self | The NFL on CBS
Julius Peppers attended Southern Nash High School in Bailey, N.C. He went on to attend the University of North Carolina where he majored in Afro-American studies. Aside from football, Peppers played basketball for the Tar Heels in 1999 as a freshman and in 2000 as a sophomore. He was named the ...
11/719
5. Paul Krause
Self | The NFL on CBS
Paul Krause was born on February 19, 1942 in Flint, Michigan, USA.
81/?/2
6. Kevin Greene
Actor | WCW Thunder
Kevin Greene was born on July 31, 1962 in Schenectady, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for WCW Thunder (1998), Arli$$ (1996) and 1st & Ten (1984). He was married to Tara Greene. He died on December 21, 2020 in Destin, Florida, USA.
5/734
7. Chris Doleman
Self | The NFL on NBC
Chris Doleman was born on October 16, 1961 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. He was married to LaTresa Cunningham and Toni Marie Yuille. He died on January 28, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
8/975
8. Emlen Tunnell
Self | The NFL on CBS
Emlen Tunnell was born on March 29, 1925 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA. He died on July 22, 1975 in Pleasantville, New York, USA.
79/?/0
9. Rod Woodson
Self | The NFL on CBS
Rod Woodson was born on March 10, 1965 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for The NFL on CBS (1956), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and The NFL on NBC (1965). He has been married to Nickie Theede since 1992. They have five children.
71/1158/13.5
10. Lawrence Taylor
Actor | Any Given Sunday
Lawrence Taylor was born on February 4, 1959 in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Any Given Sunday (1999), The Waterboy (1998) and In Hell (2003). He has been married to Lynette Rose Gordon since July 7, 2007. He was previously married to Maritza Cruz and Deborah ...
9/1089
11. Charles Woodson
Actor | Arli$$
Charles Woodson was born on October 7, 1976 in Fremont, Ohio, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Arli$$ (1996), The Jamie Foxx Show (1996) and The Perfect 10 (2023).
65/1220/20
12. Jack Youngblood
Actor | C.A.T. Squad
Jack Youngblood was born on January 26, 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for C.A.T. Squad (1986), C.A.T. Squad: Python Wolf (1988) and The NFL on NBC (1965).
0/?
13. Alan Page
Self | The NFL on CBS
Alan Page was born on August 7, 1945 in Canton, Ohio, USA. He was previously married to Diane Page.
2/?
14. Jason Taylor
Actor | Holby City
Jason Taylor was born on September 1, 1974 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for Holby City (1999), Ballers (2015) and The NFL on CBS (1956). He was previously married to Katina Thomas.
8/788
15. Terrell Suggs
Actor | Ballers
Terrell Suggs was born on October 11, 1982 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Ballers (2015), The League (2009) and Commitment (2010).
7/895
16. Rickey Jackson
Self | NFL Monday Night Football
Rickey Jackson was born on March 20, 1958 in Pahokee, Florida, USA.
8/1180
17. Michael Strahan
Actor | The Lego Ninjago Movie
Michael Strahan was born on November 21, 1971 in Houston, Texas, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017), Charlie's Angels (2019) and Ice Age: Collision Course (2016). He was previously married to Jean Marie Muggli and Wanda Nicole Hutchins.
4/854
18. Richard Dent
Self | The NFL on CBS
Richard Dent was born on December 13, 1960 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
8/677
19. Jared Allen
Self | Jackass 3D
Jared Allen was born on April 3, 1982 in Dallas, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for Jackass 3D (2010), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).
6/648
20. DeMarcus Ware
Self | The NFL on CBS
DeMarcus Ware was born on July 31, 1982 in Auburn, Alabama, USA. He was previously married to Taniqua Smith.
3/657
21. Richard Lane
Actor | Crazylegs
Richard Lane was born on April 16, 1927 in Austin, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for Crazylegs (1953), Paper Lion (1968) and The NFL on CBS (1956). He was married to Dinah Washington. He died on January 29, 2002 in Austin, Texas, USA.
*Night Train 68/?/0
22. Aaron Donald
Actor | Magnum P.I.
Height: 6'1 / Weight: 280 / DOB: May 23, 1991 / College: Pittsburgh / Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA / Pro Bowl: 2014-2021 Attended Penn Hills (Pa.) High School, playing football for head coach Ron Graham, Aaron Donald was regarded as one of the most dominating defensive linemen in Western Pennsylvania ...
23. Ronnie Lott
Producer | Sew Torn
Ronnie Lott was born on May 8, 1959 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for Sew Torn (2024), Adventures with Kanga Roddy (1998) and Hawkeye (1988). He has been married to Karen Lott since March 2, 1991. They have three children.
63/1146/8.5
24. John Randle
Actor | Arli$$
John Randle was born on December 12, 1967 in Hearne, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for Arli$$ (1996), WCW Monday Nitro (1995) and The NFL on CBS (1956). He has been married to Candace Randle since February 14, 2001. They have two children. He was previously married to Rosa Deleon.
