Best of Jersey 58

Linebackers are the backbone of any defense, and number 58 has been a mantle worn by some of the most feared and ferocious pass rushers and defensive stars in NFL history. Today, we're going on a journey through time to explore the legendary players who proudly wore number 58.

Get ready to be surprised by the range of talent that donned this iconic number. From unblockable forces who struck fear into quarterbacks' hearts to versatile linebackers who patrolled the field sideline-to-sideline, this post will unveil the legends who cemented the legacy of number 58.
So, if you're a fan of defensive dominance or simply curious about NFL history, buckle up and get ready to meet the iconic linebackers who made number 58 a symbol of defensive greatness!

Here is the Sports History Network hosts that attended the 2021 PFRA convention at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in June 2021. From left to right Dan Neumann (Hello Old Sports), Tommy Phillips (Lombardi Memories), Darin Hayes (Pigskin Dispatch) and When Football was Football's Joe Ziemba! Thanks to Carol and Joe Ziemba for taking the pic and letting us use it!

On this edition of the Football  by Numbers series will be coming up with the top ten best NFL players to wear the number 58 with Dan and Andrew Neumann of the Hello Old Sports Podcast! 

The Hall of Fame gives us our starting point.

• Jack Lambert
• Derrick Thomas
• Mac Speedie

The Substantial Players wearing 58 not yet in the HOF are:

• Isiah Robertson
• Wilber Marshall
• Von Miller
• Thomas Davis
• Mike Stratton
• Jessie Tuggle
• Wally Hilgenberg
• Jack Rudnay
• Carl Banks
• Trent Cole
• Mike Hegman
• Keena Turner
• Peter Boulware
• Karlos Dansby
• Chris Villarrial
• Don Hansen
• Dan Currie
• Al Beauchamp
• Kim Bokamper
• Ed McDaniel
• Rey Maualuga
• Eric Hill
• Shane Conlan
• Antonio Pierce
• Pete Brock
• Bruce Scholtz
• Joe Federspiel
• Roman Phifer
• Scott Shanle
• Jay Leeuwenburg
• Mel Owens
• Mike Flanagan
• Monte Johnson
• Gary Brackett
• George Jamison
• Joe Bowden
• Jordan Hicks
• Daryl Washington
• Blair Bush
• Rip Hawkins
• David Carter
• Joe Kelly
• Christian Kirksey
• Lewis Bush
• Micheal Barrow
• Roquan Smith
• Jeff Davis
• Joel Williams
• Jerry Muckensturm
• Wali Rainer
• Kwon Alexander
• Tom Goode
• Steve Busick
• Elvis Dumervil
• James Farrior
• Napoleon Harris
• Jim Files
• Cory Littleton
• Brooks Reed
• Dixon Edwards

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.