By Darin Hayes 
From Early Giants to Playoff Kings: The Elite History of NFL Jersey Number 30
The number 30 represents a tradition of pure power and revolutionary skill, defining key eras in NFL history. It belongs to not one, but three Pro Football Hall of Famers! Leading the list is Terrell Davis, the Denver Broncos running back whose dominance was so complete he earned an MVP award, a Super Bowl MVP, and an enshrinement despite a short career. But the number’s prestige begins earlier with defensive tackle Bill Willis, a two-way pioneer, and the hard-running legend Clarke Hinkle. Dive into the explosive history of this jersey, exploring other greats like Ollie Matson and Jamaal Williams, to crown the true champion of the No. 30 legacy.
Which NFL Players Are the Best To Have Worn the Number 30?
Football career bios for players who wore the number 30:
- Terrell Davis: This Pro Football Hall of Fame running back was the 1998 NFL MVP and Super Bowl XXXII MVP, winning two Super Bowls and averaging a record 5.6 yards per carry in the postseason.
- Bill Willis: A Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle, he helped definitively break the NFL’s color barrier in 1946 and won four AAFC and one NFL Championship with the Cleveland Browns.
- Clarke Hinkle: This Pro Football Hall of Fame fullback played 10 seasons for the Green Bay Packers, retired in 1941 as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, and was renowned as one of the toughest “Iron Men” of his era.
- Ahman Green: A four-time Pro Bowl running back, he holds the Green Bay Packers’ franchise record for career rushing yards and, in 2003, became the first NFL player to rush for 1,850+ yards and catch 50+ passes in one season.
- Brian Mitchell: One of the most productive return specialists in NFL history, he retired ranked second all-time in career all-purpose yards behind Jerry Rice and was a key member of the Redskins’ Super Bowl XXVI championship team.
- Todd Gurley: The 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year and two-time First-team All-Pro, this dynamic running back led the league in rushing touchdowns in both 2017 and 2018.
- Ollie Matson: This Pro Football Hall of Fame halfback and return specialist was a six-time Pro Bowl selection who won a bronze medal in the 400-meter dash at the 1952 Olympics before starting his NFL career.
- Lawrence McCutcheon: A five-time Pro Bowl running back for the Los Angeles Rams, he led the team in rushing for five straight seasons and finished his career with over 6,500 rushing yards.
- Alex Wojciechowicz: A Pro Football Hall of Fame center and linebacker, he was a key two-way “Iron Man” player and a defensive leader on the Philadelphia Eagles’ back-to-back NFL Championship teams (1948–1949).
More Iconic Players Who Wore Number 30
- Bernie Parrish
- Bill Brown
- Mike Brown
- Mark van Eeghen
- Mike Minter
- Ron Johnson
- Mike Rozier
- Jason McCourty
- Chad Scott
- Frank Pollard
- Stump Mitchell
- James Jones
- Timmy Newsome
- Bruce Gossett
- LaRon Landry
- Issiac Holt
- Bernie Casey
- Dan Reeves
- Dave Meggett
- Wray Carlton
Conclusion
The number 30 represents a compelling blend of NFL pioneers and modern playoff legends, making its history truly unique. While Hall of Famers like the unstoppable rusher Clarke Hinkle and the barrier-breaking two-way star Bill Willis established its early prestige, the number’s modern fame belongs to the Super Bowl MVP and former NFL MVP Terrell Davis. His brief but impossibly dominant run, alongside the record-breaking all-purpose yardage of Brian Mitchell and the consistency of rushers like Ahman Green, ensures the No. 30 jersey will forever be associated with game-changing running and a fierce commitment to excellence.