New on SI: Arizona Cardinals Hall of Fame Players: A Complete History

Among players, coaches and executives who spent at least one season with the Cardinals, 21 have been elected to the Hall of Fame. Among those are 12 who spent the majority of their career with the franchise.

The Hall of Fame logo was featured on the field prior to the 2017 Hall of Fame Game between the Cardinals and the Cowboys in Canton, Ohio.

How Many Cardinals Players Are in the Hall of Fame?

As the oldest continually operating franchise in pro football history, the Cardinals have churned out their fair share of Hall of Famers. In total, the Cardinals have 21 players, coaches and/or executives represented in the Hall of Fame. Some spent their entire career with the franchise whereas others made a brief one- or two-season stop. All told, the team accounts for just over 6% of the 346 men who have been enshrined in Canton, Ohio.

Among the team's representatives are some of the best defensive players in the history of the NFL, one of the Cardinals' greatest receiving threats of all time, numerous coaches and the man who built the team that won the 1947 NFL championship.

Cardinals Hall of Famers

What follows is a list of every Hall of Famer who has played at least one season for the Cardinals. Members are listed in order by the number of seasons each spent with the franchise and, unless otherwise noted, all bulleted stats refer only to the given member's time with the franchise.

Larry Wilson

• Position: Safety
• College: Utah
• Seasons Played: 1960–72
• Years as Coach/Executive: 1973–2002
• Seasons With the Cardinals: 1960–2002
• Year Inducted: 1978
• Stats: 52 interceptions for 5 TDs
• Awards: 1966 Defensive Player of the Year, Cardinals Ring of Honor, Cardinals No. 8 Retired
• All-Pro: 1966–70
• Pro Bowl: 1962–63, 1965–70

Larry Wilson closed his career as one of the greatest Cardinals players of all time, and he immediately followed his retirement by joining the team's front office. He spent a total of 43 years with the Cardinals, first as a dominant defender for 13 seasons, then in various front-office capacities through 2002. Those first 13 years were spent perfecting the safety blitz, while the last 15 were spent as the team's vice president. His tenure culminated with the announcement that the Cardinals would soon get their own stadium.

Wilson was a seventh-round draft pick of the Cardinals in 1960. Dubbed Wildcat early in his career, Wilson became so adept at the safety blitz—a new trend in the NFL in the 1960s—that coaches started calling the play by Wilson’s nickname. By the middle of the decade, Wilson had become the premier defensive player in the league, and among his career-defining moments was a string of seven straight games in 1966 when he intercepted a pass. That stretch included a 91-yard touchdown and a three-interception game for the second season in a row. His 10 picks that season paced the league, and an interception for Wilson was usually good news for the Cardinals, who went 30-13-2 in games when he picked off a pass. He maintains team records with 52 career interceptions and 800 interception return yards. His long return of 96 yards stood as a team record until 2001.

For all of Wilson's successes, however, the team achieved very little during his tenure. Wilson is one of few Hall of Famers to have never appeared in a postseason game, and the Cardinals had an 83-86-11 record throughout his playing career.

Wilson—one of just five Cardinals to have his number retired—was hired as the team's scouting director following his retirement, and he moved up to become the general manager in 1977. He briefly stepped in as interim coach in 1979, picking up two wins and a loss after Bud Wilkinson was fired. By 1987 Wilson added vice president to his ledger, remaining with the Cardinals until his retirement after the 2002 season.

Charley Trippi

• Position: All-Purpose, Coach
• College: Georgia
• Seasons Played With the Cardinals: 1947–55
• Seasons Coached With the Cardinals: 1956–57, 1963–65
• Year Inducted: 1968
• Stats: 3,506 rushing yards; 2,547 passing yards; 1,321 receiving yards; 53 total TDs
• Awards: Cardinals Ring of Honor
• All-Pro: 1948
• Pro Bowl: 1952–53

Charley Trippi was primarily known for his abilities as a

running back, but he actually played a lot more positions than that in his nine years with the Cardinals. He was also deployed as a quarterback, return man, defensive back and punter. After retiring, he joined the team as an assistant coach.

Before going pro, Trippi had multiple options. He had a dual-contract offer from the short-lived New York Yankees of the newly founded All-America Football Conference—which included the option to play baseball for the Yankees. Several other professional baseball teams were pursuing him, as well. Finally, he had a $100,000 offer to play football for the Cardinals. He opted for the Cardinals and became one of the franchise's most remembered players.

As a rookie, Trippi immediately became a contributing player—accumulating 206 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles in the 1947 NFL championship game. He averaged nearly 5.0 yards per carry over his first four seasons, then switched to quarterback for two seasons. He returned as halfback for a year, then switched to the defensive backfield and punted. In the 1955 preseason, he was viciously tackled and sustained injuries that ultimately ended his playing career. He retired as the franchise's all-time leader in rushing yards.

Following retirement, Trippi was an assistant coach for the Cardinals, primarily focusing on the team's offensive backfield. Currently, at age 98, he is the oldest living NFL Hall of Famer, and with 14 total seasons of service with the Cardinals, he is among the most tenured individuals in franchise history.

Cardinals Hall of Fame tight end Jackie Smith waves to the crowd during the Hall of Fame parade in 2018.

Jackie Smith

• Position: Tight End
• College: Northwestern State University (La.)
• Seasons Played: 1963–78
• Seasons With the Cardinals: 1963–77
• Year Inducted: 1994
• Stats: 480 catches for 7,918 yards and 40 TDs
• Pro Bowl: 1966–70

Jackie Smith came to the Cardinals as the 129th pick in the 1963 NFL Draft, and in just his second career game, he showed he'd become a capable NFL player. On that day against the Steelers, Smith established career highs he would never beat with nine catches for 212 yards and two touchdowns. His best season was in 1967, when he had four 100-yard games en route to 1,205 yards for the season. He added a career-high nine touchdowns and was red hot over the last four games of the season, hauling in 20 passes for 455 yards and five touchdowns.

Smith was a dependable target from the get-go, playing in the first 121 straight games of his career until he was injured in 1971. He picked up at least 100 yards in 22 games during his career and snatched a touchdown in all but five of those. From 1967 to '70, he had a reception in 46 straight games while providing superb blocking. His career yardage total is the best-ever for a Cardinals tight end, which was the NFL record until 1990, and he is third all-time in team history for receiving yards.

The legend retired after the 1977 season, but he reportedly wanted to come back to the Cardinals for the '78 season. Ultimately, he ended up going to the Cowboys as a backup and went to the Super Bowl that season, while the Cardinals fell to a 6–10 record—the team's worst mark in five seasons.

Charles Bidwill

• Position: Owner
• College: Loyola of Chicago
• Seasons as Cardinals Owner: 1933–47
• Year Inducted: 1967
• Awards: Cardinals Ring of Honor

Charles Bidwill spent his first couple of years in professional sports as a vice president of the Bears. And while he would have preferred to have purchased that team from George Halas, he ended up buying the Cardinals for $50,000 instead. Among his first deeds with the Cardinals was claiming the 1925 NFL championship, which had been awarded to the team by the NFL but had never been accepted. The title was the story of much controversy due to scheduling and ineligible players, among other aspects, but Bidwill staked a claim to the first of just two championships for the Cardinals.

Bidwill never found much success with the Cardinals, however, as the team had just one winning season between 1933 and '45. In 1944, his Cardinals combined with the Steelers due to a shortage of players because so many had joined the fight in World War II. Known as Card-Pitt, the team was dubbed the Carpets after going 0–10. Two years later, the Chicago Rockets joined the All-American Football Conference, giving Chicago three professional football teams.

Refusing to be the worst team in town, Bidwill signed Charley Trippi to an expensive contract to create the "Million Dollar Backfield," a group of offensive forces that propelled the Cardinals to the 1947 NFL title. Despite his role in building that team, Bidwill was unfortunately unable to enjoy the championship. He died at age 51, eight months before his team made history.

Roger Wehrli

• Position: Cornerback
• College: Missouri
• Seasons Played With the Cardinals: 1969–82
• Year Inducted: 2007
• Stats: 40 interceptions, 22 fumble recoveries, 2 TDs
• Awards: Cardinals Ring of Honor
• All-Pro: 1975–77
• Pro Bowl: 1970–71, 1974–77, '79

Roger Wehrli came to the Cardinals as a first-round draft selection in 1969, starting a 14-year career with the franchise that made him one of the top defensive players in team history. He was consistently among the league's top defensive backs every season. He had six interceptions in a season twice (1970 and '75), and he picked off at least one pass every season from 1969 to '81 with the exception of just one season ('72).

In 1981 and '82, Wehrli was a backup on a team that was rebuilding with younger players. He did have a highlight game in 1981 against the rival Eagles, however, intercepting two passes—the fourth time in his career he had done so. Wehrli was a reliable workhorse who once played 125 straight games, missing only six in total throughout his career. He recovered 22 fumbles for the Cardinals, retiring atop the team's all-time leaderboard (and still tied for first), and his 40 interceptions were second all-time (now third).

Dan Dierdorf

• Position: Offensive Tackle
• College: Michigan
• Seasons Played With the Cardinals: 1971–83
• Year Inducted: 1996
• Stats: 160 games, 7 fumble recoveries
• Awards: Cardinals Ring of Honor
• All-Pro: 1976–78
• Pro Bowl: 1974–78, '80

Dan Dierdorf began his 13-year career with the Cardinals as a second-round draft pick, and by his fourth season he had cemented himself as a fixture on the offensive line. He didn't miss a game at right tackle from 1972 to '76, which helped push the franchise to 31 wins and two postseason appearances from 1974 to '76. In those three seasons, St. Louis finished 10th, 5th (tied with Minnesota) and 3rd respectively in total offensive yardage. In 1975, St. Louis quarterbacks were sacked just eight times in 14 games. He was also recognized by his peers—being named the best offensive lineman in football by the NFL Players Association from 1976 to '78.

In 1979 Dierdorf sustained a major knee injury, and his play was never the same. He did start every game from 1980 to '82 and made a Pro Bowl in '80, but by '83 the knee was too bothersome and he announced his retirement in the middle of the season. In 1982, he moved to center and mentored younger players on the line, helping the Cardinals to their first winning season since 1976. After retiring, he enjoyed a long and successful career in sports broadcasting.

Cardinals Hall of Fame cornerback Aeneas Williams speaks in London during NFL UK Live at The Mermaid in 2017.

Aeneas Williams

• Position: Defensive Back
• College: Southern University
• Seasons Played: 1991–2004
• Seasons With the Cardinals: 1991–2000
• Year Inducted: 2014
• Stats: 568 tackles, 46 interceptions, 9 TDs
• Awards: Cardinals Ring of Honor
• All-Pro: 1995, '97
• Pro Bowl: 1994–99

Aeneas Williams was much more than a standout defender during his decade-long tenure with the Cardinals. Known as the heart and soul of the team and its spiritual leader, Williams led by example off the field, and did his part on the field, too. He was a shutdown cornerback taken in the third round of the 1991 NFL Draft and is remembered as one of the greatest defensive players in franchise history.

After suffering through five losing seasons, Williams considered leaving the Cardinals for the Jaguars in 1996, but he ended up signing a five-year contract to remain with Phoenix. He'd help the Cardinals to the postseason in 1998 and would then intercept Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman twice in a first-round victory—the team's first win in the postseason since 1947. Once his contract expired, Williams was given the franchise tag and then traded to the Rams during the 2001 NFL Draft.

With the Cardinals, Williams ranks second all-time with 46 interceptions and still holds the club record with six interception returns for touchdowns. In 1994 he led the league with nine interceptions, and he had six interceptions as a rookie. He also tied an NFL record when he returned a recovered fumble 104 yards against Washington in 2000.

