When Michael Jordan was winning NBA titles he was once asked who was the toughest defender he ever played against. Without thinking about it he said, "Lawrence Taylor!" The interviewer said, "Lawrence Taylor was a football player!" Michael said, "Yeah, and he played basketball the same way!" Michael Jordan and Lawrence Taylor played college ball at UNC.
@@leereeder2293 He was an amazing athlete! Growing up in Chicago, right during that mid-to-late 80s run for amazing Defenses in New York and Chicago, we always had arguments about who was really the best LB! Well, when no less of an authority than Dick Butkus, an NFL LEGEND at LB and a God in Chicago, when _that man_ says that the best he ever saw was LT, right then, there was no more argument. LT was that dude before that due was even a thing.
@@tlt3921 I Googled this & he actually had 25. It doesn't say if they were all solo so 3 are probably combined but he is credited for 25. At 1-13, he was the only one making them apparently.
My dad used to wrestle me as a kid and when he'd tackle me he'd say "Butkus hits him!". I didn't even know what the word "Butkus" meant at that time, but I knew the name. The man was in awe of Butkus his entire life.
Gary Fencik #45, and Doug Plank #46 were huge hitters for the Bears in the 70's and 80's. Rushers trying to evade one often got blown up by the other. Great stuff.
As a fellow Chicagoan who is 56 now I wholeheartedly agree with you my friend I loved watching the Bears of the 70s and 80s after that it was all downhill
Team bias maybe, but not recency, they were the 2 players i grew up watching highlight reels for. Maybe its good we dont all just hype up the same players though. Have fun being annoying to other people for no reason.@@Youknowwhoin2024
Dick Butkus. Born and raised in Chicago. Only played 9 years but made 8 Pro-Bowls and was a 2 time Defensive Player of the Year. He is the Monster of the Midway.
There were so many great tacklers, but the two greatest that I have ever seen was Dick Butkus and Jack Tatum. Unbelievable how they could reach peak acceleration at impact.
Isaac - Thank You!... I am so pleased that Steve Atwater was included on this list... I covered the Broncos back in the 1980's and all anyone ever wanted to talk about was John Elway (deserving undeniably) but there were 21 other Broncos out on the field with him and Steve was just as important to - Wade Phillips' & Greg Robinson's - Broncos defense as John was to Dan Reeves & Mike Shanahan's offense... A deserving Hall-of-Famer and a GREAT (and humble) person, Steve Atwater!
49ers trainer: Ronnie, we cant let you play with a broken pinky tip" Ronnie Lott: "if we cut it off, it's not broken anymore" Trainer : *"What?"* Ronnie: *"What?!"*
He's not talked about much any more, but Chuck Cecil was one of the hardest hitters I've ever seen. He even appeared on an SI cover that asked if he was too dangerous for the NFL.
I could listen to LT all day. Him casually saying, "son, y'all gotta do better than this." while standing over the qb shaking his head is probably my favorite NFL one liner. 😂😂😂
As a Philly fan the Giants are arch, division rivals. We had to see him 2 times a year at least. I can't say it was fun to watch. But it was awesome. LT was and is legendary. Next time a woman says on her dating profile she wants to "Live life to the fullest" I'm going to reply "Like Lawrence Taylor?"
I liked his " let's go in there like a bunch of crazy dogs !" It reminds me of a fellow linebacker I played with. He would say at the start of the game, " let's get at 'em like a pack of rabid dogs !" I knew it was his original saying. It was about ten years before LT played in the NFL.
Playing football through high school it was a amazing how some guys could hit you like a ton of bricks. And the really hard hitters were not necessarily big. They tended to be fast and absolutely fearless.
Yes he was!! No question. I would have loved to have seen how his game evolved. Very sad ending. I blame his sister for bringing those haters into home.
My dad played with Singletary at Baylor and he said they used to keep 3 helmets on the bench with his number on them because he would usually break atleast 2 per half.
I grew up in the same neighborhood as Dick in the 50's and 60's. He was a legend from the time he went to CVS high school. His brothers owned a moving company and were also tough guys.
This list got #1 right for sure. I have watched pro football for 66 years and Butkus was hands down # 1, no one even close. The most destructive defensive player to ever play the game. I watched every game he ever played. He played a game with cracked ribs and tackled guys the same as he did in these clips. If you have ever had cracked ribs, which I have had, you know how fierce this guy was to play in that kind of pain. He and Gayle Sayers packed Wrigley field when the Bears teams were not worth the price of admission. The two of them were, "you have to see them to believe them type players".
Even though it was only one tackle, the beauty of Steve Largents tackle and fumble recovery on Mike Harden of Denver gets him a spot on this imo. As far as defensive backs go I like how Ronnie Lott described getting a big hit. "Actually, getting a big hit means you were a little late on your coverage."
Dat is true cuz u a never c Prime on here he say dat ball is mine. But Ronnie Lott could do Dat cuz Eric Wright was on other side as a rookie Ballin like Lester Hayes
Most people don't realize in many states a game warden has legal access to any property for any reason, doesn't need a warrant or cause, more power than about any other law enforcement dept you can think of.
Actually Earl wasn't ready for the hit and it was a big hit, yet he kept going after the initial impact. That is a testament to how tough Earl was and how big of a hitter Tatum was.
Earl was so big that his momentum carried him forward even when out on his feet. Two of the greats being great at what they were known for at the same time.
My boy Lyle Alzado was a monster hitter too. He was a tad before my time, but I remember watching plenty of highlight videos on him. He was a pure monster.
I was a kid during the 70's and I really feel like this was the best time in the history of the NFL. MEL BLOUNT was the biggest hitting DB I ever saw personally. He was a game changer.
Lawrence Taylor was better than we remember. He could be the best football player ever. Seriously, he was the only defensive player I've ever seen straight take over and win a game that his team was, 100 percent going to lose, after leaving in first half with an injury. It's incredible to say I know, but he is underrated.
I've seen that Atwater hit on okoye a bunch of times. One thing these highlights always leave out - Okoye ran Atwater over the next time atwater tried to tackle him
Tatum is the only guy who hit another player so hard he indirectly cost his team a Super Bowl - No way that ball gets jarred 30 feet into the air into Franco's hands if it was some other guy hitting the receiver.
