Best of Jersey 22

In the NFL, jersey numbers transcend mere digits. They evolve into emblems of on-field brilliance, forever linked to the iconic players who wore them with pride. Today, we're setting our sights on number 22, a jersey with a fascinating duality.

Number 22 has been a badge of honor for some of the league's most elusive running backs, leaving defenses in their dust. But it's also been donned by lockdown cornerbacks who made life miserable for opposing receivers. Intrigued by this unique blend of offensive and defensive dominance?

Dive into our exploration of the most famous NFL players who wore number 22! We'll uncover their signature styles, the impact they left on the game, and why number 22 continues to hold a special place in NFL history. So, whether you're a fan of offensive fireworks or defensive shutdowns, this list has something for every football enthusiast!

Our great friend of the show and fellow Sports History Network Partner Os Davis the host of the Truly the GOATs and SHN Showcase podcasts joins us once again to talk about the greatest players to wear a particular jersey number and in this discussion we will be coming up with the top ten best NFL players to wear the number 22. Os Davis Welcome back to the Pigpen.

The Hall of Fame gives us our starting point.

• Paul Krause
• Roger Wehrli
• Bobby Layne
• Ed Reed
• Frank Gatski
• George Blanda
• Mike Haynes
• Ty Law
• James Lofton
• Bob Hayes

Mike Michalske

Born April 24, 1903, in Cleveland, Ohio, was Mike Michalske the Penn State All-american guard. Mike  signed on in the pros with the  original American Football League’s New York Yankees in 1927. He played there for two seasons until the League disbanded and then he joined the Green Bay Packers of the NFL in 1929 then anchored their lines all the way until 1937. Mike’s bio on the Pro Football Hall of Fame says that Michalske was particularly adept at going after the passer. He also championed the idea of using former fullbacks at guard because they were fast and explosive. He sold the idea to Green Bay Packers coach Curly Lambeau and thus it was no accident that many fine Green Bay guards had cut their football teeth as fullbacks. Michalske  was a great two-way player as the guy played 60 minutes of darn near every game he played in earning him the name of “Iron Mike.” The Packers won NFL titles in 1929, 1930, and 1931, and Michalske was named All-NFL in 1929, 1930, 1931, 1934, and 1935. In 1964 the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrined Mike Michalske into their Canton, ohio museum of legends. NFL Jersey Number 36

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Emmitt Smith

Born May 15, 1969, in Pensacola, Florida, was Emmitt Smith the legendary University of Florida running back of 1987 to 1989 was born. Emmitt joined the college ranks with a bang as he arrived at University of Florida as the national player of the year, scoring 109 touchdowns at his Pensacola, Florida high school.  The NFF says that in just his first game he broke the school single-game rushing mark in an upset of Alabama. He gained 1,341 yards as a freshman, and finished ninth in the Heisman voting. His top-ten finish was only the second time a freshman had broken into the top ten. He also earned national freshman of the year honors that initial season.  Smith was gifted with exceptional balance and great vision which allowed him to seemingly do the impossible. In his junior season he finished third in the nation in rushing, was a near-unanimous All-America selection and placed seventh in the Heisman vote. In three years he set 58 school records rushing for 3,928 yards, scoring 36 touchdowns and earning SEC Player of the Year honors. The College Football Hall of Fame proudly placed a display in honor of Emmitt Smith into their legendary museum in 2006. Emmitt was the first round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990 NFL Draft as the 17th overall selection. He played 15 seasons as a back in the League and came out of it as the All-Time Rushing Champion with 18,355 yards with 11 straight 1000 yard seasons and 3 Super Bowl Titles. In 1993, Smith was names as the NFL’S MVP as well as the Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl XXVIII.  Emmitt Smith was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

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• Christian McCaffrey
• Derrick Henry
• Jimmy Smith
• Matt Forte
• Clarence Scott
• Gill Byrd
• Doug Martin
• Dave Brown 
• Asante Samuel
• Hap Moran
• Nate Clements
• Fred Jackson
• Mark Ingram
• Carlos Rogers
• John Cappelletti

For our Top 10 selections either listen to the podcast or see them at:  Top 10 NFL 22s

1. Emmitt Smith
2. Paul Krause
3. Mike Haynes
4. Roger Wehrli
5. Bobby Layne
6. Bob Hayes
7. George Blanda
8. Dave Brown
9. Asante Samuel
10. Derrick Henry

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

Image is courtesy of Wikimedia Commons of Artist Lon Keller illustrated this cover of the October 2, 1937 program for the West Virginia versus Pittsburgh football game (cropped by Darin Hayes for Jersey 22 emphasis).

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