Top Ten Toughest Defensive NFL Players of All-Time [Videos]

With the unfortunate and untimely passing of all-time football great Jack Tatum, we are reminded of some of the most devastating hits we’ve ever seen on a football field.

Tatum was one of the best defensive backs of all time, in both pro and college.  He was a key member of the 1968 Ohio State National Championship team.  In the 1976 season he led one of most hard-nosed Raiders defenses to a Super Bowl championship.

Two moments in his career for which he is particularly known, The Immaculate Reception and the Darryl Stingley injury do not do his career justice.

I would prefer to remember him as the man who crushed Sammy White in Super Bowl XI.

Known as “The Assassin”, Tatum was respected throughout the league as one of the toughest and hardest hitters in all of football.  He was often charged with the responsibility of guarding the other team’s best receiver, but could easily step up and play linebacker if needed.  He understood the importance of tackling through the ball carrier — and the ball carrier paid the price.

In his honor, we present to you, The Top Ten Toughest Defensive NFL Players of All-Time.

#10 Jim Marshall

#9 Mike Curtis

#8 Larry Wilson

#7 Chuck Bednarik

#6 Hardy Brown

#5 Dick Lane

#4 Mean Joe Greene

#3 Jack Tatum

#2 Deacon Jones

#1 Dick Butkus

Honorable Mentions: Ronnie Lott, Jack Lambert, Ray Lewis, Lawrence Taylor, Bill Romanowski.