Greatest Players Who Wore the NFL Jersey 39

The Only Retired 39: Why This Jersey is a Symbol of Unbreakable Power! 💥🏈

Did you know that Larry Csonka‘s number 39 is one of only three numbers the Miami Dolphins have retired, alongside Bob Griese‘s 12 and Dan Marino‘s 13? That fact alone tells you this jersey is reserved for legends! From the Hall of Fame fullback who dominated in the Dolphins’ “Perfect Season” to the modern defensive backs and explosive runners who wore it with distinction, the number 39 has consistently been the uniform of powerful, game-defining players. Dive into the history of this underrated number and discover the Pro Bowlers and champions who made it their own!! 💥🏈

Who Are the Top NFL Players Who Wore Jersey 39?

Here are one or two-sentence descriptions of the NFL careers and accomplishments of the requested players:

Cal Hubbard

A Charter Pro Football Hall of Fame member, this dominant two-way tackle/end was the only person ever inducted into both the Pro Football and Baseball Halls of Fame (as an umpire), winning four NFL Championships.

Tackle / End / Guard – New York Giants (1927–1928, 1936), Green Bay Packers (1929–1933, 1935), Pittsburgh Pirates (1936) – 4 All-Pro selections and 0 Pro Bowl selections (the Pro Bowl did not exist during his era) – Wore Number 39 during the 1929 season.

Hugh McElhenny

A Pro Football Hall of Famer, “The King” was one of football’s most elusive and versatile runners, earning six Pro Bowl selections and being named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team.

Halfback – San Francisco 49ers (1952–1960), Minnesota Vikings (1961–1962), New York Giants (1963), Detroit Lions (1964) – 6 Pro Bowl selections and 5 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1952–1964 seasons.

Larry Csonka

A Pro Football Hall of Famer, this punishing fullback was the star of the Miami Dolphins’ dynasty, winning two Super Bowls (including the “Perfect Season”) and earning Super Bowl VIII MVP honors.

Fullback – Miami Dolphins (1968–1974, 1979), New York Giants (1976–1978) – 5 Pro Bowl selections and 3 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1968–1974 and 1976–1979 seasons.

Steven Jackson

A powerful and durable running back, he holds the St. Louis Rams/Los Angeles Rams franchise rushing record and earned three Pro Bowl selections during his 12-year NFL career.

Running Back – St. Louis Rams (2004–2012), Atlanta Falcons (2013–2014), New England Patriots (2015) – 3 Pro Bowl selections and 2 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 2004–2015 seasons.

Kermit Alexander

A versatile defensive back who played cornerback and safety, he was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a first-round draft pick for the San Francisco 49ers.

Defensive Back / Cornerback – San Francisco 49ers (1963–1969), Los Angeles Rams (1970–1971), Philadelphia Eagles (1972–1973) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 0 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1963–1973 seasons.

Ray Crockett

A durable cornerback, he was a key defensive back on the Denver Broncos teams that won back-to-back Super Bowls (XXXII and XXXIII) and compiled 36 career interceptions.

Cornerback – Detroit Lions (1989–1993), Denver Broncos (1994–2000), Kansas City Chiefs (2001–2002) – 0 Pro Bowl or officially recognized major All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1989–2002 seasons.

Darren Perry

A smart and reliable free safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was a key leader on the defense that reached Super Bowl XXX and recorded 32 career interceptions.

Safety – Pittsburgh Steelers (1992–1998), San Diego Chargers (1999), New Orleans Saints (2000) – 0 Pro Bowl selections and 1 All-Pro selection (Second-Team) – Wore Number 39 during the 1992–2000 seasons.

Mike Prior

A defensive back and reliable special teams player, he was a member of the Green Bay Packers team that won Super Bowl XXXI.

Safety – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985–1986), Indianapolis Colts (1987–1992), Green Bay Packers (1993–1998) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1987–1998 seasons.

Sam Cunningham

A Pro Bowl running back for the New England Patriots, he was the team’s first-ever Pro Bowl running back and holds the Patriots’ franchise record for career rushing touchdowns.

Fullback – New England Patriots (1973–1979, 1981–1982) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 0 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1973–1979 and 1981–1982 seasons.

Willie Parker

An explosive running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he won two Super Bowls and holds the record for the longest run in Super Bowl history (75 yards), earning two Pro Bowl selections.

Running Back – Pittsburgh Steelers (2004–2009) – 2 Pro Bowl selections and 0 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 2004–2009 seasons.

Carl Lee

A lockdown cornerback for the Green Bay Packers, he was a defensive stalwart who earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1987 to 1989.

Cornerback – Minnesota Vikings (1983–1993), New Orleans Saints (1994) – 3 Pro Bowl selections and 2 All-Pro selections (1 First-Team, 1 Second-Team) – Wore Number 39 during the 1983–1994 seasons.

Brandon Carr

A durable cornerback known for his streak of never missing a game, he played 13 NFL seasons and won Super Bowl LIV with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Cornerback – Kansas City Chiefs (2008–2011), Dallas Cowboys (2012–2016, 2020), Baltimore Ravens (2017–2019) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 2008–2016, 2019, and 2020 seasons.

