Famous san francisco linebackers

Lanier was one of two Hall of Famers in the Kansas City linebacker corps during his era, alongside Bobby Bell, but it was Lanier who led the defense from his middle linebacker spot. In 11 seasons, Bell earned postseason honors eight times and helped lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl win in Much like Chicago Bears linebacker Joe Fortunato, Randy Gradishar doesn't have the legacy he should be because of the player he directly preceded.

On paper, Gradishar's resume was much better than Mecklenburg's career accolades. Gradishar also was a six-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. Those are both more than Mecklenburg's career totals, and Gradishar played two fewer seasons.

Harry Carson is perhaps the most respected defensive player and teammate in the history of the NFL. He was so well regarded by those around him that when the Giants faced the Broncos in the Super Bowl, Carson walked out to face nine Broncos captains thinking he was one of three, but head coach Bill Parcells and his teammates decided to send Carson out by himself as a show of respect.

Modern football fans might be seeing the name Hardy Nickerson for the first time, but the old heads know him as one of the more dominant linebackers of his era who had the misfortune of playing most of his career with mediocre teams. Nickerson had his best years with the Steelers and with the Buccaneers right before those teams started to make deep, consistent playoff runs, but he was a feared player and at his best playing in a scheme defense.

Joe Fortunato's greatest teammate, fellow linebacker Dick Butkus, also became perhaps the greatest impediment to Fortunato's long-term legacy. The two Bears greats played together for Fortunato's final two seasons, which meant Butkus broke all of Fortunato's records just years after he set them. Fortunato, who was named one of the Bears Greatest Players, did accomplish one thing that Butkus never would. He won an NFL championship for Chicago in Chuck Howley thought his career was over due to a devastating knee injury just three games into the season with the Chicago Bears.

Howley fixed that one minor blip in his resume when he helped lead the Cowboys to a Super Bowl victory in Karl Mecklenburg was a throwaway pick by the Broncos in the 12th round of the NFL draft and ended up being one of the greatest defensive players in franchise history — and definitely the greatest pure inside linebacker.

Sadly, Mecklenburg's post-football life has been defined by his battle with brain injuries sustained playing football, and he's part of several concussion-related lawsuits against the NFL. One of the most feared pass rushers in NFL history, Swilling finished his career with His record in the postseason is an NFL record for most playoff games without a win. Zach Thomas brought a certain attitude to defenses as a middle linebacker, both in college at Texas Tech and in the NFL, that was evident from the moment he stepped on the field.

Quite simply, if you saw No. It's actually confounding why more of a Hall of Fame case hasn't been made for Thomas.

He's fifth on the NFL career list with 1, tackles to go with 17 interceptions and 17 fumble recoveries. Teams: St. Fletcher, 5-foot and pounds, ran a blazing 4. That didn't matter. He finished his career with over 2, tackles 2, , which is second on the NFL's all-time list, and set the NFL record for linebackers with consecutive starts. Cornelius Bennett forced a trade from the Colts to the Bills after being drafted in and was one of the best linebackers in the NFL for the next decade-plus.

Bennett was convicted of rape in and sentenced to 60 days in jail, but still allowed to play in the NFL for four more seasons. If Bobby Wagner continues a few more years having the career he's had through his first nine seasons, you can start to make some very concrete arguments for him one day being a Hall of Famer. Wagner, who first turned heads by running a 4.

If Dolphins fans felt like they were having flashbacks when Zach Thomas came along to play middle linebacker in the mids, it's because it wasn't the first time they'd seen an undersized, dominant player leading their defense.

Nick Buoniconti was just 5-foot and pounds but destroyed opponents with sheer will and ferocity, helping lead the Dolphins to two Super Bowl wins and the only undefeated season in NFL history in Born into abject poverty in rural Tennessee, he was working full-time in the cotton fields by the time he was 10 years old and had to flee his home with his sisters at 17 to get away from his violent, alcoholic father.

Willis played just eight seasons in the NFL, but that's kind of misleading. He only played six games in his final season before retiring because of a nagging toe injury. Sam Huff almost left his rookie training camp with the New York Giants when coaches couldn't find a position for him.

But assistant coach Vince Lombardi tracked him down at the airport and convinced him to come back, and defensive coordinator Tom Landry made the decision to move him to middle linebacker. It was a good fit. Huff became the first rookie middle linebacker to start an NFL championship game, leading the Giants to the title in and led them to four more NFL championship games, losing each time.

There were a lot of strong defensive players that played next to Mike Singletary with the Bears. They paled in comparison but were great players in their own right — most notably Wilber Marshall. But he'll always be best known for his role on the Bears' Super Bowl-winning team of that featured arguably the best defense in NFL history. By the time Tommy Nobis left the University of Texas, he was as famous as any player in the NFL, having already appeared on the cover of Life, Sports Illustrated and Time magazines for his accomplishments.

Nobis was the first overall pick in the NFL draft and the first player picked by the expansion Atlanta Falcons. Nobis played in relative anonymity for his entire NFL career but still put up monster numbers on some really bad teams. Career highlights: Five-time Pro Bowl , , , , , three-time All-Pro , , If the Professional Football Hall of Fame and its esteemed members and voters would like to actually live up to its name, then those parties should think of a way to add Sam Mills to their brethren.

