Part four in our likely several year long series of the best players in NFL history by Numbers. So far, we’ve hit three:
#25 – Fred Biletnikhoff
#80 – Jerry Rice
#81 – “Night Train” Lane (with TO a close second, and Calvin Johnson closing quickly)
The next number up is #53–linebackers and linemen (primarily centers).
Harry Carson – New York Giants – The Hall of Fame linebacker played from 1976 to 1988, made 9 Pro Bowls, and helped the Giants win Super Bowl XXI. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
Len Ford – Los Angeles Dons, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers – The Hall of Fame defensive end wore #53 for his first two years in Cleveland, before switching to #80. I’ve not found a record of what he wore in Los Angeles with the Dons of the AAFC.
Mike Webster – Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs – The Hall of Fame center wore #53 in his final two seasons, playing in Kansas City, where he originally signed on as the offensive line coach. He will make the list for #52 for sure.
Alex Wojciechowicz – Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles – According to ProFootballReference.com, Hall of Famer Wojciechowicz wore #53 in at least his final season with the Eagles, although I found no pictures of him in it.
Mick Tingelhoff – Minnesota Vikings – One of the most frequently mentioned potential senior candidates for the Hall of Fame, Tingelhoff wore #53 for all 17 of his seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, including his five All-Pro and six Pro Bowl seasons.
Randy Gradishar – Denver Broncos- The Broncos linebacker started as #52, but switched to #53 in 1976 after his first of seven Pro Bowls. Combined with his two All-Pro seasons, he is bound to start coming up in senior candidacy conversations for the Hall of Fame sooner or later.
Bill Romanowski – San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders – Say what you want about the character of Romanowski, he wore #53 for 16 seasons and four teams, and made a couple Pro Bowls along the way.
No current players are real close at cracking this list–NaVorro Bowman is probably the best, with Maurkice Pouncey up there with him from the offensive line side. Super Bowl XLVIII MVP Malcolm Smith also wears it.
So, what say you–who is the best #53? Let us know who got your vote in the comments…and let us know if you think we missed someone.
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Mark Stepnoski was All Decade.
Which means he probably is more deserving of mention than, for example, Romanowski.
Yeah, Stepnoski over Romanowski is fair. Surprised Stepnoski didn’t come up in any of our sources, while Romanowski did. That being said, I wouldn’t put Stepnoski over Tingelhoff or Carson either.
RomoCop over Gradishar ?
I dont think so …
Character alone would have kept me from voting RomoCop, but I was a Tingelhoff guy all the way (granted, I’m a Vikings fan). Still can’t believe I didn’t have Stepnoski on there. Or Ray Donaldson, who somehow played for like 17 years and I only vaguely remember the name.
Romo was a great player to have on a team because of his tough mentality but he was also a lose wire at times. to team’s determent. Gradishar was the better player deserving of the HOF.
Bill Romanowsky #53 is the real deal, and as a Denver Broncos Fan, I think it’s time Bill got a little more respect. While during his career he gave a 110%, and it showed in his love of the game. I still wear Romo’s Jersey with pride, as it should be. Thanks Bill for kicking some ass on the grid iron!