By Darin 
The number 42 holds a singular place in sports history, immediately evoking the courage and legacy of baseball’s Jackie Robinson. But on the gridiron, 42 carries its own weight, signaling players defined by grit, versatility, and sheer dominance.
The first star to truly elevate the number was arguably Paul Warfield, who wore 42 during his collegiate career at Ohio State and helped define the modern wide receiver position. However, few players embodied the toughness of the number like College Football Hall of Famer Pat Tillman. While at Arizona State, Tillman, though undersized for a linebacker, earned the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year award in 1997, wearing number 42, before tragically giving up his NFL career to serve his country.
From the pioneering runners and receivers to the hard-hitting defensive stars, the history of jersey number 42 is packed with players who left indelible marks on their teams and the game itself. Ready to meet the best to wear the iconic digits?
Top Players of NFL Jersey 42
- Ronnie Lott: A four-time Super Bowl champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Lott was one of the most feared and versatile defensive backs in NFL history, earning All-Pro honors at both cornerback and safety during his dominant career with the San Francisco 49ers.
- Paul Warfield: An exceptional deep threat and Pro Football Hall of Famer, Warfield helped lead the Miami Dolphins to back-to-back Super Bowl titles, renowned for his grace, speed, and efficiency as a wide receiver in both Cleveland and Miami.
- Charley Taylor: A Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the Washington Redskins’ all-time greats, Taylor was the first NFL player to accumulate 1,000 career receptions, excelling both as a halfback early in his career and later as a dominant wide receiver.
- Sid Luckman: The first great quarterback of the modern era and a Pro Football Hall of Famer, Luckman revolutionized the passing game while leading the Chicago Bears to four NFL Championships, utilizing the T-formation offense with unmatched skill.
- John Brockington: A powerful running back, Brockington became the first player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons (1971–1973) while playing for the Green Bay Packers.
- Gerald Riggs: A dominant power runner for the Washington Redskins, Riggs was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and set a franchise record for rushing yards in a season (1,347 in 1984), later earning a Super Bowl ring with Washington.
- Johnny Robinson: A Pro Football Hall of Famer, Robinson was a hard-hitting, ball-hawking safety for the Dallas Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and leading the AFL in interceptions twice.
- Chris Warren: A physical running back, Warren anchored the Seattle Seahawks’ backfield during the mid-1990s, earning three consecutive Pro Bowl selections (1993–1995) after converting from linebacker.
- Chuck Muncie: A powerful, three-time Pro Bowl running back, Muncie was the second overall pick in the 1976 NFL Draft and compiled over 6,700 career rushing yards, highlighted by his time with the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers.
- Darren Sharper: A five-time Pro Bowl safety, Sharper was an opportunistic playmaker known for his ability to generate turnovers, finishing his career with 63 interceptions and leading the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl XLIV victory.
More NFL Number 42 Greats
- Butch Byrd
- Mack Herron
- John Gilliam
- Dick Hoak
- Leo Nomellini
- Don Webb
- Marcus Coleman
- Morgan Burnett
- Kwamie Lassiter
- Dave Elmendorf
- Ronnie Lippett
- Billy Van Heusen
- Barry Church
- Altie Taylor
- Mike Fuller
- Bruce Harper
- Keith Simpson
- Lyle Blackwood
- BenJarvus Green-Ellis
- Boobie Clark
The Enduring Legacy of Number 42
The players who wore number 42 defined excellence across multiple eras of football and positions. From the defensive terror of Ronnie Lott and the ball-hawking mastery of Johnny Robinson to the revolutionary passing of quarterback Sid Luckman and the graceful speed of wide receiver Paul Warfield, these athletes made number 42 synonymous with greatness. Whether it was Charley Taylor establishing a wide receiver milestone, John Brockington blazing a trail for 1,000-yard rushers, or the sheer power displayed by backs like Chuck Muncie and Gerald Riggs, the legacy of this iconic jersey number stands as a tribute to versatility, Hall of Fame talent, and game-changing performance.