Greatest Players Who Wore the NFL Jersey 23

The number 23 may not boast the sheer volume of Hall of Famers as some other iconic jerseys, but the players who wore it were nothing short of exceptional. From the unparalleled athleticism of return man and Hall of Famer Devin Hester—who forever changed the way special teams were viewed—to the reliable, dominant defensive back play of Troy Vincent and Brig Owens, No. 23 symbolizes versatile excellence. Whether it was leading the early league like Guy Chamberlin or providing the workhorse stability of Paul Lowe, this number has been the badge of football players who left an undeniable mark on the field.

List of the Best NFL Number 23s

Here is a list of NFL players who wore the Number 23 jersey and had quite an impact! They are complete with football career bios for players who have worn the number 23:

Guy Chamberlin

A five-time NFL champion as a player and coach in the 1920s, this Pro Football Hall of Famer was considered one of the greatest all-around ends and leaders of the league’s early era.

Halfback / End – Canton Bulldogs (1919), Decatur Staleys (1920), Chicago Staleys (1921), Canton Bulldogs (1922–1923), Cleveland Bulldogs (1924), Frankford Yellow Jackets (1925–1927) – 4× First-team All-Pro (retroactive) – Wore number 23 during his professional career (noted by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for players who wore #23)

Troy Vincent

A five-time Pro Bowl cornerback, he was named First-team All-Pro in 2002 and was later recognized for his leadership, serving as the NFL’s Vice President of Football Operations after his playing career.

Cornerback – Miami Dolphins (1992–1995), Philadelphia Eagles (1996–2003), Buffalo Bills (2004–2006), Washington Redskins (2006) – 5-time Pro Bowl selection, 2-time All-Pro selection – Wore number 23 during the 1992–2006 seasons.

Mike Wagner

A safety who spent his entire 11-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was a key defensive starter on all four of the team’s Super Bowl-winning teams in the 1970s.

Safety – Pittsburgh Steelers (1971–1980) – 2-time Pro Bowl selection, 2-time All-Pro selection – Wore number 23 during the 1971–1980 seasons.

Devin Hester

Widely regarded as the greatest return specialist in NFL history, this Hall of Famer holds the league record for most career return touchdowns (19) and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection.

Return Specialist / Wide Receiver – Chicago Bears (2006–2013), Atlanta Falcons (2014–2015), Baltimore Ravens (2016), Seattle Seahawks (2016) – 4-time Pro Bowl selection, 4-time All-Pro selection – Wore number 23 during the 2006–2013 seasons (with Chicago).

Sports Memorabilia Signed GearMcCaffrey 49ers Signed Mini-HelmetPerfect for any collection! Christian McCaffrey San Francisco 49ers Autographed Riddell Speed Mini Helmet.Check out One of our Books!Pottsville Maroons StoryMarooned: The Rise, the Fall, and the Redemption of the NFL's Pottsville Maroons - The story of the Pottsville Maroons and their 1925 season has several variations. The NFL's official version says the team had its franchise revoked for violating the league's territorial rights rules and disobeying the league President's instruction not to play an exhibition game in Philadelphia.2026 Topps Football Trading CardsTopps 2026 Flagship Football Factory Sealed Fanatics Exclusive Value BoxIt has been almost 10 years but Topps Flagship Football returns with a fully licensed release, marking the return of one of the most iconic brands in The Hobby.Football Archaeology Series by Timothy BrownWhen Football Came To Pass: 1906-1915When Football Came To Pass covers why football legalized the forward pass, the rules and other constraints on its development, and how Eddie Cochems and other pioneers developed solutions that ultimately led to the forward pass revolutionizing the game.

Dave Whitsell

A two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, he was a member of the Chicago Bears’ 1963 NFL Championship team and retired with 46 career interceptions.

Cornerback – Detroit Lions (1958–1960), Chicago Bears (1961–1966), New Orleans Saints (1967–1969) – 1-time Pro Bowl selection, 1-time All-Pro selection – Wore number 23 during the 1967–1969 seasons (with New Orleans).

Goose Gonsoulin

A five-time Pro Bowl safety for the Denver Broncos, he was an original “Mile High” legend and was named to the inaugural AFL All-Star team in 1961.

Safety – Denver Broncos (1960–1966), San Francisco 49ers (1967) – 5-time AFL All-Star (counted as Pro Bowls for AFL years), 5-time All-AFL selection – Wore number 23 during the 1960–1966 seasons (with Denver).

DeAngelo Hall 

A three-time Pro Bowl cornerback, he is one of only two players in NFL history to record four interceptions in a single game, and he finished his career with 43 interceptions.

Cornerback / Safety – Atlanta Falcons (2004–2008), Oakland Raiders (2008), Washington Redskins (2008–2017) – 3-time Pro Bowl selection – Wore number 23 during the 2008–2017 seasons (with Oakland and Washington).

Brig Owens

A hard-hitting safety who spent 13 seasons with the Washington Redskins, he was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and set the franchise record for career interceptions (36) upon his retirement.

Safety – Washington Redskins (1966–1977) – No Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections (Washington Ring of Fame member) – Wore number 23 during the 1966–1977 seasons.

Joe Haden

A three-time Pro Bowl cornerback, he was a lockdown defender for both the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers and finished his career with 29 interceptions.

Cornerback – Cleveland Browns (2010–2016), Pittsburgh Steelers (2017–2021) – 3-time Pro Bowl selection, 1-time All-Pro selection – Wore number 23 during the 2010–2021 seasons.

