Greatest Players Who Wore the NFL Jersey 32

The Legacy of 32: Unpacking the Greatest NFL Players to Wear the Iconic Jersey Number

Few jersey numbers in NFL history carry the weight and prestige of number 32. This isn’t just a number; it’s a symbol of rushing dominance, tireless effort, and gridiron greatness. From Canton-bound running backs who redefined the position to versatile defensive stars who locked down opponents, the men who donned number 32 weren’t just great—they were era-defining legends.

Get ready to dive deep into the careers of football royalty! We’re celebrating the unbreakable records and unforgettable moments delivered by players like O.J. Simpson, Jim Brown, and Marcus Allen. Discover why number 32 stands among the most hallowed digits in football lore and who deserves the title of the best Number 32 of all time.

Author/Historian Joe Zagorski covers the key players who wore number 32 in this 2021 podcast episode.

List of Jersey 32 Legends

Jim Brown

Widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, Brown was a dominant fullback for the Cleveland Browns who led the league in rushing in eight of his nine seasons before his abrupt retirement, becoming a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Cleveland Browns (1957–1965) – 9 Pro Bowl selections, 8-time First-team All-Pro – Wore Number 32 for the Cleveland Browns (1957–1965) [Source]

Marcus Allen

A versatile running back for the Raiders and Chiefs, Allen is a Super Bowl MVP, a former NFL MVP, and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, excelling as both a runner and a receiver.

Running Back – Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1992), Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1997) – 6 Pro Bowl selections, 2-time First-team All-Pro – Wore Number 32 for the Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1992) and Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1997) [Source]

Franco Harris

A legendary fullback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Harris was a key member of four Super Bowl-winning teams and is famous for the “Immaculate Reception,” earning him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Running Back – Pittsburgh Steelers (1972–1983), Seattle Seahawks (1984) – 9 Pro Bowl selections, 1-time First-team All-Pro – Wore Number 32 for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1972–1983) [Source]

O.J. Simpson

A dynamic running back for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers, Simpson was the first player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a 14-game season, won an NFL MVP, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Running Back – Buffalo Bills (1969–1977), San Francisco 49ers (1978–1979) – 6 Pro Bowl selections, 5-time First-team All-Pro – Wore Number 32 for the Buffalo Bills (1969–1977) and San Francisco 49ers (1978–1979) [Source]

Edgerrin James

A powerful and productive running back for the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals, James was a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL rushing champion who earned his place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Running Back – Indianapolis Colts (1999–2005), Arizona Cardinals (2006–2008), Seattle Seahawks (2009) – 4 Pro Bowl selections, 3-time First-team All-Pro – Wore Number 32 for the Indianapolis Colts (1999–2005), Arizona Cardinals (2006–2008), and Seattle Seahawks (2009) [Source]

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Red Badgro

A two-way star who played both end and defensive back for the New York Giants, Badgro was a key player in the early NFL, known for his receiving prowess, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the second class in 1963.

End – New York Yankees (1927–1928), New York Giants (1930–1935), Brooklyn Dodgers (1936) – 1 Pro Bowl selection, 3-time First-team All-Pro – Wore Number (Brooklyn Dodgers -1936) [Source]

Mike Curtis

A fierce middle linebacker for the Baltimore Colts, Curtis was a four-time Pro Bowler and the defensive leader of the Colts’ Super Bowl V championship team, making him a dominant figure in his era.

Linebacker / Running Back – Baltimore Colts (1965–1975), Seattle Seahawks (1976–1977), Washington Redskins (1977), St. Louis Cardinals (1978) – 4 Pro Bowl selections, 2-time First-team All-Pro – Wore Number 32 primarily while playing with the Baltimore Colts (1965–1975). [Source]

Jack Tatum

Known as “The Assassin,” Tatum was a hard-hitting safety for the Oakland Raiders who defined the game’s physical nature in the 1970s and was a three-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl XI champion.

Safety – Oakland Raiders (1971–1979), Houston Oilers (1980) – Selected to 3 Pro Bowls – Wore Number 32 in the NFL during the 1971–1980 seasons. [Source]

More Number 32 Significant Players

Ottis Anderson

Running Back – St. Louis Cardinals (1979–1986), New York Giants (1986–1992) – Selected as a First-Team All-Pro once, Second-Team All-Pro once, and 2 Pro Bowls – Wore Number 32 in the NFL during the 1979–1992 seasons (also wore number 24 with the Giants).

Mel Phillips

Defensive Back – San Francisco 49ers (1966–1977) – Selected to 0 All-Pro or Pro Bowl teams – Wore Number 32 in the NFL during the 1966–1977 seasons. [Source]

Jack Pardee

Linebacker – Los Angeles Rams (1957–1970), Washington Redskins (1971–1972) – Selected as a First-Team All-Pro once and 1 Pro Bowl – Wore Number 32 in the NFL during the 1957–1964 and 1966–1972 seasons.

