Greatest Players Who Wore the NFL Jersey 28

Hall of Famers and Rushing Royalty: Debating the Best to Wear NFL Jersey Number 28

The number 28 is synonymous with elite, game-changing talent, particularly at two of the most demanding positions in football. This jersey represents an extraordinary collection of Pro Football Hall of Famers, including the revolutionary running back Marshall Faulk—one of only three players in the 12,000 rushing/5,000 receiving yard club. Yet, the defense is represented by the “Ageless Wonder,” Darrell Green, the legendary cornerback who played 20 seasons. Add rushing greats Curtis Martin and Adrian Peterson to the mix, and the debate for who truly wore No. 28 best becomes impossible to ignore. Dive into the history of this iconic number!

Who Are the Top NFL Players Who Have Worn Jersey Number 28?

The following list provides verified, one-to-two-sentence football career bios for players who have worn No. 28 (or were foundational players like Mike Michalske, who wore different numbers, including early versions of No. 28).

Jimmy Orr

A two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who played 13 seasons, he was named the 1958 AP NFL Rookie of the Year and won Super Bowl V with the Baltimore Colts.

Wide receiver — Pittsburgh Steelers (1958–1960), Baltimore Colts (1961–1970) — 3-time All-Pro selections (1 First-team, 2 Second-team) and 2 Pro Bowl selections — Wore Number: 28 (primarily worn during his time with the Baltimore Colts) [Source]

Darrell Green

This Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback played an NFL-record 20 seasons for the Washington Redskins, won two Super Bowls, and holds the NFL record for most consecutive seasons with an interception (19).

Cornerback – Washington Redskins (1983–2002) – 7 Pro Bowls, 4 First-team All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 seasons: 1983–2002 [Source]

Marshall Faulk

A Pro Football Hall of Fame running back and 2000 NFL MVP, he became the first player in NFL history to accumulate over 12,000 rushing yards and 6,000 receiving yards in a career.

Running Back – Indianapolis Colts (1994–1998), St. Louis Rams (1999–2005) – 7 Pro Bowls, 3 First-team All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 seasons: 1994–2005 [Source]

Curtis Martin

This Pro Football Hall of Fame running back is one of only two players (with Barry Sanders) to begin their career with 10 consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, finishing his career as the NFL’s fourth all-time leading rusher.

Running Back – New England Patriots (1995–1997), New York Jets (1998–2006) – 5 Pro Bowls, 1 First-team All-Pro selection – Wore Number 28 seasons: 1995–2006 [Source]

Yale Lary

A Pro Football Hall of Fame safety, punter, and return specialist, he won three NFL Championships with the Detroit Lions and earned nine Pro Bowl selections despite missing two seasons for military service.

Safety / Punter – Detroit Lions (1952–1953, 1956–1964) – 9 Pro Bowls, 5 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 seasons: 1952–1953, 1956–1964 [Source]

Adrian Peterson

The 2012 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, he holds the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single game (296) and is considered one of the most dominant running backs in league history.

Running Back – Minnesota Vikings (2007–2016), New Orleans Saints (2017), Arizona Cardinals (2017), Washington Redskins (2018–2019), Detroit Lions (2020), Tennessee Titans (2021), Seattle Seahawks (2021) – 7 Pro Bowls, 4 First-team All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 seasons: 2007–2021 [Source]

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Chris Johnson

Known as “CJ2K,” this running back earned the 2009 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award by setting an NFL single-season record with 2,509 yards from scrimmage. In 2026, CJ is heading to the Titans’ Ring of Honor.

Running Back – Tennessee Titans (2008–2013), New York Jets (2014), Arizona Cardinals (2015–2017) – 3 Pro Bowls, 1 First-team All-Pro selection – Wore Number 28 seasons: 2008–2017 [Source]

Fred Taylor

A Pro Bowl running back and member of the 10,000-yard rushing club, he holds the Jacksonville Jaguars’ franchise rushing records and retired with a career average of 4.6 yards per carry.

Running Back – Jacksonville Jaguars (1998–2008), New England Patriots (2009–2010) – 1 Pro Bowl, 0 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 seasons: 1998–2010

Corey Dillon

A four-time Pro Bowl running back, he set a then-NFL record with 278 rushing yards in a 2000 game for the Bengals and later won Super Bowl XXXIX with the New England Patriots.

