With this season’s Super Bowl upon us, I thought it would be a good time for a list about American Football. I know, I know…every time a list is posted that features this sport, howls of protest ensue: “This is too American, outside the U.S., no one cares”, or “It’s not ‘real football’ (aka international futbol)”, or “Unlike rugby, these wimps wear pads and helmets”, and so on. Whatever man, we seasoned Listversers have heard it all before, ad nauseum. And so, in response I say: Get over it. Tomorrow will be a new list, perhaps one that is more to your liking. In the meantime, stop your whining, sit your candy-asses down, and check out this list and these video clips of some of the meanest, most badass NFL players ever to have strapped on the cleats. You don’t have to be a fan, but I ask that you just respect that these guys played the game like it was meant to be played, leaving it all on the field and then some. And for those of you that ARE fans of the National Football League, sit back and enjoy! And if your favorite player isn’t listed here, by all means tell us about him in the comments and maybe treat us to a bonus clip.
Please note, in the interests of full disclosure, I wish to address this here rather than in the inevitable comments: NFL Films produces and airs on the NFL Network cable channel a program called “Top 10”, which ranks and showcases players, teams, games, and other notable achievements in various categories for each hour-long episode. I hereby acknowledge that my list closely resembles an episode of theirs titled “Most Feared Tacklers”. Now truthfully, I was not even aware of this program’s existence until I had written the majority of my list and began looking for highlight film to accompany each of my entries. Consequently, some of the clips I am featuring here are taken from that program because it turned out to be the best footage available on a given player. I have credited those clips accordingly in the applicable entries. As with other sports-related ranking lists, it’s not uncommon for one to draw similar conclusions as those that have come before. However, I can assure you that the framework of this list was based on personal knowledge supplemented with independent research to add detail, my selections and rankings for this list are my own, and that my write-ups here are original material (with the exception of a few specific quotes).
1965-1975 Baltimore Colts, 1976 Seattle Seahawks, 1977-1978 Washington Redskins
Mike “Mad Dog” Curtis was drafted out of Duke by the Baltimore Colts in the first round (14th overall) of the 1965 NFL draft. Initially drafted as a fullback, he was soon converted to linebacker as coaches became impressed by his aggressive play. Aptly nicknamed, Mad Dog was a tenacious defender and an intimidating tackler. In his role as team captain, the 6’ 3” 232 lb. Curtis was a fierce competitor both on the field and during practice, never allowing his teammates to let up or take a play off. During his 14 year career, Curtis was voted to four Pro Bowls, made all-pro five times, played in two Super Bowls and earned a championship ring in the Colts’ Super Bowl V win over the Dallas Cowboys. It was his interception in the final minute of that game that set up the Colts’ winning field goal.
1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-2007 Denver Broncos
This 6’ 2” 220 lb. hard-hitting DB out of Stanford University was selected in the third round of the 1993 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and enjoyed a stellar 15 year career. As an integral member of the league’s number one ranked defense in 2002, he celebrated a victory with the Bucs against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII. Playing with reckless abandon all over the field, Lynch always seemed to make the highlight reel following each week’s game. Despite his aggressive style of play, Lynch was surprisingly durable, missing only but a few games during his career due to injury. Lynch was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and earned all-pro honors on four occasions.
1958 – 1972 Green Bay Packers
Ray Nitschke was the heart and soul of the great Packers defenses during Green Bay’s dynasty years of the 1960s, playing on five championship teams, including the first two Super Bowl winners. A real gentleman off the field, on game day he was a mean S.O.B. who seemed to truly enjoy hitting people. QB Bart Starr once called him a “classic example of Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde”. A 3rd round draft pick in 1958 out of Illinois, the 6’ 3” 235 lb middle linebacker earned either first- or second-team all-league recognition seven times and made the Pro Bowl in 1964. He was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978, his first year of eligibility. Post-retirement, his role as Bogdanski in the 1974 Burt Reynolds film The Longest Yard was particularly humorous and memorable.
