Greatest Players Who Wore the NFL Jersey 33

The Immortals of 33: Celebrating the Top NFL Players to Wear the Jersey

Some numbers define an era, and number 33 is certainly one of them. More than just digits, this jersey symbolizes power, versatility, and sheer, legendary production on the gridiron. From Hall of Fame running backs who ran over and around the competition to defensive titans who became household names, the players who donned number 33 were consistent game-changers.

Get ready to explore the careers of gridiron royalty! We’re celebrating the championship rings, rushing records, and unforgettable moments delivered by iconic players like Tony Dorsett, Dalvin Cook, and Jamal Lewis. Discover why number 33 holds a special place in NFL lore and who truly stands as the best Number 33 of all time.

We had a special guest, Joe Ziemba, help us back in this 2021 podcast interview to find these number 33 legends:

Legends of the Jersey 33

Ray Nitschke

An iconic middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, Nitschke anchored Vince Lombardi’s defense, won five NFL championships (including two Super Bowls), and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978.

Linebacker – Green Bay Packers (1958–1972) – Selected as an All-Pro once and Pro Bowl once – Wore Number 33 in the NFL in 1958 (he wore Number 66 for the rest of his NFL career). [Source]

Sammy Baugh

Known as one of the game’s earliest and greatest quarterbacks, “Slingin’ Sammy” played for the Washington Redskins and remains the only player ever to lead the NFL in passing, punting, and interceptions in the same season (1943), earning him a spot as a charter inductee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Quarterback / Defensive Back / Punter – Washington Redskins (1937–1952) – Selected as an All-Pro 9 times (7 first-team, 2 second-team) and Pro Bowl/All-Star 6 times – Wore Number 33 in the NFL: 1937–1952

Tony Dorsett

A dynamic running back for the Dallas Cowboys, Dorsett won the Heisman Trophy in college and went on to win Super Bowl XII with the Cowboys, becoming a four-time Pro Bowler and a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Running Back – Dallas Cowboys (1977–1987), Denver Broncos (1988) – Selected as an All-Pro 3 times (1 first-team, 2 second-team) and Pro Bowl 4 times – Wore Number 33 in the NFL: 1977–1988

Ollie Matson

A multi-talented halfback and return specialist, Matson was an Olympic medalist who played for the Cardinals and Rams, made six Pro Bowls, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972.

Running Back / Halfback – Chicago Cardinals (1952–1958), Los Angeles Rams (1959–1962), Detroit Lions (1963), Philadelphia Eagles (1964–1966) – Selected as an All-Pro 7 times and Pro Bowl 6 times – Wore Number 33 in the NFL: 1952–1966 (wore number 33 throughout his career)

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Roger Craig

A highly versatile running back and receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, Craig was the first player in NFL history to record both 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season (1985), and he won three Super Bowls with the 49ers.

Running Back – San Francisco 49ers (1983–1990), Los Angeles Raiders (1991), Minnesota Vikings (1992–1993) – Selected as an All-Pro once and Pro Bowl 4 times – Wore Number 33 in the NFL: 1983–1990, 1992–1993 [StatMuse]

Larry Morris

A hard-hitting middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears, Morris helped lead the Bears to the 1963 NFL Championship and was a three-time Pro Bowler during his 11-year career.

Linebacker – Los Angeles Rams (1955–1957), Chicago Bears (1959–1965), Atlanta Falcons (1966) – 1-time Second-team All-Pro, 1-time Pro Bowl (Note: He was also selected as the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team linebacker) – Wore Number 33 during portions of his career with the Chicago Bears (circa 1959–1965).

Charles Tillman

A durable and aggressive cornerback for the Chicago Bears, “Peanut” Tillman forced an NFL-record 44 career forced fumbles by punching the ball out—a technique known as the “Peanut Punch”—and was a two-time Pro Bowler.

Cornerback – Chicago Bears (2003–2014), Carolina Panthers (2015) – 1-time First-team All-Pro, 2-time Pro Bowl – Wore Number 33 with the Chicago Bears (2003–2014) and Carolina Panthers (2015).

