NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
The National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team emerged from a selection committee of media and league personnel in 1994. This group convened to honor the greatest players of the first 75 years of professional football history. The process involved reviewing decades of game footage, statistics, and historical records to identify standout performers across all eras. Five players on the final list were still active on NFL rosters at the time of the selections. Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Rod Woodson, Reggie White, and Ronnie Lott represented the current generation while being honored alongside legends from previous decades. The committee balanced historical significance with statistical dominance when making their choices. They sought to create a roster that reflected the evolution of the sport over three-quarters of a century.
Quarterback Sammy Baugh played for the Washington Redskins from 1937 through 1952. Otto Graham led the Cleveland Browns between 1946 and 1955 before joining other teams. Johnny Unitas spent his early career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955 before moving to Baltimore. Joe Montana's tenure with the San Francisco 49ers spanned from 1979 to 1992. Fullback Jim Brown played exclusively for the Cleveland Browns from 1957 until 1965. Marion Motley appeared for both the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers during his career. Bronko Nagurski played for the Chicago Bears during two separate stints spanning 1930 to 1937 and 1943. Halfback Walter Payton played for the Chicago Bears from 1975 through 1987. Gale Sayers played for the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1971. O.J. Simpson played for the Buffalo Bills from 1969 to 1977. Steve Van Buren played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1944 to 1951. Wide receiver Lance Alworth played for the San Diego Chargers from 1962 to 1970. Raymond Berry played for the Baltimore Colts from 1955 to 1967. Don Hutson played for the Green Bay Packers from 1935 to 1945. Jerry Rice played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1985 to 2000. Tight end Mike Ditka played for three different teams between 1961 and 1972. Kellen Winslow played for the San Diego Chargers from 1979 to 1987. Offensive line players included Roosevelt Brown, Forrest Gregg, Anthony Muñoz, John Hannah, Jim Parker, Gene Upshaw, Mel Hein, and Mike Webster.
Deacon Jones played defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams from 1961 to 1971. Gino Marchetti played for the Dallas Texans in 1952 before joining the Baltimore Colts. Reggie White played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1985 to 1992. "Mean" Joe Greene played defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1969 to 1981. Bob Lilly played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1961 to 1974. Merlin Olsen played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1962 to 1976. Linebacker Dick Butkus played for the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1973. Jack Ham played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1971 to 1982. Ted Hendricks played for multiple teams including the Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders. Jack Lambert played linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1974 to 1984. Willie Lanier played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1967 to 1977. Ray Nitschke played for the Green Bay Packers from 1958 to 1972. Lawrence Taylor played for the New York Giants from 1981 to 1993. Cornerback Mel Blount played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1970 to 1983. Mike Haynes played for the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Raiders. Dick Lane, known as Night Train, played for three different teams between 1952 and 1965. Rod Woodson played cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1987 to 1996. Safety Ronnie Lott played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1981 to 1990. Larry Wilson played safety for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1960 to 1972. Ken Houston played for the Houston Oilers and Washington Redskins.
Ray Guy played punter for the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders from 1973 to 1986. Jan Stenerud kicked field goals for multiple teams including the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings. Billy White Shoes Johnson returned kickoffs for the Houston Oilers from 1974 to 1980. Gale Sayers served as both a halfback and kickoff returner during his career with the Chicago Bears. The 75th Anniversary All-Two-Way Team honored players who excelled on both offense and defense. Sammy Baugh played quarterback, defensive halfback, and punter for the Washington Redskins. Chuck Bednarik played center and linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1949 to 1962. Earl Dutch Clark played quarterback and defensive halfback for the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions. George Connor played tackle and defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears between 1948 and 1955. Dan Fortmann played guard and defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears from 1936 to 1943. Mel Hein played center and linebacker for the New York Giants from 1931 to 1945. Wilbur Pete Henry played tackle and defensive tackle for multiple early teams including the Canton Bulldogs. Bill Hewitt played end and defensive halfback for the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles. Clarke Hinkle played fullback, linebacker, and kicker for the Green Bay Packers from 1932 to 1941. Cal Hubbard played tackle and defensive tackle for several teams in the 1920s and 1930s. Don Hutson played end and defensive halfback for the Green Bay Packers from 1935 to 1945. George McAfee played back and defensive back for the Chicago Bears. Marion Motley played fullback and linebacker for the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. George Musso played guard and tackle for the Chicago Bears from 1933 to 1944. Bronko Nagurski played fullback and linebacker for the Chicago Bears. Ernie Nevers played halfback and defensive halfback for the Duluth Eskimos and Chicago Cardinals. Pete Pihos played defensive end and tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1947 to 1955. Joe Stydahar played tackle and defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears. Steve Van Buren played running back and defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Billy White Shoes Johnson remains the sole non-Hall of Famer on the entire roster. He returned kickoffs for the Houston Oilers, Atlanta Falcons, and Washington Redskins between 1974 and 1988. His nickname came from his distinctive white shoes that he wore during games. Despite being selected as a kickoff returner for the 75th Anniversary team, he never received Hall of Fame induction. The committee recognized his exceptional speed and return ability even without formal hall recognition. This exception highlights how special teams contributions sometimes fall outside traditional honors. Johnson's selection demonstrated the value placed on return specialists in NFL history. His inclusion alongside offensive and defensive legends proved that kicking game excellence deserved celebration.
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Common questions
Who selected the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1994?
A selection committee of media and league personnel chose the team. This group convened to honor the greatest players of the first 75 years of professional football history.
Which five players were still active on NFL rosters when named to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team?
Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Rod Woodson, Reggie White, and Ronnie Lott represented the current generation while being honored alongside legends from previous decades. These five players remained active on NFL rosters at the time of the selections.
What teams did Sammy Baugh play for during his career with the Washington Redskins?
Sammy Baugh played quarterback for the Washington Redskins from 1937 through 1952. He also served as a defensive halfback and punter for the same franchise.
Why is Billy White Shoes Johnson unique among all members of the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team?
Billy White Shoes Johnson remains the sole non-Hall of Famer on the entire roster. He returned kickoffs for the Houston Oilers, Atlanta Falcons, and Washington Redskins between 1974 and 1988 without receiving Hall of Fame induction.
When did Gale Sayers play for the Chicago Bears in relation to other players on the list?
Gale Sayers played for the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1971. He served as both a halfback and kickoff returner during his career with that team.