Best of Jersey 16

In the NFL pantheon, jersey numbers transcend mere digits. They become synonymous with on-field dominance, forever etched in the memories of fans and etched in the record books. Today, we set our sights on number 16, a jersey donned by a captivating cast of characters who left their mark on the gridiron.

From the acrobatics of star wide receivers to the suffocating defense of shutdown cornerbacks, number 16 boasts a rich and diverse history. This jersey has been a badge of honor for some of the league's most electrifying players, both on offense and defense.

But who exactly are the NFL icons who rocked number 16? Dive into our exclusive list of the most famous and best American pro football players who wore this iconic number. We'll delve into their careers, explore their signature plays, and uncover the lasting legacy they left on the game. Get ready for a journey through NFL history, all centered around the storied number 16!

Please note, we include affiliate links within this post to support the maintenance and development of this site.

There are plenty more to chooses from too, but this Deal Ends Soon! We have become an affiliate of Fanatics.com. Find the latest deals on football swag and treasures. When you purchase you not only get great sports gear items but you also help Pigskin Dispatch receive money to keep the football history flowing. It is a win-win!

Aron Harris of the Football Odyssey joined Darin for the top NFL players that wore the number 16 discussion.  Whe started out by brining up the eleven players that the Pro Football Hall of Fame declared as wearers of the number 16 on their backs in the League. Each name is linked directly to the Pro Football Reference where all of the players stats are found.

•  Joe Montana was born June 11, 1956 and is a Pro Football Hall of Fame retired NFL Quarterback that played for the San Francisco 49ers &  the Kansas City Chiefs. He wore the number 16 for 14 seasons in the NFL. In the NFL he became known as Joe Cool where he guided the 49ers to 4 Super Bowl victories under Bill Walsh.
• Bronko Nagurski was born November 3, 1908 Nagurski signed on with George Halas and his Chicago Bears teams of 1930 through 1938. Bronko was one of the star players for those Bears squads and he helped the team win NFL Championships in both 1932 & 1933. He was a great write up on one of the infamous 1933 victory and the play made in part by Nagurski that helped take the Bears to victory by clicking here. Bronko Nagurski was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the entry class of 1963.
• Frank Gifford He has been immortalized in both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Gifford had a great 11 year NFL career as a back and a flanker for the NY Giants. He won the 1956 NFL Most Valuable player Award and helped his team win the NFL Championship that same year. Born August 16, 1930.
• Len Dawson Pro Football Hall of Fame gold jacket bearing Quarterback was selected to the Pro Bowl 7 times in his 19 year career. Dawson hails from Purdue University and went on to play prefoessionally for the Steelers, the Browns, the Dallas Texans, and most notably for the Chiefs. Mr. Dawson was also selected as a 1st Team All-Pro twice in his professional career. Born June 20, 1935.
• George Musso was born April 8, 1910 in Collinsville, Illinois. He played interior line for the Chicago Bears for 12 seasons, including 8 playoff games. Musso was part of 4 NFL Champion Bears teams becoming an All-Pro once and playing in 3 Pro Bowl games.
• Born May 27, 1903- Walt Kiesling  was an NFL & Pro Football Hall of Fame Offensive Guard and Tackle who played for the Duluth Eskimos, Pottsville Maroons, Chicago Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He spent a total of 36 years in the NFL as a player, coach and an aide. 
• Ed Healey December 28, 1894 - Indian Orchard, Massachusetts  - Ed Healey the end that played for both Dartmouth and Holy Cross was born. Ed played professional football with Rock Island and later Chicago and earned All-Pro honors five times in his 8 seasons as a converted tackle. George Halas who both played and coached Ed called him the “the most versatile tackle ever.” The Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Ed Healey in 1964.
• Duke Slater was born  December 9, 1898, He had a great career in the NFL playing on both sides of the line with the Rock Island Independents and the Chicago Cardinals. He broke through racial barriers in the early NFL as an African -American player and performed as one of the top athletes in the game. The Pro Football Hall of Fame selected Duke Slater to join their legends in 2020. For more information, Arnie Chapman the Football History Dude has a great article and podcast all about Duke Slater.
• George Blanda born September 17, 1927-George Blanda was a quarterback and placekicker in both the AFL and the NFL. His career lasted for 26 years, longer than any other player in history and in his last season, at the ripe old age of 48 he is the oldest person ever to play quarterback professionally. George played collegiately at the University of Kentucky. Out of college Blanda was on the AAFC’s Baltimore Colts roster in 1947 through the 1949 seasons. In 1949 George Halas signed the youngster for $600 to play with the NFL’s Chicago Bears. Blanda was the kicker and played a little bit of linebacker for his first few seasons with the Bears. George was named the Chicago starting quarterback in 1953, but an injury a year later would relegate him back to being the kicker. Blanda and Halas often had a rocky relationship together during Blanda’s time with the Bears. This led to Blanda retiring after the 1958 season. When the AFL formed in 1960 though, George Blanda found the opportunity to play quarterback again as he joined the new Houston Oilers team.
• Arnie Herber was born April 2, 1910. He was in one Pro Bowl and made All-Pro once but was a 4 time NFL Champions with the Packers. He most famously passed many balls to Don Hutson.
• Ken Stabler was born on December 25, 1945 in Foley, Alabama. The “Snake” as he was called was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 1968 NFL Draft and played 15 seasons in the League per the Pro Football HOF bio on him. Besides the Raiders, Ken spent time on the New Orleans Saints and Houston Oilers rosters too. He is best known as the leader of the Silver and Black offenses of the 1970’s though including Super Bowl XI where the Raiders took apart the Minnesota Vikings 32-14 on timely passing by Stabler who went 12 of 19 on the day with 180 yards to keep the Purple People Eaters Defense on their heels.

Players who wore the number 16 that are not yet in the Hall Of Fame in Canton are:

• Rich Gannon
• Norm Snead
• Josh Cribbs
• Jim Plunkett
• Jake Plummer
• Milt Plum
• Jared Goff
• Vinny Testaverde
• Lance Moore

1. Joe Montana
2. Bronco Nagurski
3. Frank Gifford
4. Len Dawson
5. George Musso
6. Duke Slater
7. George Blanda
8. Arnie Herber
9. Ken Stabler
10. Ed Healey

Do you agree or disagree with our list? We would love to get your feedback, so email us at PigskinDispatch@gmail.com.

A speical thanks to the Pro Football Reference website for information they share on these great players. Check them out at Pro-Football-Reference.com

The Image used above is courtesy of Google Gemini and others from Wikimedia Commons. It is pleasing to see such vivid images of the jerseys that point out the uniform number and help us identify the legends that wore it.