Ollie Matson

• Position: Running Back
• College: San Francisco
• Seasons Played With the Cardinals: 1952, 1954–58
• Year Inducted: 1972
• Stats: 3,331 rushing yards; 24 TDs; 2,150 receiving yards; 16 TDs
• Awards: Cardinals Ring of Honor
• All-Pro: 1952, 1954–57
• Pro Bowl: 1952, 1954–58

Ollie Matson joined the Cardinals as the No. 3 pick in the 1952 NFL Draft. He was the fastest player in the league after winning two medals as a sprinter in that year's Olympic Games. He spent 1953 in the U.S. Army and came back to become one of the leading players for the Cardinals over the next several seasons. In four of the next five years, he would gain at least 900 offensive yards, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark in 1954, '56 and '57.

The finest game of his career came during Week 9 of the 1954 season when he carried the ball eight times for 163 yards and a career-high three scores—and hauled in five passes for 64 yards and another touchdown in a 38–16 win over Washington. A week later, he was a shining star again, picking up a career-best 161 receiving yards on five catches and adding another 115 on the ground in a loss to Pittsburgh.

After six seasons with the Cardinals, Matson was traded to the Rams in an unusual deal that saw the Cardinals get nine players in return. His 3,331 rushing yards for the Cardinals were second all-time in franchise history at the time of his trade (now ninth).

"Night Train" Lane

• Position: Cornerback
• College: Western Nebraska C.C.
• Seasons Played: 1952–65
• Seasons With the Cardinals: 1954–59
• Year Inducted: 1974
• Stats: 30 interceptions, 2 TDs
• Awards: Cardinals Ring of Honor
• All-Pro: 1956
• Pro Bowl: 1954–56, '58

Dick "Night Train" Lane is remembered as one of the best ball-hawking cornerbacks in the history of the NFL. He burst onto the scene as a rookie in 1952, setting an NFL record with 14 interceptions for the Rams. Despite his obvious talent, Lane was traded to the Cardinals as part of a three-team deal before the 1954 season.

Lane led the league in interceptions with 10 in 1954. Two seasons later, his defensive prowess helped lead the Cardinals to their first winning season since 1949. Because of his athleticism, he was sometimes deployed on offense, and in 1955 he scored on a 98-yard touchdown reception. In six seasons in Chicago he intercepted 30 passes, which was a team record when was traded to the Lions in 1960. Currently, his mark is fourth-best in Cardinals history.

Paddy Driscoll

• Position: Quarterback, Coach
• College: Northwestern
• Seasons Played With the Cardinals: 1920–25
• Seasons Coached: 1920–22, '36, 1941–57
• Seasons Coached With the Cardinals: 1920–22
• Year Inducted: 1965
• Stats: 17 total TDs
• Awards: Cardinals Ring of Honor
• All-Pro: 1920, 1922–23, '25

Paddy Driscoll was the first coach and quarterback in franchise history, and he is considered one of the best players from the earliest days of the NFL—despite weighing in at just 160 pounds. Driscoll's play, which came at the cost of $300 per game, led the Cardinals to a fourth-place finish in the standings, and he was honored by becoming the first-ever All-Pro quarterback. Between his passing, rushing and kicking abilities, Driscoll left his mark all over the field throughout his career. In 1925 Driscoll and the Cardinals won the NFL championship, but the Bears lured him across town in the offseason with an offer of $10,000.

Jimmy Conzelman

• Position: Coach
• College: Washington (Mo.)
• Seasons Coached: 1921–42, 1946–48
• Seasons With the Cardinals: 1940–42, 1946–48
• Year Inducted: 1964
• Stats: 34 NFL wins, 1947 NFL championship
• Awards: Cardinals Ring of Honor

Jimmy Conzelman was a standout quarterback in his playing days, but he made his mark on the Cardinals as a head coach. He first took on the role from 1940 to '42, and after compiling an 8-22-3 record he spent '44 as an assistant for the MLB Browns. He returned to the Cardinals in 1946, and with some extra stars on the roster, he led two of the greatest seasons in franchise history.

Under his watch, the 1947 Cardinals finished the regular season at 9–3 and dispatched the Eagles for the NFL championship. They followed up with an 11–1 record in 1948, but it was the Eagles who would claim that season's league crown. Conzelman unexpectedly resigned following the season, and he finished with a 34-31-3 record in his six years at the helm.

Duke Slater

• Position: Tackle
• College: Iowa
• Seasons Played: 1922–31
• Seasons Played With the Cardinals: 1926–31
• Year Inducted: 2020
• Stats: All-NFL 1923, 1925–26, '29

Duke Slater—an All-American tackle out of Iowa and the first Black lineman in the NFL—blocked for a series of Hall of Famers and runners. But while his talent on the field was undeniable, he was long bypassed as a Hall of Fame candidate in spite of being a finalist in both 1970 and '71. He was finally inducted in 2020, a full 58 years after becoming eligible.

Cardinals Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner delivers his induction speech during the 2017 Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio.

Kurt Warner

• Position: Quarterback
• College: Northern Iowa
• Seasons Played: 1998–2009
• Seasons With the Cardinals: 2005–09
• Year Inducted: 2017
• Stats: 15,843 passing yards, 100 TDs
• Awards: Cardinals Ring of Honor
• Pro Bowl: 2008

After building his Hall of Fame candidacy with a run of success for the Rams, Kurt Warner closed his career with five seasons for the Cardinals to become their best quarterback of all time. In his first three seasons in Arizona, he was never the solidified starter, competing with youngsters like Josh McCown and Matt Leinart. But once he was named the starter for the 2008 season, Warner led the Cardinals to one of the most memorable seasons in franchise history.

That season, Warner threw for 4,583 yards and a then-franchise record 30 touchdowns while leading the team to a 9–7 record and their first playoff appearance since 1998. As a wild-card team, Arizona faced a long road to a championship, but Warner threw for eight touchdowns over the first three rounds of the playoffs to give the team their first berth in a Super Bowl. He threw for 377 yards in Super Bowl XLIII, but his team fell to the Steelers, 27–23.

He pushed the Cardinals into the playoffs again in 2009. With two touchdown passes in Week 16, Warner became just the second quarterback in NFL history to throw 100 touchdowns for two teams, and he threw five touchdowns in a wild first-round postseason win over the Packers. Warner stands fifth all-time in franchise history, with 15,843 passing yards and 100 touchdowns.

Walt Kiesling

• Position: Offensive Line
• College: St. Thomas (Minn.)
• Seasons Played: 1926–38
• Seasons With the Cardinals: 1929–33
• Year Inducted: 1966
• All-Pro: 1930

Walt Kiesling was a football lifer who spent 34 years in professional football. That included five of his prime years with the Cardinals. He was regarded as one of the best offensive linemen of his time, helping his team finish fourth in the standings twice. He was selected by the Hall of Fame as an offensive lineman on the NFL's 1920s All-Decade Team.

Ernie Nevers

• Position: Fullback, Coach
• College: Stanford
• Seasons Played: 1926–27, 1929–31
• Seasons Played With the Cardinals: 1929–31
• Seasons Coached: 1927, 1930–31, '39, '46
• Seasons Coached With the Cardinals: 1930–31, '39
• Year Inducted: 1963
• Stats: 26 rushing TDs
• Awards: Cardinals Ring of Honor
• All-Pro: 1929–31

Ernie Nevers didn't have a long career, but he made quite an impression on NFL history. A four-sport athlete at Stanford, he played professional football and baseball and is considered one of the finest NFL players of the league's early years.

In his first season with the Cardinals, he established an NFL record by scoring all of his team's points in a 40–6 win over the Bears. He routinely scored all of his team's points because he was a prolific runner, passer and kicker, and he scored 26 rushing touchdowns in three seasons with the Cardinals. In 1931, an informal poll placed Nevers in a tie for second as the greatest football player in history up to that point. As a coach for the Cardinals, he was 11-19-2.

Hall of Fame inductee Edgerrin James speaks to the media during the NFL Honors awards presentation at Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, Feb. 1, 2020.

Edgerrin James

• Position: Running back
• College: Miami (Fla.)
• Seasons Played: 1999–2009
• Seasons Played With the Cardinals: 2006–08
• Year Inducted: 2020
• Stats: 2,895 rushing yards for 16 TDs
• Accolades: NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s

A first-round pick by the Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft, Edgerrin James won Rookie of the Year honors and led the league in rushing yards his first two seasons. After seven strong seasons with the Colts, he signed with the Cardinals as an unrestricted free agent prior to the 2006 season.

While he is best known for his time in Indianapolis, James was an effective runner for three seasons in Arizona, rushing for 1000-yards in two of those seasons and helping the Cardinals to an appearance in Super Bowl XLIII. He finished his career with a single season in Seattle.

Hall of Famers Who Made a Stop With the Cardinals

Several Hall of Famers made only a brief stop with the Cardinals during their career. The following players spent two seasons or fewer in a Cardinals uniform or on the sidelines as their coach.

Emmitt Smith

• Position: Running Back
• College: Florida
• Seasons Played: 1990–2004
• Seasons With the Cardinals: 2003–04
• Year Inducted: 2010
• Career Stats: 18,355 rushing yards; 164 TDs
• Awards: 1990 Rookie of the Year, 1993 MVP, 1993 Bert Bell Award, Cowboys Ring of Honor
• All-Pro: 1992–95
• Pro Bowl: 1990–95, 1998–99

With the Cardinals, Emmitt Smith had 1,193 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns over two seasons. That included a 937-yard effort in 2004, the final season of his career.

Earl "Curly" Lambeau

• Position: Coach
• College: Notre Dame
• Seasons Coached: 1921–53
• Seasons With the Cardinals: 1950–51
• Year Inducted: 1963
• Career Stats: 226 wins, 6 NFL championships

The namesake to the Packers' stadium, Earl "Curly" Lambeau posted a 7–15 mark in two seasons with the Cardinals after winning six NFL championships in Green Bay.

Jim Thorpe

• Position: Running Back
• College: Carlisle
• Seasons Played: 1915–17, 1919–26, '28
• Seasons With the Cardinals: 1928
• Year Inducted: 1963
• All-Pro: 1923

Often considered among the greatest athletes of all time, Jim Thorpe donned the Cardinals' uniform for the final season of his football career. Thorpe also played professional baseball and basketball, and he won two gold medals in the 1912 Olympics.

Don Maynard

• Position: Wide Receiver
• College: UTEP
• Seasons Played: 1958, 1960–73
• Seasons With the Cardinals: 1973
• Year Inducted: 1987
• Career Stats: 11,834 receiving yards; 88 TDs
• AFL All-Star: 1965, 1967–69
• Accolades: All-Time AFL Team (1970)

Don Maynard played the final season of his career with the Cardinals, but he didn't see much action at wide receiver, hauling in one catch for 18 yards.

Guy Chamberlin

• Position: Halfback, End, Coach
• College: Nebraska
• Seasons Played: 1920–27
• Seasons Played With the Cardinals: 1927
• Seasons Coached: 1922–27
• Seasons Coached With the Cardinals: 1927
• Year Inducted: 1965
• Career Accolades: 4-time NFL champion
• All-Pro: 1920

Berlin "Guy" Chamberlin played end and coached the Cardinals in the last season of his career. The team finished with a 3-7-1 record that year.

Alan Faneca, who primarily played for the Steelers, being inducted into their Ring of Honor in 2018. If he were to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, he would also represent the Cardinals.

Potential Hall of Famers in Waiting

The list of Hall of Famers who played with or coached the Cardinals is sure to grow soon. Here are a few likely candidates.

