Hall of Famers
Fred Dean
Defensive end
6-foot-3, 230 pounds
1975-81 San Diego Chargers
1981-85 San Francisco 49ers
11 seasons, 141 games
Selected by San Diego in the second round (33rd player overall) in 1975 NFL draft. Played linebacker at Louisiana Tech, moved to defensive line with the Chargers. Quickness, speed, strength made him a feared pass rusher. Recorded seven sacks, 93 tackles and had four fumble recoveries in his rookie year. Career sacks total near 100, but unofficial because sacks were not an official NFL statistic until 1982. Unofficially had 15-1/2 sacks in 1978, nine in 1979, 10-1/2 in 1980. Contributed 12 sacks in 11 games with the 49ers in 1981. Had career best 17-1/2 sacks in 1983, including then-NFL record six in one game, Nov. 13 vs. New Orleans. Played on five division winners and two Super Bowl championship teams. Voted all-pro in 1980 and 1981, selected to play in four Pro Bowls.
Darrell Green
Cornerback
5-8, 176
1983-2002 Washington Redskins
20 seasons, 295 games
Selected in first round (28th player overall) in 1983 draft. Holds NFL record with at least one interception in 19 consecutive seasons. Career totals: 54 interceptions for 621 return yards and six touchdowns. Tied for first on NFL all-time list for most consecutive seasons playing with one team (20). Had three interceptions vs. Detroit in 1987 game. Had careerbest five interceptions in three seasons: 1984, 1986, 1991. Also returned 51 punts for 611 yards. Tied for second in NFL history for most interceptions returned for touchdowns in playoffs with two. Selected to play in seven Pro Bowls. Named to the all-pro team in 1986, 1987, 1990 and 1991.
Art Monk
Wide receiver
6-3, 210
1980-93 Washington Redskins
1994 New York Jets
1995 Philadelphia Eagles
16 seasons, 224 games
Redskins’ first-round pick (18th player overall) in 1980 draft. Prototype for today’s bigger, stronger receivers. Caught 58 passes as a rookie. Had 50 or more receptions in a season nine times. Gained 1,000 or more yards receiving in a season five times. Set then-NFL records for catches in a season (106), most consecutive games with at least one reception (164) and career receptions (820). Finished career with 940 catches. Had finest season in 1984, catching eight or more passes in six games, five games of 100-plus yards receiving, and in one game caught 10 passes for 200 yards. Chosen as Redskins MVP in 1984. First Redskins player to produce three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Three-time Pro Bowl selection, was all-pro choice in 1984 and 1985.
Emmitt Thomas
Cornerback
6-2, 192
1966-78 Kansas City Chiefs
13 seasons, 181 games
Joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. One of finest cornerbacks of his era. Ranks ninth all-time in interceptions with 58, which is fourth alltime best by a pure cornerback and is Chiefs all-time record. Led NFL with team-record 12 interceptions in 1974 — two shy of league record. Two of his 1974 interceptions were returned for touchdowns. Led the AFL with nine picks in 1969 and added three more during playoffs, including interception in Chiefs’ Super Bowl IV win over the Vikings. Returned five interceptions for TDs during career. Led the Chiefs in interceptions in 1969, 1971, 1973, 1974 and 1975. His 937 return yards on 58 interceptions is team record. Selected to play in five Pro Bowls. Was first- or second-team all-AFL/AFC in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1974 and 1975, and first- or second-team all-NFL in 1971, 1974 and 1975.
Andre Tippett
Linebacker
6-3, 240
1982-93 New England Patriots
10 seasons, 151 games
Selected in the second round (41st overall) of 1982 draft. Used primarily on special teams in strike-shortened rookie season. Earned starter role in following season. In 1984 established team record with 18-1/2 sacks and earned first of five consecutive (1985-89) Pro Bowl selections. Was a factor in team’s success that led to first Super Bowl appearance in 1985 season. That season, led AFC with 16-1/2 sacks (second in NFL), earning AFC
defensive player of the year honors. Began 1986 season with 9-1/2 sacks before injury sidelined him for five games following surgery. Returned for final two games of season and earned Pro Bowl spot. In 1987 had AFC-leading 12-1/2 sacks. Missed four games in 1988 and entire 1989 season because of injuries.
Source: Pro Football Hall of Fame