Emerson Boozer

Running Back – New York Jets (1966–1975) – Selected to 2 Pro Bowls (and 1 AFL All-Star selection) – Wore Number 32 in the NFL during the 1966–1975 seasons. [Source]

Ricky Watters

Running Back – San Francisco 49ers (1991–1994), Philadelphia Eagles (1995–1997), Seattle Seahawks (1998–2001) – Selected to 5 Pro Bowls – Wore Number 32 in the NFL during the 1991–2001 seasons.

Eric Weddle

Safety – San Diego Chargers (2007–2015), Baltimore Ravens (2016–2018), Los Angeles Rams (2019, 2021) – 2x First-team All-Pro, 3x Second-team All-Pro, 6x Pro Bowl – Wore Number 32: 2007–2019

Devin McCourty

Defensive Back / Safety – New England Patriots (2010–2022) – 3x Second-team All-Pro, 2x Pro Bowl – Wore Number 32: 2010–2022 [Source]

Maurice Jones-Drew

Running Back / Halfback – Jacksonville Jaguars (2006–2013) – 2x First-team All-Pro, 1x Second-team All-Pro, 3x Pro Bowl – Wore Number 32: 2006–2013

James Wilder

Running Back – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1981–1989), Washington Redskins (1990), Detroit Lions (1990) – 1x Second-team All-Pro, 1x Pro Bowl – Wore Number 32: 1981–1990

John Williams

Running Back / Fullback – Dallas Cowboys (1985), Seattle Seahawks (1985), New Orleans Saints (1986), Indianapolis Colts (1987) – None – Wore Number 32: 1985–1987

Walt Garrison

Fullback / Running Back – Dallas Cowboys (1966–1974) – 1x Pro Bowl – Wore Number 32: 1966–1974 [Source]

Michael Pittman

Running Back – Arizona Cardinals (1998–2001), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002–2007), Denver Broncos (2008) – None – Wore Number 32: 1998–2008

Tyrann Mathieu

Safety / Defensive Back – Arizona Cardinals (2013–2017), Houston Texans (2018), Kansas City Chiefs (2019–2021), New Orleans Saints (2022–2024) – 3x First-team All-Pro, 1x Second-team All-Pro, 3x Pro Bowl – Wore Number 32: 2013–2024

Curtis McClinton

Position: Fullback / Halfback, NFL Teams and Years: Dallas Texans / Kansas City Chiefs (1962–1969) – All-Pro or Pro Bowl Selections: 5 total selections (3× AFL All-Star/Pro Bowl, 2× Second-team All-AFL) -Number 32 Jersey: Wore Number 32 during the 1962–1969 seasons.

Dre’ Bly

Position: Cornerback – NFL Teams and Years: St. Louis Rams (1999–2002), Detroit Lions (2003–2006), Denver Broncos (2007–2008), San Francisco 49ers (2009) – All-Pro or Pro Bowl Selections: 2 Pro Bowl selections (2003, 2004) – Number 32 Jersey: Wore Number 32 during the 1999–2002 seasons.

Jamal Anderson

Position: Running Back – NFL Teams and Years: Atlanta Falcons (1994–2001) – All-Pro or Pro Bowl Selections: 2 total selections (1× Pro Bowl, 1× First-team All-Pro in 1998) – Number 32 Jersey: Wore Number 32 during the 1994–2001 seasons.

Rudi Johnson

Position: Running Back – NFL Teams and Years: Cincinnati Bengals (2001–2007), Detroit Lions (2008) – All-Pro or Pro Bowl Selections: 1 Pro Bowl selection (2004) – Number 32 Jersey: Wore Number 32 during the 2001–2008 seasons. [Source]

Michael Lewis

Position: Safety

NFL Teams and Years: Philadelphia Eagles (2002–2006), San Francisco 49ers (2007–2010), St. Louis Rams (2010) – All-Pro or Pro Bowl Selections: 1 Pro Bowl selection (2004) – Number 32 Jersey: Wore Number 32 during the 2002–2009 seasons.

Willie Clay

Position: Safety – NFL Teams and Years: Detroit Lions (1992–1995), New England Patriots (1996–1998), New Orleans Saints (1999) – All-Pro or Pro Bowl Selections: None – Number 32 Jersey: Wore Number 32 during the 1996–1998 seasons.

The Immortal Legacy of Number 32

The number 32 transcends mere mathematics; it represents a Hall of Fame tradition of relentless athleticism and unmatched backfield production. From the punishing, era-defining rushing of Jim Brown and the Super Bowl heroics of Marcus Allen and Franco Harris, to the record-shattering speed of O.J. Simpson and the consistently dominant yardage of Edgerrin James, the jersey has been worn by some of the most influential offensive players in NFL history. While other numbers boast great talent, few can match the sheer collective weight of championships, rushing titles, and MVP awards accumulated by the men who made number 32 truly immortal. It is, without question, one of the most storied and significant numbers in the NFL.

We thank the many sources listed above, and the ones we used for almost every entry, including Pro-Football-Reference.com, NFL.com, Wikipedia, and Newspapers.com.

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