1961-1971 Los Angeles Rams, 1972-1973 San Diego Chargers, 1974 Washington Redskins
This once obscure 14th round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams revolutionized the position of defensive end. The “Secretary of Defense” as he was known, anchored the left side of the Rams famed Fearsome Foursome defensive line for 11 years before being traded to the San Diego Chargers in 1972. Exceptionally fast and agile for his size, the imposing 6’ 5” 272 lb. Jones developed into an outstanding pass rusher, delivering punishing hits on opposing QBs. He coined the term “quarterback sack”, and if sacks had been an officially recorded statistic during his career, his unofficial total of 173 ½ was tops by a huge margin at the time of his retirement in 1974. Today that total would put him at third on the all-time list. Jones also invented and perfected the head-slap maneuver, a practice that was widely emulated by others during his time but has since been outlawed by the league. Jones amassed eight Pro Bowl selections and five first-team all-pro honors during his career. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1980. This clip is from NFL Films “Top Ten Pass Rushers”, where Deacon was ranked #1.
1974-1984 Pittsburgh Steelers
“Number 58 comes to play.” As the backbone of the legendary “Steel Curtain” Pittsburgh Steeler defenses of the 70’s, Jack Lambert gets the nod here over teammate “Mean” Joe Greene. Another off-field gentleman, in uniform this guy was tough as nails, and his familiar maniacal toothless scowl was an intimidating sight to behold. As NFL rules were undergoing modifications in effort to better protect vulnerable quarterbacks from injury, Lambert is remembered for making the famous and oft-quoted remark “you should just put dresses on them”. A second round draft pick in 1974, Lambert won Rookie of the Year honors that season, one in which the Steelers won the first of four championships during his tenure. In 1976 he was named Defensive Player of the Year. A consummate pro, Lambert spent his entire eleven-year career with the Steelers, making the Pro Bowl nine times, all-pro nine times, and was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. He is regarded as one of the best linebackers of his generation.
1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 N.Y. Jets
After a stellar collegiate career at the University of Arkansas, the Denver Broncos chose Steve Atwater with the 20th pick in the first round of the 1989 draft. The 6’ 3” 218 lb. former Razorback was an immediate upgrade to the Broncos’ poor defense, as the first-year player led the team in tackles and finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Atwater quickly developed a reputation around the league as a fierce hitter, and in his second season it was his shot on Kansas City Chiefs 253 lb. running back Christian Okoye (aka “The Nigerian Nightmare”) that defined his career. Up to that point, Okoye was running roughshod over every defense he faced, but in one of the best hits I’ve ever seen, Atwater straight up knocked him on his ass. Another awesome performance was during the Broncos’ Super Bowl XXXII victory over the Green Bay Packers. Atwater virtually owned the Packers that day, but most memorable was a play he made during the Pack’s final drive that nearly knocked out three players including himself. In all, Atwater played in 3 Super Bowls earning two rings, was voted to eight Pro Bowls, and was named all-pro six times. Not a member of the Hall of Fame as of this writing, Steve Atwater certainly is worthy and would definitely have my vote. Ranked #9 in the NFL Films Most Feared Tacklers episode, this clip is his segment from that program.
1981-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991-1992 Los Angeles Raiders, 1993-1994 N.Y. Jets
By the late 1970’s, the San Francisco 49ers had become one of the worst teams in the league, posting back-to-back 2-14 seasons in ’78 and ’79. That all changed in 1981, due in part to coach Bill Walsh’s bold decision to draft AND START not one but three rookies in the Niners’ defensive backfield. Leading the way was first round draft pick (8th overall) Ronnie Lott out of USC, who was instrumental in bringing a sorely lacking toughness to the Niner secondary. The 6 foot 203 lb. Lott entered the league as a corner and a few years later switched to safety, which gave him even more opportunities to make big plays. Lott’s game-changing hits were legendary. If I may interject a bit of personal nostalgia – as a life-long 49er fan, my favorite Ronnie Lott memory (among oh so many) is number 42 laying the wood on the Cincinnati Bengals’ previously unstoppable running-back Ickey Woods in Super Bowl XXIII. That hit turned the game’s momentum in favor of the 49ers and rendered Woods a non-factor for the rest of the day. Former Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry once said of Lott: “He’s like a middle linebacker playing safety. He’s devastating.” During his illustrious career, Lott played in 10 Pro Bowls (voted in at three different positions – cornerback, strong-safety and free-safety), was named all-pro nine-times (also at those three positions), and won four championships with the 49ers during the 1980’s. He was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
1971-1979 Oakland Raiders, 1980 Houston Oilers
Known as “The Assassin”, Jack Tatum is one badass mofo. “I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault.” he once said of his play. Selected 19th overall out of Ohio State by the Oakland Raiders in the 1971 draft, the three-time Pro Bowler’s mayhem spanned 10 seasons and left many players in his wake. Unfortunately his most infamous hit is one that occurred during a 1978 preseason game against the New England Patriots and left Pats wide-receiver Darryl Stingley a permanent quadriplegic. Tatum was also the catalyst for one of the most famous plays in NFL history. In a 1972 playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tatum delivered what should’ve been the game-ending hit on running-back Frenchy Fuqua as he was attempting to catch a desperation pass from Terry Bradshaw in the game’s waning seconds. Tatum’s perfectly timed blow knocked the ball loose, but miraculously into the hands of Steeler teammate Franco Harris, who ran it in for the winning score. It was henceforth to be known as the Immaculate Reception. Tatum did earn a Super Bowl ring with the Raiders a few years later though, and his bone-jarring hit in that game on Minnesota Vikings wide-receiver Sammy White that sent White’s helmet flying is considered by many to be the most brutal hit in Super Bowl history. This clip highlights Tatum as NFL Films #6 Most Feared Tackler.
