Greatest Players Who Wore the NFL Jersey 41

More Than a Story: Why No. 41 is the NFL’s Symbol of Courage and Versatility! 💔🏈

Did you know that jersey Number 41 is one of the most emotional numbers in NFL history? It was famously worn by Chicago Bears running back Brian Piccolo, whose remarkable friendship with teammate Gale Sayers—the league’s first interracial roommates—was immortalized in the classic movie Brian’s Song. Piccolo’s courageous battle with cancer cemented the number 41 as a symbol of loyalty and grit. Beyond this powerful legacy, the jersey has been worn by champions like linebacker Phil Villapiano and versatile star Keith Byars. Dive into the history of this unique number and celebrate the tough runners, defensive playmakers, and true heroes who wore it with honor!

Top NFL Players Who Wore Jersey 41

Arnie Herber

A Pro Football Hall of Famer, he was one of the NFL’s first great passing quarterbacks, leading the Green Bay Packers to four NFL Championships and leading the league in passing three times.

Quarterback – Green Bay Packers (1930–1940), New York Giants (1944–1945) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 3 All-Pro selections (1 First-Team, 2 Second-Team) – Wore Number 41 during the 1932–1933 seasons.

Cal Hubbard

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

Tackle / End / Linebacker – New York Giants (1927–1928, 1936), Green Bay Packers (1929–1933, 1935), Pittsburgh Pirates (1936) – 4 All-Pro selections (First-Team) – Wore Number 41 during the 1927–1928 seasons.

Eugene Robinson

A durable safety who played 16 NFL seasons, he was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and won Super Bowl XXXI with the Green Bay Packers.

Safety – Seattle Seahawks (1985–1995), Green Bay Packers (1996–1997), Atlanta Falcons (1998–1999), Carolina Panthers (2000) – 3 Pro Bowl selections and 1 All-Pro selection (Second-Team) – Wore Number 41 during the 1985–2000 seasons.

Charlie Waters

A hard-hitting safety for the Dallas Cowboys, he won two Super Bowls (VI, XII) and holds the NFL record for the most career playoff interceptions (9).

Safety / Cornerback – Dallas Cowboys (1970–1981) – 3 Pro Bowl selections and 2 All-Pro selections (Second-Team) – Wore Number 41 during the 1970–1981 seasons.

Clarke Hinkle

A Pro Football Hall of Famer, this powerful running back and kicker retired as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher in 1941 and won two NFL Championships with the Packers.

Fullback / Linebacker – Green Bay Packers (1932–1941) – 3 Pro Bowl selections and 7 All-Pro selections (First-Team) – Wore Number 41 during the 1932–1933 seasons.

Alvin Kamara

An explosive and versatile running back for the New Orleans Saints, he was the 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year and tied an NFL record by scoring six rushing touchdowns in a single game in 2020.

Running Back – New Orleans Saints (2017–2026) – 5 Pro Bowl selections and 2 All-Pro selections (Second-Team) – Wore Number 41 during the 2017–2026 seasons.

Terence Newman

A durable cornerback who played 15 seasons, he was the fifth overall pick in the 2003 draft and earned two Pro Bowl selections while compiling 42 career interceptions.

Cornerback – Dallas Cowboys (2003–2011), Cincinnati Bengals (2012–2014), Minnesota Vikings (2015–2017) – 2 Pro Bowl selections and 0 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 2003–2011 seasons.

Keith Byars

A versatile running back/fullback who was selected to the 1993 Pro Bowl, known for his excellent pass-catching ability out of the backfield throughout his 13-year career.

Running Back / Fullback – Philadelphia Eagles (1986–1992), Miami Dolphins (1993–1996), New England Patriots (1996–1997), New York Jets (1998) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 0 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 1986–1998 seasons.

Phil Villapiano

A four-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker for the Oakland Raiders, he was a key defensive leader who won Super Bowl XI and made the game-sealing interception in the 1974 “Sea of Hands” playoff game.

Linebacker – Oakland Raiders (1971–1979), Buffalo Bills (1980–1983) – 4 Pro Bowl selections and 2 All-Pro selections (1 First-Team, 1 Second-Team) – Wore Number 41 during the 1971–1979 seasons.

Randy Logan

A tough and durable safety who played 11 seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles, he was a defensive cornerstone who helped the team reach Super Bowl XV.

Safety – Philadelphia Eagles (1973–1983) – 2 Pro Bowl selections and 1 All-Pro selection (Second-Team) – Wore Number 41 during the 1973–1983 seasons.

More Legends Who Wore the 41 Jersey

Antoine Bethea

Safety – Indianapolis Colts (2006–2013), San Francisco 49ers (2014–2016), Arizona Cardinals (2017–2018), New York Giants (2019) – 3 Pro Bowl selections and 0 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 2006–2019 seasons.

