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Best of Jersey 37

The Top NFL Players to Wear Number 37 on their Jersey with Aron Harris!

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Decoding #37: Unveiling the Legends Who Wore It

While some NFL jersey numbers instantly conjure up images of iconic players (think #12 and Tom Brady!), others hold a more mysterious allure. Jersey number 37 falls into this category.  Who are the hidden gems, the ball-hawking defenders, or the record-breaking specialists who donned this number?

This article dives into the fascinating world of NFL players who wore number 37.  Prepare to be surprised by a diverse group of gridiron greats, from shutdown cornerbacks who dominated opposing offenses to electrifying special teams stars who changed the game with their kicking prowess.

We'll explore a range of eras, from the hard-hitting defenses of the 1970s to the high-powered offenses of today.  Discover the signature plays that etched these players' names in NFL history, the awards they accumulated, and the unique contributions they made to their respective teams.

Hall of Fame NFL Number 37s

On this edition of the Football  by Numbers series will be coming up with the top ten best NFL players to wear the number 37 and to help us Aron Harris of the Football Odyssey Podcast stops by the Pigpen! 

The Hall of Fame gives us our starting point with these gents...

Jimmy Johnson 49ers Cornerback

Jimmy Johnson is the Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback of the San Francisco 49ers. Born March 31, 1938. He is one of the top NFL players to have worn the Number 37 Jersey.

Doak Walker

Born January 1, 1927, in Dallas, Texas, was Doak Walker the highly decorated Southern Methodist University halfback. The NFF site says that Doak was a 3-time All-America halfback for SMU. He won the Maxwell Award in 1947, won the Heisman in 1948, and was named Player of the Year by Collier's Magazine in 1949. Doak Walker found the doors to be open wide to welcome him into the College football Hall of Fame in 1959. Doak after college joined the Detroit Lions and spent 6 productive seasons with the franchise. In fact according to the ProFootballHOF.com site, he did almost everything for the Lions as he passed, ran returned punts and kicks but he also performed the punting and place kicks for the team as well. Walker was selected as All-NFL in 5 of his six seasons played in the League. Doak Walker was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

Deion Sanders

Born August 9, 1967, in Fort Myers, Florida was Deion Sanders was a defensive back from Florida that is enshrined in both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In the NFL he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons then later played for the Cowboys, 49ers and Washington. Sanders flair and athleticism put him in the spotlight right out of the gate on his career and earned him the nickname "Primetime." He was not only a great coverage and ball hawking corner but his kick return skills made for an exciting play every time he touched the ball. He was so electric with his hands on the ball that the Cowboys often played him on the offensive side of the ball as well. Sanders combined on 513 tackles, 493 solo, one sack, 53 interceptions, 10 passes defended, 10 forced fumbles, 13 fumbles recovered, nine defensive touchdowns as well as 60 receptions for 784 yards and three touchdowns, 212 punt returns for 2,199 yards and six touchdowns, 155 kick returns for 3,523 yards and three touchdowns. After football, he went on to work for the NFL Network as a commentator on many of their shows. He has been a head coach at Jackson State and Colorado.

Football Hall of Fame

"Doak Walker"

Last updated 📅 2024-01-01

Born January 1, 1927, in Dallas, Texas, was Doak Walker the highly decorated Southern Methodist University halfback. The NFF site says that Doak was a 3-time All-America halfback for SMU.

He won the Maxwell Award in 1947, won the Heisman in 1948, and was named Player of the Year by Collier's Magazine in 1949. Doak Walker found the doors to be open wide to welcome him into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959. Doak, after college, joined the Detroit Lions and spent six productive seasons with the franchise.

In fact, according to the ProFootballHOF.com site, he did almost everything for the Lions as he passed, ran returned punts and kicks, but he also performed the punting and place kicks for the team as well. Walker was selected as All-NFL in 5 of his six seasons played in the League. Doak Walker was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

  • HASHTAGS: #HeismanWinner #DoakWalker #DetroitLions #SMUMustangs #Number37 #HeismanTrophy
  • FOOTBALL: Heisman Winner
  • FOOTBALL NAME: Doak Walker
  • FOOTBALL TEAM: Detroit Lions, SMU Mustangs
  • NFAAF JERSEY: Number 37
  • NFL JERSEY: Number 37
  • OTHER: Heisman Trophy, SMU 1947
My Podcasts | "THE GREATEST NFL PLAYERS TO WEAR 37 WITH GUEST HOST ARON HARRIS!"
  • HASHTAGS: #Number37 #Football
  • NFL JERSEY: Number 37
  • PODCAST: Football
Football Legend

"Lester Hayes the Dominant NFL Corner"

NFL history is made up of the stories of the people who played and coached the game. As part of our Greatest NFL Jersey Number 37s of All-Time, historian Aron Harris of the Football Odyssey shares the condensed history of former NFL cornerback Lester Hayes in this one-minute video bio.
Thanks to Aron for the great history and sharing with us the legacy of the gridiron great. You can find his Football Odyssey Podcast on SportsHistoryNetwork.com or on your favorite podcast provider...
Football Hall of Fame

"Jimmy Johnson 49ers Cornerback"

San Francisco 49ers fans revere the name Jimmy Johnson, not to be confused with the famed coach or an early College Football Hall of Fame player from Carlisle of the same name. Jimmy Johnson, a standout cornerback, played a pivotal role in the team's success throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Here's a look at his remarkable career:
A Two-Way Threat Drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 1961 NFL draft, Johnson initially showcased his versatility. He played not only cornerback but also wide receiver in his second season...

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