Part 7: Numbers 60-69
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 seventh part of a ten part series, The Pug tells you who the best players in NFL history to wear jersey numbers 60-69 were(or are).
If you missed the first six parts, click the links below to see 0-59
0-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59
#60: Larry Grantham, Linebacker: An original member of the AFL, Grantham was the leading tackler for the New York Titans who then became the New York Jets before capturing the Super Bowl III title. Grantham is one of only 20 players who were a part of the AFL during it’s entire ten years of existence. He was a huge part of taking the team from the worst start up team in the AFL to Super Bowl champions in nine years. Although tackles were not an official stat at the time of his career, he did have 24 interceptions which is impressive from the linebacker position. He was a five time All-Star in his 13 year career, all with the New York franchise. Honorable Mention: Roy Winston
#61: Nate Newton, Guard, Offensive Tackle: One of the best guards during the 90’s, Newton was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Washington Redskins before being cut and playing for two years in the USFL. Newton signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 1986 where he played until 1998. Nicknamed ‘the Kitchen’ for his large size, it wasn’t until the Cowboys hired Jimmy Johnson that Newton become a staple for one of the greatest offensive line units in NFL history. He was a six time Pro Bowler, a key blocker for all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith, and led the Cowboys to three Super Bowls in the 90’s. Honorable Mention: Jesse Sapolu
#62: Jim Langer, Center: Considered by some to be the greatest center to ever play the game, Langer was an essential part of the success of the Dolphins in the 70’s. Known as a quick blocker and extremely hard worker, the six time Pro Bowler and four time First-Team All-Pro played in three Super Bowls with the Dolphins winning two of them. He played in 141 consecutive games before going down with a knee injury, which led to him being traded to the Vikings, where he spent the last two years of his career. Langer was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, his first year of eligibility. Honorable Mention: Guy McIntyre
#63: Gene Upshaw, Guard: Drafted in the first round by the then AFL Oakland Raiders, Upshaw spent his entire 15 year NFL career playing for the silver and black. Upshaw is credited as being the first player in NFL history to play in a Super Bowl with the same team in three different decades (1967, 1976, and 1980). Gene saw himself nominated for six Pro Bowls and seven All-Pro teams. He retired after the 1980 Super Bowl season, and was honored as a member of the Hall of Fame in 1987. Upshaw went on to become an active member of the NFLPA bargaining committee before unexpectedly passing away in 2008 from pancreatic cancer. Honorable Mention: Jeff Saturday
#64: Randall McDaniel, Guard: The definition of an iron man, the former first round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, missed only two games in his sophomore campaign, the only two games he missed in his entire 14 year career. McDaniel made an impressive 12 Pro Bowls in a row, a plateau only repeated by NFL greats Jerry Rice and Champ Bailey. He spent the last two years of his 14 year career in Tampa, where he caught a pass for his only career touchdown. Honorable Mention: Ed Newman
#65: Gary Zimmerman, Tackle: Zimmerman was taken in the second round of the USFL where he played for two seasons out of college before the league folded in 1986. He was snatched up by the Minnesota Vikings where he played until joining the Denver Broncos where he spent the rest of his career. Zimmerman was well known for his refusal to talk with the media after he made comments about his teammates performances and they became public. Zimmerman became the leader of the Broncos offensive line and got his offensive line brethren to follow his lead in shunning the media. In 2008, Gary became one of seven former USFL players that went on to become members of the Hall of Fame for the NFL. Honorable Mention: Tom Mack
#66: Alan Faneca, Guard: Tough choice here at #66 as Faneca edges out a Hall of Famer. Fancea was a first round draft choice for the Pittsburgh Steelers where he spent ten of his thirteen NFL seasons. Fancea spent his entire career being an anchor for a number of very successful rushing teams weather it was with the Steelers or the New York Jets. Alan was a nine time Pro Bowler, a nine time All-Pro, a two time Offensive Lineman of the Year, and a member of the Steelers All-Time team. He was a member of the Steelers Super Bowl XL team. Faneca retired in 2011, and is surely awaiting his call from Canton, Ohio. Honorable Mention: Larry Little
#67: Bob Kuechenberg, Guard, Tackle: A member of the Miami Dolphins offensive line that featured three Hall of Famers, Kuechenberg has been a finalist to have a seat in the Hall of Fame himself from 2002-2009, missing the cut each time. A member of the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll, Kuechenberg was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969. Kuechenberg quit the Eagles during training camp, deciding to play for a season in the CFL instead, until signing with the Dolphins in 1970 and becoming a first year starter. He was a member of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins and won two Super Bowls (VII and VIII) with the team. Bob was a six time Pro Bowler and made three All-Pro teams in his 15 year career with the Miami Dolphins. He was noted after his career for being critical of his former team, a move that didn’t sit well with some of the players. Honorable Mention: Grady Alderman
#68: Will Shields, Guard: Drafted in the third round, Will Shields played his entire 14 year career with the Kansas City Chiefs, never missing a single start, and ranking 5th all-time with 223 straight starts. More impressive than him not missing a game was some of the names he blocked for and helped to achieve greatness. He was a big part of the successes of Marcus Allen, Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, Elvis Grbac, and Trent Green. Shields was elected to 12 Pro Bowls which is tied for most in NFL history to go along with seven All-Pro teams. Shields amazing on field contributions were only matched by his off the field humanitarian efforts that resulted in a Walter Payton Man of the Year award. His on field accomplishments were acknowledged on the highest level when he was elected into the Hall of fame in 2015. Honorable Mention: Kevin Mawae
#69: Jared Allen, Defensive End: Breaking up a long streak of offensive lineman, Jared Allen played for four different teams (Chiefs, Vikings, Bears, Panthers) in his 13 year career. Allen was selected by the Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft and immediately made his presence felt after getting nine sacks in ten starts in his rookie season. In 2011, Allen finished the year with 22 sacks, just .5 sack short of the all-time NFL record as a member of the Vikings. Allen won the Defensive Player of the Year award that year, led the NFL twice in sacks, was selected to four First-Team All-Pro teams, and went to five Pro Bowls throughout the course of his career. Allen finished his career with 642 tackles and 136 sacks. Allen announced his retirement via Twitter this off-season and retired tied for ninth on the NFL’s all-time career sacks list.