• Alan Faneca: Offensive lineman Faneca was announced as a semifinalist for the 2020 ballot on Nov. 26, 2019. He spent the 2010 season with the Cardinals, and he started all 16 games at left guard. That was his last season and the ninth straight in which he started every game of the season, but he was not among the players elected to the Hall of Fame for 2020.
• Simeon Rice: Defensive end Rice was named a 2020 semifinalist by the Modern Era committee. It is Rice's second time as a semifinalist; he also picked up the honor in 2018. Rice played for the Cardinals from 1996 to 2000. He was a 1999 Pro Bowl selection after recording a career-high 16.5 sacks and forcing five fumbles. In five seasons with Arizona, he had 51.5 sacks and 225 total tackles.
• Don Coryell: Former coach Coryell has also been a five-time finalist in balloting by a selection committee, and many have argued for his inclusion in the Hall of Fame. Coryell coached the Cardinals for five seasons, and his team won the NFC East division titles in 1974 and '75. He posted a 42-27-1 record with the Cardinals, and he also led the Chargers to several postseason berths. He was again up for potential induction as the Hall of Fame inducted a special Centennial Class in 2020 for the NFL's 100th season. Coryell and another former coach, Buddy Parker, were both finalists but didn't make the cut.
• Larry Fitzgerald: As one of the best wide receivers ever to play for the Cardinals, Fitzgerald could be inducted one day soon. He is expected to be inducted as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
• Anquan Boldin: Boldin is another one of the best wide receivers ever to play for the franchise. Though he has a less-compelling argument for induction, he very easily could join the ranks.

Cardinals quarterback Blaine Gabbert (7) drops back to pass against the Cowboys during the first quarter at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in the 2017 NFL Hall of Fame Game.

Cardinals in Hall of Fame Games

The Cardinals have appeared in the annual Hall of Fame Game five times, posting a 1-3-1 record. Most notably, the Cardinals played the Giants in the inaugural Hall of Fame Game in 1962 and had a great matchup against the Cowboys in a 2017 loss.

1962: Cardinals 21, Giants 21

The Cardinals struggled out of the gate, allowing the Giants to take a 21–0 lead before even finding a first down on offense. St. Louis and first-year head coach Wally Lemm, however, made a furious comeback. Joe Childress scored on a two-yard run in the second quarter to trim the deficit. Sonny Randle caught an eight-yard touchdown pass out of halftime, and safety Larry Wilson picked up a fumble on New York's next play and rumbled into the end zone.

1974: Cardinals 21, Bills 13

Tensions were high as striking members of the NFL Players Association tried to disrupt the Hall of Fame exhibition game. Larry Stallings was the only veteran player from the Cardinals to cross the picket line and play in the game, which saw St. Louis control most of the matchup. Rookies and free agents played a clean game in front of 17,286 fans, while veterans and members of other unions protested outside the gate.

1986: Patriots 21, Cardinals 16

The Cardinals got just one touchdown—on a punt return of 91 yards by Vai Sikahema—but even with a handful of field goals, it wasn't enough to get past the Patriots. Rookie kicker John Lee, the first Korean-born player in the NFL, knocked in all three of his field goals (28, 39 and 25 yards) and an extra point.

2012: Saints 17, Cardinals 10

One year after the Hall of Fame was canceled for the first time due to a lockout, the Cardinals fell to the Saints in the first game of a quarterback competition between John Skelton and Kevin Kolb, who started but threw an interception and suffered minor injuries. The game also featured replacement officials, as the referees were locked out. Arizona punter Dave Zastudil booted a 79-yard punt, a Hall of Fame Game record.

2017: Cowboys 20, Cardinals 18

For the second time, the Cardinals were invited to the Hall of Fame Game a year after it was canceled. The 2016 edition was called off due to poor field conditions, and the Cowboys and the Cardinals thrilled in the 2017 version. New quarterback Blaine Gabbert—who was fighting for the backup role behind Carson Palmer—led a pair of long scoring drives early in the game for a 15–0 lead. Dallas stormed back for 10 points, then added a touchdown and field goal in the second half for the victory. Hall of Fame tight end Jackie Smith, who played 15 seasons with the Cardinals and one with the Cowboys, sang the National Anthem before the game.

New on SI: Best Head Coaches in Arizona Cardinals History

The Cardinals have had many head coaches throughout their 100-year history, and this article will explore the greatest leaders to ever roam the sidelines for the franchise.

Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians (left), who had a lengthy tenure with the Cardinals, greets Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury after a 2019 game.

Who Are the Greatest Head Coaches in Cardinals History?

The success or failure of an NFL franchise often rests on the shoulders of the team's head coach. The ultimate goal for any franchise's front office is to hire a head coach who can balance on-field and off-field responsibilities, and build a winning roster and playbook. The Cardinals have been in business for 100 years and have bounced around cities. They began as the Chicago Cardinals from 1920–59, then the St. Louis Cardinals from 1960–87, then the Phoenix Cardinals from 1988–93, and finally as the Arizona Cardinals since 1994. While their success has been limited, the team has hired several prominent head coaches.

The Cardinals won NFL championships in 1925 and '47, but playoff success was all but nonexistent again until the late 2000s. It was in 2008 that the Cardinals made the only Super Bowl appearance in franchise history, narrowly losing to the Steelers. In the mid-2010s, the Cardinals had another resurgence and had the greatest regular seasons in team history in both '14 and '15, and made the NFC championship game in '15. Naturally, the coaches from these great moments are among the best ever in franchise history.

Selection Criteria for This List

There were some difficult choices when it came to ranking the best head coaches in Cardinals history, as many of the top coaches have similar credentials. To help narrow things down, criteria used to make this list included:

• Legacy Honors (Hall of Fame, Ring of Honor, etc.)
• Coaching success (winning percentage, postseason appearances, etc.)
• Longevity (years spent with the Cardinals)

Only games coached with the Cardinals are factored into this list, so while Hall of Famer Curly Lambeau won six championships with the Packers, his 7–15 mark over two seasons with the Cardinals won't make the cut here. Let's count down my picks for the five best head coaches in Cardinals history!

5. John (Paddy) Driscoll

• Years Coached With the Cardinals: 1920–22
• Record: 17-8-4
• Legacy Honors: Cardinals Ring of Honor

In September of 1920, Driscoll signed with the Racine Cardinals, where he became head coach and quarterback. He lead the Cardinals through three successful seasons before focusing exclusively on being their quarterback.

In 1920, which is widely considered the inaugural season of the NFL, Driscoll became the first, first-team All-Pro quarterback, while leading the Cardinals to a 6-2-2 record and a fourth-place finish in the standings. After two more winning seasons, Driscoll surrendered coaching duties to his teammate, Arnie Horween. By helping establish the franchise as a contender, however, he put together the foundation that was needed for the Cardinals to claim the 1925 NFL championship.

Paddy Driscoll's Coaching Record With the Cardinals

Former Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians talks to quarterback Carson Palmer (3), during a 2017 game against the Lions.

4. Bruce Arians

• Years Coached With the Cardinals: 2013–17
• Record: 49-30-1
• Playoff Appearances: 2014–15
• Awards: AP Head Coach of the Year (2014)

After a successful tenure as the interim head coach of the Colts in 2012, the Cardinals signed Bruce Arians to a four-year contract for the 2013 season. Arians became the most successful first-year head coach in team history and then led the Cardinals to the postseason the following two seasons. He was just 1–2 in the playoffs but holds the franchise record with 49 career victories.

In 2012, the Cardinals finished last in the NFL in total offense. Bringing in Arians to turn around that performance was an easy decision. Arians was a long-time offensive coordinator who won a Super Bowl while coaching for the Steelers. By his third season, Arizona gained more offensive yards than any team in the league and was No. 2 in scoring offense. The team's 13–3 mark that year established a new franchise record, but for the second season in a row, the Cardinals failed to win the conference championship. That was the third year in a row that Arians had led the Cardinals to at least 10 victories, and made him the fourth head coach in franchise history to post three straight winning seasons. However, in the two seasons that followed, the Cardinals toiled around the .500 mark, and Arians retired after the 2017 season—though he came out of retirement to join Tampa Bay in 2019.

Bruce Arians' Coaching Record With the Cardinals

3. Ken Whisenhunt

• Years Coached With the Cardinals: 2007–12
• Record: 45–51
• Playoff Appearances: 2008–09

No one has coached more games for the Cardinals than Ken Whisenhunt—and he's also the only man to lead the Cardinals to the Super Bowl. Whisenhunt was at the helm for 96 games over six seasons with Arizona, and in 2008, led his team to Super Bowl XLIII. Though the Cardinals lost that game to the Steelers, the season is remembered as one of the best for the franchise. Arizona finished just 9–7 that season, sneaking into the playoffs as a division champion before reeling off three straight wins to claim the NFC championship. Whisenhunt finished his tenure with more victories than any other coach in franchise history (Bruce Arians surpassed him in 2017) and has coached more playoff games than anyone in team history (6).

The Cardinals gave Whisenhunt his first head coaching job. Whisenhunt had found success as an assistant coach, winning Super Bowl XL as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator. Arizona hoped Whisenhunt would establish some success for the franchise, which had just one winning season since coming to Phoenix in 1988, and one playoff victory since winning the 1947 NFL championship. The Cardinals came into the 2007 season after back-to-back 5–11 finishes, and Whisenhunt immediately boosted the team to a .500 record.

After getting Arizona into the Super Bowl the next season, Whisenhunt engineered another division championship in 2009 but took a loss in the second round of the postseason. Whisenhunt was unable to push the Cardinals back over .500 in each of the next three seasons, and he was fired after the 2012 season.

Ken Whisenhunt's Coaching Record With the Cardinals

2. Jimmy Conzelman

• Years Coached With the Cardinals: 1940–42, 1946–48
• Record: 31-31-3
• Playoff Appearances: 1947–48
• Championships: 1947
• Awards: Sporting News Coach of the Year (1947)
• Legacy Honors: Hall of Fame (1964), Cardinals Ring of Honor

The last head coach to lead the Cardinals to a championship was Jimmy Conzelman, who led his Chicago squad to the 1947 NFL title in his second stint as the team's head coach. Sub-par performances marked his first three seasons, and his Cardinals mustered just eight wins in that span. After transitioning to the MLB as a front office executive for the Browns from 1943–45, the Cardinals convinced Conzelman to return for a second stint as head coach. That is when he would inherit the famed "Million-Dollar Backfield" and turned the Cardinals into a serious championship contender.

Conzelman built a bruising offense around Hall of Fame running back Charley Trippi, beating the Eagles 28–21 and claiming the 1947 NFL title. The next season, the Cardinals went 11–1 in the regular season but lost to the Eagles in the championship game. The 7–0 loss is known for being played in a severe snowstorm. In January 1949, Conzelman abruptly resigned to focus on a post-football career in advertising, despite having a year left on his contract. In his resignation letter, Conzelman cited family reasons as a primary driver of his decision. "Jim's resignation was accepted reluctantly," team president Ray C. Benningsen said, "accepted only out of respect to his desire to retire to a life which will not make such great demands on him physically." (Chamberlain, 1949).

Jimmy Conzelman's Coaching Record With the Cardinals

1. Don Coryell

• Years Coached With the Cardinals: 1973–77
• Record: 42-27-1
• Playoff Appearances: 1974–75
• Awards: AP NFL Coach of the Year (1974)

In the 24 years between the last postseason appearance for the Cardinals in 1948 and another head coaching vacancy for the 1973 season, the franchise had finished with a winning record just eight times and placed last in the division in five seasons. Change was desperately desired by owner Bill Bidwell, and change is what they got by hiring long-time San Diego State head coach, Don Coryell. As an offensive guru, Coryell revitalized the Cardinals, pushing them to three straight 10-win seasons from 1974–76, and a pair of postseason appearances. He repaired a dormant offense that ranked near the bottom of the league in 1971 and ‘72.