More Significant NFL Number 39s

Brett Maxie

Safety – New Orleans Saints (1985–1993), Atlanta Falcons (1994), Carolina Panthers (1995–1996), San Francisco 49ers (1997) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1985–1993 and 1995–1996 seasons.

Leonard Thompson

Wide Receiver / Running Back – Detroit Lions (1975–1986) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1975–1986 seasons.

Harry Hamilton

Safety – New York Jets (1984–1987), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1988–1991) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1984–1991 seasons.

Jim Hill

Defensive Back – San Diego Chargers (1968–1971), Green Bay Packers (1972–1974), Cleveland Browns (1975) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1969–1974 seasons.

Tashaun Gipson

Safety – Cleveland Browns (2012–2015), Jacksonville Jaguars (2016–2018), Houston Texans (2019), Chicago Bears (2020–2021), San Francisco 49ers (2022–2023) – 1 Pro Bowl selection (0 All-Pro selections) – Wore Number 39 during the 2012–2019 seasons.

Johnny Johnson

Running Back – Phoenix Cardinals (1990–1992), New York Jets (1993–1994) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 1 All-Pro selection – Wore Number 39 during the 1990–1994 seasons.

Bobby Walden

Punter – Minnesota Vikings (1964–1967), Pittsburgh Steelers (1968–1977) – 1 Pro Bowl selection (0 All-Pro selections) – Wore Number 39 during the 1964–1977 seasons.

Eddie Jackson

Safety – Chicago Bears (2017–2023), Baltimore Ravens (2024–present) – 2 Pro Bowl selections and 1 All-Pro selection – Wore Number 39 during the 2017–2020 and 2024–present seasons.

Minkah Fitzpatrick

Safety – Miami Dolphins (2018–2019), Pittsburgh Steelers (2019–present) – 4 Pro Bowl and 3 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 2019–2024 (with Pittsburgh).

Willie Hall

Linebacker – New Orleans Saints (1972–1973), Oakland Raiders (1975–1978) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1975–1978 seasons.

Robert Delpino

Running Back – Los Angeles Rams (1988–1992), Denver Broncos (1993) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1988–1993 seasons.

Brandon Browner

Cornerback – Seattle Seahawks (2011–2013), New England Patriots (2014), New Orleans Saints (2015) – 1 Pro Bowl selection – Wore Number 39 during the 2011–2015 seasons.

Laurence Maroney

Running Back – New England Patriots (2006–2010), Denver Broncos (2010) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 2006–2009 seasons.

George Blair

Defensive Back / Kicker – San Diego Chargers (1961–1964) – 1 Pro Bowl (AFL All-Star) selection – Wore Number 39 during the 1961–1964 seasons.

Jeremy Lincoln

Cornerback – Chicago Bears (1992–1995), St. Louis Rams (1996), Seattle Seahawks (1997), New York Giants (1998–1999), Detroit Lions (2000) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1992–1997 seasons.

Husain Abdullah

Safety – Minnesota Vikings (2008–2011), Kansas City Chiefs (2013–2015) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 2008–2011 and 2013–2015 seasons.

Charles Dimry

Cornerback – Atlanta Falcons (1988–1990), Denver Broncos (1991–1993), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1994–1996), Philadelphia Eagles (1997), San Diego Chargers (1998–1999) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1991–1993 seasons.

Cid Edwards

Running Back – St. Louis Cardinals (1968–1971), San Diego Chargers (1972–1974), Chicago Bears (1975) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1968–1971 seasons.

Darrell Thompson

Running Back – Green Bay Packers (1990–1994) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1990–1993 seasons.

Jamal Agnew

Wide Receiver / Cornerback / Return Specialist – Detroit Lions (2017–2020), Jacksonville Jaguars (2021–2023), Atlanta Falcons (2025) – 3 times selected (2 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro) – Wore Number 39 during the 2017–2023 seasons.

Lenny Dunlap

Cornerback – Baltimore Colts (1971), San Diego Chargers (1972–1974), Detroit Lions (1975) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1972–1974 seasons.

Terrance Mitchell

Cornerback – Dallas Cowboys (2014–2015), Chicago Bears (2014–2015), Kansas City Chiefs (2016–2017), Cleveland Browns (2018–2020), Houston Texans (2021), Tennessee Titans (2022) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 2016–2022 seasons.

Corey Raymond

Cornerback – New York Giants (1992–1994), Detroit Lions (1995–1997) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 1992–1997 seasons.

Levi Wallace

Cornerback – Buffalo Bills (2018–2021), Pittsburgh Steelers (2022–2023), Denver Broncos (2024) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 39 during the 2018–2021 seasons.

Conclusion

From the punishing, Hall of Fame running of Larry Csonka—whose number 39 is retired by the Miami Dolphins—to the explosive, record-breaking speed of Willie Parker, jersey number 39 represents a compelling blend of power and playmaking. Running backs who defined offensive eras and defensive backs who provided championship stability have worn this number. The legacy of No. 39, cemented by its small, but mighty group of greats like Hugh McElhenny and Steven Jackson, ensures its place as a symbol of tough, high-impact football in the NFL history books.

We offer our special thanks to the fine sites we used to gather information for these facts, including Pro-Football-Reference.com, StatMuse.com, Newspapers.com, NFL.com, and Wikipedia.com.