1981-1993 N.Y. Giants
Taken second overall by the New York Giants in the 1981 NFL draft, the former Tar Heel known as “LT” made an immediate impact on the league, earning Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors that season. LT’s looming presence at linebacker struck fear in the hearts of men on the other side of the line of scrimmage. His attacking style changed the way the outside linebacker position was played. Opposing teams routinely game-planned around trying to neutralize Taylor or to avoid his part of the field, which was near impossible since his speed and quickness enabled him to cover so much ground. He came at you from everywhere. Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs specifically developed the two tight-end set in effort to stop his blitzing rampages. Honors and awards accumulated during LT’s 13 year playing career include a unanimous selection as 1986 league MVP, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, 10 Pro Bowl appearances, eight-time first-team all-pro honors, and two Super Bowl rings. Enshrined into Canton in 1999, LT is considered by many to be the greatest defensive player in the history of the game.
1965-1973, Chicago Bears
“He was Moby Dick in a goldfish bowl”. That is my favorite description of the great Chicago Bears middle linebacker, as heard in the clip accompanying this entry. Opposing players often had a deer-in-the-headlights look of fear when seeing the behemoth number 51 barreling down on them. The next thing they knew, they were picking clumps of turf out of their facemask and spitting out blood. Ernie Accorsi, GM of the NY Giants once said of Butkus: “When he hit you, you stayed hit.” During his time in the league, the 6’ 3”, 245 lb. Butkus virtually rewrote the book on linebacking. A first round draft pick (3rd overall) by the Bears in 1965, the former Fighting Illini was an eight-time all-pro, and made the Pro Bowl in each of his first 8 years in the league. He averaged 120 tackles per year during those eight seasons. A master at knocking the ball loose with the ferocity of his tackles, his 25 fumble recoveries was a NFL record at the time of his retirement. Unfortunately his career was cut short due to a knee injury, but his legacy continues with college football’s prestigious Dick Butkus Award, which is given annually to the nation’s most outstanding linebacker, and is a testament to his spectacular career. Butkus was a first-ballot Hall of Famer, entering Canton in 1979.
1952-1953 Los Angeles Rams, 1954-1959 Chicago Cardinals, 1960-1965 Detroit Lions
As usual, 10 spots on a list just isn’t enough. Dick “Night Train” Lane definitely deserves a place in my Top 10, but then who do I remove to make room? It was such a dilemma to me that I’m including him as a Bonus entry so you can decide. Lane enjoyed an outstanding 14 year NFL career, but it was one that started unassumingly as an undrafted walk-on to the Los Angeles Rams’ 1952 training camp. That ultimately led to a 14 interception rookie campaign (in only 12 games!), an NFL record that still stands today. His skills weren’t limited to defending passes though. Simply put, Train was a headhunter. A deadly open-field tackler, Lane perfected the art of the clothesline maneuver and head tackling, techniques later banned by the league for safety reasons. Lane enjoyed his finest seasons as a Detroit Lion. In all, Lane was a ten-time all-pro and played in seven Pro Bowls. He entered the Hall in 1974.
Honorable Mention:
Chuck Bednarik – Linebacker, 1949-1962 Philadelphia Eagles
Hardy Brown – Linebacker, 1950 Baltimore Colts & Washington Redskins, 1951-1955 San Francisco 49ers, 1956 Chicago Cardinals, 1960 Denver Broncos (AFL).