At San Diego State, Coryell built a reputation as a winner. When he was hired by the Cardinals, his former player Jeff Staggs was already in St. Louis. “I’m just tickled to death that he’s with the Cardinals,” Staggs said. “I decided to go to San Diego State College because I was so impressed with his honesty. And everything he promised me he fulfilled. He has the players’ best interests foremost in his mind. His approach to the game is so professional” (Meyers, 1973).

After the Cardinals struggled in Coryell's first season at the helm, he transformed them into a winner known as the "Cardiac Cardinals." St. Louis won at least 10 games each of the next three seasons but couldn't find a victory in the playoffs. Still, his offensive philosophy turned players such as quarterback Jim Hart, return man and receiver Mel Gray, running back Jim Otis and offensive lineman Dan Dierdorf, into superstars. Coryell and the franchise had a falling out after a .500 finish in 1977. He became the head coach of the Chargers in 1978 and led them to four postseason appearances. Despite all of his successes, Coryell has not been enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

Don Coryell's Coaching Record With the Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury gives directions to rookie quarterback, Kyler Murray (1), in a 2019 game against the Lions. A former quarterback, Kingsbury has been entrusted to develop Murray into a star.

Honorable Mentions

The following head coaches left an indelible mark on Cardinals history, but didn't quite make the top five.

Jim Hanifan (1980–85)

Jim Hanifan is one of just three coaches in franchise history to coach for six seasons, but he only had one playoff appearance to show for it. That came in the strike-shortened 1982 season, but the Cardinals lost to the Packers in the opening round. His team went 8-7-1 the following season, and then just missed a playoff spot with a 9–7 mark in 1984. He was 39-49-1 overall, and those 89 games as head coach served as a franchise record until 2012.

Norman Barry (1925–26)

The architect of the first championship in Cardinals history was Norman Berry, who led Chicago to the best record in the NFL in 1925 (11-2-1). Berry posted a 16-8-2 record in two seasons. Following his career in the NFL, Barry became a lawyer, Illinois state senator and a judge.

Vince Tobin (1996–2000)

It was Vince Tobin who ended the franchise's 50-year drought without a playoff victory by knocking off the Cowboys in 1998. That was the only winning season of Tobin's tenure, however, he only put together a meager 28–43 record in 4 1/2 seasons.

How Many Head Coaches Have the Arizona Cardinals Had?

There have been 40 head coaches in the history of the Cardinals franchise, which has also played in Chicago, St. Louis, and Phoenix. There have been several seasons in team history when there were multiple co-coaches instead of one head coach.

Who Is the Current Head Coach of the Arizona Cardinals?

Kliff Kingsbury is currently the head coach of the Cardinals. He was hired on January 8, 2019, taking his first coaching job in the NFL after a lengthy tenure as the head coach of Texas Tech.

Arizona Cardinals Head Coach History

Works Cited

Chamberlain, C. "Jimmy Conzelman Quits as Cards' Grid Coach." The Decatur Herald. pp. 6. January 8, 1949. Retrieved from

Newspapers.com on March 3, 2020.

Meyers, J. “Coryell Promises Wide-Open Offense.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Pp. 1C-5C. January 19, 1973. Retrieved from Newspapers.com February 17, 2020.

New on SI: Top 10 Pittsburgh Steelers Rivals of All Time

Find out which NFL team is the Steelers' biggest rival, along with a few other teams that have made enemies of the mighty Steelers over the years. When Pittsburgh squares off against these rivals you are in for a game you won’t forget.

Steelers wide receiver James Washington stiff arms Bengals cornerback B.W. Webb on a touchdown catch and run in the third quarter of an NFL Week 12 game, Nov. 24, 2019, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh Steelers' Biggest Rivals

NFL rivalries are part of what makes professional football so exciting. As fans, we circle the dates on the game schedule when our favorite team will face off against a hated rival.

The players look forward to these matchups as well. Of course, every NFL team wants to defeat every opponent they play, but not all games are created equal. Players and coaches feel the heat when an archrival appears on the schedule. They are constantly reminded by the media, fans, and former players on how critical it is to win.

The Steelers have been around for over 80 years. The franchise has existed during multiple versions of the NFL (including a merger with another league) and has seen several division realignments. This has given them plenty of opportunity to rack up a long list of enemies.

In ranking the top 10 Steelers rivals of all time, it is helpful to break them down into three major groups, from least-heated to most-hated:

• NFC Rivals: The Steelers are in the AFC. That means NFC teams might see them in the regular season every few years, but they won’t face off against Pittsburgh in the playoffs unless both teams make it to the Super Bowl. However, as the Steelers are a franchise from the old pre-merger NFL, they have a history with some NFC teams that date back to the early days of the league. In some cases, Super Bowl meetings have established a heated rivalry.
• AFC Conference Rivals: As with NFC teams, whether or not Pittsburgh sees their conference rivals during the regular season depends on how the NFL schedule lines up. It is during the playoffs where these matchups become intense. Over the course of Steelers history, there have been a few teams that repeatedly get into Pittsburgh's way on their march to the Super Bowl. Sometimes the matchups come out in Pittsburgh’s favor, and other times not, but it is never boring.
• AFC Division Rivals: Each division in the NFL is comprised of four teams who meet twice per year in the regular season and might even face each other in the playoffs. The Steelers compete in the AFC North against three divisional opponents who each have their own storied history. These are the most-despised Steelers rivals and the teams Pittsburgh must dominate each season in order to make it to the playoffs.

As a fan, you learn to hate your team's rivals, but there is also a level of respect and admiration for the teams the Steelers have done battle with over the decades. It is the struggle against a worthy opponent that makes NFL football so exciting.

Please note that all records here are current as of the 2019 season.

Steelers wide receiver Damoun Patterson (83) makes a touchdown reception against Eagles cornerback Rasul Douglas (32) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.

10. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles, the Steelers' cross-state rivals, joined the NFL in 1933, the same year as the Steelers (who were then called the Pittsburgh Pirates). Both were expansion teams, and both came from a state where football was, and still is, highly revered.

Today, when the Steelers and Eagles face off in the regular season, it is a rare but heated matchup. Back in the early days of the NFL, they both battled for the NFL East, along with New York, Boston and Brooklyn.

The Steelers-Eagles rivalry continued until realignment in 1967, when the Eagles were assigned to the Capitol Division and the Steelers the Century Division. With the NFL/AFL merger of 1970, the two teams found themselves separated by an even greater divide when the Steelers moved over to the AFC.

In an interesting footnote to Steelers' history, the franchises actually joined forces during World War II. With many players away at war, neither organization had the personnel needed to field a full team. In 1943, the Phil-Pitt Eagles-Steelers Combine team took the field with the unofficial moniker "Steagles." The hybrid team went 5-4-1, marking the Eagles' first winning season, and the Steelers' second in team history.

Pennsylvania football fans look forward to the day when the Steelers and Eagles finally meet in the Super Bowl.

All-Time Record

• With 78 regular-season games played, the Eagles lead the series 47–28 with three ties between them.
• The Eagles defeated the Steelers once in the NFL playoffs.

Notable Games

• 1947 NFL Playoffs: The 8–5 Steelers lost to the 9–4 Eagles by a score of 21–0 when Philadelphia quarterback Tommy Thompson threw for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) scores on a one yard touchdown run past Cowboys linebacker Justin Durant (56) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field.

9. Dallas Cowboys

In the history of pro sports, there have been few rivalries as epic as that between the Cowboys and Steelers of the 1970s. The teams battled on the field in two Super Bowls, but in many ways, they competed for the hearts and minds of an entire country.

The Cowboys were America’s Team, with a U.S. Navy veteran and Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback, a linebacker called "Hollywood," a shining star on their helmets and pristine home whites. The Steelers were a blue-collar team, with a good ol’ southern boy at quarterback, a linebacker with no front teeth, the steelmark on their helmets and black jerseys.

The Cowboys joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1960. They had their first winning season in 1966 and continued with a streak of winning years that lasted through 1985. During the 1970s, they appeared in five Super Bowls (lost three and won two). A pair of those Super Bowl defeats came at the hands of the Steelers. The Steelers' victories over the Cowboys in Super Bowls X and XIII are among the greatest victories in Pittsburgh franchise history.

Fortunes fell for both the Cowboys and Steelers in the 1980s, but the rivalry rekindled in 1995 when the two teams once again met in the Super Bowl. This time the Cowboys had their revenge, defeating the Steelers 27–17.

All-Time Record

• In 29 regular-season games, the Cowboys hold a 16–13 advantage.
• In three Super Bowl meetings, the Steelers have won two.

Notable Games

• Super Bowl X: The Steelers beat the Cowboys 21–17. Pittsburgh wide receiver Lynn Swann hauled in four passes for 161 yards and a touchdown to take home the MVP award.
• Super Bowl XIII: Pittsburgh handed Dallas another defeat by a score of 35–31. Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns, while wideouts Lynn Swann and John Stallworth both had over 100 yards receiving.
• Super Bowl XXX: The Cowboys beat the Steelers 27–17, and held off a Steelers fourth-quarter comeback. Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman threw for 209 yards and a touchdown.

Steelers-Cowboys Super Bowls

Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) is tackled after a reception Broncos cornerback Chris Harris (25) in the second half at Broncos Stadium at Mile High.

8. Denver Broncos

The Broncos began as one of the original members of the AFL in 1960. When the AFL and NFL merged in 1970, they became part of the AFC, along with the Steelers.

It may not seem like the Broncos belong on a list of the Steelers' greatest rivals, but the Broncos have been a force to contend with in every decade. In the 1970s, it was their intimidating Orange Crush defense that stopped opponents in their tracks. In the '80s and '90s, it was elite quarterback John Elway leading them to victory. Even Tim Tebow managed to dash the Steelers' Super Bowl hopes during his short stint as Denver's quarterback.

It's true that this isn't the same kind of bitter feud that the Steelers have with some other teams around the league. However, the Steelers have faced the Broncos in the playoffs more than they have any other team, and more often than not the outcome has been heartbreak for the Steel City faithful.

All-Time Record

• In 24 regular-season matchups, the Broncos have a 15–8 advantage, with one tie.
• The Broncos have beaten the Steelers in five out of eight playoff games.

Notable Games

• 1977 AFC Divisional Playoff: The Broncos knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs by a score of 34–21 on their way to a Super Bowl XII loss to the Cowboys.
• 1978 AFC Divisional Playoff: The Steelers returned the favor of the previous year, beating the Broncos 33–10. The Steelers won their third Super Bowl that season by defeating another rival, the Cowboys.
• 1984 AFC Divisional Playoff: The Steelers defeated the Broncos 24–7 in what would be the last hurrah for the Pittsburgh dynasty of the ‘70s. The Steelers lost the AFC championship the next week.
• 1989 AFC Divisional Playoff: The Steelers lost a nail-biter to a Super Bowl-bound Broncos team by a score of 24–23. Pittsburgh running back Merril Hoge ran for 120 yards and a touchdown and hauled in eight passes for 60 yards in the losing effort.
• 1997 AFC Championship: The Broncos defeated the Steelers 24–21 on the way to the first of legendary Denver quarterback John Elway’s two Super Bowl swan songs. The Broncos racked up their first-ever Super Bowl victory against the Packers two weeks later.
• 2005 AFC Championship: An underdog Steelers team, led by second-year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and future Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis, upset the Broncos 34–17. The Steelers went on to win their fifth Super Bowl championship in franchise history.
• 2011 AFC Wild Card Game: The Broncos came out ahead of the Steelers in a 29–23 overtime contest. Broncos’ quarterback Tim Tebow went down in history as the unlikely hero of the game by connecting for a touchdown pass with receiver Demaryius Thomas on the first play of overtime.
• 2015 AFC Divisional Playoff: The Steelers dropped a 23–16 decision to a Peyton Manning-led Broncos team. Manning and a powerful Broncos defense brought home Denver’s third Lombardi Trophy several weeks later.