Tom Matte

Running Back / Halfback – Baltimore Colts (1961–1972) – 2 Pro Bowl selections and 1 All-Pro selection – Wore Number 41 during the 1961–1972 seasons.

Roman Harper

Safety – New Orleans Saints (2006–2013, 2016), Carolina Panthers (2014–2015) – 2 Pro Bowl selections and 0 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 2006–2016 seasons.

Todd Lyght

Cornerback – Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams (1991–2000), Detroit Lions (2001–2002) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 1 All-Pro selection – Wore Number 41 during the 1991–2000 seasons.

Mike Bass

Cornerback – Detroit Lions (1967), Washington Redskins (1969–1975) – 0 Pro Bowl selections and 1 All-Pro selection – Wore Number 41 during the 1969–1975 seasons.

Dave Osborn

Running Back – Minnesota Vikings (1965–1975), Green Bay Packers (1976) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 1 All-Pro selection – Wore Number 41 during the 1965–1976 seasons.

Leroy Mitchell

Cornerback – Boston Patriots (1967–1968), Houston Oilers (1970), Denver Broncos (1971–1973) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 1 All-Pro selection – Wore Number 41 during the 1967–1968 and 1970–1973 seasons.

Matt Snell

Running Back / Fullback – New York Jets (1964–1972) – 3 Pro Bowl selections and 1 All-Pro selection – Wore Number 41 during the 1964–1972 seasons.

Toi Cook

Cornerback – New Orleans Saints (1987–1993), San Francisco 49ers (1994–1995), Carolina Panthers (1996–1997) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 1987–1997 seasons.

Willie Williams

Defensive Back – New York Giants (1965, 1967–1973), Oakland Raiders (1966) – 1 Pro Bowl selection and 0 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 1965 and 1967–1973 seasons.

Brian Picolo

Running Back / Halfback – Chicago Bears (1966–1969) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 1966–1969 seasons.

Lee Flowers

Safety – Pittsburgh Steelers (1995–2002) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 1995–2002 seasons.

Jimmy Hill

Cornerback – Chicago / St. Louis Cardinals (1955–1964), Detroit Lions (1965), Kansas City Chiefs (1966) – 3 Pro Bowl selections and 1 All-Pro selection – Wore Number 41 during the 1955–1964 seasons.

Norris Thomas

Cornerback – Miami Dolphins (1976–1979), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1980–1984) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 1976–1984 seasons.

Terry Barr

Wide Receiver / Defensive Back – Detroit Lions (1957–1965) – 2 Pro Bowl selections and 0 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 1957–1965 seasons.

Eddie McMillan

Cornerback – Los Angeles Rams (1973–1975), Seattle Seahawks (1976–1977), Buffalo Bills (1978) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 1973–1978 seasons.

Mark Johnston

Cornerback – Houston Oilers (1960–1963), New York Jets (1964), Oakland Raiders (1964) – 1 Pro Bowl (AFL All-Star) selection and 0 All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 1960–1963 seasons.

Lindon Crow

Cornerback – Chicago Cardinals (1955–1957), New York Giants (1958–1960), Los Angeles Rams (1961–1964) – 3 Pro Bowl selections and 1 All-Pro selection – Wore Number 41 during the 1958–1964 seasons (he wore number 40 during his stint with the Cardinals).

Warren Livingston

Cornerback – Dallas Cowboys (1961–1966) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 1961–1966 seasons.

Larry Carwell

Defensive Back – Houston Oilers (1967–1968), Boston / New England Patriots (1969–1972) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 1967–1972 seasons.

Zach Cunningham

Linebacker – Houston Texans (2017–2021), Tennessee Titans (2021–2022), Philadelphia Eagles (2023), Denver Broncos (2024), Detroit Lions (2025) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 2017–2022 seasons.

Captain Munnerlyn

Cornerback – Carolina Panthers (2009–2013, 2017–2018), Minnesota Vikings (2014–2016) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 2009–2013 and 2017–2018 seasons.

Jim Steffen

Defensive Back – Detroit Lions (1959–1961), Washington Redskins (1961–1965) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 1961–1965 seasons.

Terrell Fletcher

Running Back – San Diego Chargers (1995–2002) – 0 Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections – Wore Number 41 during the 1995–2002 seasons.

Conclusion

From the earliest Hall of Fame trailblazers like Arnie Herber and Cal Hubbard to the modern, explosive versatility of Alvin Kamara, jersey number 41 has always held a significant place in NFL lore. More than just a number, it embodies courage and teamwork, forever symbolized by the tragic yet inspiring story of Brian Piccolo. Whether worn by championship-winning safeties like Charlie Waters and Eugene Robinson, or dominant linebackers like Phil Villapiano, the players who chose the number 41 have collectively created a legacy defined by versatility, leadership, and a commitment to high-impact football.

We thank the sources we used to gather these facts, including Pro-Football-Reference.com, StatMuse.com, Newspapers.com, NFL.com, and Wikipedia.com.