Not so fast, my friend. Keep in mind that one week after the Immaculate Reception the Steelers lost to the undefeated Miami Dolphins. The Raiders most likely would've fallen as well.
@@Jomitheelf Nice joke 😆 I believe he meant Jack Tatum former strong Safety of the Oakland Raiders 🏴☠️ in the early 1970s And I’m a Celtics fan and Jayson Tatum is my favorite player in today’s NBA
Jack Tatum is slam-dunk #1 on my list. It appears many in this comment section agree. I noticed someone here suggested Doug Plank as worth mentioning. Good call. I think he get's overlooked because I don't think his career was all that long and that he wasn't really above average in terms of overall talent. But he'd lay the wood on any receiver coming over the middle.
@@iceman4311 I'd say Tatum because Tatum was doing it in college and Lott began his career as a corner and didn't have the same opportunity to play run defense.
David Fulcher and Terry Hoage were a couple of monsters, as well. The most recent heavy hitter that left quite an impression on me, is Parrish Cox. Dude was vicious.
17:27 - 17:56 what that man said about Ray Lewis perfectly encapsulates Ray his whole career. Every player could just see it in his eyes, hear it from his voice and by the way he played that he was a beast. He had that mystique, that bad ass element
I was at the University of Arkansas when Steve Atwater was there and know him personally. He and Dan Hampton shutdown the triple option offense in the old Southwest Conference so thoroughly that teams like Texas and SMU never ran it again against them.
Night Train's hits are probably the hardest and most reckless hits I've ever seen from a defensive back. I bet he absolutely terrified the receivers in the league that had to go against him
@Jim Watson his listed height and weight were 6'1" 194. He was a very big guy compared to the rest of the DBs in the league at the time but again I think he'd play safety in today's game more so because of his ball skills even though he was extremely physical
I was a kid in '72 or '73, and Dick Butkus came to my house to throw passes to me and my kid brother. True story. (Thinking now it was summer of 1971-- see my comment below).
@@craddock619 Players were much more accessible back then. He was making an appearance at a church festival just down the street from our home in a city adjacent to Chicago. My dad knew the fella delivering him and arranged for him to stop by our house for a bit. He was as nice as could be...There was an enormous trophy in the rear seat of the car. I now see that he won NFL Defensive POY in 1970, so I'm guessing it was the summer of 1971.
I had a similar experience with Butkus outside U of I's Memorial Stadium one afternoon. We kids (12, 13 yo) were playing on the lawn outside the stadium when he and another Illini stopped and watched us. We invited them to join, Butkus went to the other side. I was about 5'2 100 pounds and was our sides RB. I got through the line right into Butkus. He had that mean look on his face, lifted me up almost over his head... I knew I was going to die... then gently laid me on the grass and laughed. I've loved him ever since. That was in 10/63.
I know this list is old, but you have to add James Harrison to this list. The league basically took tackling out of the game after he knocked out two Browns players in a row.
All of them are 100% badasses. Razorback Atwater#1 Seen every home games, 4 road games, 1 bowl game, 1 pro game, stayed at the same hotels of the college games, got to visit with him about 40 minutes 6× each time. Awesome to talk to him and watch.
John Lynch might have laid a good hit on Barry, but Barry also put an all-time juke on him. Froze him in the hole, planted his foot and went on a dead sprint 80 yards to the end zone. Check the film I'm sure it's on UA-cam.
Tbh, using Barry and Faulk is a pretty bad example of 'hitting hard' resume. I mean they were great and hard to get ahold of, but it's not like they were going to run you over
Hadin Landeros that was what Barry was going to do to ANYbody. The fact that he was able to hit Barry Sanders on his own in the open field isn’t something to be glossed over.
As a Baltimore Colts season ticket holder I had the opportunity to see these guys play in real time.....back when the game was all about the hitting.....no intentional cheap shots....just good old fashioned street fights.....
Jack Tatum was the Grim Reaper. Everybody on here is in the Hall of Fame but Jack. I think it's a damn shame that this man died and never got into the Hall. I can't respect the HOF.
Two notable omissions: Kenny Easley (whom Ronnie Lott called the hardest hitting player he's ever seen) and one of the few players besides LT at that time who forced offenses to change their game plans, and Kam Chancellor, enforcer of the Legion of Boom, who was flagged frequently for legal hits because they were so violent the ref thought it should be illegal. UA-cam Chancellor vs Winston and watch a 225lb safety stand his ground and break a 310 pound pulling lineman in half (and still tackle the RB for a loss).
that clip in the end where butkus stops the running back and holds on to him while his legs keep churning and hes going nowhere is very underrated. imagine the strength involved in being able to stop a human like that.
It is near impossible to include every single guy who was truly feared as a tackler. #31 Donnie Shell for the Pittsburgh Steelers is one that comes to mind. While I don't think he belongs in the top 10, I do believe he, along with quite a few others, deserved an honorable mention.
Man, I loved this video! Lambert, Tatum and Butkus were my favorites. As a Lions fan, I'm too young to remember Night Train Lane. I remember the Super Bowl when Cliff Harris dissed Roy Gerela and Lambert threw him to the ground. I wasn't a Steelers fan but, man, it was fun to see Lambert wreak havoc on the Cowboys after that. I loved Roger Staubach but guys like Cliff Harris turned me into a Cowboy hater. I loved watching Jack Tatum absolutely destroy receivers. He was the ultimate Raider. Butkus was before my time but my Dad told me great stories, especially since they played the Lions so much.
Lawrence Taylor is one of only two defensive players in the history of the game to win the NFL MVP award. He was a freak of nature who had the size and strength to push through offensive lineman on his way to the quarterback and the speed to chase down running backs and catch them from behind. The man deserves to be at the top of any defensive list and is arguably the greatest player to ever play the game.
It's a trip cuz all of the best players from Reggie White RIP ta Jerry Rice n Joe Montana say L.T. is the all time best!! But u gotta go by Decades if u ask me cuz rules change n at 1 point dey ain't track INT or Sacks so u know
Sean Taylor was the hardest hitter in the NFL that I have ever seen on the Washington Redskins. Not only his hitting was unmatched but his athleticism as well.
Love ST26. The Miami Hurricane fans literally have a game named after him. That being said, unfortunately he wasn't in the league long enough to make this list. Had he had a full career, no question he would be.
