You know the type. They’re the grunts who block and tackle while the stars get the headlines. They’re the grinders you never see on highlights shows, the ones with the dirtiest uniforms, the players you can’t win without in the ultimate team sport.
They are football’s unsung heroes. And every NFL team has one player who never got the credit they deserve.
Can you name them?
Note: Only players with fewer than three Pro Bowl selections were eligible. Statistics marked with an asterisk are incomplete.
St. Louis/Phoenix-Arizona Cardinals: Name This Unsung Hero
inktycoon / Getty Images
Years with Cardinals: 1963-76 (14 seasons)
Team record: 101-85-10
Playoff record: 0-2
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the 18th round of the 1963 NFL draft.
- I attended Georgia Tech.
- I ran 62 yards untouched after high snap found its way into my hands, one of the easiest touchdowns that a linebacker ever scored.
- I played in one Pro Bowl game.
- I sat out only two games in my last 11 seasons.
Cardinals Answer: Larry Stallings
Position: Linebacker
NFL career: 1963-76 (14 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 181 games, nine interceptions, sacks not available, 13 fumble recoveries, three touchdowns
Bottom line: So dependable was this iron man for so long, you could set your alarm clock by Larry Stallings.
He anchored the strong side of the Redbirds defense for 11 seasons.
Atlanta Falcons: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Falcons: 1975-84 (10 seasons)
Team record: 65-82
Playoff record: 1-3
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the sixth round of the 1975 NFL draft.
- I attended UCLA.
- I was a member of the “Gritz Blitz” defense.
- I never played in a Pro Bowl game.
- I was known as “Captain Crazy” because of my fearless style.
Falcons Answer: Fulton Kuykendall
Position: Linebacker
NFL career: 1975-85 (11 seasons)
Other teams: San Francisco 49ers (1985)
Stats: 124 games, one interception, *2.0 sacks, nine fumble recoveries
Bottom line: This run-stuffer was so tough, he wore corduroy underwear under his denim jeans.
Yet a maniacal personality overshadowed Fulton Kuykendall’s role in the “Gritz Blitz” defense, among the best of its era.
He’s on the short list of Falcons players with 200-plus tackles in a season.
Baltimore Ravens: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Ravens: 1997-2002 (6 seasons)
Team record: 49-46-1
Playoff record: 4-0
League championships: 1 — 2000 (Super Bowl XXXV)
Hints:
- I was chosen in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL draft.
- I attended Wake Forest
- After a breakthrough 1996 season, I signed with the Ravens as a free agent.
- I played in two Pro Bowl games.
- I had six sacks and one forced fumble in the 2000 playoffs.
Revens Answer: Michael McCrary
Roberto Borea / AP Photo
Position: Defensive end
NFL career: 1993-2002 (10 seasons)
Other teams: Seattle Seahawks (1993-96)
Stats: 136 games, 71.0 sacks, seven fumble recoveries, one safety
Bottom line: While teammates thumped their chests around him, this unheralded draft pick quietly went about his business.
Michael McCary’s 51.0 career sacks rank first at the position in club history.
Buffalo Bills: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Bills: 1971-78 (8 seasons)
Team record: 38-65-1
Playoff record: 0-1
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the third round of the 1971 NFL draft.
- I attended West Virginia.
- I escorted O.J. Simpson on many a chase.
- I never took part in a Pro Bowl game.
- I continued the Bills’ tradition of No. 34 before the number was retired permanently.
Bills Answer: Jim Braxton
Position: Fullback
NFL career: 1971-78 (8 seasons)
Other teams: Miami Dolphins (1978)
Stats: 90 games, 2,890 rush yards, 3.9 yards per attempt, 31 touchdowns
Bottom line: We all know about O.J. Simpson and his record 2,003-yard season, but how many remember his lead dog in the backfield? “Bubby” did more than block, though.
This versatile bruiser was on a pace for 1,100-plus yards and nine touchdowns himself that 1973 season, if not for a back issue that delayed his start.
Carolina Panthers: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Panthers: 2004-12 (9 seasons)
Team record: 110-115-1
Playoff record: 2-2
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft.
- I attended Ohio State.
- I led the Panthers in interceptions in six of my nine seasons.
- I never took part in a Pro Bowl game.