Steelers free safety Sean Davis (21) defends against Raiders wide receiver Marcell Ateman (88) during the third quarter at Oakland Coliseum.

7. Oakland Raiders

Few NFL teams have hated each other like the Raiders and Steelers of the 1970s. These were the two bullies of the NFL block, each believing they were the toughest around. When they came together, each team had something to prove.

Back then, and to some extent today, the Raiders had a reputation as the last stop for misfit football players that nobody else wanted. They were an original AFL team full of outlaws and outcasts and they liked it that way. The only thing owner Al Davis asked of them was to “just win, baby.”

The problem was, winning the Super Bowl back then usually meant going through Pittsburgh.

All-Time Record

• Oakland leads the 23-game regular season series 13–10.
• The Steelers and Raiders have split playoff matches with three wins apiece.

Notable Games

• 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff: The Raiders have the privilege of being the first team the Steelers ever defeated in the playoffs, even if it did require a little divine intervention. Down 7–6, the Steelers faced fourth-and-10 on their 40-yard line with 22 seconds left on the clock. Quarterback Terry Bradshaw dropped back to throw, but the Raiders' pass rush chased him out of the pocket. He scrambled right and heaved a pass down the center of the field toward running back John Fuqua. Raiders safety Jack Tatum collided with Fuqua just as the ball arrived, sending it careening back toward the Steelers’ line of scrimmage. Steelers back Franco Harris plucked it out of the air and raced into the end zone for the touchdown as the clock ran out, giving the Steelers a 13–7 victory. The play is known today as the "Immaculate Reception."
• 1973 AFC Divisional Playoff: The Raiders pummeled the Steelers 33–14, but would lose the AFC championship the next week to the Dolphins.
• 1975 AFC Championship: In a defensive struggle, the Steelers beat the Raiders 16–10 on the way to Super Bowl X, where they defeated the Cowboys.
• 1976 AFC Championship: The Raiders beat the Steelers 24–7. Two weeks later, the Raiders defeated the Vikings in Super Bowl XI.
• 1983 AFC Divisional Playoff: The Steelers lost to the Raiders by a score of 38–10, in a game where Raiders running back Marcus Allen ran for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Los Angeles went on to defeat Washington in the Super Bowl.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) lines up against the Steelers during the second half at Gillette Stadium.

6. New England Patriots

The Patriots are in the AFC East division, and for the better part of two decades, they have stood like a stone wall between Pittsburgh and the Super Bowl. The teams have clashed five times in the playoffs, and only once did the Steelers escape with a win. For 20 years it has been one of the most heated rivalries in sports, though a bit one-sided for Pittsburgh fans.

These days, quarterback Tom Brady gets a lot of credit for New England's success, but Pittsburgh's problems with the Pats started long before Brady arrived.

Before Brady, the Patriots had a quarterback named Drew Bledsoe who was pretty darned good himself. In nine seasons with the Pats, he threw for 29,657 yards and 166 touchdowns, and even led them to a Super Bowl appearance.

Bledsoe missed most of the 2001 season with an injury, which opened the door for the Brady-era in New England. If not for that turn of events there is a good chance Bledsoe would be wearing a few more of those New England Super Bowl rings.

Drew Bledsoe went on to play for five more productive seasons with the Bills and Cowboys. You probably already know what became of Tom Brady.

All-Time Record

• In 28 regular-season meetings, the Steelers hold a 15–13 advantage.
• In the playoffs, the Patriots have won four out of five games

Notable Games

• 1996 AFC Divisional Playoff: The Patriots and quarterback Drew Bledsoe beat the Steelers 28–3 on their way to a Super Bowl loss against the Packers.
• 1997 AFC Divisional Playoff: The Steelers squeaked passed the Patriots 7–6, only to lose the AFC championship to the Super Bowl-bound Broncos the following week.
• 2001 AFC Championship: The Patriots and a young Tom Brady beat the Steelers 24–17. Weeks later, Brady would win his first of many Super Bowl titles.
• 2004 AFC Championship: Brady and the Patriots put up 41 points and beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh yet again.
• 2016 AFC Championship: The Steelers dropped another championship game to the Patriots by the score of 36–17. Several weeks later, New England staged the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history to beat Atlanta.

Steelers tight end Vance McDonald (89) makes a touchdown catch over Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) during the second half at TIAA Bank Field.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

A pair of expansion teams joined the NFL in 1995: The Jaguars and the Panthers. As the AFC Central division only had four teams instead of five like most of the other divisions, the league placed the Jaguars in the AFC Central. Thus began one of the most frustrating rivalries in Steelers history.

It makes sense to assume an expansion franchise would struggle for their first few years in the league, but that didn’t happen with the Jaguars. They had a winning record their second season and made the playoffs. By their fourth season, they had won the division and by their fifth, they had made it to the AFC championship.

Needless to say, many Steelers fans were more than happy to see the Jags shipped off to the AFC South when the NFL realigned its divisions in 2002, but that hasn't stopped Jacksonville from irritating the Steelers in the playoffs.

All-Time Record

• The Steelers and Jaguars have split 24 regular-season meetings 12–12.
• The Jaguars have gotten the best of the Steelers in the playoffs, 2–0.

Notable Games:

• 2007 AFC Wild Card Game: The Steelers lost to the Jags 31–29 in a game where Ben Roethlisberger threw three interceptions. Jacksonville lost to New England the following week.
• 2017 AFC Divisional Playoff: The Steelers and Jaguars put up 87 points between them. Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 469 yards and five touchdowns in a heroic but losing effort. The Steelers again came up short and lost, 45–42.

Titans running back Akeem Hunt (35) dives for a loose ball during the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Steelers at Nissan Stadium.

4. Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans

The Cowboys weren’t the only dominant football team in Texas during the late 1970s. The Oilers, an AFC Central opponent of the Steelers, were a force to be reckoned with as well.

Powered by the legs of 230-pound running back Earl Campbell, the Oilers rolled to the AFC championship game in both 1978 and '79, only to be stopped dead by the Steelers.

The Oilers got their revenge throughout the 1980s and early ‘90s, with Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon at the helm of a crazy prototype of today’s wide open offenses which was then called the “run-and-shoot.”

While they made it to the playoffs seven times during Moon’s tenure, the Oilers didn't appear in the Super Bowl until the 1999 season. By then the franchise had relocated to Tennessee and changed their name to the Titans.

The Steelers battled the Oilers/Titans in the AFC Central until realignment in 2002.

All-Time Record

• In 74 regular-season meetings, the Steelers have a 43–31 advantage.
• In four playoff meetings, the Steelers are ahead 3–1.

Notable Games:

• 1978 AFC Championship: The Steelers beat the Oilers 34–5 on their way to an epic Super Bowl showdown with the Cowboys and their third Lombardi trophy.
• 1979 AFC Championship: Oilers running back Earl Campbell had rushed for 1,697 yards and an incredible 19 touchdowns during the 1979 season, but the Steelers defense held him to a paltry 15 yards on 17 carries in their second-straight championship-game matchup. The Steelers won 27–13.
• 1989 AFC Wild Card Game: The Oilers were hot in the late 1980s, and the Steelers were struggling. But Pittsburgh still had Houston’s number and managed to pull out a 26–23 win thanks to kicker Gary Anderson’s 50-yard field goal in overtime.
• 2002 AFC Divisional Playoff: The Titans defeated the Steelers 34–31 in another overtime stunner. Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair threw for 338 yards and two touchdowns during the contest.

Bengals offensive tackle Cordy Glenn (77) pass blocks against Steelers inside linebacker Mark Barron (26).

3. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals started out as an AFL team owned in part by Paul Brown, the co-founder and first coach of the Browns. With the AFL/NFL merger of 1970, the Bengals landed in the AFC Central division with the Steelers, and they have been archrivals ever since.

Through the '70s, the Steelers handled the Bengals with little difficulty. In the early '80s, Cincinnati changed their helmets and, apparently, their attitude. They appeared in two Super Bowls throughout the decade but were unable to emerge with a win in either.

After struggling through the '90s, the Bengals had a resurgence in the 2000s, first on the arm of quarterback Carson Palmer, and more recently thanks to quarterback Andy Dalton.

The 2019 season marked the 50th year the Bengals and Steelers have butted heads in one of the most hard-nosed divisions of the NFL. They’ve only met twice in the playoffs, but the results were two of the most brutal and controversy-packed post-season games in AFC history.

All-Time Record

• In 99 games, the Steelers lead the series 64–35.
• The Steelers have won both playoff matchups.

Notable Games

• 2005 AFC Wild Card Game: The Steelers defeated the Bengals in Cincinnati by a score of 31–17. The Bengals lost Pro Bowl quarterback Carson Palmer to a severe knee injury early in the game when Steelers defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen hit him low in an attempt to make a sack. Bengals fans were outraged, but the hit was legal at the time. The NFL changed the rules in the offseason and made diving at a quarterback’s knees illegal.
• 2015 AFC Wild Card Game: The Steelers pulled out an 18–16 win in a game they should have lost. Cincinnati led 16–15 with seconds left in a scuffle-ridden, hard-fought contest. While the Steelers struggled to move the ball as the clock ran down, Bengals defensive players Vontaze Burfict and Adam (Pacman) Jones rang up a pair of unconscionable personal fouls that gave Pittsburgh a free 30 yards and an easy field goal for the win.

Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) runs with the ball after a game-clinching interception against the Browns during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field.

2. Cleveland Browns

Number two on my list of the Steelers greatest rivals is the Browns. Like the Steelers, the Browns are an old-school NFL team, with origins that trace back to the AAFC. They joined the NFL in 1950 and have battled the Steelers ever since.

In those early days, the Browns fielded some powerful teams. They appeared in six straight NFL championship games from 1950 to '55 and won the title three of those years. With the exception of a losing season in 1956, and '70 when they went 7–7, the Browns posted a winning record every year until 1974.

And that was right around the time when the

Steelers Super Bowl dynasty of the 1970s was born. The Steelers dominated the ‘70s, but the Browns resurged with some strong teams in the late 1980s.

Today, excluding a 10–6 record in 2007, the Browns have not had a winning season since 2003. And, despite all of their early NFL championships, they are one of only four current NFL teams that have never been to the Super Bowl.

No matter their records, when the Browns face the Steelers, nothing is taken for granted. The Steelers have battled the Browns in the regular season more than any other opponent in history.

All-Time Record

• In 134 regular-season games, the Steelers lead the series 74–59, with one tie.
• The Steelers met the Browns twice in the playoffs, winning both times.

Notable Games

• 1994 AFC Divisional Playoff: The Steelers beat the Browns 29–9 in a game where Pittsburgh running backs plowed their way for 238 rushing yards. The Steelers lost the AFC championship game to San Diego the following week.
• 2002 Wild Card Game: Pittsburgh won 36–33 thanks to the arm of quarterback Tommy Maddox who threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns.

Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) runs past Ravens linebacker L.J. Fort (58) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.

1. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have only been around since 1996, so how could they possibly rank higher than the Browns and the Bengals on a list of the Steelers' greatest rivals? Because the Ravens are actually the Browns, sort of.