1/556
25. Leslie O'Neal
Actor | Space: Above and Beyond
Leslie O'Neal was born on May 7, 1964 in Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA. He is an actor, known for Space: Above and Beyond (1995), The NFL on CBS (1956) and The NFL on NBC (1965).
3/767
26. Darren Sharper
Actor | A Series of Unfortunate People
Darren Sharper was born on November 3, 1975 in Richmond, Virginia, USA. He is an actor, known for A Series of Unfortunate People (2011), The NFL on NBC (1965) and The NFL on CBS (1956).
63/949/7.5
27. Ken Riley
Self | The NFL on CBS
Ken Riley was born on August 6, 1947 in Bartow, Florida, USA. He died on June 7, 2020 in Bartow, Florida, USA.
65/?/1
28. Al Baker
Producer | A Time to Be Remembered (A Juneteenth Story)
Al Baker is known for A Time to Be Remembered (A Juneteenth Story) (1997).
4/?
29. Carl Eller
Actor | Busting
Carl Eller was born on January 25, 1942 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. He is an actor, known for Busting (1974), The Black 6 (1973) and The Fall Guy (1981).
1/?
30. John Abraham
Music_department | Long min
John Abraham is known for Cageman (1992) and Volviendo (2012).
1/560
31. Ed Reed
Actor | Crown Royal x NFL: Kick Off with Crown
Ed Reed was born on September 11, 1978 in St. Rose, Louisiana, USA. He is an actor, known for Crown Royal x NFL: Kick Off with Crown (2021), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).
64/646/6
32. Coy Bacon
Self | The NFL on CBS
Coy Bacon was born on August 30, 1942 in Cadiz, Kentucky, USA. He died on December 22, 2008 in Ironton, Ohio, USA.
2/?
33. Claude Humphrey
Actor | The Dukes of Hazzard
Claude Humphrey was born on June 29, 1944 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. He was an actor, known for The Dukes of Hazzard (1979), The NFL on NBC (1965) and The NFL on CBS (1956). He was married to Sandra Kaye Harrell. He died on December 3, 2021 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
2/?
34. Jim Marshall
David Crosby: Remember My Name
Jim Marshall is known for David Crosby: Remember My Name (2019).
1/?
35. Eugene Robinson
Actor | Donny!
Eugene Robinson was born on May 28, 1963 in New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for Donny! (2015), The NFL on CBS (1956) and The NFL on NBC (1965).
57/1413/7.5
36. Derrick Thomas
Self | The NFL on NBC
Derrick Vincent Thomas was born January 1, 1967. The son of Robert Thomas (US Air Force Captain) and Edith Morgan. His father was a veteran of the Vietnam war.
He began playing football at the age of 3. He went on to play for South Miami High School in Miami, Florida. He graduated in 1985.
He was ...
1/641
37. Clyde Simmons
Self | The NFL on CBS
Clyde Simmons was born on August 4, 1964 in Lanes, South Carolina, USA.
3/966
38. Simeon Rice
Producer | Unsullied
Simeon Rice was born on February 24, 1974 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Unsullied (2014), When I Was King (2011) and The Gold Rush Boogie.
5/483
39. Von Miller
Self | The NFL on CBS
Von Miller was born on March 26, 1989 in De Soto, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for The NFL on CBS (1956), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and NFL on FOX (1994).
40. Dick LeBeau
Actor | Pride and Prejudice, Cut
Dick LeBeau was born on September 9, 1937 in London, Ohio, USA. He is an actor, known for Pride and Prejudice, Cut (2019), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).
62/?/1.5
41. Dave Brown
Visual_effects | 1917
Dave Brown is known for 1917 (2019), Cats (2019) and The Lion King (2019).
62/?/1
42. Dwight Freeney
Actor | Dwight Freeney's Cereal Commercial
Dwight Freeney was born on February 19, 1980 in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. He is an actor, known for Dwight Freeney's Cereal Commercial (2012), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).
0/350
43. Robert Mathis
Actor | Parks and Recreation
Robert Mathis was born on February 26, 1981 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He is an actor, known for Parks and Recreation (2009), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).
1/538
44. Cedrick Hardman
Actor | Stir Crazy
Cedrick Hardman was born on October 4, 1948 in Houston, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for Stir Crazy (1980), House Party (1990) and The Candidate (1972). He was married to Carolyn Richardson. He died on March 8, 2019 in San Clemente, California, USA.
0/?
45. Cameron Jordan
Actor | A Lot Like Christmas
Cameron Jordan was born on July 10, 1989 in Chandler, Arizona, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for A Lot Like Christmas (2018), The League (2009) and The 5th Quarter (2016). He is married to Nikki Jordan. They have four children.
46. Jacob Green
Actor | The Believer
Jacob Green is known for The Believer (2001), Back to Reality (2013) and A Simple Game of Catch (2012).
3/?
47. Ray Lewis
Actor | Draft Day
Ray Lewis was born on May 15, 1975 in Bartow, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for Draft Day (2014), Route 65 Nashville and Arli$$ (1996).