Willie Lanier – Linebacker, 1967-1977 Kansas City Chiefs (AFL and NFL)
Bruce Smith – Defensive End, 1985-1999 Buffalo Bills, 2000-2003 Washington Redskins
Reggie White – Defensive End, 1985-1992 Philadelphia Eagles, 1993-1998 Green Bay Packers, 1999 Carolina Panthers
Ray Lewis – Linebacker, 1996-present Baltimore Ravens
Primary sources:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/
http://www.profootballhof.com/
http://espn.go.com/nfl/
http://www.nfl.com/
Although short lived, Sean Taylor belongs on this list at least as an honorable mention. One of the hardest hitters ever, he threw his body around with no regard for his own safety.
@hjforthewin (26): You are probably *****y as hell!
@mathilda2 (117): Steelers for life!!!!
Speaking of the Steelers, there could be a whole top 10 list just about the hardest hitting on our team. Think about the Steel Curtain. Plus now we have Troy who could easily be on the list, and Hines Ward who is probably the hardest hitting offensive player in the game.
Ahh, I remember the Great O J Simpson was running for a touch down in the Rose Bowl, and Jack Tatum ran his raggedy ass down and prevented that sure thing touch down. I’ll tell you this, if Jack Tatum had played soccer or rugby or anyother sport, he’d still be MR. BAD ASS. I saw too many guys miss a catch because they heard footsteps from Mr. Tatum.
Hines Ward could be totally the only offensive player on this list.
@Julius (118): Ouch, that hurts us Americans…….If your opinion is that we take culture from yours…there must be a reason why…..yours sucked!!! Why do you think people left the European colonies? They sucked ass……….Yes we take a lot of our ancestry from the European cultures, Americans have a unique culture and that is clearly apparent why everyone hates us. We took parts in other cultures along time ago and have succeed in taking the best from them. That is not a negative but rather a fact of evolution. We make a home apart from the old traditions. Is that to be frowned upon? I am so sick of people ripping on Americans, we have just as much on you Brits (lets just call it colonialism). Just be *****ed off about your life and lets recognize ever white race has done bad in this world. Jesus Christ lets get over this hatred and call it a day. I am sorry Brits….the ugly redhead of America, i am sorry the Brits wanna be Americans, I am sorry Germans wish ***** never happened, I am sorry for of Europe for the Marshall Plan…..lets move on…..please!
Go USA soccer beat that South African Ass. Woot, Woot!!!!!!
Is this not a sports list?
Candy-ass? Yeh good journalism there sunshine
Too American.
How about an honorary mention to Hines Ward?
Not a Steelers fan, but the guy dishes out some big hits, especially considering he’s a Wide Receiver.
Okay – I have done my best to tidy up some of the troll comments. Phew!
for anyone that says football is soft for wearing pads, i want you to just imagine being hit by one of these guys like lewis, allen, williams, or ware. if there lead with there head, and your not whering a helmet, or chest pads you are gonna be takin the ***** out maybe for good. these guys are modern day spartans, except they are spoiled beyong beleif starting in grade school. but there physicality is something we all respect and watch.
anyway saints win 34-30 and only one month till spring training for yankee baseball down in tampa!
What an awesome list Maggot. I care very little for football (lets start another war – CFL vs NFL) but I was enthralled by it anyway. Excellent writing; interesting, informative and personal. The video clips you’ve chosen are just perfect. You’ve made me a fan of these particular NFL players – a definite win.
Seems to me that today’s comment section proves that we’re failing our youth. Does no one teach manners? El the Erf was not our own little buddy btw – same deal as the phony Astraya. The number counts aren’t going to work because there are too many to just mark ‘em all deleted.
Football is SO not a pussy sport. My brother was on the high school football team and after four seasons, had two concussions, a torn ACL, and multiple bruises and scratches. As for the people who said that the only reason football players are so big is because of their pads… um, they weigh an average of 250-300 pounds. That’s about an average of 130 kg. Also, if you want respect for your country/sport, please show respect to other countries. I understand that the U.S. is not the only country in the world and blah, blah, blah, but this list is done due to the forthcoming Superbowl. I’m assuming that a football(soccer) list will be coming for the World Cup this year (can’t wait!!!) and maybe one for the winter Olympics, so just suck it up. Whining and *****ing won’t do anything.
@ keystonelight51 (125): Oh yeah developing like a hundred different fast-food chains is clearly taking the best out of the european cuisine. People left Europe mainly for one of two reasons: 1. Religous Persecution 2. Poverty
1. That really got so much better, muslims are being discriminated and if you so much as dare to wear a turban on an airplane you might as well want to get harassed.
