By Darin The Power of 71: Ranking the NFL’s Greatest Linemen and Trench Warriors
In the brutal, high-stakes world of the NFL trenches, jersey number 71 has long been a symbol of immovable objects and unstoppable forces. While the skill positions grab the headlines, the number 71 is the calling card of the premier “blindside” protectors and the defensive ends who made life a living nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. From the legendary strength of Larry Allen to the refined excellence of Walter Jones and the pass-rushing ferocity of Fred Dean, the athletes who wore this number were the foundational pillars of championship dynasties. Join us as we count down the ten most iconic players to ever don the 71 jersey—the ultimate titans of the gridiron.
Top Jersey Number 71 Football Bio
- Fred Dean (DE): A situational pass-rush pioneer, Dean’s explosive speed off the edge helped power the San Francisco 49ers to two Super Bowl titles and earned him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- Larry Allen (OG/OT): Renowned as perhaps the strongest man in NFL history, Allen was a dominant force for the Cowboys who earned 11 Pro Bowl nods while playing nearly every position on the offensive line.
- Carl Eller (DE): Known as “Moose,” this Hall of Fame defensive end was the towering anchor of the Minnesota Vikings’ “Purple People Eaters” during their 1970s decade of dominance.
- Walter Jones (OT): A cornerstone of the Seattle Seahawks for over a decade, Jones was an elite blindside protector who famously allowed only 23 sacks in 180 career starts.
- George Connor (OT/LB): A versatile legend for the Chicago Bears, Connor achieved the rare feat of being named an All-Pro at three different positions: offensive tackle, defensive tackle, and linebacker.
- Alex Karras (DT): A fierce and agile defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, “The Mad Duck” was a four-time All-Pro selection who utilized his wrestling background to overpower interior linemen.
- Jason Peters (OT): Transitioning from an undrafted tight end to a premier left tackle, “The Body Guard” earned nine Pro Bowl selections and became a foundational piece of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII winning roster.
- Willie Anderson (OT): Widely regarded as the premier right tackle of his generation, Anderson was a four-time All-Pro for the Cincinnati Bengals who rarely conceded a sack to the era’s best pass rushers.
- Ed Budde (OG): An absolute pillar of the Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive line for 14 seasons, Budde was a foundational member of the Super Bowl IV championship team and a seven-time Pro Bowler.
More NFL Uniform Number 71 Legends
- Josh Sitton
- Charles Mann
- Joe Scibelli
- Keith Fahnhorst
- Greg Kragen
- Ryan Diem
- Walter Johnson
- Trent Williams
- Mark Tuinei
- David Dixon
- Michael Roos
- Tony Boselli
- Santana Dotson
- Ken Clarke
- James Williams
- Riley Reiff
- Dan Sullivan
- Rufus Mayes
- Mitchell Schwartz
- Bill Pickel
- Bob Reynolds
- Claudie Minor
- Joe Bostic
- Ray Hamilton
- Reggie Doss
- Ryan Ramczyk
- Bill Forester
- Jermane Mayberry
- Bryan Millard
- Andre Smith
- Ricky Wagner
- Todd Wade
- Charlie Bradshaw
- Fred Miller
- Phil Loadholt
- Todd Rucci
- Ahtyba Rubin
- Richard Cooper
- Israel Idonije
Conclusion
The legacy of jersey number 71 is one of blue-collar excellence and historic versatility. These legends represent the very best of “trench warfare,” from early-era pioneers like George Connor to modern-day technicians like Walter Jones and Jason Peters. Whether they were clearing paths for Hall of Fame running backs or crashing through the line to register a game-changing sack, the players of the “71 Club” proved that the game is won and lost at the line of scrimmage. They are the standard-bearers for every offensive and defensive lineman who has ever stepped onto the field.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments of Number 71s
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductees: Larry Allen, Fred Dean, Carl Eller, Walter Jones, George Connor, Alex Karras.
- NFL Championships: Multiple Super Bowl winners (Larry Allen, Fred Dean, Jason Peters, Ed Budde).
- Positional Versatility: George Connor (All-Pro at 3 positions); Larry Allen (Pro Bowl at Tackle and Guard).
- Statistical Dominance: Walter Jones (23 sacks allowed in 180 games); Fred Dean (First NFL Defensive Player of the Year to primarily play pass-rush specialist).
Big thanks to the Pro-Football-Reference website, ProFootballHOF.com and Newspapers.com
