50
David Robinson
We labored strenuously over this one. On the one
hand, you've got David Robinson, super center
extraordinaire, but not the most clutch player of
all-time. On the other, you've got Mike Singletary,
linebacking machine. And as good as Singletary was,
some of Robinson's numbers were just stunning, for
instance, check out the list of players who've
recorded a quadruple double, or at least come close
to it. There you'll see Robison as one of four players
to accomplish the feat (with 34 points, 10 rebounds,
10 assists and 10 blocks in 1994 against Detroit),
and you'll see his name listed most often amongst
the players who've almost done it (with 27 points,
12 rebounds, 10 assists and eight blocks in 1994
against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and 31 points,
14 rebounds, 10 assists and seven blocks against
the Washington Bullets in 1994). Those are
dumbfounding numbers, and for Robinson, just the
tip of the iceberg.
For his career, Robinson averaged 21.1 points, 10.7
rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2.5 assists per game. He is
one of a handful of players to have scored 20,000
career points, and in 1995 he was NBA MVP. In 1992
he was Defensive Player of the Year, NBA Rookie of
the Year in 1990, and won two Championships, in 1999 and 2003 (though admittedly not until
Tim Duncan came around). He was All-NBA for 11 straight years, and made the All-NBA
Defensive team eight times in a nine year stretch. He is the only player in NBA history to
win all of the following: rebounding title, blocked shots title, scoring title, Rookie of
the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and MVP. His is the third player in NBA history to
rank among the league's top ten in five separate categories for one season: 7th in scoring
(23.2 PPG), 4th in rebounding (12.2 PPG), 1st in blocked shots (4.49 per game), 5th in
steals (2.32 per game) and 7th in field goal percentage (.551), all in the 1992-1993 season.
He is the fourth player ever to score more than 70 points in a game, and did so during the
last game of the 1993-1994 regular season, when he was locked in a battle for the scoring
title with Shaquille O'Neal and needed 69 points to win the title. He scored 71. Clutchitude
be damned, Robinson's the one.
Others considered:
Mike Singletary: Linebacker, National Football League, Chicago Bears (1981-1992).
Ken Strong: Halfback, National Football League, Staten Island Stapletons (1929-1932),
New York Giants (1933-1935 and 1939 and 1944-1947) and American Football League, New York
Yankees (1936-1937).
51
Dick Butkus
Look up linebacker in the dictionary... wait, no, we're better
than that, using that old cliche'... how 'bout, um... look up
linebacker in the thesaurus and the first synonym listed will
be Dick Butkus. There... that captures our wit and stylishness
a little more completely, wethinks. And yet, maybe wit and
stylishness are misused on Butkus. Hmmm... OK, how about
this: Dick Butkus wanted to hurt and hit people, and he did it
well. That should do it.
Truth is, Butkus was, and remains, the prototypical linebacker.
He had speed from side to side. He could cover running backs
and tight ends, and, as mentioned, he loved to hit. Oh, and he
was nasty, just plain nasty. He would do things before the game
to whip himself into a frenzy... in today's game, that's called
playing the disrespect card... In his own words: “If someone
on the other team was laughing, I'd pretend he was laughing
at me or the Bears. It always worked for me."
Butkus played in the Pro Bowl every year he was in the league
(from 1965-1973) and he recovered 25 fumbles, an NFL record
at the time of his retirement. He also finished his career with
22 interceptions, an absurd amount for a linebacker that played for nine years in the 1960's
and 1970's. Injuries inevitably ended his career, not surprising for a guy who threw himself
so wholly into a contact sport like football. In 1979, he was a first ballot Hall of Famer,
and at the end of the century, he was named the ninth best player in league history by
The Sporting News, and the fifth best by the Associated Press. Look it up in
the dictionary... we mean... well, you're probably going to need an encyclopedia or almanac
for this one.
As great as Butkus was, this one was a tough, tough decision for the TrunkBunker staff.
Randy Johnson's numbers are positively unbelievable, maybe better than any pitcher ever.
But what Butkus was able to do is not necessarily quantifiable (as opposed to baseball,
which has a statistic for every movement), and he was easily as dominant a force as Johnson.
Now we know, this is the opposite of what we said at number 50, but you'll just have to
take our word for it... there's a reason Butkus is ranked so highly in the all-time lists.
He was a superstar. Plus, Johnson wears number 41 with the Yankees, which takes a few
points away.