You can only think of what might have been . Crushing loss for football and the Redskins . Skins #27 , Ken Houston ,was also a great hitter at that position .
John Lynch might have laid a good hit on Barry, but Barry also put an all-time juke on him. Froze him in the hole, planted his foot and went on a dead sprint 80 yards to the end zone. Check the film I'm sure it's on UA-cam.
@@qaqa3180 one of the commentators during that game said during the slow-mo replay that "John Lynch's jockstrap is lying out there at the 20 yard line," and I'm pretty certain it still is there.
Another worthy entry to the list would be Sean Taylor. Had Sean had a 10-year or more career, he would have been the most feared tackler amongst safeties in the last 30 years
I saw Steve Atwater recently at a spine doctor’s office in Denver. My back is messed up and I get weekly cortisone shots. We chatted and talked about music in the waiting room for a few minutes. I was in a band that was a big deal in town many years ago. We even played at the 99’ Broncos ring party. What a cool dude he is. My favorite Bronco of all time. But I was too embarrassed to show him my tattoo on my calf of him leveling Christian Okoye.
I was just wondering who #'s 2-9 would be. I was just a child when Butkus played, but between film clips and testimonials from former players, it was no surprise to me. Spent a lifetime watching Ray Lewis and Jack Lambert destroy Bengals players twice a year, every year.
How do you leave Brian Dawkins off this list? His hit in the NFC Championship game against Atlanta was bone jarring. He was a ball hawk who laid the boom on anyone who came near him.
I'm a Cowboys fan and I have no idea why Dawkins isn't on here. Dude used to light us up, always wanted to have him here in Dallas. Definitely should be on the list.
I was watching that game against the Oilers in Earl Campbell as well as Jack Tatum were hurt from the contact from each other, that shows you how much power Earl Campbell had
I think it's crazy how Jack Lambert is in this list. Not because I think he doesn't deserve to be, but he's downright skinny for his position, but is recognized a one of the hardest hitting middle linebackers of all time. That's pretty damn impressive.
Being a member of Steeler Nation, growing up in Western Pennsylvania,Jack Lambert was Purely Awesome,but let's not forget Donnie Shell,and Jack Ham the whole defense of the Steel Curtain.Those were the Best days of my hometown life,Go Steelers Go.
One or 2 great hits does not make someone a "feared" tackler, al la Atwater and a few others. The 2 guys I saw that hit hard and made other players "flinch" were Butkus and Mike Curtis. Both seemed to like to hurt other players and they knew it. Tatum, Cliff Harris and Doug Plank should also be considered.
You are an absolute legend for uploading this. I tried to make a very patchy playlist of this but it was no where near complete. Hope you're all well and good. Edit - just wanted to take the time to say; Lynch's tackle on his brother in law knocked him out but he still held onto the ball. That's impressive.
Bravo to all on the list and as time passes, some will drop off and others added. To draft Butkus and Sayers in the 1965 draft, you’d think they’d be unstoppable. But a quarterback was also needed. So the all pro play of those 2 just wasn’t enough. They couldn’t have played harder, yet you need a team.
You're absolutely right to put Butkus at #1. He was the role model for a good many who came after him. Boy , he was scary even to a gal sitting in the stands!
I played high level football for 14 years up in Montreal lastly with the Junior Alouettes and McGill Redmen as both a running back and a DB when many of the players on this list were active. I was in awe of their aggressiveness and skill. It was the epitome of hard nosed old school football. Watching the hits now, I can't help but cringe at all the head to head shots that were legal back then. So many of the highlights herein would not exist on a compilation with today's rules.
Two things... He may not have a spot on the top ten, but he definitely deserves an honorable mention: Rickey Jackson, outside linebacker for the New Orleans Saints. The man had an accident with an 18 wheeler, had to have two emergency surgeries, yet only missed one game. He wouldn't have missed that one if head coach Jim Morra hadn't banned him from the locker room. Ask any quarterback, running back, or receiver during the 80's and early 90's if they remember Rickey. They will. They will grimace in remembered pain, but they will. All that being said, he deserves an honorable mention. The top ten list they made was fairly spot on. The second thing is about Dick Butkus. That man was NOT a man. He wasnt even a machine. He was evil personified once on the playing field. He honestly didn't believe he did his job if at least two people weren't carted off the field.
Not only did I have him on the top 10, I had him in the top 5!!!! My top five were butkus, LT, Ray Lewis, and a tie between Ronnie Lott and Sean Taylor for numbers 4 and 5.
I seriously can't believe Sean Taylor wasn't even mentioned. I understand that this is all opinion, but come on to not mention Sean Taylor is a crime of disrespect
As a lifelong Eagles fan, I loves the mention at the end of Comcrete Charlie's big hit in Frank Gifford! I'm surprised Bill Romanowski didn't make the list.
I am a Green Bay Packers fan for life. Ray Nitschke not being on the list is an affront (probably could've been anywhere from 7-10), but there is only one #1, and that is Dick Butkus. I remember old games where my dad would tell me that it felt like Butkus was out to kill people on the field.
Eddie George wasn’t intimidated by Ray Lewis, he respected his ability to deliver a hard hit & mess up the play so George made sure he knew where Lewis was during each play.
@@enhanced6892 not true at all. look up the video of george running ray with a massive stiff arm. looked like he choke slammed him. always good battles between them. ray definitely came out on top more.
When Michael Jordan was winning NBA titles he was once asked who was the toughest defender he ever played against. Without thinking about it he said, "Lawrence Taylor!" The interviewer said, "Lawrence Taylor was a football player!" Michael said, "Yeah, and he played basketball the same way!" Michael Jordan and Lawrence Taylor played college ball at UNC.
Hey man thanks for that information. I never knew that, what a cool story
Bullshit he didn't knock out earl campbell..... cheap shot artist.....
I never knew that...Classic 🔥
I never knew LT played basketball
@@leereeder2293 He was an amazing athlete! Growing up in Chicago, right during that mid-to-late 80s run for amazing Defenses in New York and Chicago, we always had arguments about who was really the best LB!
Well, when no less of an authority than Dick Butkus, an NFL LEGEND at LB and a God in Chicago, when _that man_ says that the best he ever saw was LT, right then, there was no more argument.
LT was that dude before that due was even a thing.
