By Darin 
Beyond the Box: Celebrating the Hard-Hitting Legends of Jersey Number 43
The number 43 may not be retired across an entire league like 42. Still, in football, it signifies a legacy of grit, reliability, and aggressive playmaking—particularly at the safety and running back positions.
Perhaps the most famous player to wear it was the “Tasmanian Devil,” Troy Polamalu. When he first arrived in Pittsburgh, he transformed into one of the most dominant, hard-hitting defensive forces of the 1990s and 2000s, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and a Hall of Fame bust while wearing the iconic number 43.
From Troy’s ferocious tackles to players like legendary Chargers linebacker Billy Ray Smith and versatile running back Floyd Little, the athletes who donned 43 consistently excelled in their roles. Discover the complete list of football greats who carried the hard-hitting heritage of this legendary number.
Top Players Who Wore the NFL Jersey 43
- Cliff Harris: A Pro Football Hall of Famer, “Captain Crash” was a vital strong safety for the Dallas Cowboys’ dynasty of the 1970s, known for his relentless intensity and hard-hitting play in five Super Bowl appearances.
- Troy Polamalu: A Pro Football Hall of Famer and eight-time Pro Bowl safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Polamalu was renowned for his unique athleticism, disruptive instincts, and defining role in two Super Bowl championships.
- Larry Brown: A Pro Bowl running back for the Washington Redskins, Brown was the 1972 NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) and a rushing champion known for his toughness and punishing running style.
- George Atkinson: A hard-hitting safety for the Oakland Raiders, Atkinson was a key component of the team’s defensive backfield during their dominant 1970s era, known for his physical play and multiple Pro Bowl selections.
- Mike Pruitt: A productive running back for the Cleveland Browns, Pruitt was a two-time Pro Bowl selection who amassed four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
- Steve Foley: A dependable defensive back for the Denver Broncos, Foley set the franchise record for career interceptions (44) and was a key starter during the team’s first Super Bowl appearance in 1977.
- Jim Norton: A hard-hitting safety and punter for the Houston Oilers, Norton was a four-time AFL All-Star known for his leadership and consistent defensive play during the early years of the league.
- Spider Lockhart: A four-time Pro Bowl free safety for the New York Giants, Lockhart was a durable and reliable defensive playmaker who led the team in interceptions for seven consecutive seasons.
- Darren Sproles: A dynamic and versatile running back and return specialist, Sproles amassed over 19,000 all-purpose yards—ranking fifth in NFL history at the time of his retirement—and earned three Pro Bowl selections.
- Don Perkins: A six-time Pro Bowl running back, Perkins was one of the first stars of the Dallas Cowboys franchise, leading the team in rushing for eight consecutive seasons and earning a spot on the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team.
More Significant Players of the NFL Jersey 43
- Tony Greene
- Terry Kinard
- Lenny Lyles
- Nate Wright
- Norm Thompson
- T.J. Ward
- Dave Hampton
- Gerald Sensabaugh
- Frank Lewis
- Lonnie Young
- Michael Brim
- Doug Hart
- George Iloka
- Percy Ellsworth
- Cleveland Gary
- Craig Dahl
- Fair Hooker
- Gary Lowe
The Intangible Toughness of Number 43
The athletes who donned jersey number 43 set the standard for hard-nosed, reliable football, particularly at the safety and running back positions. From the Hall of Fame enforcers Cliff Harris and Troy Polamalu, whose aggressive play defined championship defenses, to the all-purpose greatness of Darren Sproles, who amassed one of the highest all-purpose yard totals in NFL history, this number signifies versatility and impact. Whether it was Larry Brown winning the MVP as a punishing runner or Don Perkins establishing the early identity of the Dallas Cowboys, the number 43 belongs to players who consistently delivered toughness and high-level performance across decades of NFL history.