By Darin Hayes 
A Rushing King and Defensive Greats: Who Is the Best to Wear NFL Number 29?
The number 29 carries a prestige defined by players who mastered the art of speed and explosion. Anchoring this list is Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, the legendary running back who holds the seemingly unbreakable NFL single-season rushing record (2,105 yards). But the competition is intense! The number also belongs to Hall of Fame safety Ken Houston and a collection of elite defensive backs, including the fierce Earl Thomas and shutdown corners Sam Madison and Albert Lewis. This jersey has consistently been worn by athletes who were simply faster and tougher than the competition. Join us as we settle the debate and rank the top players who gave the No. 29 jersey its legendary status.
List of the Best NFL Players Who Wore the 29 Jersey
Football career bios for players who have worn the number 29:
Red Badgro: A Pro Football Hall of Fame end who played in the NFL’s early era, he was a versatile star who scored the first touchdown in the first-ever NFL Championship Game in 1933.
Ray Flaherty: This Pro Football Hall of Famer was a seven-time First-team All-Pro end for the New York Giants and later coached the Washington Redskins to two NFL Championships, receiving credit for inventing the screen pass.
Eric Dickerson: A Pro Football Hall of Fame running back, he set the single-season NFL rushing record with 2,105 yards in 1984 and was the fastest player to reach the 10,000-yard rushing milestone (91 games).
Ken Houston: This Pro Football Hall of Fame safety earned 12 consecutive Pro Bowl selections and set an NFL record with nine career interception returns for a touchdown (all while wearing No. 29 for the Oilers).
Harold Jackson: A five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who played 16 NFL seasons, he led the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns during his career with multiple teams.
Earl Thomas: A seven-time Pro Bowl safety, he was the centerfielder of the Seattle Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” defense and won Super Bowl XLVIII, earning a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Albert Lewis: A four-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Chiefs and Raiders, he was a tenacious defensive back who famously blocked an astonishing 11 kicks during his 11 seasons in Kansas City.
Sam Madison: This four-time Pro Bowl cornerback won Super Bowl XLII with the Giants and retired with 31 interceptions during his nine productive seasons with the Miami Dolphins.
Sammy Knight: A Pro Bowl strong safety who played 12 NFL seasons, he amassed 42 career interceptions and was a consistent playmaker for five different teams.
Eric Turner: The second overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft, this Pro Bowl safety earned All-Pro honors in 1994 and totaled 30 interceptions during his nine-season career with the Browns, Ravens, and Raiders.
Tommy McDonald: This Pro Football Hall of Fame flanker and wide receiver wore No. 29 for the Philadelphia Eagles, winning the 1960 NFL Championship and retiring with 84 career receiving touchdowns.
Hanford Dixon: A three-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Cleveland Browns, he is credited with naming the team’s famous fan section, “The Dawg Pound.”
Karl Kassulke: A Pro Bowl safety for the Minnesota Vikings’ “Purple People Eaters” defense, he was a key defensive back on the team that won the 1969 NFL Championship.
More Iconic NFL Players Who Wore the Number 29
- Mario Clark
- DeMarco Murray
- Don Griffin
- Jason Belser
- Leon Hall
- Myron Guyton
- Eric Berry
- Joseph Addai
- Mark Murphy
- Ricky Reynolds
- Mike McCoy
- Bruce McNorton
- Darryll Lewis
- Xavier Rhodes
- Chester Taylor
- Al Matthews
- Dwayne Harper
- Walt Sumner
- Mike Williams
Conclusion
The number 29 holds a prestigious and diverse history, defined by players who excelled through sheer speed and athletic dominance. Its legacy is highlighted by the presence of three Pro Football Hall of Famers: Eric Dickerson, the running back who set the unbreakable single-season rushing record, the explosive safety Ken Houston (who wore it during his formative years with the Oilers), and the versatile early-era star Red Badgro and Ray Flaherty. The number’s defensive tradition continued with modern stars like the ferocious Earl Thomas and shutdown corners Sam Madison and Albert Lewis. Ultimately, the No. 29 jersey represents an era-defining athleticism, whether worn by a running back outracing the entire defense or a safety covering the deep field with unmatched range.