Butkus won Defensive Player of the Year in 69 when Chicago went 1-13. That says it all.
Unheard of. Especially in today's game because no air time. From what it sounds like they were afraid not to make him the winner. Lol
Thats a fact.Incredible!
The only game they won that year he had 22 tackles in that one game.
@@tlt3921 a season for some players.
@@tlt3921 I Googled this & he actually had 25. It doesn't say if they were all solo so 3 are probably combined but he is credited for 25. At 1-13, he was the only one making them apparently.
My dad used to wrestle me as a kid and when he'd tackle me he'd say "Butkus hits him!". I didn't even know what the word "Butkus" meant at that time, but I knew the name. The man was in awe of Butkus his entire life.
Gary Fencik #45, and Doug Plank #46 were huge hitters for the Bears in the 70's and 80's. Rushers trying to evade one often got blown up by the other. Great stuff.
As a fellow Chicagoan who is 56 now I wholeheartedly agree with you my friend I loved watching the Bears of the 70s and 80s after that it was all downhill
two of the best !!
As a kid in Chicago playing football we would say you got planked when someone hit you hard!
Butkus won a DPOY on a 1 win team. Beastly.
He is the original beast mode.
To say Bockus was a better hitter than Lawerance Taylor or better player is mind blowing
"Football is hitting.Butkus is the ultimate hitter"-Jim Brown.
I guess that would pretty much settle the issue.
Way more than ANYONE The GREAT Strong Mobile Jim Brown would know! RIP Mr Jim Brown!
Ask Earl Campbell that same question!
@@MitchMitch77-77 ?????
LT being first to jump up and call to the Skins sidelines was a class move. Plus, he was clearly horrified by what he had just rolled off of.
Fake sympathy.
RIP Dick Butkus… without question, the best to ever do it 🙏🏼
The replacement for the first MLB Bill George, he had big shoes to fill and Jesus did he. Bear Down Butkus, rest in peace you legend.
Lame. Fanboy and recency bias
@@Youknowwhoin2024you a big clown and we already know who you vote for.
Team bias maybe, but not recency, they were the 2 players i grew up watching highlight reels for. Maybe its good we dont all just hype up the same players though. Have fun being annoying to other people for no reason.@@Youknowwhoin2024
Dick Butkus is the greatest MLB of all time.
I'm a Viking fan, and our center back then, Mick Tinglehoff said: "When Butkus retired it added 2 years to my career."
My dad always said you had to be a mean SOB to go through life named Dick Butkus
@@goober5713 Can you imagine if his name was Harry?
@John Pottorgg hi ca111
@@goober5713 8
@@goober5713 Im with your Dad-Butkus was the best!
Dick Butkus. Born and raised in Chicago. Only played 9 years but made 8 Pro-Bowls and was a 2 time Defensive Player of the Year. He is the Monster of the Midway.
F that. He was the monster of Everyway.
Even with no knees his last few years
Back in the 1800s nine season was a lot
I watched Butkus,night train another great hitter (Mad dog)Mike Curtis
But not number one maybe number four 🤷🏾♂️
There were so many great tacklers, but the two greatest that I have ever seen was Dick Butkus and Jack Tatum. Unbelievable how they could reach peak acceleration at impact.
I agree Butkus and Tatum are the top 2.
Yes . I agree about Jack Tatum and the category is " Most Feared " not best .
Isaac - Thank You!... I am so pleased that Steve Atwater was included on this list... I covered the Broncos back in the 1980's and all anyone ever wanted to talk about was John Elway (deserving undeniably) but there were 21 other Broncos out on the field with him and Steve was just as important to - Wade Phillips' & Greg Robinson's - Broncos defense as John was to Dan Reeves & Mike Shanahan's offense... A deserving Hall-of-Famer and a GREAT (and humble) person, Steve Atwater!
Yes agree 100% Atwater was so awesome on and off the field what a powerful dude!
49ers trainer: Ronnie, we cant let you play with a broken pinky tip"
Ronnie Lott: "if we cut it off, it's not broken anymore"
Trainer : *"What?"*
Ronnie: *"What?!"*
Lmao
Best corner/ safety ever to play the game
@@michaelleroy9281 For real, like Polomalu times 4.
@@flyingtoaster1427 apparently it was timmy newsome of the cowgirls who ronnie tackled and broke the famous amputated finger in 85.
before i even watch the video i know hes number 1
Deacon Jones. I know he was a lineman, but he was so fast, strong and just plain brutal to watch.
Was on that Ram defense called the Fearsome Foursome
The 2 most feared tacklers for me were Mean Joe Greene and Dick Butkus
Mean Joe on the other hand led the Steelers to 4 Super Bowl titles in the 70's
Mean! Best word to describe him
Deacon Jones was up there with Mean Joe and Butkus
Good to see Night Train Lane getting the respect he deserves
How tall was he , and how he baited QB'S , i think Prime time when he played modeled his game after him
Night Train was one of the best defensive backs ever.
He's not talked about much any more, but Chuck Cecil was one of the hardest hitters I've ever seen. He even appeared on an SI cover that asked if he was too dangerous for the NFL.
Chuck was a vicious hitter. Everyone who ever got hit by him or coached by him knew it.
He was vicious for sure.
I completely agree, he was a monster!
Notice they left Cecil and Harrison off. I'm wondering if it's because both were so heavily penalized for illegal hits.
Loved watching him plat at UA. Beast!
Steve Atwater doesn't get remembered nearly enough. I feel like younger people nowadays probably don't even know who he is.
Atwater is the hardest hittin' safety, ever behind Ronnie Lott... and the Saints my squad.
i know of steve atwater and im a raider fan whos 18 yrs young, legends will always be remembered never forgotten
@@ondatazz6346 I think Brian Dawkins is up there as well.
Saw him at DIA and I just said, "Thanks for all the hits, man". He smiled big.
Atwater was great man, not only a legendary big hitter but a great form tackler to boot, he was respected and feared in equal measure!
I could listen to LT all day.
Him casually saying, "son, y'all gotta do better than this." while standing over the qb shaking his head is probably my favorite NFL one liner. 😂😂😂
I prefer "let's go in there like a bunch of crazed dogs and have some fun"...
