Greatest Players Who Wore the NFL Jersey 36

The Leap and The Bus: Why Number 36 is the Ultimate Symbol of NFL Toughness! 🚌🏈

Did you know that Green Bay Packers safety LeRoy Butler—one of the best ever to wear No. 36—is credited with inventing the now-iconic “Lambeau Leap” celebration? That spirit of innovation and toughness perfectly captures the players who chose this jersey. From Butler’s defensive versatility to the Hall of Fame power running of Jerome “The Bus” Bettis, the number 36 has been worn by difference-makers who redefined their positions. Dive in as we celebrate the stars who wore this iconic jersey and delivered punishing hits, shattered tackles, and left an undeniable legacy in NFL history!

We dedicated a whole podcast episode back in 2021 to identifying these legends of Jersey 36.

Who Are the Top NFL Players Who Wore Jersey Number 36?

Jerome Bettis

A Pro Football Hall of Famer, “The Bus” was a powerful running back who retired as one of the NFL’s all-time leading rushers, winning Super Bowl XL with his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers.

Running Back – Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams (1993–1995), Pittsburgh Steelers (1996–2005) – 6 Pro Bowl selections and 3 All-Pro selections (2 First-Team, 1 Second-Team) – Wore Number 36 during the 1993–2005 seasons.

Bill Owen

A durable center and defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears, he was part of three NFL Championship teams in the 1930s and later served as the Bears’ general manager.

Tackle / Guard – Kansas City Cowboys (1926), Cleveland Bulldogs (1927), Detroit Wolverines (1928), New York Giants (1929–1936) – 1 All-Pro selection (First-Team) – Wore Number 36 during the 1930 and 1936 seasons.

Marion Motley

A Pro Football Hall of Famer, Motley was a dominant fullback and one of the first African Americans in modern pro football, leading the NFL in rushing in 1950 and averaging an incredible 5.7 yards per carry for his career.

Fullback / Linebacker – Cleveland Browns (1946–1953), Pittsburgh Steelers (1955) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 4 All-Pro selections (2 First-Team, 2 Second-Team) – Wore Number 36 during the 1952–1953 and 1955 seasons.

Mike Michalske

A Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the NFL’s first great guards, he was a dominant two-way player who helped establish the Green Bay Packers as a powerhouse in the 1930s with three straight championships.

Guard / Fullback – New York Yankees (1926–1928), Green Bay Packers (1929–1935, 1937) – 7 All-Pro selections (First-Team), 0 Pro Bowl selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1929 and 1937 seasons.

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Brian Westbrook

A versatile running back and receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, he was a two-time Pro Bowl selection who holds the franchise record for most career yards from scrimmage.

Running Back – Philadelphia Eagles (2002–2009), San Francisco 49ers (2010) – 2 Pro Bowl selections and 1 All-Pro selection (First-Team) – Wore Number 36 during the 2002–2009 seasons.

Bill Thompson

A safety for the Denver Broncos, he was a reliable defensive back who holds the franchise record for career interceptions and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Defensive Back – Denver Broncos (1969–1981) – 3 Pro Bowl selections and 2 All-Pro selections (1 First-Team, 1 Second-Team) – Wore Number 36 during the 1969–1981 seasons.

Lawyer Milloy

A hard-hitting safety, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and won Super Bowl XXXVI with the New England Patriots, known for his intensity and leadership.

Safety – New England Patriots (1996–2002), Buffalo Bills (2003–2005), Atlanta Falcons (2006–2008), Seattle Seahawks (2009–2010) – 4 Pro Bowl selections and 2 All-Pro selections (1 First-Team, 1 Second-Team) – Wore Number 36 during the 1996–2010 seasons.

Terry McDaniel

An exceptional cornerback for the Raiders, he was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls (1992–1996) and was recognized as one of the league’s top shutdown defenders of his era.

Cornerback – Los Angeles / Oakland Raiders (1988–1997), Seattle Seahawks (1998) – 5 Pro Bowl selections and 4 All-Pro selections (1 First-Team, 3 Second-Team) – Wore Number 36 during the 1988–1998 seasons.

LeRoy Butler

A Pro Football Hall of Famer, this versatile safety was a four-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection, credited with inventing the “Lambeau Leap,” and won Super Bowl XXXI with the Green Bay Packers.

Safety – Green Bay Packers (1990–2001) – 4 Pro Bowl selections and 4 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1990–2001 seasons.

Clem Daniels

A dominant running back in the AFL, he was the 1963 AFL MVP and a four-time AFL All-Star, leading the league in rushing twice for the Oakland Raiders.

Halfback / Defensive Back – Dallas Texans (1960), Oakland Raiders (1961–1967), San Francisco 49ers (1968) – 4 Pro Bowl selections and 2 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1961–1967 seasons.

Merton Hanks

A Pro Bowl safety known for his long-striding running style after interceptions and his signature “chicken dance” celebration, he won Super Bowl XXIX with the San Francisco 49ers.

Safety – San Francisco 49ers (1991–1998), Seattle Seahawks (1999) – 4 Pro Bowl selections and 4 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1991–1999 seasons.