31/2059
48. Justin Houston
Self | The NFL on CBS
Outside linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs (2011-2018), Indianapolis Colts (2019-2020), and Baltimore Ravens (2021-present).
49. Everson Walls
Actor | Lost in Abroad
Everson Walls was born on December 28, 1959 in Dallas, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for Lost in Abroad (2012), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and The NFL on CBS (1956).
57/?/3
50. J.J. Watt
Actor | Bad Moms
J.J. Watt was born on March 22, 1989 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA. He is an actor, known for Bad Moms (2016), New Girl (2011) and The League (2009). He has been married to Keaila Watt since February 15, 2020. They have one child.
2/586
51. Harvey Martin
Actor | Steele's Law
Harvey Martin was born on November 16, 1950 in Dallas, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for Steele's Law (1992), No Safe Haven (1987) and Amazing Grace and Chuck (1987). He died on December 24, 2001 in Grapevine, Texas, USA.
2/?
52. Emmitt Thomas
Self | The NFL on CBS
Emmitt Thomas was born on June 3, 1943 in Angleton, Texas, USA.
58/?/0
53. Mel Blount
Self | The NFL on CBS
Mel Blount was born on April 10, 1948 in Vidalia, Georgia, USA.
57/?/0.5
54. Bobby Boyd
Self | The NFL on CBS
Bobby Boyd was born on December 3, 1937 in Garland, Texas, USA. He was married to ???. He died on August 28, 2017 in Garland, Texas, USA.
57/?/0.5
55. Johnny Robinson
Self | The NFL on CBS
Johnny Robinson was born on February 14, 1959 in Jonesboro, Louisiana, USA.
57/?/0
56. Aeneas Williams
Self | The NFL on CBS
Aeneas Williams was born on January 29, 1968 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He has been married to Tracy Williams since January 9, 1993. They have four children.
55/793/3
57. Darrell Green
Actor | Dominion
Darrell Green was born on February 15, 1960 in Houston, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for Dominion (2006), The Adventures of Zion Man & The Supreme Commander (2009) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970). He has been married to Jewell Fenner since March 16, 1985. They have three children.
54/1202/1
58. Sean Jones
Actor | Home Improvement
Sean Jones was born on December 19, 1962 in Kingston, Jamaica. He is an actor, known for Home Improvement (1991), The NFL on CBS (1956) and The Jersey (1999).
1/601
59. Chandler Jones
Self | The NFL on CBS
Chandler Jones was born on February 27, 1990 in Rochester, New York, USA.
1/511
60. Randy White
Actor | Mike's Murder
Randy White was born on January 15, 1953 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for Mike's Murder (1984), Necessary Roughness (1991) and Snake Eater (1989).
1/?
61. Lem Barney
Actor | The Black 6
Lem Barney was born on September 8, 1945 in Gulfport, Mississippi, USA. He is an actor, known for The Black 6 (1973), Paper Lion (1968) and The NFL on CBS (1956).
56/?/0
62. Lyle Alzado
Actor | Destroyer
Former NFL defensive linesman who played with the Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos from 1971 through to 1991. Alzado amassed a string of prestigious achievements in his NFL career including being named ABC's 1977 Defensive Player of The Year and Defensive Linesman of the Year, ...
0/?
63. Pat Fischer
Self | The NFL on NBC
Pat Fischer was born on January 2, 1940 in St. Edward, Nebraska, USA.
56/?/0
64. Ty Law
Actor | Friday Night Lights
Ty Law makes his film debut playing a wide receiver from Dallas Carter High School in the film Friday Night Lights. NFL fans will know Law as the starting cronerback for the New England Patriots.
After completing a terrific college career at the University of Michigan, Law was selected by the ...
53/845/5
65. Eric Allen
Actor | The Irate Gamer
Eric Allen is known for The Irate Gamer (2007). He has been married to Rebecca (Karam) Allen since October 18, 2008. They have three children.
54/787/3
66. Greg Townsend
Self | The NFL on CBS
Greg Townsend was born on November 3, 1961 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
3/INC(500ish)
67. Willie Brown
Self | The NFL on CBS
Willie Brown was born on December 2, 1940 in Yazoo City, Mississippi, USA. He was married to Yvonne. He died on October 21, 2019 in Tracy, California, USA.
54/?/2
68. Mark Gastineau
Self | The NFL on CBS
Mark Gastineau was born on November 20, 1956 in Ardmore, Oklahoma, USA. He is an executive. He has been married to Jo Ann Voorhees since December 20, 2007. He was previously married to Patricia Schorr and Lisa Gastineau.
0/?
69. Deion Sanders
Soundtrack | Street Fighter
Deion Sanders is an American former professional football and baseball player who is a sports analyst.
He played 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, The Washington Redskins, and the Baltimore Ravens. He had a part-time ...
53/512/1
70. London Fletcher
Self | The NFL on CBS
London Fletcher was born on May 19, 1975 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He is married to Charné. They have two children.
23/2039
Tell Your Friends