As a Philly fan the Giants are arch, division rivals. We had to see him 2 times a year at least. I can't say it was fun to watch. But it was awesome. LT was and is legendary. Next time a woman says on her dating profile she wants to "Live life to the fullest" I'm going to reply "Like Lawrence Taylor?"
I liked his " let's go in there like a bunch of crazy dogs !" It reminds me of a fellow linebacker I played with. He would say at the start of the game, " let's get at 'em like a pack of rabid dogs !" I knew it was his original saying. It was about ten years before LT played in the NFL.
@@michaelswinehart2788 Lawrence could really hit that crack pipe too
It must be exaggerated but listening to people talk about how scared people were of him is entertaining.
Playing football through high school it was a amazing how some guys could hit you like a ton of bricks. And the really hard hitters were not necessarily big. They tended to be fast and absolutely fearless.
Sean Taylor was one of the hardest hitters ever. RIP Sean
Landry and Taylor were one of the most entertaining defensive backfields I've ever seen.
Yes he was!! No question. I would have loved to have seen how his game evolved. Very sad ending. I blame his sister for bringing those haters into home.
No mercy on that punter in the pro bowl hahaha...R.i.P...kid
Ever more of a hard hitter than Jack Tatum the assassin
@@conesobruh9165i wouldn’t go that far, jack Tatum paralyzed someone
My dad played with Singletary at Baylor and he said they used to keep 3 helmets on the bench with his number on them because he would usually break atleast 2 per half.
How hard do you have to hit someone to break a helmet?
@@justshootmevideos5336 lol yea thats crazy
That’s insane !
Imagine that 1 impact or play. Ruined a helmet !
I grew up in the same neighborhood as Dick in the 50's and 60's. He was a legend from the time he went to CVS high school. His brothers owned a moving company and were also tough guys.
This list got #1 right for sure. I have watched pro football for 66 years and Butkus was hands down # 1, no one even close. The most destructive defensive player to ever play the game. I watched every game he ever played. He played a game with cracked ribs and tackled guys the same as he did in these clips. If you have ever had cracked ribs, which I have had, you know how fierce this guy was to play in that kind of pain. He and Gayle Sayers packed Wrigley field when the Bears teams were not worth the price of admission. The two of them were, "you have to see them to believe them type players".
6:11: Aww Coach Reeves. Rest In Peace, my friend. Thank you for the memories here in Denver.
Even though it was only one tackle, the beauty of Steve Largents tackle and fumble recovery on Mike Harden of Denver gets him a spot on this imo. As far as defensive backs go I like how Ronnie Lott described getting a big hit. "Actually, getting a big hit means you were a little late on your coverage."
Dat is true cuz u a never c Prime on here he say dat ball is mine. But Ronnie Lott could do Dat cuz Eric Wright was on other side as a rookie Ballin like Lester Hayes
Jack Lambert's second career was as a Game Warden. I can not imagine giving him a hard time when he said "may I please see your license."
Most people don't realize in many states a game warden has legal access to any property for any reason, doesn't need a warrant or cause, more power than about any other law enforcement dept you can think of.
"We don't need no STEENKING licenses!!!" :P
Actually Earl wasn't ready for the hit and it was a big hit, yet he kept going after the initial impact. That is a testament to how tough Earl was and how big of a hitter Tatum was.
Earl was so big that his momentum carried him forward even when out on his feet. Two of the greats being great at what they were known for at the same time.
Earl is paying for all those hits now, he is a shell of his former self. However, he has a beautiful spirit.
Tatum lead with his helmet
@@elomon3473 Doesn't matter. That wasn't a rule back then.
My boy Lyle Alzado was a monster hitter too. He was a tad before my time, but I remember watching plenty of highlight videos on him. He was a pure monster.
I remember Alzado playing. Yes, he was a mean hungry killer for sure.
I was a kid during the 70's and I really feel like this was the best time in the history of the NFL. MEL BLOUNT was the biggest hitting DB I ever saw personally. He was a game changer.
He literally changed the game lol the rule change in 1978 is called the Mel Blount rule
Night train Lane then Mel Blount...nfl made rule changes because of their dominance
He literally changed game, u right. Great call on Mel.
Man, Mighty Mel Blount would SUPLEX his opponent!!!! That's some WWE shit right there! SUPERB!!!
Willie Lanier was also a tremendous hitter
His nickname was mr. Contact
Story about Butkus. Offensive player,
"he bit my finger!" Butkus,
"let me see, nope wasn't me. You still have your finger."
Lawrence Taylor was better than we remember. He could be the best football player ever. Seriously, he was the only defensive player I've ever seen straight take over and win a game that his team was, 100 percent going to lose, after leaving in first half with an injury. It's incredible to say I know, but he is underrated.
He is the best football player ever
I've seen that Atwater hit on okoye a bunch of times.
One thing these highlights always leave out - Okoye ran Atwater over the next time atwater tried to tackle him
Atwater, Tatum, Plank
Lucky enough and old enough to be a Raiders fan since ‘65 and watched Jack Tatum. Our Defense back then was truly scary.
the sould patrol. Tatum, Atkinson, Dr. Death Skip Thomas; the best ever defensive backfield and the toughest.
The game has changed so much, Ray Lewis, kam chancellor, Brian Dawkins, Sean Taylor were some of the most feared hitters I saw.
But Dawkins not even a mention tho?
Butkus is still the goat
Lyle Alzado, Derrick Thomas, Shawne Merriman?
These are great, Isaac. I found these NFL compilation shows helped me through Covid in 2020, and still do.
Thanks for posting.
Ronnie Lot and Brian Dawkins my favorites of all time 🏈
B-Dawg !
Football is a collision sport; Jack Tatum was as good a collider as I've ever seen... Classic!!
85% of these hits would draw a penalty now.
@nxtrash and trashew suck big one Haha that made me laugh. You're probably right.
because they were illegal hits and not safe.
they should have made those hits with no helmets if they were though, pu
@@boubakrbenlaafou4188 I agree that they weren't safe but they were legal at the time. I don't see any yellow flags in this video.
I know vontez burfict watched this shit with his mouth open. Like yaw kicked me out the league but praise these guys lmao
That's one of the reasons the game is soft now
I Like that you gave each player a fair amount of time and didn't rush through them
What an intense ground shaking video where I could feel those hits right thru the screen bam loved it
Tatum is the only guy who hit another player so hard he indirectly cost his team a Super Bowl - No way that ball gets jarred 30 feet into the air into Franco's hands if it was some other guy hitting the receiver.