2. 11% of the american population are Food insecure (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_insecurity#Food_security_in_the_United_States) and you dont even have a public health system
I gotta admit well done america!
I hold absolutely no grudge against americans per sé just against the superioritycomplex that many of them have.
Am i the only one that wonders where winston is??
i think bob sanders deserves an honorable mention definitely but good list.
70 TCR – Good catch. Should have put down the Americas at 14%. It was 5 in the morning, though I hadn’t been drinking. That includes Central and South as well as North. I have had friends from Brazil, Mexico, Honduras, and Canada who grew up playing US-style football, not football (soccer), so it is not confined to the US, though I’ll give you mostly to the Americas. And, really, I’ve never seen a whole game in my life – it’s incredibly boring to me.
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this list is absolute *****. you have to be a dumb mother*****er to think this list is correct. you’re so stupid, you *****ing idiot. this list must have been written by an old white man who hasn’t watched football for 40 years. really really horrible placement and choices. im surprised at how truly terrible this list is.
@Julius (132): again ouch and please tell me that discrimination is not felt throughout the world…Don’t be high and mighty when you have the same sentiment. That’s fantastic that we have fast food…but don’t you. Give me a break man. You rip on us for a culture that you have adopted so very well. So let me guess you have no poverty in your country……why you must live in utopia..God Bless me man…….Can I call you Jesus. So you have some more mom and pop shops than we do (it called capitalism), is that every Americans mentality…….no…no…and no…. Please stop presuming that what you think is an American is one. We don’t have a public health system, but what is wrong with that…….don’t we support like 20 other countries health systems…gee I am sorry, maybe we shouldn’t help other people out……You wiki article doesn’t do ***** for me….per se……lets per se we do have the most religious freedom in the world…per se…..its much better than anywhere else has…..o yeah I don’t hold a grudge against Europeans…..but I have the decency to capitalize it their name per se…….. What makes you so better than me…please tell me it isnt fast food or your universal health care….tell me you are better please I want to know……is it your government systems or health system or what……tell me please you badass…you are clearly better than the people that live in my country…..i want to know why…maybe i will move there
@ME (136): how about doing some constructive criticism instead of just spamming insults? who would you prefer to see on the list instead?
@Gerbil (135): again another comment that holds no merit….people dying is nothing to run home about dumbass…. I would like to meet you someday
Football Vs Rugby
Hope that settles it.
Also, those who are bashing this list because it concerns a sport they know nothing about: Put up a list about hard hits in soccer or rugby and I (as an American) would be much more interested in watching the clips for entertainment value rather than use them as a anonymous, cowardly and foolish attempt at Europe Bashing.
Also, those who just want an excuse to cuss out America: By generalizing all Americans as George Bush clones, you are relegating yourself to the same ignorant stereotype. A self-defeating argument.
Just have fun with the site…leave your internet toughness to youtube.
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Oh and Maggot…keep a future spot in this list for P Willis #52. As a Niner fan, I know your excited about having him on the team.
*you’re
@Keystonelight51 (137): When have i said that I am better than you? I am sorry if i have even implied that.
The reason you are allegedly supporting the healthsystem of 20 countries is the reason for everything you do, business. If they buy medication from your companies you make money. Oh No a democratically elected president is threatening american business? lets invade his country! Hey there’s lots of Oil in Iraq! lets invade!
As a european I am thankful for the marshall plan, but you only did it because you needed a businesspartner.
America has failed. Youre not the land of the free and the brave anymore you are quickly developing into an oppressive oligarchy run by Supercompanies, which in itself are failing as weve seen with GM and lehman brothers.
@Gerbil (141): This is why I am hating on the posters and website. To scared to respond to me for fear of retribution and anonymity of words.
I think Nazim The Pro is on to something, your next list should be the same question but with NHL.
