Best of Jersey 42

Jersey number 42 might not be the first to come to mind when you think of NFL superstars. But look a little closer, and you'll discover a surprising legacy filled with talented players who left their mark on the game. From dominant running backs to lockdown defenders, number 42 has been worn by some true gridiron greats.

This article dives into the careers of the top NFL players who donned the number 42 with pride. Get ready to discover a diverse group of athletes, from rushing yard leaders to shutdown safeties.

On this edition of the Football  by Numbers series will be coming up with the top ten best NFL players to wear the number 42 and to help us Joe Ziemba of theWhen Football Was Football Podcast stops by the Pigpen! 
 

The Hall of Fame gives us our starting point.

• Ronnie Lott
• Johnny Robinson
• Paul Warfield
• Charley Taylor
• Sid Luckman
• Leo Nomellini

The Substantial Players wearing 42 not yet in the Hall Of Fame are:

• Darren Sharper
• Dave Elmendorf
• Butch Byrd
• Chuck Muncie
• John Brockington
• Mack Herron
• Chris Warren
• Altie Taylor
• Ronnie Lippett
• John Gilliam
• Gerald Riggs
• Don Webb
• Marcus Coleman
• Mike Fuller
• Dick Hoak
• Billy Van Heusen
• Morgan Burnett
• Bruce Harper
• Keith Simpson
• Barry Church
• Kwamie Lassiter
• Lyle Blackwood
• BenJarvus Green-Ellis
• Boobie Clark
• Jason David
• Orlando Thomas
• Ricky Bell
• Doug Cunningham
• Anthony Henry
• Terry Kirby
• MacArthur Lane
• Sid Blanks
• Clinton Hart
• Derrick Hatchett
• Bill Laskey
• Harlon Barnett
• Greg Bell
• Randy Beverly

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.