Not so fast, my friend. Keep in mind that one week after the Immaculate Reception the Steelers lost to the undefeated Miami Dolphins. The Raiders most likely would've fallen as well.
Lawrence Taylor # 1 Butkus #2 Jack Tatum3
@@huntsvilhawk
Butkus
LT
Tatum
Seriously, and now he plays for the Celtics. What a legend!
@@Jomitheelf
Nice joke 😆
I believe he meant Jack Tatum former strong Safety of the Oakland Raiders 🏴☠️ in the early 1970s
And I’m a Celtics fan and Jayson Tatum is my favorite player in today’s NBA
Jack Tatum is slam-dunk #1 on my list. It appears many in this comment section agree.
I noticed someone here suggested Doug Plank as worth mentioning. Good call. I think he get's overlooked because I don't think his career was all that long and that he wasn't really above average in terms of overall talent. But he'd lay the wood on any receiver coming over the middle.
I would say Tatum or Lott
By that standard though, Bernard pollard should be on the list.
Scariest dude ever
Agree
Buddy Ryan named the 46 D after #46 Plank
@@iceman4311 I'd say Tatum because Tatum was doing it in college and Lott began his career as a corner and didn't have the same opportunity to play run defense.
David Fulcher and Terry Hoage were a couple of monsters, as well. The most recent heavy hitter that left quite an impression on me, is Parrish Cox. Dude was vicious.
17:27 - 17:56
what that man said about Ray Lewis perfectly encapsulates Ray his whole career. Every player could just see it in his eyes, hear it from his voice and by the way he played that he was a beast. He had that mystique, that bad ass element
Chuck Bednarik the last 60-minute man deserves a mention.
Yes he does. Concrete Charlie was playing the full 60 minutes long after the one-platoon system was obsolete at college and professional level.
I was at the University of Arkansas when Steve Atwater was there and know him personally. He and Dan Hampton shutdown the triple option offense in the old Southwest Conference so thoroughly that teams like Texas and SMU never ran it again against them.
Well Atwater joined the wrong team--but the kid could play, I'll give you that.
Best list ever....great post.
I'm a browns fan for over three decades and Ray Lewis is my favorite all time def player. That's greatness!
Night Train's hits are probably the hardest and most reckless hits I've ever seen from a defensive back. I bet he absolutely terrified the receivers in the league that had to go against him
@Jim Watson i think he'd most likely be a safety in today's game because he had unbelievable ball skills
@Jim Watson his listed height and weight were 6'1" 194. He was a very big guy compared to the rest of the DBs in the league at the time but again I think he'd play safety in today's game more so because of his ball skills even though he was extremely physical
Yeah you are just getting in a fight every play
Never drafted
Dude I was like dam how he all mad
If Sean Taylor could of played longer we know he be on this list🙏🏼
Yes, he could HAVE.
Dude was brutal, made TO cry constantly. Hahaha
👨🏿💻 Thank you for this! 👏🏿👏🏾👏🏽👏👏🏼👏🏻
These men are people ive always respected . Football is violent sport. They dedicated their hearts and minds.
I was a kid in '72 or '73, and Dick Butkus came to my house to throw passes to me and my kid brother. True story. (Thinking now it was summer of 1971-- see my comment below).
Why?
He just picked ur house out of the other millions in the US?
@@craddock619 Players were much more accessible back then. He was making an appearance at a church festival just down the street from our home in a city adjacent to Chicago. My dad knew the fella delivering him and arranged for him to stop by our house for a bit. He was as nice as could be...There was an enormous trophy in the rear seat of the car. I now see that he won NFL Defensive POY in 1970, so I'm guessing it was the summer of 1971.
I got dissed by Rick James .
I had a similar experience with Butkus outside U of I's Memorial Stadium one afternoon. We kids (12, 13 yo) were playing on the lawn outside the stadium when he and another Illini stopped and watched us. We invited them to join, Butkus went to the other side. I was about 5'2 100 pounds and was our sides RB. I got through the line right into Butkus. He had that mean look on his face, lifted me up almost over his head... I knew I was going to die... then gently laid me on the grass and laughed. I've loved him ever since. That was in 10/63.
I know this list is old, but you have to add James Harrison to this list. The league basically took tackling out of the game after he knocked out two Browns players in a row.
And maybe Vontaze Burfict?
All of them are 100% badasses.
Razorback Atwater#1
Seen every home games, 4 road games, 1 bowl game, 1 pro game, stayed at the same hotels of the college games, got to visit with him about 40 minutes 6× each time.
Awesome to talk to him and watch.
I wish Patrick Willis didn’t retire so early. He was a beast and definitely one of the hardest hitters I’ve ever seen.
Willis was great but still not a fearsome as another 49er....#42
John Lynch might have laid a good hit on Barry, but Barry also put an all-time juke on him. Froze him in the hole, planted his foot and went on a dead sprint 80 yards to the end zone.
Check the film I'm sure it's on UA-cam.
Dude was like 20 when that happened to him.
Hadin Landeros dont matter. Barry would’ve done that in anyone’s prime
Tbh, using Barry and Faulk is a pretty bad example of 'hitting hard' resume. I mean they were great and hard to get ahold of, but it's not like they were going to run you over
Hadin Landeros that was what Barry was going to do to ANYbody. The fact that he was able to hit Barry Sanders on his own in the open field isn’t something to be glossed over.
lynch should not be on this list.
As a Baltimore Colts season ticket holder I had the opportunity to see these guys play in real time.....back when the game was all about the hitting.....no intentional cheap shots....just good old fashioned street fights.....
Jack Tatum was the Grim Reaper. Everybody on here is in the Hall of Fame but Jack. I think it's a damn shame that this man died and never got into the Hall. I can't respect the HOF.
Two notable omissions: Kenny Easley (whom Ronnie Lott called the hardest hitting player he's ever seen) and one of the few players besides LT at that time who forced offenses to change their game plans, and Kam Chancellor, enforcer of the Legion of Boom, who was flagged frequently for legal hits because they were so violent the ref thought it should be illegal. UA-cam Chancellor vs Winston and watch a 225lb safety stand his ground and break a 310 pound pulling lineman in half (and still tackle the RB for a loss).