@Julius (144): I really can only do anything but laugh at your ass. I called it capitalism for a reason…..if you don’t think your country is in it for the money you are crazy….lets make a fact clear….I dont care where you are from in Europe you are in it for the money too….If you think you arnt you are dumb, the objective of a government is to “better and protect the people,” if you think you are not part of the profitability of a country is crazy. There is no true socialist society…Maybe is Americas fault, but no country is in for the good of the people. Again you are acting as a supreme being in the world. Please stop, everyone has there hidden demons……..No one in this world is “for the people,” and you know it so please stop pretending. You can site the big companies of failure, but that isnt why America has sustained, but rather the business you have never heard of…..again you are proclaiming to be high and mighty…..but stop your society is no better than mine
This list is rubbish. Players are so much bigger today than in the 60′s. I know it’s heresy but Butkus, Nitschke, and Lambert do not belong on this list. Linebackers today are bigger, stronger and faster than these guys were. If you had the choice of being hit by Nitschke or Ray Lewis you would be foolish to choose Lewis. Relative to their time these guys were feared I’m sure but the list doesn’t hint that that’s a considered factor. It just says “Hardest Hitters in NFL History”. You shouldn’t have players from before “modern weightlifting” (wink wink) took hold.
Thanks Jamie for publishing my list. I definitely saw the trolls coming, as you can tell by my attempt to mitigate it in my intro. Ah well, such is life.
Thanks to all who enjoyed the list and had good things to say. It is truly appreciated, and I also appreciate any and all constructive criticism as well. I do apologize for not including metric conversions for the players’ height & weights (shirokuma 25); I’d actually considered doing that early on, but then I forgot to add them before sending it in!
As for some of the other names being mentioned in the comments, good calls on all of them. Believe me, I’d considered most of them (Waters, Cecil, Singletary, Sanders, also guys not yet mentioned, like, Julius Peppers, & Jevon Kearse), but they didn’t make my cut. But sheesh, instead of having a bonus and six honorable mentions, I guess I could’ve just as easily taken the list to 20. I am on the fence with Cecil though, because as Rolo mentioned in post (62), his reputation was more that of a “dirty” player. Some have said that about Tatum too however, but I disagree. Most of Tatum’s negative publicity is a result of his never having “apologized” to Stingley for the hit that paralyzed him. But IMO that was a clean hit, it just had unfortunate consequences.
Lastly, I’d included clips for the honorable mentions too, but they were omitted at publication. Here is a bonus clip for you of Bruce Smith (hello NickMatrix 79), who currently holds the record for most career sacks, at 200.
@Keystonelight51 (147): Thats exactly my point, Capitalism, and i dont exclude myself here, I am a part of it, doesn’t work, through capitalism everyone is supposed to get richer, but it doesn’t work like that. The rich get richer and the poor poorer. Socialism doesn’t work either unfortunately, so until we figure out a better system we ought to stick to democracy and capitalism, just not in its current f
..orm
@Julius (151): So I hate to exclude your point, but your point adds/make nothing to (what i saw as a good conversation). Good luck in the future and I hope we don’t cross paths. We prob would not like each other…..Anyway, to the point of the list Vinnie Jones needs be included somewhere in the article as he is the most badass soccer/Irish player ever. If the intent was to have American Football players then no, but Vinnie Jones is by far the best athlete ever…..Please I want to see more Vinnie Jones on the Listverse….He kicks my own ass…even if he is a Brit/Irish/Scot…………Best European ever!!!!!
@Keystonelight51 (152): I know…I am tired^^… If we had talked about the middle east, religion, abortion, gun control, the origin of man and homo*****uality we would have covered the whole http://listverse.com/2009/11/18/top-10-things-you-should-never-discuss-online/ list^^, well 3 out of 10 still aint bad.
Vinnie Jones would kill Chuck Norris!
@Julius (153): Hey we were rocking it, no hard feelings and I look forward to future debates….I think we did good…..Best of luck on further debates since I kicked you ass on the one we just had!!!!!
GO TEAM USA IN SOUTH AFRICA! we rock and you know it!!!!
lol
@Keystonelight51 (155): the delay in this discussions is killing me i forget what i wanted to say! anyway well played…
Go Bafana Bafana!
Would have liked to have seen Sean Taylor… That may have been a stretch.
I love rugby and American football and have played both, so I feel I have entitlement to say both sports are very physical. Pads or not, American football is a much harder hitting sport than Rugby. With pads on you can tackle without concern for your own safety, which results in more crushing tackles. Rugby fans should definately play the sport before they make criticisms. I’ve been hit in American Football to where I couldn’t stand straight up for a few hours. Rugby is a tough sport, just not on the same level as American football.
BTW I played Tight End in American Football, and LH prop in Rugby. Both positions have their fair share of punishment.
European Rugby Team: Alright everyone!!! Now that were done having our tea and crumpits(w/e you fags do), lets go play some Rugby and then we can all go play with each other and have really gay *****.
