By Darin Hayes 
Six TDs in a Single Game: Why Number 40 Belongs to NFL Immortals! 💫🏈
Did you know that Chicago Bears legend Gale Sayers—one of the greatest players to ever wear No. 40—once scored an NFL-record six touchdowns in a single game during his rookie season? That electrifying performance sets the tone for a jersey number steeped in history! From the Hall of Fame grace of Sayers and the punishing runs of Mike Alstott (The A-Train), to the defensive excellence of Dick Anderson and the incredible versatility of Joe Morrison, the number 40 has been donned by players who redefined their positions. Dive in to explore the careers of the All-Pros and champions who made this jersey a symbol of explosive and dependable football talent!
Top Players Who Wore the NFL Jersey 40
Here are one or two-sentence descriptions of the NFL careers and accomplishments of the requested players:
- Gale Sayers: A Pro Football Hall of Famer, “The Kansas Comet” was one of the most electric runners and return specialists in history, setting an NFL record with six touchdowns in a single game during his 1965 Rookie of the Year season.
- Elroy Hirsch: A Pro Football Hall of Famer, “Crazylegs” was a dynamic wide receiver who won the 1951 NFL Championship with the Los Angeles Rams and set a single-season record with 1,495 receiving yards that year.
- Mike Haynes: A Pro Football Hall of Famer, Haynes was an elite shutdown cornerback who was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and won Super Bowl XVIII with the Los Angeles Raiders. (Note: He wore number 22 for the Raiders, but wore 40 earlier in his career with the Patriots.)
- 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.
- Charlie Joiner: A Pro Football Hall of Famer, this precise route-running wide receiver retired with the most career receptions in NFL history at the time (750) and was a key member of the “Air Coryell” offense.
- Wayne Millner: A Pro Football Hall of Famer, this two-way end was a favorite target of Sammy Baugh and helped the Washington Redskins win the 1937 NFL Championship with two key touchdown catches in the title game.
- Bobby Boyd: A lockdown cornerback for the Baltimore Colts, he was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, retiring with 57 career interceptions.
- Dick Anderson: An outstanding safety for the Miami Dolphins’ “No Name Defense,” he was the 1973 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a key player on the back-to-back Super Bowl champion teams, including the 1972 undefeated season.
- Ken Willard: A four-time Pro Bowl running back and fullback for the San Francisco 49ers, he was the second overall pick in the 1965 draft and finished his career with over 6,100 rushing yards.
More Great NFL Number 40s
- James Hasty
- Joe Morrison
- Mike Washington
- Bruce Laird
- Bobby Joe Conrad
- Tony Banfield
- Charlie West
- Mike Alstott
- Dainard Paulson
- Larry Garron
- Joe Beauchamp
- Abe Woodson
- Bobby Jackson
- Pete Banaszak
- Gary Anderson
- Erich Barnes
- Wilbur Jackson
- Jim Marsalis
Conclusion
From the unstoppable, record-setting brilliance of Gale Sayers to the bone-jarring hits of Dick Anderson on the legendary “No Name Defense,” jersey number 40 stands for game-breaking excellence. This number represents a rare fraternity of players who profoundly impacted the game, including the pioneering two-way skills of Cal Hubbard and the receiving prowess of Charlie Joiner. Whether it signifies an explosive halfback, an aggressive defensive back, or a versatile end, the legacy of No. 40 is securely etched in NFL history as a symbol of elite, high-performance football.