- I’m the franchise career leader in interceptions.
Panthers Answer: Chris Gamble
Rick Havner / AP Photo
Position: Cornerback
NFL career: 2004-12 (9 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 123 games, 27 interceptions, six fumble recoveries, three touchdowns
Bottom line: The former Buckeye was one of the better cover cornerbacks in the 2000s decade.
But he wasn’t a self-promoter and played in a mid-market, which made him one of the best-kept secrets in the league.
Not that he cared much. At 29 years of age, he walked away from the game healthy and wealthy.
Chicago Bears: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Bears: 1966-79 (14 seasons)
Team record: 80-116
Playoff record: 0-2
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the fourth round of the 1966 NFL draft.
- I attended Louisville.
- I was especially effective in pass coverage and intercepted at least one pass in 12 different seasons.
- I never played in a Pro Bowl game.
- I started every game for nine consecutive seasons.
Bears Answer: Doug Buffone
Position: Linebacker
NFL career: 1966-79 (14 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 186 games, 24 interceptions, sacks not available, nine fumble recoveries, one touchdown
Bottom line: No, Beavis, Dick Butkus did not make every tackle for Da Bears all those years.
His left-hand man played at a consistently high level with a team that rarely packed an offense.
Cincinnati Bengals: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Bengals: 1969-83 (15 seasons)
Team record: 110-115-1
Playoff record: 2-5
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was selected in the sixth round of the 1966 NFL draft.
- I attended Florida A&M.
- I started every game that I played with the Bengals after my rookie season.
- I never played in a Pro Bowl game.
- I’m the franchise career leader in interceptions.
Bengals Answer: Ken Riley
AP Photo
Position: Cornerback
NFL career: 1969-83 (15 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 207 games, 65 interceptions, 18 fumble recoveries, five touchdowns
Bottom line: Teammate Lemar Parish got all the love, but there came a point when Ken Riley was every bit his equal.
The Bengals’ lifer had extraordinary 1975 and 1976 seasons (15 interceptions, two touchdowns combined) with elite defenses.
Dude, he has the fifth-most interceptions in league history and still never got a sniff of a Pro Bowl game.
Cleveland Browns: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Browns: 1976-84 (9 seasons)
Team record: 66-67
Playoff record: 0-2
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the first round of the 1976 NFL draft.
- I attended Purdue.
- Early in my career, I was overshadowed by a Heisman Trophy runner-up of the same name.
- I took part in two Pro Bowl games.
- Only Jim Brown and LeRoy Kelly rushed for more yards in franchise history.
Browns Answer: Mike Pruitt
AP Photo
Position: Fullback-running back-kickoff returner
NFL career: 1976-86 (11 seasons)
Other teams: Buffalo Bills (1985), Kansas City Chiefs (1985-86)
Stats: 152 games, 7,378 rushing yards, 56 touchdowns
Bottom line: While Greg Pruitt (no relation) was more heralded, this one put up slightly better numbers with the team.
Only a players’ strike prevented what would have been five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons for Mike Pruitt.
Dallas Cowboys: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Cowboys: 1963-75 (13 seasons)
Team record: 117-62-3
Playoff record: 10-8
League championships: 1 — 1971 (Super Bowl VI)
Hints:
- I was chosen in the 25th round of the 1962 AFL draft.
- I attended Auburn.
- I had a nose for the ball and accounted for 30 turnovers in my career.
- I never played in a Pro Bowl game.
- I started 153 of 154 games in my final 11 seasons.
Cowboys Answer: Dave Edwards
Ferd Kaufman / AP Photo
Position: Linebacker
NFL career: 1963-75 (13 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 186 games, 17 interceptions, sacks not available, 13 fumble recoveries, one touchdown
Bottom line: Easier to find a smile on Bill Belichick’s face than unsung members of “America’s Team,’ but here’s one of them.
While Bob Lilly, Jethro Pugh, Lee Roy Jordan and Mel Renfro got most of the pub, this member of the “Doomsday Defense” went about his business without much fanfare.
Denver Broncos: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Broncos: 1975-86 (12 seasons)
Team record: 111-68-0
Playoff record: 2-5
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the fifth round of the 1975 NFL draft.
- I attended Miami of Florida.
- I anchored one of the most famous defenses in league history.
