Part 2: Numbers 10-19
The Pug (Anthony Pugliese) takes a look at the best players in NFL history to wear every number from 0(00) up to 99. In the second part of a ten part series, The Pug tells you who the best players in NFL history to wear jersey numbers 10-19 were(or are).
Click here to see numbers 0-9.
#10: Fran Tarkenton, Quarterback: Tarkenton was a true pioneer at the quarterback position, as he essentially introduced the league to the idea of a mobile quarterback. He played for 18 seasons between 1961-1978; five seasons for the New York Giants and 13 for the Minnesota Vikings. ‘The Mad Scrambler’ as he was sometimes referred to was selected to nine Pro Bowls, and won an MVP award for the Vikings in 1975. Tarkenton led the Vikings to three Super Bowl appearances but came up empty in all of them. When he retired following the 1978 season(a year that he led the league in passing), he held every major quarterback record. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1986 and currently ranks 8th in all-time passing yards(47,003) and 6th all-time in touchdowns(342). Honorable Mention: Eli Manning
#11: Phil Simms, Quarterback: This was a tough selection but ultimately took the guy sporting jewelry. Simms played his entire 14 year career with the Giants between 1979-1993. Although the first few years of his career were littered with injury, his number was eventually retired by the Giants for his play. Simms will be most remembered for arguably one of the best performances by a quarterback in a Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XXI, Simms only had three incompletions and threw for three touchdowns en route to winning Super Bowl MVP honors. Phil finished his career with 33,462 yards and 199 touchdown passes. Simms currently works as an on-air analyst for CBS. Honorable Mention: Larry Fitzgerald
#12: Tom Brady, Quarterback: There are numerous good choices to pick for #12. Love him or hate him, there is no denying Brady is not only the best player to wear #12, but one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. A shoe in for the Hall of Fame, Brady’s numbers and accolades are already Canton worthy, and he wants to play for another five years. Brady has been selected to 11 Pro Bowls and won two league MVPs. Brady has also led the Patriots to four Super Bowl victories and was the MVP of the big dance three of those times. Brady has faced backlash for wearing his emotions on his sleeves and his involvement in the DeflateGate scandal, but 58,208 yards passing with 428 touchdowns speaks volumes for his ability on the field. Honorable Mention: (Also tough) Roger Staubach.
#13: Dan Marino, Quarterback: Arguably the best quarterback to never earn a ring, Marino played his entire 17 year career with the Miami Dolphins. With 61,361 passing yards and 420 passing touchdowns under his belt the nine time Pro Bowler was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005. Marino will be remembered as having amazing pocket presence with a rocket arm. He has won the league’s MVP, Comeback Player of the Year, and the Walter Payton Man of the Year awards. Dan Marino should also be remembered as the king of Monday night, as he still holds NFL records for yards, touchdowns and wins on Monday night. Honorable Mention: Don Maynard
#14: Dan Fouts, Quarterback: Another great quarterback who retired without hardware, Fouts was the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards in three consecutive seasons. Fouts was known as one of the toughest quarterbacks to ever play, as his knack for going deep left him open to some vicious hits. Fouts retired after playing his entire career with the San Diego Chargers with 43,040 passing yards and 254 touchdowns in 15 seasons. He won an MVP award during his career and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993. Fouts currently works for CBS as a color analyst. Honorable Mention: Ken Anderson
#15: Bart Starr, Quarterback: When you have an award named after you, chances are you’re going to make a few of the all-time list. The Bart Starr award is given to the NFL player with outstanding character. Starr is the only quarterback in NFL history to lead his team to five championships, including Super Bowls I and II. He was named MVP of the first two Super Bowls and earned a seat in Canton in 1977. Starr had a playoff record of 9-1 and a passer rating in the playoffs of 104.8. Not bad for a guy who was a 17th round pick. Honorable Mention: Brandon Marshall
#16: Joe Montana, Quarterback: Easy selection here as Joe Montana was one of the best quarterbacks ever. ‘Joe Cool’ was one of his nicknames because he had an uncanny ability to stay calm in pressure situations and has 31 fourth quarter come from behind wins. Montana also has four Super Bowl victories, earning MVP in three of them. He has the NFL record for most passes thrown in a row without an interception in Super Bowl history with 122. Montana earned his fame with the San Francisco 49ers, but was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs to close out his 15 year career. He became a first ballot Hall of Famer in 2000, after breaking numerous playoff records and winning two league MVP awards. Honorable Mention: Len Dawson
#17: Philip Rivers, Quarterback: Another good quarterback on the list in danger of finishing his career without any rings. Rivers has been extremely durable throughout his career, starting every game for the Chargers since Drew Brees departed for New Orleans. Rivers has put up impressive numbers so far, passing for 41,447 and 281 touchdowns. There is a good chance that when all’s said and done, Rivers will wind up being the best quarterback in Chargers history, passing Dan Fouts. Rivers holds a few NFL record including two straight games with over 400 yards passing and highest completion percentage for a quarterback throwing for over 400 yards in a game. Honorable Mention: Dave Krieg
#18: Peyton Manning, Quarterback: The only quarterback in NFL history to earn 200 victories, Peyton Manning is a guy who’s name is called whenever the conversation of the greatest of all time is brought up. Manning holds all meaningful passing records including all-time passing yards in a season(5,477) and career(71,940), passing touchdowns in a season(55) and career(539). His records would take up the entire page. He is a five time MVP and has two Super Bowl rings. Manning decided to call it a career after winning Super Bowl 50 and is a guarantee to become a first ballot Hall of Famer. Honorable Mention: Charlie Joiner
#19: Johnny Unitas, Quarterback: Winner of four championships with the Baltimore Colts, Unitas was a major player in bringing popularity to the sport of football. Another passer to eclipse the 40,000 yard passing mark, Unitas spent all but his final season playing for the Colts. Due to injuries to his arm(among many others), Unitas finished his career rather poorly, but his career efforts earned him a seat in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. Unitas unfortunately passed away in 2002 after suffering a heart attack. Honorable Mention: Lance Alworth