Had this been made a little later, Kam at least makes best of the rest.
Kam should be considered for the HOF.
@@kelvinbarber1765I think he’ll make it. Might have to wait a lil but he should make it
Ronnie knew him. Easley played at UCLA. Lott was a USC player
that clip in the end where butkus stops the running back and holds on to him while his legs keep churning and hes going nowhere is very underrated. imagine the strength involved in being able to stop a human like that.
During an era when there was off-seasons and no specialized strength training.
Cuz Butkus was white. If was a black he would been an athletic god
@@davidhackworth295 He's still one regardless of race
@@davidhackworth295 yet he is ranked #1 on this list so you can take that comment and shove it.
It is near impossible to include every single guy who was truly feared as a tackler. #31 Donnie Shell for the Pittsburgh Steelers is one that comes to mind. While I don't think he belongs in the top 10, I do believe he, along with quite a few others, deserved an honorable mention.
Donnie Shell was a headhunter no doubt, finally made it in the HOF, way overdue.
Top 100 hitters it is. Naw..that would take too long and no one would watch. LOL. We'd all watch!
Bill Bates of the cowboys. Don't sleep on that guy. A total apocalypse on the kickoff return.
Donnie Shell,..aka .."the Torpedo"!
Dude hit like a freight train!
He was the exclamation point on the Steel Curtain!
@@BST-lm4po Hit Campbell head on. One of many Steelers that would knock you out of your shoes in that time. Donnie doesn't get the credit he deserves.
Mike Curtis absolutely has to be on the list.
yup he was scary
Man, I loved this video! Lambert, Tatum and Butkus were my favorites. As a Lions fan, I'm too young to remember Night Train Lane. I remember the Super Bowl when Cliff Harris dissed Roy Gerela and Lambert threw him to the ground. I wasn't a Steelers fan but, man, it was fun to see Lambert wreak havoc on the Cowboys after that. I loved Roger Staubach but guys like Cliff Harris turned me into a Cowboy hater. I loved watching Jack Tatum absolutely destroy receivers. He was the ultimate Raider. Butkus was before my time but my Dad told me great stories, especially since they played the Lions so much.
Lawrence Taylor is one of only two defensive players in the history of the game to win the NFL MVP award. He was a freak of nature who had the size and strength to push through offensive lineman on his way to the quarterback and the speed to chase down running backs and catch them from behind. The man deserves to be at the top of any defensive list and is arguably the greatest player to ever play the game.
Who was the other?
I agree LT changed the game due to his size, speed and cocaine but a big hitter he wasn't
It's a trip cuz all of the best players from Reggie White RIP ta Jerry Rice n Joe Montana say L.T. is the all time best!! But u gotta go by Decades if u ask me cuz rules change n at 1 point dey ain't track INT or Sacks so u know
@Kasper 70 Purple People Eaters
Last I checked he was the goat according to former NFL players and me as much as my opinion matters
"Butkus.".....truer words have never been spoken.
When they used to let them play, and hit. Love these old vids.
Sean Taylor was the hardest hitter in the NFL that I have ever seen on the Washington Redskins. Not only his hitting was unmatched but his athleticism as well.
Love ST26. The Miami Hurricane fans literally have a game named after him.
That being said, unfortunately he wasn't in the league long enough to make this list.
Had he had a full career, no question he would be.
He got trucked by Greg Jones from FSU(and I mean TRUCKED)and Michael Pittman from the Bucs. That guy wasnt close to Atwater and Lott.
You can only think of what might have been . Crushing loss for football and the Redskins .
Skins #27 , Ken Houston ,was also a great hitter at that position .
@@RyanGuenther-cb5yoHeard N nightmare rolled.over Atwater except once!
I think Barry Sanders should've made the list for making opponents tackle themselves
Agreed
John Lynch might have laid a good hit on Barry, but Barry also put an all-time juke on him. Froze him in the hole, planted his foot and went on a dead sprint 80 yards to the end zone.
Check the film I'm sure it's on UA-cam.
@@qaqa3180 that was playing in my mind when I made the comment
@@qaqa3180 one of the commentators during that game said during the slow-mo replay that "John Lynch's jockstrap is lying out there at the 20 yard line," and I'm pretty certain it still is there.
LOL, yes indeed.
I like how the Jack Tatum/Earl Campbell play is looked at differently in this episode vs the Power Backs episode.
@Harry Engel It's almost certainly the hardest each ever got hit, especially Tatum, who was used to inflicting punishment.
Hey
Earl just seems to b a wreck now physically.
alpeena yeah and Tatum had his own issues after his career ended. Both men certainly gave their all
@@AlejandroSanchez-pl6jw and for what?
Another worthy entry to the list would be Sean Taylor.
Had Sean had a 10-year or more career, he would have been the most feared tackler amongst safeties in the last 30 years
Best and hardest hits I’ve ever seen for the modern era comes from Bob Sanders his hit MJD so hard.
Great start to my Monday! You’re underrated af!!
I saw Steve Atwater recently at a spine doctor’s office in Denver. My back is messed up and I get weekly cortisone shots.
We chatted and talked about music in the waiting room for a few minutes. I was in a band that was a big deal in town many years ago. We even played at the 99’ Broncos ring party. What a cool dude he is. My favorite Bronco of all time.
But I was too embarrassed to show him my tattoo on my calf of him leveling Christian Okoye.
I love Atwater, and I'm a Raider...
That's a legendary hit. Dude was a monster!
no effin way. he was embarrased to show his tatoo of you from that muddy waters cover band that jammed at the ringparty
I was just wondering who #'s 2-9 would be. I was just a child when Butkus played, but between film clips and testimonials from former players, it was no surprise to me. Spent a lifetime watching Ray Lewis and Jack Lambert destroy Bengals players twice a year, every year.
Your never gonna see a Top Ten Feared Tacklers again, with this new NFL.
In The Early To Late 70's #46 DOUG PLANK Of The Chicago Bears Was Simply Vicious
Plank deserves a mention....yes
Play was over.....1234....BOOM !
He had a great name for a defensive back
Doug Plank was an outstanding hitter. The 46 Defense is named after Plank.
How do you leave Brian Dawkins off this list? His hit in the NFC Championship game against Atlanta was bone jarring. He was a ball hawk who laid the boom on anyone who came near him.