- I never played in a Pro Bowl game.
- I was a key figure in the switch to the 3-4 defense in the 1977 season.
Broncos Answer: Rubin Carter
Position: Nose tackle-defensive tackle
NFL career: 1975-86 (12 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 166 games, *5.0 sacks, 13 fumble recoveries, one touchdown
Bottom line: The linebackers received too much credit in the “Orange Crush” defense. It was Rubin Carter’s ability to take on multiple blockers in the middle that allowed them to stand out.
The guy was at his best in the 1977 season, when the franchise made its first Super Bowl trip.
But he got shafted in the Pro Bowl vote when five teammates made the cut at his side of the ball.
Detroit Lions: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Lions: 1992-2012 (21 seasons)
Team record: 123-213-0
Playoff record: 0-6
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was selected in the second round of the 1992 NFL draft.
- I attended Washington State.
- I was a first-stringer throughout my career.
- I took part in two Pro Bowl games.
- I’m the all-time scorer in franchise history.
Lions Answer: Jason Hanson
Paul Sancya / AP Photo
Position: Placekicker
NFL career: 1992-2012 (21 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 327 games, 2,150 points, 495 field goals, .824 field-goal percentage
Bottom line: Hey, look — a player who the Lions could depend on over the last seven miserable decades.
Jason Hanson ranks fourth in points, fourth in field goals and seventh in extra points in league history.
If the guy had played for a real NFL team, he would have been invited to more Pro Bowl games, no doubt.
Green Bay Packers: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Packers: 2000-11 (12 seasons)
Team record: 120-72
Playoff record: 7-7
League championships: 1 — 2010 (Super Bowl XXXV)
Hints:
- I was chosen in the second round of the 2000 NFL draft.
- I attended Tennessee.
- I had the quarterback’s back for a dozen seasons.
- I took part in two Pro Bowl games.
- I rank 11th in games played in franchise history.
Packers Answer: Chad Clifton
Winslow Townson / AP Photo
Position: Offensive tackle
NFL career: 2000-11 (12 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 165 games, one fumble recovery
Bottom line: Per Pro Football Reference, guess who ranks 15th in career Approximate Value in Packers franchise history. Yep.
But because Chad Clifton played in the shadows of Jonathan Ogden and Orlando Pace, both future Hall of Famers, he received little national recognition.
Houston Texans: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Texans: 2007-13 (seven seasons)
Team record: 55-57-0
Playoff record: 1-1
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the third round of the 2004 NFL draft.
- I attended Virginia.
- I led the league in pass completions and yards in the 2009 season.
- I took part in two Pro Bowl games.
- I rank 24th in pass completion percentage in league history.
Texans Answer: Matt Schaub
Matt Slocum / AP Photo
Position: Quarterback
NFL career: 2004-20 (16 seasons)
Other teams: Atlanta Falcons (2004-06, 2016-20), Oakland Raiders (2014), Baltimore Ravens (2015),
Stats: 155 games, .642 complete percentage, 25,467 pass yards, 136 pass touchdowns
Bottom line: This guy took his share of flack over the years, but it was mostly hot air from frustrated fans and media.
Fact is, the first consistent quarterback in franchise history did much to stabilize the offense.
He also won more games than he lost (46-42 record) with not much around him.
Baltimore-Indianapolis Colts: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Colts: 1972-79 (8 seasons)
Team record: 52-64-0
Playoff record: 0-3
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was selected in the 17th round of the 1972 NFL draft.
- I attended Ohio State.
- I was particularly adept in pass coverage and accounted for 22 turnovers in the 1975-77 seasons.
- I never played in a Pro Bowl game.
- I replaced future Hall of Famer linebacker Ted Hendricks, who moved to the left side.
Colts Answer: Stan White
AP Photo
Position: Linebacker
NFL career: 1972-82 (11 seasons)
Other teams: Detroit Lions (1980-82)
Stats: 153 games, 34 interceptions, sacks not available, 15 fumble recoveries, two touchdowns
Bottom line: Linebacker Don Shinnick also deserves to be here. He and Stan White played at a consistently high level.
They also rank one-two in interceptions at their position in the league history.
Yet both played with offense-minded teams and received little more than token Pro Bowl consideration.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Jaguards: 2000-13 (14 seasons)
Team record: 95-129-0
Playoff record: 1-2
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the second round of the 2000 NFL draft.