In 1995, Browns owner Art Modell made the fateful decision to move his team out of Cleveland. For many football fans, this was outrageous. (There are few fan bases in the country more dedicated than Browns fans). Even Steelers fans sympathized. It was heartbreaking to see your biggest rival and life-long nemesis disappear in the blink of an eye.

Modell moved the team to Baltimore, another city with a passion for football, a city that had watched its beloved Colts abscond to Indianapolis eleven years earlier. But an agreement was reached to leave the Browns team name, team colors, and franchise records in Cleveland. Thus, the Browns became the Ravens, a new franchise with old roots.

For three seasons, there was a Browns-shaped hole in the NFL, until the league awarded Cleveland an expansion team. The Browns returned to the field in 1999, an old NFL franchise starting anew.

It didn’t take long for Steelers fans to hate the Ravens as much as they hated the Browns, if not more. While the Browns name may have stayed in Cleveland, the players were the same and the rivalry didn't miss a beat. When the Browns returned in 1999, the Steelers found themselves with two bitter rivals where before there was one.

All-Time Record

• Pittsburgh has the edge in 48 all-time matchups by the score of 25–23.
• The Steelers hold a 3–1 advantage in playoff meetings.

Notable Games:

• 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff: Pittsburgh beat the Ravens 27–10 on a pair of touchdown runs by Amos Zereoue and a 32-yard touchdown pass from Kordell Stewart to Plaxico Burress.
• 2008 AFC Championship: The Steelers defeated the Ravens 23–14 en route to Super Bowl XLIII and their sixth Lombardi Trophy.
• 2010 AFC Divisional Playoff: Pittsburgh beat Baltimore 31–24 in a game where the Steelers defense held the Ravens to 126 total yards of offense.
• 2014 Wild Card Game: The Ravens sacked Ben Roethlisberger five times and beat the Steelers 30–17.

Who Is the Pittsburgh Steelers' Biggest Rival?

The Ravens are currently the Steelers biggest rival in the NFL. Like the Steelers, the Ravens pride themselves on strong defense, intimidation and toughness. These are two teams that just don't like each other. They battle for first place in the AFC North almost every season, and whenever they meet you can bet you will see a hard-hitting contest (and possibly a fight or two).

Steelers vs. AFC North Opponents

Steelers NFL Rivalries

Rivalries are part of what makes NFL football so exciting. As Steelers fans, our team gives us an identity. We weren't drafted, we never went to spring workouts, we didn't attend training camp, and we won't be stepping on the field this Sunday. Nevertheless, we put on our team colors and we feel like we are part of the team.

We are Steeler Nation.

If you have been a Steelers fan for long, you've seen some incredible games and some powerful opponents. While it seems like it would be fantastic to win every game by 70 points, that would get old soon enough. Super Bowl trophies are wonderful, but it is the struggle that forges the memories.

So, here's to the Steelers' greatest rivals. Let the Ravens, Browns, and Bengals remain worthy adversaries for decades to come.

Statistical Reference

• Pro Football Reference

New on SI: NFL Adds More Stringent COVID-19 Protocols Ahead of Week 5

The NFL continues to add additional COVID-19-related protocols as the 2020 season progresses.

The NFL released an additional list of stringent COVID-19-related protocols on Tuesday to teams across the league,

adding to an existing list of exhaustive procedures. 

According to the memo, as obtained by The MMQB's Albert Breer, teams must keep all surveillance camera video of their facilities and practice areas for at least 30 days; players and staff must sit no more than 10 feet from each other while eating and drinking; and teams must have a minimum of five buses available for travel, up from two previously. 

Additionally, on the topic of face coverings, all Tier 1 and Tier 2 members, excluding players, must wear masks on game day.

On Monday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a different memo to clubs pertaining to added COVID-19 protective measures. The memo describes the use of a video monitoring system to ensure compliance with the league's mandate that team personnel wear personal protective equipment at all times while in a team facility or traveling.

Teams were also given a reminder that they must follow the health and safety protocols already in place or risk the financial consequences and competitive imbalance that would come from missing games.

On Monday, the league levied fines against 10 members of the Las Vegas Raiders after players from the club failed to wear facial coverings while attending a fundraising event hosted by tight end Darren Waller.

Following a COVID-19 outbreak in the Titans organization, which saw at least 18 members of the organization test positive for the coronavirus, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the NFL and NFLPA are investigating whether the team violated the league's virus-related protocols.

On Saturday, Patriots quarterback Cam Newton and Chiefs practice squad quarterback Jordan Ta'amu reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, which caused the league to reschedule the Week 4 contest from last Sunday to this past Monday.

Last Thursday, the NFL also implemented a series of enhanced protocols for teams to follow after exposure to COVID-19.

According to the memo that was distributed to clubs, as obtained by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, in addition to daily PCR testing, all players and tier one and tier two individuals must also receive a daily POC test and test negative before entering the facility and taking part in daily activities. The testing includes PCR and POC tests on game days. 

All meetings must occur virtually, gloves should be worn on-field by players except quarterbacks and team weight rooms will be limited to no more than 10 players at any time, among other enhanced precautions for teams exposed to the coronavirus. 

New on SI: NFL Takes Over Investigation Into Washington Football Team

The team launched the investigation after allegations of sexual harassment within the workplace were reported in July.

The NFL has taken over the investigation into allegations of sexual harassment within the Washington Football Team's workplace.

Owner Dan Snyder confirmed the decision in a statement, saying he suggested the move to commissioner Roger Goodell. 

"Recently, The Washington Football Team launched an independent third-party investigation into allegations about our culture and incidents of harassment. In conversations with Commissioner Goodell, Tanya and I suggested that the NFL assume full oversight of the investigation so that the results are thorough, complete and trusted by the fans, the players, our employees and the public," Snyder said in a statement,

via ESPN's Adam Schefter. "I appreciate Commissioner Goodell agreeing to our suggestion and the entire Washington Football Team remains committed to fully cooperating with all aspects of the investigation."

Attorney Beth Wilkinson, who is conducting the investigation, will now report to the NFL instead of the team. Washington hired Wilkinson following a report from The Washington Post last month that included 15 former female employees of the team describing their experiences with sexual harassment within the organization. Last week, the Post published another report alleging a former senior executive instructed employees to create a behind-the-scenes video for Snyder, featuring outtakes of partially nude team cheerleaders from a 2008 team swimsuit calendar shoot. Snyder later denied the allegations.

"While I was unaware of these allegations until they surfaced in the media, I take full responsibility for the culture of our organization," Snyder said in a statement. "Even before today's article, I have begun taking any and all steps necessary to ensure that the Washington Football Team is an organization that is diverse, inclusive and respectful of all."

Between its two stories, The Post interviewed 40 female employees about being sexual harassed in the workplace.

Attorneys Lisa Banks and Debra Katz, who represent over 12 former Washington employees, demanded last week that the NFL should launch its own independent investigation into the allegations and suspend Snyder pending the outcome of the probe. They also asked for Snyder's removal as majority owner if the investigation substantiates the claims.

In a statement, the Washington firm Katz, Marshall and Banks said Snyder will "release employees or former employees from any non-disclosure agreement for purposes of speaking with the investigators."

New on SI: Detroit Lions Hall of Fame Players: A Complete History

There are 21 former Lions enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, including 15 who played most of their career in the Motor City.

Lions Hall of Famers Lem Barney, Joe Schmidt and Barry Sanders (left to right) stand on the field before a 2019 game at Ford Field.

How Many Lions Are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

As one of the oldest teams in the NFL, the Lions have developed some of the best players to ever grace a professional football field. As of the 2020 induction ceremonies, there are 21 individuals enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, who spent at least one season with the Lions (6% of the 346 individuals inducted). Among them, 15 played a significant portion of their career in Detroit.

Included on this list are one of the greatest running backs to ever play in the NFL, four standout defenders who played at least 11 seasons with the Lions and numerous players who helped lead Detroit to three championships during the 1950s. With titles in 1952, '53 and '57, that decade proved to be the greatest dynasty in Lions history. Seven of Detroit's Hall of Famers were prominently featured on those championship teams.

What follows is a list of every Hall of Famer who has played at least one game for the Lions. The players are listed in order by the number of seasons each spent in the Motor City.

Including his coaching years, linebacker Joe Schmidt is the longest-tenured member among Lions Hall of Famers. He won championships in 1953 and ‘57.

Joe Schmidt

• Position: Linebacker, coach
• College: Pittsburgh
• Seasons Played: 1953–65
• Seasons With the Lions: 1953–65
• Seasons Coached: 1966–72
• Seasons Coached With the Lions: 1966–72
• Year Inducted: 1973
• Stats: 24 interceptions, 3 defensive TDs
• Awards: NFL Defensive MVP (1960, '63), NFL Lineman of the Year ('57)
• Legacy Honors: NFL Top 100 All-Time Team, NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
• All-Pro: 1954–62
• Pro Bowl: 1954–63

During a 13-year playing career with the Lions, Joe Schmidt was among the best defenders in the league and revolutionized the middle linebacker position. With 10 straight Pro Bowl and nine straight All-Pro selections, Schmidt burst onto the scene—despite being selected as a seventh-round draft pick. He didn't miss a start throughout his first seven years in the league, and his prowess in the middle of the field helped the Lions finish in the top three in scoring defense in three of those seasons. Detroit also won a pair of NFL championships during his tenure.

In 1955, Schmidt tied the NFL record by recovering eight fumbles lost by his opponents (the mark was broken in 1963), and his 17 career fumble recoveries are tied for the most in team history among defenders. He set his career high with six interceptions in 1958, a nice continuation of his postseason success in 1957. That year, he intercepted a pass in playoff wins over the 49ers and the Browns, which helped bring the Lions their third NFL championship in six seasons.

Schmidt sustained a shoulder injury in the 1960 preseason, which forced him to miss the first games in his career. Once he came back to the field, however, he returned an interception for the first touchdown of his career. Over his final five seasons, Schmidt started every game of a campaign three times, and in both 1961 and '65 he had four interceptions.

He announced his retirement in March 1966 and joined the team as an assistant coach. The next season, he was promoted to head coach and was involved in the drafting of multiple future Hall of Famers. Schmidt had a 43-34-7 record in Detroit and led the team to the playoffs in 1970. By the end of his coaching tenure in 1972, he had served the Lions for 20 straight seasons.

Former Lions defensive back Dick LeBeau served as the defensive coordinator for the Titans during the 2017 season. Between his playing days with the Lions and his seasons as a coach, LeBeau spent 59 years in the NFL.

Dick LeBeau

• Position: Defensive back
• College: Ohio State
• Seasons Played: 1959–72
• Seasons With the Lions: 1959–72
• Year Inducted: 2010
• Stats: 62 interceptions, 3 TDs
• All-Pro: 1964–65, '70
• Pro Bowl: 1964–66

Dick LeBeau spent 14 seasons as a defensive back for the Lions. Despite season after season of strong play, he is remembered just as much for his time as a defensive coordinator. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 1959 NFL Draft by the Browns but was cut in the preseason. LeBeau then came to Detroit, and by 1960, he was slated in the starting lineup and rarely missed time until he retired in 1972.

LeBeau became a ball-hawking defensive back, intercepting at least four passes in all but one season between 1960 and '71—which included a career-high nine in 1970. His career total of 62 is tied for 10th in NFL history and stands as the team's all-time record. In four separate seasons, he snared a pair of interceptions in two different games.

Following his playing career, LeBeau revolutionized NFL defenses by perfecting the zone blitz as a defensive coordinator. When he retired from coaching in 2017, he had spent 59 straight seasons in the NFL.