Best open field one on one . You are going down.
Who made list and not mention " Weapon X " ought be punched in the fucking face.
And he really wasn't all that big
100%. And then to have a guy like Roy Williams in the honorable mentions and not him just shows they clearly didn’t do enough research
I'm a Cowboys fan and I have no idea why Dawkins isn't on here. Dude used to light us up, always wanted to have him here in Dallas. Definitely should be on the list.
I was watching that game against the Oilers in Earl Campbell as well as Jack Tatum were hurt from the contact from each other, that shows you how much power Earl Campbell had
I think it's crazy how Jack Lambert is in this list. Not because I think he doesn't deserve to be, but he's downright skinny for his position, but is recognized a one of the hardest hitting middle linebackers of all time. That's pretty damn impressive.
It ain’t the size of the dog in a fight; but the size of the fight in the dog!…….woody hayes
Ray Lewis was an absolute killer err never mind.
🤣😂🤣😂
Nah he killed him for sure
@Sam Yaza I don't think you know the actual story bro
And I don’t care 🤷🏽♂️
@@Remorsefullyhumble He’s still a murderer though.
Being a member of Steeler Nation, growing up in Western Pennsylvania,Jack Lambert was Purely Awesome,but let's not forget Donnie Shell,and Jack Ham the whole defense of the Steel Curtain.Those were the Best days of my hometown life,Go Steelers Go.
James Harrison greg lyod Ryan Clark troy polomalo and many others to
58👊
L.T. Was great ! Butkus was a nightmare in relentless collision ! The best.
One or 2 great hits does not make someone a "feared" tackler, al la Atwater and a few others. The 2 guys I saw that hit hard and made other players "flinch" were Butkus and Mike Curtis. Both seemed to like to hurt other players and they knew it. Tatum, Cliff Harris and Doug Plank should also be considered.
Doug plank could lay the wood on people
Did you watch Atwater throughout the 90s? He was clobbering guys all the time. He was a monstrous hitter.
Curtis was an absolute monster and is severely underated.
Totally agree with the number one. Still a legend
You are an absolute legend for uploading this. I tried to make a very patchy playlist of this but it was no where near complete.
Hope you're all well and good.
Edit - just wanted to take the time to say; Lynch's tackle on his brother in law knocked him out but he still held onto the ball. That's impressive.
Bravo to all on the list and as time passes, some will drop off and others added. To draft Butkus and Sayers in the 1965 draft, you’d think they’d be unstoppable. But a quarterback was also needed. So the all pro play of those 2 just wasn’t enough. They couldn’t have played harder, yet you need a team.
Damn that was awesome
Agree with number 1, Butkus an absolute mean beast!
You're absolutely right to put Butkus at #1. He was the role model for a good many who came after him. Boy , he was scary even to a gal sitting in the stands!
I played high level football for 14 years up in Montreal lastly with the Junior Alouettes and McGill Redmen as both a running back and a DB when many of the players on this list were active. I was in awe of their aggressiveness and skill. It was the epitome of hard nosed old school football. Watching the hits now, I can't help but cringe at all the head to head shots that were legal back then. So many of the highlights herein would not exist on a compilation with today's rules.
Incredible list
Why does Joey browner always get overlooked, he was a beast!!
Loved Browner when he played for the Vikings. Viking Ring of Honor.
@John Pottorgg
I don't remember Wes Welker playing between 1983 to 1992, when Browner played. Lol
@John Pottorgg
Joey Browner was a safety, that played for the Vikings from 1983 to 1991. He played one year for Tampa Bay in 92'.
@John Pottorgg
Welker played from 2004 to 2015.
Troy brown played from 1993 to 2007.
Joey Browner was a guy who made receivers grow T-rex arms. Ferocious hitter!
Two things...
He may not have a spot on the top ten, but he definitely deserves an honorable mention: Rickey Jackson, outside linebacker for the New Orleans Saints. The man had an accident with an 18 wheeler, had to have two emergency surgeries, yet only missed one game. He wouldn't have missed that one if head coach Jim Morra hadn't banned him from the locker room.
Ask any quarterback, running back, or receiver during the 80's and early 90's if they remember Rickey. They will. They will grimace in remembered pain, but they will.
All that being said, he deserves an honorable mention. The top ten list they made was fairly spot on.
The second thing is about Dick Butkus. That man was NOT a man. He wasnt even a machine. He was evil personified once on the playing field. He honestly didn't believe he did his job if at least two people weren't carted off the field.
Sean Taylor may he rest in piece definitely should have made the top ten, or at the very least recieved an honorable mention.
Not only did I have him on the top 10, I had him in the top 5!!!! My top five were butkus, LT, Ray Lewis, and a tie between Ronnie Lott and Sean Taylor for numbers 4 and 5.
I seriously can't believe Sean Taylor wasn't even mentioned. I understand that this is all opinion, but come on to not mention Sean Taylor is a crime of disrespect
As a lifelong Eagles fan, I loves the mention at the end of Comcrete Charlie's big hit in Frank Gifford! I'm surprised Bill Romanowski didn't make the list.
I am a Green Bay Packers fan for life. Ray Nitschke not being on the list is an affront (probably could've been anywhere from 7-10), but there is only one #1, and that is Dick Butkus. I remember old games where my dad would tell me that it felt like Butkus was out to kill people on the field.
Ray Nitschke went to Proviso when there was only 1 Proviso High School
Nitchkze has to be top 5.
Eddie George wasn’t intimidated by Ray Lewis, he respected his ability to deliver a hard hit & mess up the play so George made sure he knew where Lewis was during each play.
ray turned eddie into a kitten before me eyes
@@enhanced6892 not true at all. look up the video of george running ray with a massive stiff arm. looked like he choke slammed him. always good battles between them. ray definitely came out on top more.
@@steveremo4761 yeah i probably saw every game of eddie george since houston. he trucked everybody. except the ravens...
@@enhanced6892 you could say that about any one at the time going against that ravens d lol
He surely wasn't scared. But Ray got the better of him far more than not. Wspexially when it counted the most
I wanna make an honorable mention Ricky Jackson was the terror of most quarterbacks in his day.
The best honest list I've seen! However, Chuck Bednarik hit harder than Lambert.