By Darin Hayes 
From Gridiron Immortals to Modern Workhorses: The Legacy of NFL Jersey Number 26
The number 26 boasts a uniquely rich history, featuring not one, but two Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive backs in Rod Woodson and Herb Adderley—legends who defined excellence and versatility in the secondary. Woodson, one of the greatest defensive players of all time, wore it for a decade during his prime in Pittsburgh. But the jersey’s prestige doesn’t stop with defense; it also marks the careers of modern rushing stars like Le’Veon Bell and the powerful Clinton Portis. Join us as we dissect the careers of these iconic running backs and defensive playmakers, settling the debate on who best represented the storied tradition of the No. 26 jersey.
List of the NFL Jersey 26 Legends
Football career bios for players who wore the number 26:
- Rod Woodson: This Pro Football Hall of Famer was the 1993 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, earned 11 Pro Bowl selections, and finished his career with 71 total interceptions, including a record 12 returned for touchdowns.
- Herb Adderley: A Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback, he won six NFL Championships and three Super Bowls during his career with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys.
- George Saimes: A five-time AFL All-Star safety for the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos, he won two AFL Championships with the Bills and was named to the AFL’s All-Time Team.
- Antoine Winfield: This physical, Jim Thorpe Award-winning cornerback was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and recorded 27 interceptions and over 1,000 career tackles during his 14 seasons with the Bills and Vikings.
- Clinton Portis: A two-time Pro Bowl running back, he was the 2002 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and set an NFL record for the highest yards-per-carry average over a running back’s first two seasons (5.5).
- Raymond Clayborn: A three-time Pro Bowl cornerback and superb kick returner for the New England Patriots, he tied the Patriots’ franchise record with 36 career interceptions.
- Wendell Tyler: A Pro Bowl running back, he won Super Bowl XIX with the San Francisco 49ers and totaled over 6,300 rushing yards during his 10-year career with the Rams and 49ers.
- Le’Veon Bell: A three-time Pro Bowl running back, he earned First-team All-Pro honors in 2014 and was known for his patient running style and elite production as a dual-threat receiver.
- Lydell Mitchell: This three-time Pro Bowl running back set multiple rushing records for the Baltimore Colts and twice led the entire NFL in receptions (1974, 1977).
- Robert Smith: (Note: The most prominent NFL player named Robert Smith wore number 28 for the Vikings; the safety Robert Smith who wore 27 did not play in a regular season game.)
- Ty Law: This Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback wore No. 26 during his prime with the Patriots, winning three Super Bowls and leading the league in interceptions in 1998.
- Paul Krause: A Pro Football Hall of Fame safety, he wore No. 26 early in his career with the Washington Redskins, leading the NFL with 12 interceptions as a rookie before moving to No. 25 with the Vikings.
- Benny Friedman: This Hall of Fame quarterback, who played before the widespread use of jersey numbers, was one of the NFL’s first great passers, leading the league in touchdown passes for four consecutive years (1927–1930).
More Iconic Number 26 jersey wearers
- Deuce McAllister
- Preston Pearson
- Charles Romes
- Michael Downs
- Bennie McRae
- Gary Barbaro
- Vann McElroy
- Dawan Landry
- Brady Keys
- Jarvis Williams
- Kevin Smith
- Lamar Miller
- Lito Sheppard
- Al Nelson
- Rob Carpenter
- Ken Hamlin
- Deshea Townsend
Conclusion
The number 26 holds a deep and dual-faceted history in the NFL, defined equally by shutdown defense and dynamic offensive threats. Two members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame—the Super Bowl-winning cornerback Herb Adderley and the dominant, versatile defensive back Rod Woodson—establish its legacy as a symbol of excellence in the secondary. Complementing this defensive dominance are powerful running backs like the record-setting Clinton Portis and the highly productive dual-threat Le’Veon Bell. Whether a player wore it while securing championships or setting modern scrimmage records, the No. 26 jersey represents an extraordinary level of talent and versatility across the gridiron.