Others considered:
Randy Johnson: Pitcher, Major League Baseball, Montreal Expos (1988-1989), Seattle
Mariners (1989-1998), Houston Astros (1998), Arizona Diamondbacks (1999-2004), New York
Yankees (2005-present).
Trevor Hoffman: Pitcher, Major League Baseball, San Diego Padres (1993-present),
Florida Marlins (1993).
Ichiro Suzuki: Outfielder, Major League Baseball, Seattle Mariners (2001-present)
and Japanese Pacific League, Orix Blue Wave (1992-2000).
Sam Mills: Linebacker, National Football League, New Orleans Saints (1986-1994),
Carolina Panthers (1995-1997) and United States Football League, Philadelphia/Baltimore
Stars (1983-1985).
Randy Cross: Offensive Lineman, National Football League, San Francisco 49ers (1976-
1989).
52
Ray Lewis
Besides "Football Player You Would Least Like To Meet in an
Alley" (and we mean that in the nicest possible way, Mr.
Lewis), Ray Lewis has been called many things. Things like
"Player of the Year," "Most Valuable Player," and imposingly,
"Ray Ray." Well, we'd also like to add "Best Player To Have
Ever Worn the Number 52, in any Sport." We know, it's a
mouthful, but the BPTHEWTN5IAS is a prestigious moniker,
at least on par with those other, more well-known titles.
Ray Lewis has taken linebacking into the 21st century. Where
Dick Butkus left off (and Lawrence Taylor redefined), Lewis
has taken the mantle and run with it, from sideline to sideline.
He has the speed, coverage ability, and most importantly, the
mean streak, associated with all the greats, and he's added
the mouth. Honestly, if you're a running back, and you see a
guy with all the above qualities standing across the line of
scrimmage from you, you're scared. Now, add in barks and
taunts about your mother and your mother's mother and the
physical harm you're about to endure, and, well, you get the
point. You're going to try and take the ball outside. Ah, but that's where the sideline to
sideline aspect that we mentioned earlier comes into play. You soon find out, there's
nowhere to run. Yikes.
Oh, now you want the numbers to back it up? Fine, we can do that. Lewis is one of only six
players to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year more than once, in 2000 and 2003. He's
been selected to the Pro Bowl during seven of the eight seasons in which he was eligible, has
led the NFL in tackles four times, and led all linebackers in interceptions in 2003 with six.
He has been named first team All-NFL four times, and he was the leader of a Ravens defense
that, in 2000, set an NFL record for fewest points and rushing yards allowed (in a 16 game
season). He would lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory that year, and win Super Bowl MVP.
Quality numbers indeed.
Others considered:
Mike Webster: Center, National Football League, Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-1988),
Kansas City Chiefs (1989-1990).
Frank Gatski: Center, National Football League, Cleveland Browns (1946-1956), Detroit
Lions (1957).
Adam Foote: Defenseman, National Hockey League, Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche
(1991-2004), Columbus Blue Jackets (2005-present).
53
Don Drysdale
Like Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale was known as a plunker.
So much so, that Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda once
said "The trick against Drysdale is to hit him before
he hits you." This would prove easier said than done,
as not only does Drysdale hold the National League
record for hitting batters (at 154), but he was also
difficult to hit, finishing with a career ERA of 2.95 and
taking home the Cy Young award in 1962 with a 25-9
record.
Big D also set a record with 58 scoreless innings in 1968
(one that would eventually be broken by fellow Dodger
Orel Hershiser), and in 1965 won 23 games and led the
Dodgers to one of only three championships they have
won in Los Angeles. For his career he won 209 games
and struck out 2,486 batters. He also pitched 167
complete games, including 49 shutouts. And just to
prove how great an all-around athlete he was, he was
one of the best hitting pitchers in history. In 1965, he was the only Dodger to hit over .300, and he broke his own
National League record with seven home runs. He ranks sixth on Major League Baseball's list for all-time home runs
by a pitcher, with 29.
Of course, more of you youngsters may remember Drysdale for his work as a broadcaster on such classic shows as
The Wide World of Sports or Superstars, and surely remember him for the call on Kirk Gibson's famous
home run in the 1988 World Series. Well kiddos, he was more, much more, than just a pretty voice.
Others considered:
Harry Carson: Linebacker, National Football League, New York Giants (1976-1988).
Artis Gilmore: Center, National Basketball Association, Chicago Bulls (1977-1982 and 1988), San Antonio Spurs
(1983-1987), Boston Celtics (1988) and American Basketball Association, Kentucky Colonels (1972-1976).
Randy Gradishar: Linebacker, National Football League, Denver Broncos (1974-1983).
54
Randy White
The Cowboys almost... almost, messed this up. When
Randy White joined the team he was plugged into the
middle linebacker spot (which explains the number
54 he wore throughout his career). For two years, he
was hardly noticeable. Then fate intervened (as it is
prone to do) and White was moved to defensive
tackle. The switch paid immediate dividends, as he
was named All-Pro, made the Pro Bowl, and was
named MVP of the Super Bowl (with Harvey Martin),
one of only seven defensive players to win the
honor. And he was just getting started.
By the time his career was finished, he would have
a Defensive Player of the Year title under his
sequined yet masculine (it was the 70's) belt, not
to mention nine consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl,
and nine consecutive All-Pro teams. During his 14
seasons, he would play in three Super Bowls and six
NFC Championship Games. That's called leaving your mark. He has also been inducted to the Dallas Cowboys Ring of
Honor, the Professional Football Hall of Fame, and in 1999, was named 51st on The Sporting News' list of the
100 Greatest Football Players. Not bad for a guy who made the unheard of move from linebacker to defensive tackle.
TrunkBunker wonders if any other player has ever done it, and if so, was it in the last 50 years?
White also has one of the greatest nicknames of all time (come to think of it, that's got to be a list... in good
time), as he was known as the "Manster." He was given the name by Dallas strong safety Charlie Waters because he saw
White as being "part-man, part-monster." Glorious.
Others considered:
Brian Urlacher: Linebacker, National Football League, Chicago Bears (2000-present).
Rich "Goose" Gossage: Pitcher, Major League Baseball, Chicago White Sox (1972-1976), Pittsburgh Pirates (1977),
New York Yankees (1978-1983 and 1989), San Diego Padres (1984-1987), Chicago Cubs (1988), San Francisco Giants (1989),
San Francisco Giants (1989), Texas Rangers (1991), Oakland Athletics (1992-1993), Seattle Mariners (1994).
Chuck Howley: Linebacker, National Football League, Dallas Cowboys (1961-1973), Chicago Bears (1958-1959).
Tedy Bruschi: Linebacker, National Football League, New England Patriots (1996-present).
55
Derrick Brooks
Here's another one of your old-fashioned gluts. Any
one of a number of players; from Orel Hershiser, to
Willie McGinest, to Junior Seau, to even Dikembe
Mutombo could have feasibly filled this spot. But we're
going with a guy who, accolades aside, we feel is still
one of the more underrated players to have ever
donned a uniform (whether it be pewter or classic
orange and red)... Derrick Brooks.
And it's not like he's been totally overlooked... at
least, not by the people who know football. For
instance, seven straight years he's been named All-
Pro. For nine straight years he's been elected to the
Pro Bowl, and in 2002, following a season where he
returned three interceptions for touchdowns (an NFL
record for a linebacker), not to mention a fumble, he
was named Defensive Player of the Year.
But all those pretty awards and numbers leave out some vital facts about Derrick Brooks... facts about his
leadership, charisma and almost as importantly, his clutchitude. See, when Brooks was drafted by the Buccaneers, they
were mired in what some would consider the greatest length of ineptitude a sports team has ever produced. They were
simply put, awful. Year in and year out. You could count on the Bucs having a high draft pick. Now, Brooks wasn't
alone in changing things. Certainly, the addition of Tony Dungy (and later John Gruden) to lead the coaching staff
played a large part. So, arguably, did the switch in uniforms, from the orange and red kits with the less-than-
masculine-looking pirate logo to the pewter outfits they don to this day. But Brooks had a profound effect. He is the
on-field brains behind a defense that has since been named for them (the Tampa-2), a complicated zone defense that
forces offenses to beat them all the way down the field, little by little. He is as good in coverage as he is against
the run (see previously mentioned interceptions), and he is always... always... in the right place at the right time.
That ain't luck. And when the games get more important, he plays better, as evidenced by his 44 yard interception
return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXVII. It's time, we think, to overrate this man.
Others considered:
Junior Seau: Linebacker, National Football League, San Diego Chargers (1990-2002), Miami Dolphins (2003-2005),
New England Patriots (2006-present).
Willie McGinest: Linebacker, National Football League, New England Patriots (1994-2005), Cleveland Browns
(2006-present).
Orel Hershiser: Pitcher, Major League Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers (1983-1994 and 2000), Cleveland Indiands
(1995-1997), San Francisco Giants (1998), New York Mets (1999).
Dikembe Mutombo: Center, National Basketball Association, Denver Nuggets (1991-1995), Atlanta Hawks (1996-
2000), Philadelphia 76ers (2000-2001), New Jersey Nets (2002), New York Knicks (2003), Houston Rockets (2004-present).
56
Lawrence Taylor
Is he the best defensive player of all time? Maybe.
Has there ever been a more athletic, stronger player
at the linebacker position? It's possible. Have there
been more instinctive players roaming the middle of
the field on defense? Only a few, if any. Has there
been a defensive player who has ever had more of
an impact than Lawrence Taylor? Not on your life.
LT had total disregard for his own well-being. On the
football field, you could say it worked out for him. Off
the field, well, I guess you could say it didn't. But
we're here to celebrate the man's accomplishments
on the field, and, well, when you basically change the
way defense is played, there's plenty to celebrate. Like, oh, we don't know, how about an NFL MVP award, one of four
men to have ever won it from the defensive side of the ball? Or maybe three Defensive Player of the Year awards is
more of a celebration? No? What about ten straight All-Pro seasons (starting with his rookie year, a year in
which he won Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year)? Still not convinced?
Before Taylor, most of the great linebackers played in the middle. Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke, Jack Lambert, you get
the picture. Taylor was the first to use the linebacker position to attack the quarterback. In 1986 alone he had
20 1/2 sacks. He would stand and assault from the edge, drop back into coverage, run blitz, basically, all the
things you see coming from the linebacker position today. LT started all of that. He would finish his career with
142 sacks, among the all-time leaders. To neutralize Taylor, Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs developed the two tight
end offense. That's right, an entire offensive scheme (still in heavy use today) was developed to stop one player.
And that one player is, of course, in the Hall of Fame, and was named to the number four position on The Sporting
News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
But if you don't believe us (and by now, we'd have thought we've built up some trust factor, but since you're soooo
skeptical), take legendary coach/broadcaster John Madden's word for it: "Lawrence Taylor, defensively, has had as
big an impact as any player I've ever seen. He changed the way defense is played, the way pass-rushing is played,
the way linebackers play and the way offenses block linebackers." Is he the best defensive player of all-time? We
think so.
Others considered:
Joe Schmidt: Linebacker, National Football League, Detroit Lions (1953-1965).
Pat Swilling: Linebacker, National Football League, New Orleans Saints (1986-1992), Detroit Lions (1993-1994),
Oakland Raiders (1995-1998).
Chris Doleman: Defensive Lineman, National Football League, Minnesota Vikings (1985-1993 and 1999), Atlanta
Falcons (1994-1995), San Francisco 49ers (1996-1998).
Al Wilson: Linebacker, National Football League, Denver Broncos (1999-present).
57
Dwight Stephenson
Center, in American football, is a thankless, under-
appreciated, unnoticed position whose practitioners
shirk glamour and the finer things for the satisfaction
taken from a job well done. Their bodies are beaten
and battered for nary an interview, or commercial,
or "way to go" from a fan, let alone an autograph-
seeker. But what the layman doesn't know, the
running back knows. The quarterback knows. The
head coach knows. And what they know is this;
other than quarterback, center may be the most
important position on the team. And no one in
history has played it better than Dwight Stephenson.
Stephenson played collegiately at the University
of Alabama, and no less an expert than Bear Bryant
called him the "greatest player I've ever coached."
High praise. Once Stephenson took the helm of the
Dolphins offense, they would go on a run of six
straight seasons allowing fewer sacks than any offense in the NFL, doubling the old record. He was All-Pro for five
straight seasons, and played on five straight Pro Bowl squads during the same time period. He started for three AFC
Championship games and two Super Bowls. He has since been elected to the Hall of Fame, and in 1999, was number 84
on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
Sadly, his career would be cut short after eight glorious seasons because of what many have called a cheap shot from
the New York Jets Marty Lyons, when he hit Stephenson after a play had ended and away from the ball.
Others considered:
Rickey Jackson: Linebacker, National Football League, New Orleans Saints (1981-1993), San Francisco 49ers
(1994-1995).
Clay Matthews: Linebacker, National Football League, Cleveland Browns (1978-1993), Atlanta Falcons (1994-
1996).
Jeff Van Note: Center, National Football League, Atlanta Falcons (1969-1986).
Steve Nelson: Linebacker, National Football League, New England Patriots (1974-1987).
Johan Santana: Pitcher, Major League Baseball, Minnesota Twins (2000-present).
58
Jack Lambert
Look at that mug. Just look at it. Yikes. We ask you, dear
reader, would you like to look across the line of scrimmage
at that frothing man-beast, hurling what we can only assume
to be extremely frightening insults in your direction about
your family, about your manhood, about you? Would you
keep it together? Would you keep from soiling yourself? We
wouldn't, and we're not afraid to admit it. You might even
say we're proud of it.
We hear you saying "oh, TrunkBunker, you're exagerrating...
he wasn't that bad." Oh really? Really? Did you know he used
to slam his head... his own head... against lockers before
games until he was bleeding profusely? Did you know he once
said "Yes, I get satisfaction out of hitting a guy and seeing
him lie there a while," huh? Did you know it was once said of
him "He's so mean, he hates himself?"... or that teammate
Rocky Blier once said of him "Jack likes to hit hard. He likes
to inflict a lot of pain... and that's just when he's out on a
date." The man was born to play linebacker.
But there's more to Lambert than being mean. He was also great. Lambert was to coverage what Lawrence Taylor was to
attacking the quarterback. He was a defensive back in high school, and was a natural against the pass. In 1976 he
was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and made the Pro Bowl nine times. In 1974 he won Defensive Rookie of
the Year, and through his career, led the Steelers Steel Curtain defense to four Super Bowls, all Steeler
victories. He made it into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot, and was number 30 on The Sporting News' list
of the 100 Greatest Football Players. So if you'll excuse us, we've got to change our pants.
Others considered:
Derrick Thomas: Linebacker, National Football League, Kansas City Chiefs (1989-1999).
Mac Speedie: Wide Receiver, All-American Football Conference, Cleveland Browns (1946-1949) and National
Football League, Cleveland Browns (1950-1952).
Mike Stratton: Linebacker, National Football League, Buffalo Bills (1970-1972), San Diego Chargers (1973) and
American Football League, Buffalo Bills (1962-1969).
Jessie Tuggle: Linebacker, National Football League, Atlanta Falcons (1987-2000).
59
Jack Ham
Number 59 wins the award for "Largest Discrepancy
Between the Man Who We Put Here and the Man Who
Finished Second." We know, we're trying to come up with
something with more pizazz... something that snaps,
crackles, pops... but we're having our problems. "The
Long Distance Award" sounds like something you'd give
to your telephone service or two lovebirds stuck at
opposite ends of the country. "The Gap Award" sounds
like a band, or maybe something you'd give someone
lacking in teeth (see number 58). For now, we'll go with
the "Jack Ham Memorial Trophy," or even better, the
"Dobre Shunka Trophy."
See, Dobre Shunka was Ham's nickname, and it means
"good ham" in either Polish or Slavic. And Jack was a
good ham. So good in fact, that he was once considered
the best outside linebacker to play the game (until some
guy with the initials L.T. came around). In a 12 year
career, Ham was selected All-Pro seven times, and was
elected to the Pro Bowl eight times. He also won four
Super Bowls and played on some of the most dominant
defenses the league has ever seen. He also had a knack
for the big play he collected 51 turnovers (21 fumble recoveries and 32 interceptions), an average of just
over four per year. In 1975, The Football News named him Defensive Player of the Year, and in 1988 he was
elected into the Hall of Fame. He came in at number 47 on the 100 Greatest Players list that The Sporting
News released in 1999.
And why are we naming the "Dobre Shunka Trophy" after Ham? Well, the only other player of note we discovered who
wore the number 59 was Seth Joyner, and while he's a nice player, let's be honest, he's not in Ham's league, and
probably wouldn't even show up on most numbers. So congratulations Jack, you're a good ham indeed.
Others considered:
Seth Joyner: Linebacker, National Football League, Philadelphia Eagles (1986-1993), Arizona Cardinals (1994-
1996), Green Bay Packers (1997), Denver Broncos (1998).