Reggie Rucker

A reliable wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns, Rucker was known for his leadership and consistent production during his 13-year career, leading the Browns in receiving in four different seasons.

Wide Receiver – Dallas Cowboys (1969–1971), New York Giants (1971), New England Patriots (1971–1974), Cleveland Browns (1975–1981) – None – Wore Number 33 with the New England Patriots (1971–1974).

Mike Michalske

An early two-way player and guard for the New York Yankees and Green Bay Packers, Michalske was considered one of the era’s best linemen and was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1963).

Guard / Fullback – New York Yankees (1926–1928), Green Bay Packers (1929–1935, 1937) – 7-time First-team All-Pro, 0 Pro Bowls (Pre-Pro Bowl era; Hall of Fame inductee) – Wore Number 33 with the Green Bay Packers (1935).

Nick Pietrosante

A bruising fullback for the Detroit Lions, Pietrosante was the first Lions player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season (1960) and was a two-time Pro Bowler.

Fullback – Detroit Lions (1959–1965), Cleveland Browns (1966–1967) – 2-time Pro Bowl – Wore Number 33 with the Detroit Lions (1959–1965).

Ronnie Harmon

A versatile running back and elite pass-catcher, primarily for the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers, Harmon was known for his receiving skills and led the Chargers in receptions for three straight years in the early 1990s.

Running Back – Buffalo Bills (1986–1989), San Diego Chargers (1990–1995), Houston / Tennessee Oilers (1996–1997), Chicago Bears (1997) – 1-time Pro Bowl – Wore Number 33 with the Buffalo Bills (1986–1989) and San Diego Chargers (1990–1995).

Kevin Faulk

A durable and versatile running back and return specialist for the New England Patriots, Faulk was instrumental to the Patriots’ dynasty, winning three Super Bowl titles and retiring as the team’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards.

Running Back – New England Patriots (1999–2011) – None – Wore Number 33 with the New England Patriots (1999–2011).

More Jersey 33 Iconic Players

W.K. Hicks

Cornerback / Safety – Houston Oilers (1964–1969), New York Jets (1970–1972) – 1-time Second-team All-AFL, 1-time AFL All-Star – Wore Number 33 with the Houston Oilers (1964–1969) and New York Jets (1970–1972).

Doug Evans

Cornerback – Green Bay Packers (1993–1997), Carolina Panthers (1998–2001), Seattle Seahawks (2002–2003), Detroit Lions (2003) – 0 selections – Wore Number 33 from 1993 to 2003

David Fulcher

Safety – Cincinnati Bengals (1986–1992), Los Angeles Raiders (1993) – 3 Pro Bowl selections (1988, 1989, 1990) and 1 First-team All-Pro selection (1988) – Wore Number 33 in 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992. [Source]

Kenny Graham

Safety – San Diego Chargers (1964–1969), Cincinnati Bengals (1970) – 3 Pro Bowl selections (1966, 1969, 1970) and 3 Second-team All-Pro selections (1966, 1969, 1970) – Wore Number 33 from 1964 to 1970 [StatMuse]

Michael Turner

Running Back – San Diego Chargers (2004–2007), Atlanta Falcons (2008–2012) – 2 Pro Bowl selections (2008, 2010) and 1 First-team All-Pro selection (2008) – Wore Number 33 from 2004 to 2012 [Pro Football Archives]

Ashley Ambrose

Cornerback – Indianapolis Colts (1992–1995), Cincinnati Bengals (1996–1998), New Orleans Saints (1999, 2003–2004), Atlanta Falcons (2000–2002) – 1 Pro Bowl selection (1996) and 1 First-team All-Pro selection (1996) – Wore Number 33 from 1992 to 1995, and from 1996 to 2004

Michael Griffin

Safety – Tennessee Titans (2007–2015), Carolina Panthers (2016) – 2 Pro Bowl selections (2008, 2010) – Wore Number 33 from 2007 to 2016

Eddie Anderson

Safety – Seattle Seahawks (1986), Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders (1987–1997) – 0 selections – Wore Number 33 from 1986 to 1994 (switched to number 47 for his final seasons)