Running Back – Cincinnati Bengals (1997–2003), New England Patriots (2004–2006) – 4 Pro Bowls, 0 First-team All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 seasons: 1997–2006 [Source]

Willie Buchanon

The 1972 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, this two-time Pro Bowl cornerback tied the NFL single-game record with four interceptions in 1978 and played on the Chargers’ 50th Anniversary Team.

Cornerback – Green Bay Packers (1972–1978), San Diego Chargers (1979–1982) – 3 Pro Bowls, 0 First-team All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 seasons: 1972–1982

Darren Woodson

A five-time Pro Bowl safety and three-time Super Bowl champion for the Dallas Cowboys, he retired as the franchise’s all-time leading tackler.

Safety – Dallas Cowboys (1992–2004) – 5 Pro Bowls, 4 First-team All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 seasons: 1992–2004 [Source]

Warrick Dunn

A three-time Pro Bowl running back and 2005 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, he won the 1997 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and was known for his community work.

Running Back – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997–2001, 2008), Atlanta Falcons (2002–2007) – 3 Pro Bowls, 0 First-team All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 seasons: 1997–2008 [Source]

Mike Michalske

A Pro Football Hall of Fame guard and one of the NFL’s first great pulling guards, he was a key anchor on the Green Bay Packers’ three consecutive NFL Championship teams from 1929–1931.

Guard – New York Yankees (1926–1928), Green Bay Packers (1929–1935, 1937) – 0 Pro Bowls (Played prior to Pro Bowl era), 7 First-team All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 seasons: 1931 (Note: Players in this era frequently rotated numbers; he wore 28 during part of his Packers career). [Source]

Abner Haynes

The AFL’s first Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in 1960 for the Dallas Texans, he led the AFL in rushing and was named to the All-Time All-AFL second team.

Running Back – Dallas Texans / Kansas City Chiefs (1960–1964), Denver Broncos (1965–1967), Miami Dolphins (1967), New York Jets (1968) – 3 AFL All-Star / Pro Bowl selections, 1 First-team All-AFL selection – Wore Number 28 seasons: 1960–1967

Gene Atkins

A solid safety who played 10 NFL seasons for the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 1987 and finished his career with 25 interceptions.

Safety – New Orleans Saints (1987–1993), Miami Dolphins (1994–1996) – 0 Pro Bowls, 0 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 seasons: 1987–1996

More Iconic Wearers of NFL Jersey 28

Cris Dishman

Cornerback – Houston Oilers (1988–1996), Washington Redskins (1997–1998), Kansas City Chiefs (1999), Minnesota Vikings (2000) – 2-time Pro Bowl selection (1991, 1997), 1-time First-team All-Pro (1991), 1-time Second-team All-Pro (1997) – Wore Number 28 during his NFL career (such as with the Houston Oilers/Titans and other stops). [Source]

Curt Warner

Running Back – Seattle Seahawks (1983–1988, 1990), Los Angeles Rams (1989) – 3-time Pro Bowl selection (1983, 1986, 1987), 1-time First-team All-Pro (1983) – Wore Number 28 throughout his tenure with the Seattle Seahawks (1983–1988, 1990). (Source)

Bill Bradley

Safety / Punter – Philadelphia Eagles (1969–1976), Minnesota Vikings (1977) – 3-time Pro Bowl selection (1971–1973), 2-time First-team All-Pro (1971, 1972) – Wore Number 28 during his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ahmad Rashad

Wide Receiver – St. Louis Cardinals (1972–1973), Buffalo Bills (1974–1975), Minnesota Vikings (1976–1982) – 4-time Pro Bowl selection (1978–1981), 1-time Second-team All-Pro (1979) – Wore Number 28 during his time with the Minnesota Vikings (1976–1982).