- I attended Northern Iowa.
- I got to know quarterback Mark Brunell quite well.
- I never played in a Pro Bowl game.
- I retired as the Jaguars’ franchise leader in seasons played (14), games played (209) and consecutive games started (92).
Jaguars Answer: Brad Meester
Phil Coale / AP Photo
Position: Center-guard
NFL career: 2000-13 (14 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 209 games, nine fumble recoveries
Bottom line: Feature back Fred Taylor also was considered here, but at least he was known outside Duval County.
So how about the small-college lineman who blocked for him in the middle of the scrum?
Not only was Mr. Meester a consistent performer for more than a decade, but the ironman sat out only 15 games in that span.
Kansas City Chiefs: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Chiefs: 1969-77 (9 seasons)
Team record: 60-61-5
Playoff record: 3-1
League championships: 1 — 1969 (Super Bowl III)
Hints:
- I was selected in the second round of the 1969 NFL draft.
- I attended Iowa.
- I gained 350 total yards in the 1971 AFC Championship Game.
- I never played in a Pro Bowl game.
- I replaced Mike Garrett when he was injured early in the 1970 season.
Chiefs Answer: Ed Podolak
William Straeter / AP Photo
Position: Running back-kick returner
NFL career: 1969-77 (9 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 104 games, 8,343 all-purpose yards, 40 touchdowns
Bottom line: Because “Podo” wasn’t an elite athlete, his versatility had to be seen regularly to be appreciated.
In his first four seasons, he averaged 95.7 per game on runs, pass receptions and kick returns.
Then again, he was left off the original Wall of Fame at Iowa, where he starred with crummy teams, of course.
San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Chargers: 1975-83 (9 seasons)
Team record: 69-62-0
Playoff record: 5-4
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the sixth round of the 1975 NFL draft.
- I attended Georgia Tech
- I was the man in the middle of the “Air Coryell” offense.
- I never took part in a Pro Bowl game.
- I started every game in the 1978-83 seasons.
Chargers Answer: Billy Shields
AP Photo
Position: Offensive tackle
NFL career: 1975-85 (11 seasons)
Other teams: San Francisco 49ers (1984), New York Jets (1985), Kansas City Chiefs (1985)
Stats: 142 games, four fumble recoveries
Bottom line: Don Coryell placed a premium on the blind side of the quarterback in his high-voltage attack. This left tackle was just the man for the job.
Billy Shields stabilized an o-line that ranked seventh, sixth, fifth, first and second in sack percentage when “Air Coryell” was in its prime.
Los Angeles Rams: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Rams: 1972-81 (10 seasons)
Team record: 98-48-2
Playoff record: 6-8
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was selected in the first round of the 1969 NFL draft.
- I attended San Diego State.
- I’m the only player to score two safeties not only in one game but in the same quarter in NFL history.
- I played in one Pro Bowl game.
- My career had a Hollywood ending.
Rams Answer: Fred Dryer
Position: Defensive end
NFL career: 1969-81 (13 seasons)
Other teams: New York Giants (1969-71)
Stats: 104 games, sacks not available, 20 fumble recoveries, one touchdown
Bottom line: You know him as Sgt. Rick Hunter of television fame. But are you aware that the man could play football a little bit? Well, you are now.
Fred Dryer started every game with eight consecutive playoff teams, Super Bowl XXXIV included.
Miami Dolphins: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Dolphins: 1979-87 (9 seasons)
Team record: 90-45-1
Playoff record: 6-6
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the third round of the 1979 NFL draft.
- I attended Alabama.
- I had a game-high 10 pass receptions in Super Bowl XIX.
- I never took part in a Pro Bowl game.
- I was on the back end of a memorable hook-and-lateral play in the 1982 “Epic in Miami.”
Dolphins Answer: Tony Nathan
AP Photo
Position: Running back-kick returner
NFL career: 1979-87 (nine seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 123 games, 8,752 all-purpose yards, 33 touchdowns
League championships: None
Bottom line: Other than Tony Nathan’s rookie season, when this dual threat was All-Pro as a kick return specialist, individual honors escaped him.
Based on Approximate Value, he could have been a Pro Bowler in any or all of the 1974-76 seasons. Instead, nada.