Tony Collins

Running Back – New England Patriots (1981–1987), Miami Dolphins (1990) – 1 Pro Bowl selection (1983) – Wore Number 33 from 1981 to 1987, and in 1990

Mark Cotney

Strong Safety – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1976–1984) – 0 Pro Bowls or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 33 in the NFL (1976–1984) [Fandom.com]

Merril Hoge

Running Back / Fullback – Pittsburgh Steelers (1987–1993), Chicago Bears (1994) – 0 Pro Bowls or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 33 in the NFL (1987–1994)

Daylon McCutcheon

Cornerback – Cleveland Browns (1999–2006) – 0 Pro Bowls or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 33 in the NFL (1999–2006)

John Fuqua

Running Back – New York Giants (1969), Pittsburgh Steelers (1970–1974, 1975–1976) – 0 Pro Bowls or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 33 in the NFL (1970–1974, 1975–1976; wore No. 29 with the Giants in 1969)

Darryl Williams

Safety – Cincinnati Bengals (1992–1995, 2000–2001), Seattle Seahawks (1996–1999) – Selected to 1 Pro Bowl (1997) and 1 Second-team All-Pro (1997) – Wore Number 33 in the NFL (1996–2001; also wore No. 31 during his career)

Dalvin Cook

Running Back – Minnesota Vikings (2017–2022), New York Jets (2023), Baltimore Ravens (2023), Dallas Cowboys (2024) – Selected to 4 Pro Bowls (2019–2022) – Wore Number 33 in the NFL (2017–2021; switched to No. 4 starting in the 2022 season)

Jamal Adams

Safety – New York Jets (2017–2019), Seattle Seahawks (2020–2023), Tennessee Titans (2024), Las Vegas Raiders (2025–2026) – 3 Pro Bowls, 1 First-team All-Pro – Wore Number 33 in seasons: 2017–2023, 2024, 2025–2026

Don Woods

Running Back – San Diego Chargers (1974–1980), San Francisco 49ers (1980) – 0 Pro Bowls or All-Pros (1974 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year) – Wore Number 33 in seasons: 1974–1980 (wore 47 with San Francisco in 1980)

Willie Ellison

Running Back – Los Angeles Rams (1967–1972), Kansas City Chiefs (1973–1974) – 1 Pro Bowl – Wore Number 33 in seasons: 1967–1972 (wore 24 with Kansas City in 1973–1974)

Aaron Jones

Running Back – Green Bay Packers (2017–2023), Minnesota Vikings (2024–2026) – 1 Pro Bowl – Wore Number 33 in seasons: 2017–2023, 2024–2026

Tre Boston

Safety – Carolina Panthers (2015–2016, 2019–2020), Los Angeles Chargers (2017), Arizona Cardinals (2018) – 0 Pro Bowls or All-Pros – Wore Number 33 in seasons: 2015–2020

Leroy Hoard

Running Back – Cleveland Browns (1990–1995), Carolina Panthers (1996), Baltimore Ravens (1996), Minnesota Vikings (1996–1999) – 1 Pro Bowl – Wore Number 33 in seasons: 1990–1995, 1996, 1996, 1996–1999 (wore 44 with Minnesota in some seasons)

Jabari Greer

Cornerback – Buffalo Bills (2004–2008), New Orleans Saints (2009–2013) – 0 selections – Wore Number 33: 2010–2013

The Immortal Legacy of Number 33

The number 33 represents far more than just a digit; it embodies a tradition of power and durability in the NFL. From the electric, Super Bowl-winning speed of Tony Dorsett and the record-breaking, bruising runs of Jamal Lewis, to the versatile, modern production of Dalvin Cook and the countless other backs and defenders who made their mark, this jersey has been synonymous with elite performance. While players like Eric Dickerson and others often steal the spotlight in rushing discussions, the collective talent that defined number 33 solidifies its place among the most respected and high-achieving jersey numbers in football history.

We thank the many sources listed above, as well as the ones we used for almost every entry, including Pro-Football-Reference.com, NFL.com, Wikipedia, and Newspapers.com.

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