36When I randomly drew #36 as the next number in our By the Numbers series to write about, I thought it would be a great number to debate, especially given the Hall of Fame candidacy of Jerome Bettis, whom many (including yours truly) feel will likely get the nod next year. But in starting the research, a few things surprised me:

  1. Somehow, we’ve never actually done a post questioning whether or not Bettis is actually worthy of the Hall of Fame. Assume that will be rectified soon, because even though I have him picked to get voted in, I’m not sure he would get my vote.
  2. There are shockingly few big name #36’s in NFL history. Or really any sport, actually–in Best by Number (the book that inspired this series), Meadowlark Lemon is given the nod as best #36 across all sports–a guy who played in games that weren’t even real. Basketball & hockey are pretty much not mentioned (at least names I recognize). And baseball? Let’s just say when Jerry Koosman makes the top six, you’re not exactly talking about a storied number.

So who was the Best #36 in NFL history? Hit the jump to find out…

There are actually four players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame credited wearing #36–none of whom I knew at first glance, although one only because I knew him by another number. In fact, none of the four are listed with #36 as their primary number–but the pickings are so slim, I’ll put them on here.

Robert “Cal” Hubbard – New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers – Ultimately, I know I’ve heard of Hubbard–he was one of the original inductees into the Hall of Fame in 1963. But playing from 1927 to 1936, I didn’t initially recognize the name, since the HOF site only lists last names on the page above. Hubbard’s picture on his HOF profile page shows him wearing #36, so clearly he wore it, but the site also has him wearing #27, #38, #39 and #40 during his career, and doesn’t specify which was his primary number. Apparently Hubbard was never so set on a number he was willing to pay for a teammates BBQ to get it.

Marion Motley – Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers – Motley was one of the four players to break the race barrier in professional football, signing with the Cleveland Browns in 1946, a year before Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers. His primary number was actually #76, but he wore #36 for at least his last two seasons in Cleveland, and his one season in Pittsburgh–so Bettis may not even be the best RB in Pittsburgh Steeler history to don the #36 jersey–although most Steeler fans probably weren’t as wowed by his 2 carry, 8 yard 1955 season with the team.

Steve Owen – Kansas City Cowboys, Cleveland Bulldogs, New York Giants – Owen was another Giants player of a bygone era that wore a lot of different numbers–the HOF lists his primary as #55, but also shows him as having donned #50, #44, and #9. Maybe back then it was all about what was clean? Owen is probably better known as the Giants head coach from 1930 to 1953, part of which included time as a players coach. During all that time, he never had a contract with the Mara family for coaching–just a handshake deal. Wonder how that would fly in today’s NFL?

OJ Simpson – Buffalo Bills, San Francisco – The HOF site shows him with #36 and #33, but obviously he is known as #32, and ProFootballReference.com doesn’t show anything other than #32. Maybe he’s been wearing #33 and #36 for the Lovelock Mean Machine?

Non-Hall of Fame players best known as #36:

Jerome Bettis – Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers – The Bus wore #36 for all 13 seasons in the NFL, and will probably be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the near future, making him the first legit #36 in Canton.

LeRoy Butler – Green Bay Packers – In a battle of Steeler fans vs. Packer fans, who will make it to the top of the #36 list? Butler had a nice career, with a 4-4 All-Pro/Pro Bowl profile, and occasionally is mentioned here on Zoneblitz in Hall of Fame articles. But I don’t think anyone really thinks he has a shot in the near term.

Merton Hanks – San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks – Hanks actually had a decent little career, with four Pro Bowls and one All-Pro first team selection. But the guy was best known for his long neck and silly pigeon dance. He works in the NFL office as VP of Operations in charge of player conduct today.

Mack Lee Hill – Kansas City Chiefs – It’s likely many of you haven’t heard of Mack Lee Hill. I hadn’t until last night. He actually only played one complete season in the AFL, making the AFL All-Star game as rookie free agent in 1964. He tore a ligament in his knee during a game with the Bills in 1965, and while having surgery a few days later, his temperature spiked to 108 degrees and he passed away. The Chiefs retired his #36, and created the Mack Hill Award, given to the team’s most outstanding rookie. Hill is one of several tragic stories of Chiefs RB cut down before even reaching their prime.

Ken Reaves – Altanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, St. Louis Cardinals – Reaves was a defensive back from 1966 to 1977, and made a Pro Bowl in 1969 wearing #36 for all but his five games with the Saints, which means he makes this list.

Clem Daniels – Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers – A halfback who made 4 Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro twice, which again, warrants making this list.

Why do guys like Hill, Reaves and Daniels make the list over stars of today wearing #36? Probably because the only two guys wearing #36 in the NFL today that I even recognized their names were Benny Cunningham and Robert Blanton.

So what say you, Zoneblitz Nation? Who was the best #36 in NFL history? Vote below.

Who was the best #36 in NFL history?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...