Minnesota Vikings: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Vikings: 1999-2011 (13 seasons)
Team record: 103-105
Playoff record: 3-4
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was selected in the second round of the 1999 NFL draft.
- I attended North Dakota.
- I had a career-high 46 pass receptions in the 2003 season, but I did my best work as a blocker.
- I never took part in a Pro Bowl game.
- I rank 12th in games played in franchise history.
Vikings Answer: Jim Kleinsasser
Tom Olmscheid / AP Photo
Position: Tight end-fullback
NFL career: 1999-2011 (13 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 181 games, 192 pass receptions, 8.8 yards per reception, seven touchdowns
Bottom line: Ol’ No. 40 was like a well-worn pair of gloves that fit too well to throw away.
He played tight end, fullback and on special teams under four different head coaches. He also was part of five playoff teams.
We’re pretty sure that he was a relative of Paul Bunyan.
New England Patriots: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Patriots: 1993-2007 (15 seasons)
Team record: 150-90-0
Playoff record: 14-6
League championships: 3 — 2001 (Super Bowl XXXVI), 2003 (Super Bowl XXXVIII), 2004 (Super Bowl XXXIX)
Hints:
- I was selected in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL draft.
- I attended Marshall.
- I led the team in pass receptions in the 2000-02 seasons.
- I played in one Pro Bowl game.
- My 55-yard punt return set the tone in the 2001 AFC championship game.
Patriots Answer: Troy Brown
J. Pat Carter / AP Photo
Position: Wide receiver-cornerback-kick returner
Career: 1993-2007 (15 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 192 games, 11,128 all-purpose yards, 35 touchdowns
Bottom line: This late-round steal was versatile, productive, clutch and low-maintenance.
That’s the definition of a Patriots role player, girls and boys.
New Orleans Saints: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Saints: 1981-93 (13 seasons)
Team record: 105-95-0
Playoff record: 0-4
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the 12th round of the 1981 NFL draft.
- I attended San Diego State.
- I moved from defensive end to nose tackle later in my career.
- I never played in a Pro Bowl game.
- I played with defenses that ranked among the top dozen in fewest yards allowed in all except three seasons.
Saints Answer: Jim Wilks
Position: Defensive end-nose tackle
NFL career: 1981-93 (13 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 183 games, *45.5 sacks, seven fumble recoveries
Bottom line: The defense got a lot better the year this character guy arrived, then got a lot worse immediately after he left. Coincidence? We think not.
While the Saints’ lifer did the grunt work for more than a decade, Pro Bowl linebackers Rickey Jackson, Vaughan Johnson, Sam Mills and Pat Swilling received the free trips to Honolulu.
New York Giants: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Giants: 2005-13 (9 seasons)
Team record: 84-60-0
Playoff record: 8-2
League championships: 2 — 2007 (Super Bowl XLII), 2011 (Super Bowl XLVI)
Hints:
- I was selected in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft.
- I attended Notre Dame.
- I rank sixth in sacks in club history.
- I took part in two Pro Bowl games.
- Not even Patriots genius Bill Belchick could figure me out in two Super Bowl games, when I was his worst nightmare with nine tackles (eight solo), four sacks and one forced fumble.
Giants Answer: Justin Tuck
Julio Cortez / AP Photo
Position: Defensive end-tackle
NFL career: 2005-15 (11 seasons)
Other teams: Oakland Raiders
Stats: 147 games, 66.5 sacks, six fumble recoveries, one touchdown
Bottom line: Here’s the real Super Bowl XLII and/or Super Bowl XLVI Most Valuable Player — not Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Cooper Manning, Archie Manning or any other Manning. Because defense won those games, people, not offense.
Sorry, but this has bugged me for years. So when I become NFL commish, the award will be given to its rightful owner.
New York Jets: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Jets: 1980-87 (8 seasons)
Team record: 61-58 -1
Playoff record: 2-3
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the third round of the 1980 NFL draft.
- I attended Penn State.
- Not long after my best season, I went down with a knee injury in the prime of my career.
- I took part in one Pro Bowl game.
- My two late pass interceptions sealed the victory that sent the Jets to the AFC championship game.