Alex Karras is interviewed by a reporter from the Detroit Free Press in 1957. He is the most recent Lions player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Alex Karras

• Position: Defensive tackle
• College: Iowa
• Seasons Played: 1958–62, 1964–70
• Seasons With the Lions: 1958–62, 1964–70
• Year Inducted: 2020
• Stats: 16 fumble recoveries, 4 interceptions
• Legacy Honors: NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
• All-Pro: 1960–61, ‘65
• Pro Bowl: 1960–62, ‘65

Many Detroit fans long asked the question, "Is Alex Karras in the Hall of Fame?" As of 2020, they can finally answer that question with a resounding, "Yes!" He was inducted as part of that year's Centennial Class.

Karras had all the qualifications expected of a Hall of Famer, but some off-the-field concerns are believed to have left him out of Canton for so many years. He was suspended in 1963 due to gambling—a negative mark on his stellar on-field record that saw him make four Pro Bowls and earn seven first- or second-team All-Pro selections from the Associated Press.

He was credited with 97.5 sacks in his 12-year career, even though sacks weren’t an official statistic when he played.

Lions Hall of Famer Lem Barney arrives at the 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

Lem Barney

• Position: Cornerback
• College: Jackson State
• Seasons Played: 1967–77
• Seasons With the Lions: 1967–77
• Year Inducted: 1992
• Stats: 56 interceptions, 10 total TDs
• Awards: Defensive Rookie of the Year (1967)
• Legacy Honors: Pride of the Lions
• All-Pro: 1968–69
• Pro Bowl: 1967–69, 1972–73, 1975–76

Throughout 11 seasons with the Lions, Lem Barney was among the best defensive backs in the NFL. With multiple interceptions every season, he is remembered as one of the best defenders in Lions history. He is also tied for 18th all-time in NFL history for career interceptions.

Barney was a second-round draft pick in 1967, and he made an immediate contribution for the Lions. He intercepted Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr in the first quarter of his debut and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown. After four weeks, Barney already had six interceptions for the 3-0-1 Lions. He'd cool considerably in the middle of the season, but then he electrified a home crowd with three interceptions in the season finale. That showing gave him an NFL-leading 10 interceptions on the season, which he returned for a league-best 232 yards and three touchdowns. Those touchdowns remain a single-season franchise record.

In 1968, Barney led the NFL with five fumble recoveries and also added another seven interceptions. Over the next two seasons, he had 15 more interceptions. By the end of his career, he had snared 56 interceptions, which ranks second on Detroit's all-time list. His 1,077 interception return yards and seven touchdowns are both franchise records, and he is also tied for the all-time team lead among defenders with 17 career fumble recoveries.

Yale Lary

• Position: Defensive back, punter
• College: Texas A&M
• Seasons Played: 1952–53, 1956–64
• Seasons With the Lions: 1952–53, 1956–64
• Year Inducted: 1979
• Stats: 50 interceptions, 503 punts for 22,279 yards
• Legacy Honors: NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
• All-Pro: 1956–59, 1962–63
• Pro Bowl: 1953, 1956–62, '64

After being taken as a third-round draft pick in 1952, Yale Lary was a dependable defender and punter for the Lions for more than a decade. Other than missing two seasons due to military service, he played in all but seven games throughout an 11-year career. He grabbed at least two interceptions every season as a safety, while doubling as the team's punter. He led the NFL in punting average in three seasons.

In his first two seasons, he helped the Lions win the NFL championship, and he picked up a third title in 1957. In each of those seasons, Detroit defeated Cleveland for the league crown. Following his military service in 1954 and '55, Lary returned to the Lions and had his best season. In 1956, he intercepted a career-high eight passes and returned one for a 73-yard touchdown. He was joined in the defensive backfield at times throughout his career by three other Hall of Famers.

Known as one of the greatest punters in the history of the league, Lary had an average of 44.3 yards on 503 punts, and he booted a punt at least 60 yards in all but two seasons. He's ranked 32nd all-time in punting average, but when he retired, he was second only to fellow Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh. Among players whose careers began before 2000, he is ranked third. Lary led the NFL in punting average in 1959 (47.1 yards per punt), '61 (48.4 YPP) and '63 (48.9 YPP). His mark from 1963 is tied for the 16th-best mark in NFL history.

Lou Creekmur was a standout offensive lineman who helped the Lions claim NFL championships in 1952, ‘53 and ‘57.

Lou Creekmur

• Position: Offensive lineman
• College: William & Mary
• Seasons Played: 1950–59
• Seasons With the Lions: 1950–59
• Year Inducted: 1996
• Legacy Honors: Pride of the Lions
• All-Pro: 1951–57
• Pro Bowl: 1950–57

Lou Creekmur was nothing if not durable. He happened to be a pretty good offensive lineman, too. As a sturdy force up front for the Lions during the 1950s, Creekmur never missed a practice. Nor did he ever miss a preseason, regular season or postseason game during the first nine years of his 10-year career—all while helping Detroit win championships in 1952, '53 and '57. Despite that and his many All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections, it took 32 years for him to finally win election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Creekmur began his career as an offensive guard, but he switched to left tackle after two seasons and dominated that side of the line for many years. He was a 26th-round draft pick of the Eagles in 1948, but Creekmur elected to keep playing in college. The Lions acquired his rights in 1950, and they watched him block for several high-flying offenses. From 1950 to '57, the Lions never finished worse than fifth in total offense, and only twice did they finish outside the top five in scoring offense.

Toward the end of 1958, Creekmur announced he would be retiring at the end of what would become only the second losing season during his career. When the Lions began the 1959 season at 0–4, they summoned Creekmur—who returned for the final eight games of the season to help salvage a 3-8-1 record.

Barry Sanders carries the ball during a game against the Washington Football Team. He is the most prolific running back in franchise history with 15,269 rushing yards.

Barry Sanders

• Position: Running back
• College: Oklahoma State
• Seasons Played: 1989–98
• Seasons With the Lions: 1989–98
• Year Inducted: 2004
• Stats: 15,269 rushing yards, 99 TDs
• Awards: Offensive Rookie of the Year (1989), NFL MVP (1997), NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1994, '97), Bert Bell Award (1991, '97)
• Legacy Honors: NFL All-Time 100 Team, NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
• All-Pro: 1989–98
• Pro Bowl: 1989–98

Sanders burst onto the scene as a rookie after being selected with the third pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. Despite missing training camp due to a contract dispute, he finished 11 yards shy of the league rushing title to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Sanders closed his season with a 158-yard, three-touchdown showing against the Falcons. He'd lead the league in rushing in 1990 and then have a breakout season in '91.

Sanders eclipsed the 1,500-yard rushing mark for the first time that season while adding a 220-yard, four-touchdown game against the Vikings. Detroit won 12 games in 1991, and Sanders helped the Lions to their only playoff victory since 1957. He'd again lead the league in rushing in 1994, '96 and '97, which is when he became the third player in history to rush for at least 2,000 yards in a season. He had 10 games with at least 100 yards in 1994, and that included a career-high 237-yard effort against the Buccaneers.

The best season during Sanders's career was his MVP season of 1997. He gained 2,053 yards and rushed for at least 100 yards in the last 14 games of the season to set an NFL record. Included in that stretch were a pair of games with more than 200 yards, and he added 11 touchdowns during the year. It was the fourth straight season for Sanders with at least 1,500 rushing yards—no other player in league history has accomplished the feat. He nearly added a fifth such season when he gained 1,491 yards on a league-high 343 carries in 1998.

Charlie Sanders (88) leaps for a one-handed catch against the Chiefs. Sanders was among the first tight ends to play a significant role in the passing offense.

Charlie Sanders

• Position: Tight end
• College: Minnesota
• Seasons Played: 1968–77
• Seasons With the Lions: 1968–77
• Year Inducted: 2007
• Stats: 4,817 receiving yards, 31 TDs
• Legacy Honors: NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
• All-Pro: 1969–71
• Pro Bowl: 1968–71, 1974–76

In 1968, in a third-round draft selection, the Lions found a player who would be their starting tight end for the next 10 seasons: Charlie Sanders. As a dependable blocker and adequate receiver, Sanders was among the NFL's premier players at his position throughout the 1970s. It's likely he would have played longer, but a severe knee injury ended his career before the 1977 season. After retirement, he stayed with the Lions as a scout, coach and broadcaster.

Playing in an era when tight ends were relied on as blockers more so than pass catchers, Sanders helped evolve the position with at least 40 catches in each of his first three seasons. He retired with the team record of 336 receptions, which wasn't broken until Herman Moore eclipsed the mark in 1996—while being coached by Sanders. He's now seventh all-time in team history, but he still has the most receptions, yards (4,817) and touchdowns (31) by a Detroit tight end.

Sanders was the only rookie selected to the Pro Bowl for the 1968 season, and he'd go on to make six more appearances. He closed his rookie season with a career-high 10 catches for 133 yards against the Washington Football Team, and in 1974 he had his career-best yardage total of 146 in a win over the Packers.

Bobby Layne is among the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the Lions. He was the offensive leader on three NFL championship teams.

Bobby Layne

• Position: Quarterback
• College: Texas
• Seasons Played: 1948–62
• Seasons With the Lions: 1950–58
• Year Inducted: 1967
• Stats: 26,768 passing yards, 196 TDs
• Awards: NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions, Lions No. 22 Retired
• All-Pro: 1952, '54, '56, 1958–59
• Pro Bowl: 1951–53, '56, 1958–59

Bobby Layne played for four different NFL teams, but many of his best seasons came during the nine years he spent with the Lions. There was, however, a lot of travel in the two years leading up to his acquisition. Originally drafted by the Steelers in 1948, Layne was then traded to the Bears after the draft. Going into the 1949 season, he was sent to the Bulldogs. When he finally arrived in Detroit in 1950, Layne began to develop into a Hall of Fame quarterback.

Layne's passing offenses finished no worse than sixth in the NFL standings while in Detroit, and he helped engineer NFL championship wins in 1952, '53 and '57 (though he did not play in the 1957 title game due to a broken leg). In 1950, Layne led the NFL in passing attempts and yardage, and during the next season, he paced the NFL in attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns. He was steady over the next five seasons, keeping his passing yards between 1,800 and 2,100 each year.

In 1950, Layne threw for 374 yards against the Bears for his top passing performance with the Lions. During his time in Detroit, Layne had three games where he threw four touchdowns. He had a 53-29-2 record with the Lions, and his 15,710 passing yards and 118 touchdowns stood as team records for more than 50 years. Layne struggled in the postseason, however, throwing 12 interceptions to one touchdown, but he did secure a 3–1 record.

Alex Wojciechowicz

• Position: Center, linebacker
• College: Fordham
• Seasons Played: 1938–50
• Seasons With the Lions: 1938–46
• Year Inducted: 1968
• Stats: 19 interceptions
• Legacy Honors: NFL 1940s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions, Polish Sports Hall of Fame (1975)
• All-Pro: 1939, '44

Alex Wojciechowicz was a first-round draft pick of the Lions in 1938, and he became a regular on the team's offense and defense for the next nine seasons. He played in 86 games for Detroit as a rare two-way player. Defensively as a linebacker, he scored his only career touchdown in 1940 on one of his 14 interceptions with the Lions. Included in that total were seven in 1944, which was Detroit’s single-season record for several years, and his career total was a franchise record until the 1950s. He also served as the team's center. Because of his two-way status, he was known as “Iron Man.”

He was released with two other Lions players following a 0–3 start to the 1946 season, and he was purchased by the Eagles two days later. Wojciechowicz, who became exclusively a linebacker, went on to win a pair of NFL championships in Philadelphia.