James Hunter

Safety – Detroit Lions (1976–1982) – 0 Pro Bowls or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 throughout his entire career with the Detroit Lions (1976–1982). [Source]

Jonathan Stewart

Running Back – Carolina Panthers (2008–2017), New York Giants (2018) – 1-time Pro Bowl selection (2015) – Wore Number 28 throughout his entire career with the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants (2008–2018)

Thomas Smith

Cornerback – Buffalo Bills (1993–1999), Chicago Bears (2000–2001), Indianapolis Colts (2002) – 0 Pro Bowls or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 during his time with the Buffalo Bills (1993–1999).

Clarence Davis

Running Back – Oakland Raiders (1971–1978) – 0 Pro Bowls or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 28 throughout his entire career with the Oakland Raiders (1971–1978).

Ben Davis

Cornerback / Return Specialist – Cleveland Browns (1967–1969), Detroit Lions (1970–1976) – 1-time Second-team All-Pro (1968), 1-time Pro Bowl (1969) – Wore Number 28 with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions (1967–1976)

Mike Weger

Safety – Detroit Lions (1967–1973), Houston Oilers (1974–1976) – None – Wore Number 28 with the Detroit Lions and Houston Oilers (1967–1976)

Monte Jackson

Cornerback – Los Angeles Rams (1975–1977), Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders (1978–1982), Baltimore Colts (1983) – 1-time First-team All-Pro (1976), 2-time Pro Bowl (1976, 1977) – Wore Number 28 primarily with the Los Angeles Rams and Oakland Raiders (1975–1981)

Darrol Ray

Safety – New York Jets (1980–1984), New York Giants (1985), Kansas City Chiefs (1986) – None – Wore Number 28 with the New York Jets (1980–1984) [Source]

Beasley Reece

Defensive Back – Dallas Cowboys (1976–1977), New York Giants (1978–1983), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1983–1984) – None – Wore Number 28 with the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978–1984)

Clendon Thomas

Safety / Halfback – Los Angeles Rams (1958–1961), Pittsburgh Steelers (1962–1968) – 1-time Pro Bowl (1958) – Wore Number 28 with the Los Angeles Rams (1958–1961)

Ron Bolton

Cornerback – New England Patriots (1972–1975), Cleveland Browns (1976–1982) – None – Wore Number 28 with the Cleveland Browns (1976–1982)

Harold Green

Running Back / Fullback – Cincinnati Bengals (1990–1995), St. Louis Rams (1996), Atlanta Falcons (1997–1998) – 1 Pro Bowl – Wore Number 28 seasons: 1990–1998

James White

Running Back – New England Patriots (2014–2021) – 0 selections – Wore Number 28 seasons: 2014–2021

Miles Killebrew

Safety – Detroit Lions (2016–2020), Pittsburgh Steelers (2021–2025), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2026–present) – Selected to 1 Pro Bowl (as well as 1 First-team All-Pro in 2023; 2 total Pro Bowls: 2023, 2024) – Wore Number 28 in the NFL during the 2021 through 2025 seasons.

Thomas DeCoud

Safety – Atlanta Falcons (2008–2013), Carolina Panthers (2014) – 1 Pro Bowl – Wore Number 28 seasons: 2008–2014

Gibril Wilson

Safety – New York Giants (2004–2007), Oakland Raiders (2008), Miami Dolphins (2009), Cincinnati Bengals (2011) – 0 selections – Wore Number 28 seasons: 2004–2008

Melvin Gordon

Running Back – San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers (2015–2019), Denver Broncos (2020–2022), Baltimore Ravens (2023) – 2 Pro Bowls – Wore Number 28 seasons: 2015–2018, 2021

Conclusion

The number 28 is an indisputable symbol of speed, versatility, and sheer rushing excellence in the NFL. Its unparalleled legacy rests on the shoulders of four different Hall of Famers: the revolutionary, dual-threat genius Marshall Faulk; the relentless, durable workhorse Curtis Martin; the ageless, blazing-fast cornerback Darrell Green; and the foundational safety/punter Yale Lary. Add modern rushing titans like Adrian Peterson to the list, and it becomes clear that No. 28 represents not just individual brilliance, but a commitment to setting and breaking offensive and defensive records. This jersey is truly one of the most elite in the game’s history.

Big thanks to Pro-Football-Reference.com, Newspapers.com, Wikipedia.com, and the other fine sources listed above.

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