Best of Jersey 47

In the NFL, jersey numbers can spark instant recognition. Quarterbacks own the single digits, while wide receivers light up the field with numbers in the teens. But number 47? It might not be the flashiest number, but don't underestimate its significance.  Number 47 has been a haven for some of the league's most impactful players, from hard-hitting safeties to bruising running backs.

This list dives into the careers of the toughest NFL players who wore number 47 with distinction.  Get ready to discover a diverse group of gridiron warriors, from the bone-crushing tackles of Mel Blount to the hard hits of John Lynch.

On this edition of the Football  by Numbers series will be coming up with the top ten best NFL players to wear the number 47!

For a complete list of our top picks, click the "Help the Show" button at the top and a donation of any size and an email gets you a list of where we are so far in the numbers series!
 

The Hall of Fame gives us our starting point:

• Mel Blount
• John Lynch

The Substantial Players wearing 47 not yet in the Hall Of Fame are:

• Joey Browner
• LeRoy Irvin
• Ryan McNeil
• Glenn Blackwood
• Greg Jackson
• Johnny Morris
• Charlie Stukes
• Sherman Smith
• Jesse Whittenton
• Kent McCloughan
• Cedric Mack
• Ronnie Coleman
• Chris Cooley
• Jerry Holmes
• Marv Woodson
• Tyrone Wheatley
• Bud Whitehead
• Will Demps
• Gerald Willhite
• Wayne Rasmussen
• Dextor Clinkscale
• Kirby Jackson
• Dick James
• Curtis Brown
• Chris Conte
• Larry Braziel
• Kiko Alonso
• John McGeever
• Jim Shorter
• Willie West
• Jon McGraw
• Josey Jewell
• Nathan Gerry
• Roger Harper
• Rudy Redmond

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.