It didn't slow Mills' production, and he made three Pro Bowls and five Pro Bowls despite spending his first five seasons elsewhere. He also was one of the fastest players of his era, regardless of position. The Hall of Famer recorded 26 interceptions from his outside linebacker position and is tied with Derrick Brooks for the most career interceptions returned for a touchdown 6.

Bell scored nine touchdowns during his career. A true Iron Man, Bednarik never left the playing field during a game. In addition to his linebacker duties, he also served as the Eagles' center on offense. He is unquestionably one of the all-time greats, and one of the most punishing tacklers in the history of the game.

In addition to being a Hall of Fame football player, and the namesake for the award given to the most outstanding defensive player in college football, Bednarik was a veteran of World War II. Seau was one of the most instinctual linebackers to ever play the game.

He was a sure tackler and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time, which is evident by his 1, career tackles. Seau tragically took his own life at the age of 43, three years prior to his induction into the Hall of Fame. His suicide is believed to be the result of CTE, a form of brain damage linked to multiple concussions.

Versatile and extremely fast, Ham was one of the most complete linebackers in NFL history. His 53 forced turnovers are the most all-time by a linebacker. He also helped lead the famed "Steel Curtain" defense to four Super Bowl victories. One of the greatest pass rushers in league history, Kansas City's all-time sack leader had Thomas also holds the NFL record for sacks in a single game with seven.

If not for his untimely death at the age of 33, stemming from complications from injuries sustained in a car accident, Thomas may be even higher on this list. When you think of Singletary, the first thing that comes to mind is intense focus.

The only thing that could match his signature stare was the stellar play of "Samurai Mike" on the field. Singletary was one of the key leaders of the famous '85 Bears defense, arguably the greatest defense in the history of the NFL. He also played a big role in one of the most dominant performances by a defense in Super Bowl history. He was the notorious leader of one of the greatest defenses to ever make its way onto a football field — Pittsburgh's famed "Steel Curtain.

Lambert's signature toothless snarl struck fear into the hearts of the opposition and lends credence to his legendary status as one of the toughest players all-time. There is a reason the award given to the best linebacker in high school, college and the NFL each year is named after Butkus. He was the quintessential linebacker and easily the greatest of his era. Butkus' nasty disposition and ability to blow up anyone standing in his path, made him one of the most feared players in the history of the game.

A true enforcer in every sense of the word, Lewis' intensity was unmatched by any player of his era. A list of the best San Francisco 49ers of all time.

The team has gone to six Super Bowls, winning five of them. The San Francisco teams of the past four decades have had some of the best players in football history. These players are widely considered the best players at their position and are easily the greatest 49ers ever. Every conversation about the greatest 49ers begins with Joe Montana. Drafted in the third round in , Montana was an integral player in the 49ers dynasty of the s and s.

The team won four Super Bowls with Montana as its quarterback, confirming his status as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Next in line was another superstar quarterback: Steve Young. You can't talk about the greatest 49ers players of all time without mentioning the best wide receiver ever. Jerry Rice had the most storied career of any receiver in NFL history. Rice holds nearly every receiving record in NFL history and is by far and away the best 49ers receiver of all time.

The 49ers defense has featured the iconic Ronnie Lott and more recently, superstar linebacker Patrick Willis. Age: Dec. Teams: San Jose State Spartans football. Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Clemson Tigers football. Teams: Buffalo Bills. Teams: San Francisco 49ers. Birthplace: Rockford, Michigan. Birthplace: Gladys, Virginia, Virginia. Birthplace: Pennsauken Township, New Jersey. Birthplace: District Heights, Maryland. Birthplace: Chicago Heights, Illinois.

Birthplace: Grand Island, Nebraska. Birthplace: Madison, Wisconsin. Birthplace: Santa Clara, California. Birthplace: Jefferson City, Missouri. Teams: Seattle Seahawks. Birthplace: Washington, D. Teams: Washington Redskins. Birthplace: Lincolnton, Georgia. Teams: Arizona Cardinals, Georgia Bulldogs football team.

Birthplace: Arcadia, Louisiana. Birthplace: Laie, Hawaii. Birthplace: Dallas, Texas. Birthplace: California, United States of America. Birthplace: Sandy Springs, Georgia. Birthplace: Anniston, Alabama. Birthplace: Los Angeles, California. Birthplace: Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Birthplace: Ontario, Oregon. Birthplace: Lucca, Italy. Birthplace: Pahokee, Florida. Birthplace: Gilroy, California. Birthplace: Chamblee, Georgia.

Birthplace: Stephens, Arkansas. Birthplace: Westminster, South Carolina. Teams: Arizona Cardinals. Birthplace: Seattle, Washington. Birthplace: Jacksonville, Florida. Birthplace: Greenwood, Mississippi. Teams: Missouri Tigers football, San Francisco 49ers. Birthplace: East St. Louis, Illinois. Birthplace: Compton, California. Birthplace: St. Cloud, Minnesota. Birthplace: Sumter, South Carolina. Birthplace: Marfa, Texas. Teams: Baltimore Colts, San Francisco 49ers.

Birthplace: Thomasville, Georgia. Birthplace: Pelham, Georgia. Birthplace: Richmond, Virginia. Birthplace: Caldwell, Texas. Birthplace: Marion, Missouri. Birthplace: Savannah, Georgia. Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois. Teams: Memphis Tigers football, St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers.