To celebrate Memorial Day, we here at Outside the Boxscore have decided to re-post part of Mike Funke of FoxSportsSouthwest.com list of the Top Ten Military Veterans that played in the NFL.
Here were his Top Five:
In 1967, the last Monday of May officially became the federal holiday known as “Memorial Day” in recognition of all the men and women who unselfishly sacrificed their lives to make the United States free. In remembrance of the military heroes, let’s look at the Top 10 greatest professional football players who sacrificed their own lives to give us that freedom.You can read the rest of Mike's list at this link.
1. Roger Staubach – Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys.
For 11 seasons, the 1963 Heisman Trophy winner from the Naval Academy was instrumental in turning a proud franchise from North Texas into “America’s Team.” In addition to becoming the first quarterback to win both the Heisman and a Super Bowl MVP, Staubach led the Cowboys to 9 of a record 20 consecutive winning seasons, including five trips to the Super Bowl. Nicknamed “The Dodger,” Staubach was the predecessor of today’s mobile quarterback. He served four years in the Navy, including a tour of duty during the Vietnam War.
2. Otto Graham – Quarterback, Cleveland Browns.
Before he was becoming arguably the winningest quarterback in the history of the NFL, Otto Graham was protecting American shores during the second World War. In his 10 seasons as a professional quarterback with the AAFC and the NFL, Graham led the Browns to the league championship game all ten years – including seven league titles (3 in the NFL). The nine-time All-Pro lost only 17 times in his illustrious career and is still considered by some to be the greatest quarterback who ever played the game.
3. Dick “Night Train” Lane – Cornerback, Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Cardinals, Detroit Lions
When a 24-year old showed up at the Los Angeles Rams’ training facility looking for a better job, no one expected they would find arguably the greatest defensive back in the history of the NFL. As a junior college dropout who joined the Army and served in the Korean War, Lane quickly revolutionized the cornerback position. Given the nickname “Night Train” for his aggressive tackling, Lane was also the premiere ballhawk in the league. In his 12-game rookie season, the 10-time All-Pro recorded 14 interceptions, a record that still stands today. For his career, Lane finished with 68 picks - more than Ronnie Lott, Deion Sanders, and Mel Blount.
4. Ray Nitschke – Linebacker, Green Bay Packers
In the 1960s, no linebacker terrorized offenses more than Dick Butkus…and Ray Nitschke. The epitome of toughness, Nitschke was the anchor to Vince Lombardi’s vaunted defense that won 5 NFL Championships, including the first two Super Bowls. Along with being a 7-time All-Pro and the MVP of the 1962 NFL Championship Game, Nitschke also served in Vietnam.
5. Chuck Bednarik – Linebacker/Center, Philadelphia Eagles
Long before he became the last of the NFL’s “Sixty-Minute Men,” Bednarik was flying combat missions as a waist gunner over Nazi Germany during WWII. Despite playing both offense and defense on a regular basis, the 10-time All-Pro only missed three games in his 14 year career.
To be honest, this is one list that not one of us can really have a problem with. It is nice to see that some of the NFL's greatest warriors were warriors for our country.
Enjoy the rest of your Memorial Day and remember the soldiers that are currently fighting for our freedom.
Courtesy of (Fox Sports Southwest)