Jets Answer: Lance Mehl
Position: Linebacker
NFL career: 1980-87 (8 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 97 games, 15 interceptions, *14.0 sacks , five fumble recoveries
Bottom line: This No. 56 was no Lawrence Taylor, but if not for persistent knee problems, Lance Mehl might have been in the Hall of Fame discussion eventually.
As the man who called the shots on the field, his smarts and leadership were indispensable on the field.
Coach Joe Walton said the defense wasn’t the same after he left.
Oakland Raiders: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Raiders: 1972-85 (14 seasons)
Record: 145-58-2
Playoff record: 15-8
League championships: 3 —1976 (Super Bowl XI), 1980 (XV), 1983 (XVIII)
Hints:
- I was selected in the fourth round of the 1972 NFL draft.
- I attended UCLA.
- I spent three seasons as a reserve and on special teams before I got my chance.
- I took part in one Pro Bowl game.
- I’m one of three players who started with all three Raiders league championship teams.
Raiders Answer: Dave Dalby
AP Photo
Position: Center
NFL career: 1972-85 (14 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 205 games, six fumble recoveries
Bottom line: It’s never easy to replace a perennial Pro Bowler. Harder yet to succeed a future Hall of Famer.
But after the legendary Jim Otto finally passed the torch, this low-key leader did well enough to start through his mid-30s.
Philadelphia Eagles: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Eagles: 1991-99 (9 seasons)
Team record: 70-73-1
Playoff record: 2-3
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL draft.
- I attended Texas A&M.
- I scored on a 30-yard interception return in a 1995 wild-card playoff victory.
- I played in two Pro Bowl games.
- I rank second in sacks (33) and third among linebackers in takeaways (28) in club history.
Eagles Answer: William Thomas
Position: Linebacker
NFL career: 1991-2001 (11 seasons)
Other teams: Oakland Raiders (2000-01)
Stats: 172 games, 27 interceptions, 37 sacks, 12 fumble recoveries
Bottom line: This guy was one of the better players at his position for nearly a decade, but you would be surprised how many fans outside Philly couldn’t tell William Thomas from Thomas William.
He was a death sentence in pass coverage. Only Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik picked off more passes (21) at the position in Iggles history.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Steelers: 1971-84 (14 seasons)
Team record: 136-66-1
Playoff record: 14-6
League championships: 4 —1974 (Super Bowl IX), 1975 (Super Bowl X), 1978 (Super Bowl XIII), 1979 (Super Bowl XIV)
Hints:
- I was chosen in the fifth round of the 1971 NFL draft.
- I attended Kansas.
- Only Mike Webster and Ben Roethlisberger played more games in Stillers history.
- I played in one Pro Bowl game.
- My 4-yard touchdown reception sealed the first Super Bowl victory in franchise history.
Steelers Answer: Larry Brown
Position: Tight end-offensive tackle
NFL career: 1971-84 (14 seasons)
Other teams: None
Stats: 167 games, 27 pass receptions, 13.3 yards per reception, five touchdowns, eight fumble recoveries
Bottom line: For all their greatness and personalities, the Super Steelers had an o-line that played way under the radar. Start right here.
Not only did this guy start with four Super Bowl champions, but he did it at two positions.
Larry Brown also was one of a select few tight ends to make a successful move to the offensive tackle spot. Yours truly had as many sacks as “Too Tall” Jones and Jack Youngblood did against him in Super Bowl XIII and XIV, respectively. That would be zero.
San Francisco 49ers: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with 49ers: 1986-93 (8 seasons)
Team record: 95-31-1
Playoff record: 9-5
League championships: 2 — 1988 Super Bowl (XXIII), 1989 (Super Bowl XXIV)
Hints:
- I was selected in the third round of the 1986 NFL draft.
- I attended Nebraska.
- I ran for two touchdowns in a Super Bowl XXIV victory.
- I never played in a Pro Bowl game.
- My Niners won at least 10 games every season.
49ers Answer: Tom Rathman
Koji Sasahara / AP Photo
Position: Fullback
NFL career: 1986-94 (9 seasons)
Other teams: Oakland Raiders (1994)
Stats: 131 games, 2,020 rush yards, 3.7 yards per rush, 34 touchdowns
Bottom line: We all know about Ronnie Lott, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Steve Young, but it took dependable role players like this head-banger to put them over the top.