Dutch Clark was a player-coach for the Lions in 1937 and '38.

Dutch Clark

• Position: All-Purpose
• College: Colorado College
• Seasons Played: 1931–32, 1934–38
• Seasons With the Lions: 1931–32, 1934–38
• Seasons Coached: 1937–42, '49
• Seasons Coached With the Lions: 1937–38
• Year Inducted: 1963
• Stats: 1,507 passing yards, 2,772 rushing yards, 36 rushing TDs
• Legacy Honors: NFL Top 100 All-Time Team, NFL 1930s All-Decade Team, Associated Press Player of the Decade (1930s), Pride of the Lions, Lions No. 7 Retired
• All-Pro: 1931–32, 1934–37

Dutch Clark, also known as "The Flying Dutchman," was among the most popular football figures in the 1930s. As a versatile offensive force, Clark regularly scored touchdowns as a quarterback, running back and receiver. Not only that, he was a league-leading kicker in several seasons. While the Lions do not officially retire numbers, there was a ceremony held on Oct. 15, 1939, to honor Clark—and no one has worn his No. 7 since.

Clark's NFL career began when he was granted a leave from his coaching duties at Colorado College in 1931. In two seasons with the Portsmouth Spartans—who relocated to Detroit and became the Lions in 1934—Clark became an All-Pro talent, but he elected to return to college coaching at the Colorado School of Mines in 1933. He returned to the NFL with the Lions right before the 1934 season and became a superstar. He led the league in rushing touchdowns in 1934, '36 and '37. In 1935 and '36, he paced the NFL in total points scored, and he helped lead the Lions to the 1935 league championship.

Clark played 75 games and amassed 2,772 rushing yards, 1,507 passing yards and 341 receiving yards. He scored 42 total touchdowns and kicked 72 extra points and 15 field goals for 369 career points. In two seasons as player-coach of the Lions, Clark had back-to-back 7–4 records in 1937 and ‘38. He was one of 11 players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s inaugural induction class.

Jack Christiansen was a defensive back and return specialist for the Lions throughout an eight-year career.

Jack Christiansen

• Position: Safety
• College: Colorado A&M
• Seasons Played: 1951–58
• Seasons With the Lions: 1951–58
• Year Inducted: 1970
• Stats: 46 interceptions, 3 TDs
• Awards: NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
• All-Pro: 1952–57
• Pro Bowl: 1953–57

Jack Christiansen was a steady hand in the secondary for the Lions after being taken as a sixth-round draft pick in 1951. He worked his way into the starting lineup as a rookie, and he became one of several Hall of Famers in Detroit's defense to hold down opponents in the 1950s. He led the league in interceptions twice, and he held the NFL record with eight punt returns for touchdowns when he retired in 1958. He remains tied for fourth all-time.

As a rookie, Christiansen established a still-standing NFL record by returning four punts for touchdowns, and three other players have since accomplished the same feat. Christiansen needed just two games to establish the record, scoring twice against both the Rams and the Packers. After helping the Lions win the NFL championship in 1952, Christiansen had a breakout season the following year. He matched the franchise record with 12 interceptions and added three fumble recoveries on the way to another championship.

Christiansen remained a standout and broke out again in 1957, when he led the league with 10 interceptions and picked up his third championship with the Lions. He briefly held the franchise's career record for interceptions with 46, and he is now fourth all-time. Following his retirement in 1958, he coached in the NFL for 25 years.

Dick "Night Train" Lane

• Position: Cornerback
• College: Scottsbluff J.C.
• Seasons Played: 1952–65
• Seasons With the Lions: 1960–65
• Year Inducted: 1974
• Stats: 68 interceptions, 6 TDs
• Legacy Honors: NFL 100 Team, NFL 75th Anniversary Team, NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
• All-Pro: 1955, '56, '58, 1961–63
• Pro Bowl: 1954–56, '58, 1960–62

After establishing himself as one of the best defensive players in the NFL, Dick "Night Train" Lane came to the Lions to close his career. Lane was traded to the Lions in the 1960 preseason, and he quickly established the fans' trust by racking up four interceptions through six games, making him a favorite for six seasons. A major knee injury took its toll over the last two years of his career—but even today, he is still regarded as one of the best defensive backs ever to play professionally.

In his first season with the Lions, Lane intercepted Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas and returned it for an 80-yard touchdown. Two games later, he picked off two passes against the 49ers. In the opening games of the 1961 and '63 seasons, Lane had two interceptions to set each of those campaigns into positive motion. After 20 interceptions in four seasons, Lane's career was derailed starting in 1964. He'd play just seven games each of the next two seasons after a knee injury.

Known as one of the most ferocious tacklers of all time, Lane was the only Lions' player represented on the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team, which was revealed in 1994. In 66 games with the Lions, he intercepted 21 passes and returned them 272 yards. He also recovered four fumbles. Following his retirement, he remained with the team through 1972 as a special assistant to Lions owner William Clay Ford.

Running back Doak Walker had a short career, but he was an offensive weapon for two Lions championship teams.

Doak Walker

• Position: Running back, kicker
• College: SMU
• Seasons Played: 1950–55
• Seasons With the Lions: 1950–55
• Year Inducted: 1986
• Stats: 1,520 rushing yards, 2,539 receiving yards, 534 points
• Awards: Rookie of the Year (1950)
• Legacy Honors: Pride of the Lions, Lions No. 37 Retired
• All-Pro: 1950–51, 1953–54
• Pro Bowl: 1950–51, 1953–55

Doak Walker did a little bit of everything for the Lions. As an All-American and Heisman Trophy winner as a running back at SMU, Walker came into the NFL with high expectations. And while his statistics weren't necessarily eye-popping, his versatility made him a valuable commodity to a team that would win a pair of NFL championships during his tenure.

As a rookie, Walker had 920 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns, while adding eight field goals and 38 extra points. By involving himself in so many aspects of the game, he helped the Lions finish in the top five in total offense every season he played and in scoring offense in all but the 1955 season. He led the league with 43 extra points in both 1951 and '54, and he booted a career-high 12 field goals in 1953.

He retired after just six seasons to pursue other business interests, and he was immediately honored by the team. His jersey number became the second ever to be unofficially retired by the Lions, but he didn't make it to the Hall of Fame for three more decades.

Bust of Lions legend Dick Stanfel, 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

Dick Stanfel

• Position: Offensive guard
• College: San Francisco
• Seasons Played: 1952–58
• Seasons With the Lions: 1952–55
• Year Inducted: 2016
• Awards: NFL 1950s All-Decade Team, Pride of the Lions
• All-Pro: 1953–54, 1956–58
• Pro Bowl: 1953, 1955–58

Dick Stanfel played the first four years of a seven-year career with the Lions, helping pave the way for a prolific offense that won a pair of NFL championships. The offensive guard was selected with the 19th pick of the 1951 NFL Draft, but he was unable to play that season due to a knee injury he sustained in a college All-Star game. Once he recovered, however, Stanfel became one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL.

He helped the 1952 Lions to the NFL championship by blocking for the NFL's No. 2 offense. The following season, he was named the team's MVP as the Lions held the No. 3 rushing attack on the way to a second straight title. He missed several games in 1954 due to a back injury but still contributed to the NFL's No. 1 scoring offense. The next year, he sustained a spinal injury as the Lions fell to their first losing season since 1949, and he was traded to the Washington Football Team. He made three straight Pro Bowl appearances in Washington and later spent 31 seasons as an assistant coach.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Curley Culp waves to the crowd during the Grand Parade before the 2019 enshrinement ceremony in Canton, Ohio.

Hall of Famers Who Made a Stop With the Lions

While the bulk of the Hall of Famers who represent the Lions played most of their career with the team, several other legends only made quick stops in Detroit. The six players who spent three or fewer seasons with the Lions are featured below.

Bill Dudley

• Position: Running back
• College: Virginia
• Seasons Played: 1942, 1945–51, '53
• Seasons With the Lions: 1947–49
• Year Inducted: 1966
• Stats: 36 offensive TDs, 23 interceptions
• Awards: NFL MVP (1946)
• Legacy Honors: NFL 1940s All-Decade Team
• All-Pro: 1942, '46
• Pro Bowl: 1950–51

Bill Dudley came to the Lions via a trade with the Steelers, and he became the highest-paid player in Detroit history. His only full season in Detroit came in 1949, but during his tenure he had 801 rushing yards, 775 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. Additionally, he played special teams as a punter, kicker and return man. On defense, he had seven fumble recoveries, six interceptions and a touchdown. He spent three seasons with the Steelers before coming to the Lions, and he finished his career with three seasons for the Washington Football Team.

John Henry Johnson

• Position: Running back
• College: Arizona State, St. Mary's (Calif.)
• Seasons Played: 1954–66
• Seasons With the Lions: 1957–59
• Year Inducted: 1987
• Stats: 6,803 rushing yards, 48 rushing TDs
• All-Pro: 1962
• Pro Bowl: 1954, 1962–64

The Lions traded for John Henry Johnson prior to the 1957 season, and he made himself a player to remember by helping Detroit win an NFL championship. Injuries would ail him in 1958, and he faced team discipline in 1959 after missing a team plane. In three seasons with the Lions, he rushed for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns. He was traded to the Steelers after the 1959 season.

Curley Culp

• Position: Defensive tackle
• College: Arizona State
• Seasons Played: 1968–81
• Seasons With the Lions: 1980–81
• Year Inducted: 2013
• Stats: 13 fumble recoveries
• Awards: NEA NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1975)
• All-Pro: 1975, 1978–79
• Pro Bowl: 1969, '71, 1975–78

The Lions signed Curley Culp in 1980 after he was waived by the Houston Oilers and the Washington Football Team during the season to bolster a defensive line that was hoping to lead Detroit into the playoffs. The Lions fell one win shy of the division title, and Culp would retire after a handful of games in 1981. He played just five total games with the Lions after building a reputation as one of the NFL’s strongest defensive lineman with the Chiefs and the Oilers.

Frank Gatski

• Position: Center
• College: Marshall, Auburn
• Seasons Played: 1946–57
• Seasons With the Lions: 1957
• Year Inducted: 1985
• All-Pro: 1952–55
• Pro Bowl: 1956

Frank Gatski knew how to win championships. He joined the Lions in 1957 after picking up seven titles with the Browns from 1946 to ‘56. He won another in 1957—by beating the Browns. Gatski was a true ironman, having played every game of his career and never missing a practice.

Ollie Matson

• Position: Running back
• College: San Francisco
• Seasons Played: 1952, 1954–66
• Seasons With the Lions: 1963
• Year Inducted: 1972
• Stats: 5,173 rushing yards, 40 rushing TDs, 23 receiving TDs
• Legacy Honors: NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
• All-Pro: 1952, 1954–57
• Pro Bowl: 1952, 1954–58

Ollie Matson played one season with the Lions, but he didn't leave a lasting mark on franchise history. In eight games, he gained just 40 offensive yards and had 61 yards returning kicks, leaving 1963 as the only year in his career in which he didn't score a touchdown. Matson also played for the Cardinals, Rams and Eagles.

Hugh McElhenny

• Position: Running back
• College: Washington
• Seasons Played: 1952–64
• Seasons With the Lions: 1964
• Year Inducted: 1970
• Stats: 5,281 rushing yards, 38 rushing TDs, 20 receiving TDs
• Legacy Honors: NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
• All-Pro: 1952–54, 1956–57
• Pro Bowl: 1952–53, 1956–58, '61

Hugh McElhenny closed a Hall of Fame career with one season for the Lions. He was most known for his exploits with the 49ers; while in Detroit he only appeared in eight games. During those few games, he gained 64 offensive yards and had 72 return yards.