1. Dick Butkus
Was there any question? He’s one of the greatest football players to ever don a uniform regardless of position. When people discuss great defense Butkus is the first name that’s brought up. He was vicious, tackled with awesome power and was also incredibly talented as a pass defender.
Butkus retired in 1973 after nine seasons because of knee injuries. He made the Pro Bowl his first eight years in the league, he was first-team All-Pro six times and second-team twice. The accolades don’t stop there, twice he was named defensive player of the year, he was one of the top ten players of all-time as voted by NFL.Com and a member of the NFL’s 75th anniversary team. Not only did Butkus make the 1960s all-decade team, but he was also voted as a member of the 1970s all-decade team despite only having 3 productive seasons during the decade.
He was a true Monster of the Midway and the model in which all great middle linebackers are compared.