Patrick Surtain

A three-time Pro Bowl cornerback, he was a staple of the Miami Dolphins’ secondary in the early 2000s and was named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.

Cornerback – Miami Dolphins (1998–2004), Kansas City Chiefs (2005–2008) – 3-time Pro Bowl selection, 2-time All-Pro selection – Wore number 23 during the 1998–2008 seasons.

More Jersey 23 legends

Arian Foster

Running Back – Houston Texans (2009–2015), Miami Dolphins (2016) – 3× Pro Bowl, 3× All-Pro – Wore number 23 for the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins (2009–2016).

Blaine Bishop

Safety – Houston Oilers / Tennessee Oilers / Tennessee Titans (1993–2001), Philadelphia Eagles (2002) – 4× Pro Bowl, 1× Second-team All-Pro – Wore number 23 for the Oilers and Titans (1993–2001).

Perry Williams

Cornerback – New York Giants (1984–1993) – None (2× Super Bowl Champion) – Wore number 23 for the New York Giants (1984–1993).

Quentin Jammer

Cornerback – San Diego Chargers (2002–2012), Denver Broncos (2013) – None (PFWA All-Rookie Team) – Wore number 23 for the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos (2002–2013).

Bobby Butler

Cornerback – Atlanta Falcons (1981–1992) – None – Wore number 23 for the Atlanta Falcons (1981–1992).

Marcus Trufant

Cornerback – Seattle Seahawks (2003–2012) – 1× Pro Bowl – Wore number 23 for the Seattle Seahawks (2003–2012).

Shaun Gayle

Safety / Defensive Back – Chicago Bears (1984–1994), San Diego Chargers (1995) – 1× Pro Bowl – Wore number 23 for the Chicago Bears and San Diego Chargers (1984–1995).

Ted Brown

Running Back – Minnesota Vikings (1979–1986) – None – Wore number 23 for the Minnesota Vikings (1979–1986).

Marty Carter

Safety – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1991–1994), Chicago Bears (1995–1998), Atlanta Falcons (1999–2001), Detroit Lions (2001) – None – Wore number 23 primarily with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears (1991–1998).

Paul Lowe

Running Back – Los Angeles / San Diego Chargers (1960–1968), Kansas City Chiefs (1969) – 2× Pro Bowl (AFL All-Star selections) – Wore number 23 for the Chargers and Chiefs (1960–1969).

Don McCauley

Running Back – Baltimore Colts (1971–1981) – 0 selections – Wore number 23 from 1971 to 1981.

Ron Hall

Defensive Back/Safety – Pittsburgh Steelers (1959), Boston Patriots (1961–1967) – 1 selection (1 AFL All-Star selection) – Wore number 23 during his time with the Boston Patriots (1961–1967).

Pierre Thomas

Running Back – New Orleans Saints (2007–2014), San Francisco 49ers (2015), Washington Redskins (2015) – 0 selections – Wore number 23 primarily with the New Orleans Saints (2007–2014).

Kyle Fuller

Cornerback – Chicago Bears (2014–2020), Denver Broncos (2021), Baltimore Ravens (2022) – 1 selection (1 Pro Bowl, 1 First-team All-Pro) – Wore number 23 with the Chicago Bears (2014–2020) and Denver Broncos (2021).

Rodney McLeod

Safety – St. Louis Rams (2012–2015), Philadelphia Eagles (2016–2021), Indianapolis Colts (2022), Cleveland Browns (2023–2024) – 0 selections – Wore number 23 with the Philadelphia Eagles (2016–2021) and Indianapolis Colts (2022).

Charlie Smith

Running Back – Oakland Raiders (1968–1974), Denver Broncos (1975–1977) – 0 selections – Wore number 23 with the Oakland Raiders (1968–1974).

Sammy Winder

Running Back – Denver Broncos (1982–1990) – 2 selections (2 Pro Bowls) – Wore number 23 throughout his career with the Denver Broncos (1982–1990).

Johnny Roland

Running Back / Defensive Back – St. Louis Cardinals (1966–1972), New York Giants (1973) – 2 selections (2 Pro Bowls) – Wore number 23 with the St. Louis Cardinals (1966–1972).

Dunta Robinson

Cornerback – Houston Texans (2004–2009), Atlanta Falcons (2010–2012), Kansas City Chiefs (2013) – 0 selections – Wore number 23 with the Houston Texans (2004–2009) and Atlanta Falcons (2010–2012).

Darius Slay

Cornerback – Detroit Lions (2013–2019), Philadelphia Eagles (2020–2024), Pittsburgh Steelers (2025–2026) – 6 selections (6 Pro Bowls, 1 First-team All-Pro) – Wore number 23 with the Detroit Lions (2013–2019) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2025–2026).

Conclusion

The number 23 may not boast the sheer volume of Hall of Famers as some other iconic jerseys, but the players who wore it were nothing short of exceptional. From the unparalleled athleticism of return man and Hall of Famer Devin Hester—who forever changed the way special teams were viewed—to the reliable, dominant defensive back play of Troy Vincent and Brig Owens, No. 23 symbolizes versatile excellence. Whether it was leading the early league like Guy Chamberlin or providing the workhorse stability of Paul Lowe, this number has been the badge of football players who left an undeniable mark on the field.

For more on our Jersey number series, check out the number 10.

Greatest Players Who Wore NFL Jersey Number 10