Mark Haynes

A lockdown cornerback for the New York Giants and Denver Broncos, he was a key defensive back who earned three Pro Bowl selections and helped the Giants win Super Bowl XXI.

Cornerback – New York Giants (1980–1985), Denver Broncos (1986–1989) – 3 Pro Bowl selections and 4 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1980–1989 seasons.

Ken Reaves

A strong safety for the Atlanta Falcons and other teams, he was a reliable defensive starter who made the 1978 Pro Bowl and recorded over 20 career interceptions.

Cornerback / Safety – Atlanta Falcons (1966–1973), New Orleans Saints (1974), St. Louis Cardinals (1974–1977) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 0 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1966–1973 and 1974–1977 seasons (he wore number 21 for the Saints in 1974).

Bennie Blades

A hard-hitting safety for the Detroit Lions, he was the 1988 Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl selection known for his physical play in the secondary.

Safety – Detroit Lions (1988–1996), Seattle Seahawks (1997) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 3 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1988–1997 seasons.

More NFL Legends Who Wore Jersey 36

Dick Harris

Cornerback – Los Angeles / San Diego Chargers (1960–1965) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 4 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1960–1965 seasons.

MacArthur Lane

Running Back – St. Louis Cardinals (1968–1971), Green Bay Packers (1972–1974), Kansas City Chiefs (1975–1978) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 2 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1968–1974 seasons (he wore number 42 for the Chiefs).

Tommy Davis

Kicker / Punter – San Francisco 49ers (1959–1969) – 2 Pro Bowl selections and 1 All-Pro selection (1 Second-Team) – Wore Number 36 during the 1959–1969 seasons.

Nick Collins

Safety – Green Bay Packers (2005–2011) – 3 Pro Bowl selections and 3 All-Pro selections (3 Second-Team) – Wore Number 36 during the 2005–2011 seasons.

Mike Zordich

Defensive Back / Safety – San Diego Chargers (1986)*, New York Jets (1987–1988), Phoenix Cardinals (1989–1993), Philadelphia Eagles (1994–1998) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1994–1998. Note: The Chargers drafted him but he didn’t play in a regular-season game for them.

Mike Davis

Safety – Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders (1978–1985), San Diego Chargers (1987) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1978–1985 and 1987 seasons.

Bill Pellington

Linebacker – Baltimore Colts (1953–1964) – 1 All-Pro selection (Second-Team) – Wore Number 36 during the 1953–1964 seasons.

Ken Geddes

Linebacker – Detroit Lions (1970), Los Angeles Rams (1971–1975), Seattle Seahawks (1976–1978) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1970–1978 seasons.

Steve Owens

Running Back – Detroit Lions (1970–1974) – 1 Pro Bowl selection – Wore Number 36 during the 1970–1974 seasons.

David Barrett

Cornerback – Arizona Cardinals (2000–2003), New York Jets (2004–2008) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 2000–2008 seasons.

Shaun Williams

Don’t get this Shaun Williams confused with the guy about four names below named Shawn Williams.

Safety – New York Giants (1998–2005), Carolina Panthers (2006) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1998–2006 seasons.

D.J. Swearinger

Safety – Houston Texans (2013–2014), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2015), Arizona Cardinals (2015–2016, 2018–2019), Washington Redskins (2017–2018), Oakland Raiders (2019), New Orleans Saints (2019–2020) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 2013–2020 seasons.

Norm Bulaich

Running Back – Baltimore Colts (1970–1972), Philadelphia Eagles (1973–1974), Miami Dolphins (1975–1979) – 1 Pro Bowl selection – Wore Number 36 during the 1970–1974 seasons.

Shawntae Spencer

Cornerback – San Francisco 49ers (2004–2011), Oakland Raiders (2012) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 2004–2012 seasons.

Rueben Mayes

Running Back – New Orleans Saints (1986–1990), Seattle Seahawks (1992–1993) – 2 Pro Bowl selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1986–1990 and 1992–1993 seasons.

James Sanders

Safety – New England Patriots (2005–2010), Atlanta Falcons (2011), Arizona Cardinals (2012) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 2005–2011 seasons.

Shawn Williams

Safety – Cincinnati Bengals (2013–2020), Atlanta Falcons (2021) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 2014–2021 seasons.

Bob Glazebrook

Safety – Atlanta Falcons (1978–1983) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1978–1983 seasons.

Paul Hofer

Running Back – San Francisco 49ers (1976–1981) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1976–1981 seasons.

John Kirby

Linebacker – Minnesota Vikings (1964–1969), New York Giants (1969–1970) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 36 during the 1964–1969 seasons.

In Conclusion

From the legendary, barrier-breaking power of Marion Motley to the unstoppable, grinding force of Jerome Bettis, the number 36 stands for the heart of football. This jersey represents players who were not just great athletes, but game-changers—from the fundamental toughness of Mike Michalske to the revolutionary defensive versatility of LeRoy Butler. The diverse list of stars who donned No. 36 ensured that this number will always symbolize punishing runs, critical tackles, and an enduring legacy of excellence in the NFL.

Big thanks to our sources mentioned above and to the standard sources of Pro-Football-Reference.com, Newspapers.com, NFL.com, StatMuse, and Wikipedia.

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