American Football Team: Kill…
Julius said
“And both these sports you got from the british, whose colony America was, so dont talk about your “culture” cause you barely have any.”
Seriously, ***** you. Do you have any idea how insulting it is to accuse a nation of people of not having a culture? Despite the fact we have made nearly every advancement in movies and music in the past century. Hollywood, blues and rock’n'roll music, hip hop= all American. If that attack was directed at any other country it would be considered terribly offensive by others. ***** off you limey prick.
WILLIE LANIER!!!
(p.s. rugby players ought to wear skirts, as it’s a fitting “sport” for high school girls)
As soon as ONE American thing appears, people are ready to start bashing. If Americans are so bad and stupid and beneath you, why are your thoughts always revolving around them? Maybe not jealousy, but it is definitely not because you are satisfied with your lives and countries. You dislike like Americans not because lots are fat and dumb but because they have the opportunity to be fat and dumb (which is a bad move but their choice nonetheless). Lots of stuff in the world deals with America because the FACT is that America has a lot of influence around the world. You nor I could do anything to change that.
Stop bashing, all you do is make yourself look *****ing whiny. Here’s a truth around the world: only little *****es complain. So stfu you bitter little men.
lol……. Julius knows what he is talking about. stop talking like you know something about this world..please as much as I didnt comply…this is a sports list…lets talk about sports….go USA 2010
@ZackaryDuFour (160): The point I was trying to make is that america has very little unique culture, because it is such a melting pot. Plus culture is not just museums etc. It is a way of life that starts with manners, your eating habits, and your general knowledge and in that aspect the average american has very little culture.
Read all the comments before you comment…
America……FTW.
Honestly JFrater…You should make a United States VS. Europe list…
@SLiK-RO (166): Oh my word that would cause a bloody war on this site….
“It is a way of life that starts with manners, your eating habits, and your general knowledge and in that aspect the average american has very little culture.”
You’re confusing “culture” with “snobishness”.
But Keystone is right: if one hasn’t anything to say about American football specifically, or sports in general, perhaps one should direct one’s comments to the “10 Ways Non-Americans Get Their Panties In A Twist” list.
@Julius
I’m sorry but you must’ve never spent an extended amount of time in the United States. All of the qualities you have named exist in the USA. All of this stems from Old World European bias against the United States. Because of the United States rapid advancement on the global stage, Europe has always felt threatened by it’s presence. In a little over 200 years Americans have gained more influence than Europe has in the past millenia. I admire European culture (I come from a French and Irish backgound after all) but I find the uneducated snobbishness of most Europeans repulsive.
Gotta include Hines Ward and Earl Campbell. People would run from Earl and Hines gives the business knowing full well he will be vulnerable to huge hits.
@porkido (168): snobishness? since when is being wellmannered and knowing how to use a knife and fork snobbish?
Ive played Rugby and Am. Football and Am. Football is definetely more physical, but rugby is more technical, but to each their own.
btw your comment has nothing do with American football specifically, or sports in general, perhaps you shouldn’t comment?
The pic shows Ray Lewis but hes not on the list? He would make a good bonus
@Winston(126):
Your “too american” comments were tired about 40 lists ago.
Ray Lewis and Reggie White should atleast have been honorable mentions.
@Julius (171): good luck, hope your posting are as fruitful as ours!!!!! Again, this is an American sports list…….any postings are garbage!!!
I want a best athletes list and then the debate can continue!
@ZackaryDuFour (169): I am sure the qualities ive mentioned exist somewhere in the american population, but rarely in the average american citizen. fyi Ive travelled the US for three months
@Julius(171):
My point exactly. The way one uses his knife and fork is a function of culture, not culture itself.
You don’t like the word “snob”? Then we’ll use the word “etiquette”…which is behavior specific to a particular culture.
“btw your comment has nothing do with American football specifically, or sports in general, perhaps you shouldn’t comment?”
A little defensive when we’re corrected, aren’t we…
fuk up ye queer
WOOO LT! He was a beast!
I agree with Jack D., Ray Lewis should definitely be an honourable mention.
What’s with all the American bashing on this site, I guess its en vogue or something. I can appreciate American culture and society without it threatening my sense of identity as a Canadian, I guess other people can’t.
That being said, Soccer (Football) is the best sport in the world, nothing beats the excitement of the World Cup!
Forza Italia!