In Tom Rathman’s five peak seasons (1988-92), during which he started all except one game, the Niners won four division and two Super Bowl titles.
Seattle Seahawks: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Seahawks: 2001-08 (8 seasons)
Team record: 71-57-0
Playoff record: 4-5
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the second round of the 1996 NFL draft.
- I attended Penn State.
- I caught a game-high six balls in a Super Bowl XL defeat.
- I never took part in a Pro Bowl game.
- At 34, I set the team record for pass receptions (94) in one season.
Seahawks Answer: Bobby Engram
Elaine Thompson / AP Photo
Position: Wide receiver-punt returner
NFL career: 1996-2009 (15 seasons)
Other teams: Chicago Bears (1996-2000), Kansas City Chiefs (2009)
Stats: 176 games, 650 pass receptions, 11.9 yards per receptions, 37 touchdowns
Bottom line: While not flashy, this ballhawk was as dependable as the sunrise.
He owns the highest pass reception percentage among non-active wideouts in club history. He also ranks sixth in pass receptions and fifth in yards.
Wait, there’s more — he averaged 11.0 per punt return and took a pair to the house.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Buccaneers: 1996-2001 (6 seasons)
Team record: 54-42-0
Playoff record: 2-4
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was selected in the third round of the 1996 NFL draft.
- I attended East Tennessee State.
- I led the league in passes defensed in the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
- I played in one Pro Bowl game.
- I rank second in interceptions (31) in franchise history.
Buccaneers Answer: Donnie Abraham
Morry Gash / AP Photo
Position: Cornerback
NFL career: 1996-2004 (9 seasons)
Other teams: New York Jets (2002-04)
Stats: 132 games, 38 interceptions, 2.0 sacks, eight fumble recoveries, five touchdowns
Bottom line: OK, so he wasn’t Ronde Barber, the perennial Pro Bowler who played next to him for four seasons.
Yet Donnie Abraham’s ability to more than own the left side made the defense that much more difficult to navigate in its heyday.
As good as the guy was in the 2000 season, his only Pro Bowl season, he was even better one year earlier, when he picked off a league-high seven passes and took two to the house.
Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Oilers: 1971-79 (9 seasons)
Team record: 57-72-1
Playoff record: 3-2
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the first round of the 1971 NFL draft.
- I attended Santa Clara.
- I ranked fourth in pass yards and touchdowns in franchise history.
- I took part in one Pro Bowl game.
- I was traded three months after my team lost the 1979 AFC championship game.
Oilers Answer: Dan Pastorini
Position: Quarterback
Career: 1971-81, 1983 (12 seasons)
Other teams: Oakland Raiders (1980), Los Angeles Rams (1981), Philadelphia Eagles (1983)
Stats: 172 games, .509 pass completion percentage, 18,515 pass yards, 103 pass touchdowns
Bottom line: “Dante” walked into an awful situation yet still won at a 63 percent clip in his six peak seasons (1974-79).
After the quarterback led his team to consecutive AFC championship games, the front office traded him for 34-year-old Ken Stabler as a token of its appreciation.
You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone. But that’s what Joni Mitchell said.
Washington Redskins/Washington Football Team/Washington Commanders: Name This Unsung Hero
Years with Redskins: 2002-2009 (8 seasons)
Team record: 54-74
Playoff record: 1-2
League championships: None
Hints:
- I was chosen in the second round of the 2002 NFL draft.
- I attended Iowa.
- I gained 1,000-plus all-purpose yards four times in my career.
- I never played in a Pro Bowl game.
- I am the only running back in franchise history to rush for 150-plus yards in two consecutive games.
Redskins Answer: Ladell Betts
David J. Phillip / AP Photo
Position: Running back-kickoff returner
NFL career: 2002-10 (9 seasons)
Other teams: New Orleans Saints (2010)
Stats: 111 games, 7,057 all-purpose yards, 19 touchdowns
Bottom line: Because this guy played behind perennial 1,000-yard rusher Clinton Portis, his versatility was largely overlooked.
Ladell Betts could be a lead dog or a third-down back. He could run away from defender with speed or over one with power.
His 2006 career season was a thing of beauty — 1,154 yards on the ground and 445 more in the air on 53 pass receptions in only nine starts.
