The greatest quarterback before Tom Brady. The first three-time Super Bowl MVP, "Cool Joe" led the 49ers to four Super Bowl titles in the 1980s.
Legend is often used loosely in sports, but not in Butkus' case. The Chicago Bears' legendary linebacker frightened opposing offenses for nine years.
Barry Sanders' football game is hard to describe without seeing him play. The former Detroit Lions standout ran in a new way. Sanders was a football wizard who made the impossible easy.
"Minister of Defense" had a Hall of Fame career with Eagles and Packers. After joining the Packers in 1993, White became the first star player to sign in free agency.
Taylor won Defensive Rookie and NFL Defensive Player of the Year as a rookie due to his dominance. Taylor won league MVP and led the Giants to their first Super Bowl five years later.
Manning is Arnold Palmer against Brady's Jack Nicklaus in their epic QB duel. Though Brady has more titles, Manning has a record five league MVPs.
Good enough to argue he's the NFL's greatest running back. Definitely the best back since the 1970 merger. Payton, possibly the most fearless athlete ever.
How dominant Brown was over his nine seasons with the Browns is hard to quantify. Babe Ruth, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Wilt Chamberlain.
Rice belongs on any NFL legends Mount Rushmore. His NFL records are longer than a football field. Rice, a three-time 49ers Super Bowl champion.
Brady became "arguably the greatest" after the Patriots mounted the biggest Super Bowl comeback against Atlanta. His last two victories, notably his final one with the Buccaneers at 43