Alabama Football: 15 best NFL Careers ever

Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]Bear Bryant Statue
Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]Bear Bryant Statue
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12. Ozzie Newsome

Ozzie Newsome went to the Cleveland Browns as a first round pick in the 1978 NFL Draft. In his career, the tight end made three Pro Bowls and helped lead the Browns to three AFC championship games during one of the most successful periods in the franchise’s modern history.

He retired in 1990 as the club’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

11. Joe Namath

“Broadway Joe” became better known for his brashness than his on-field exploits, but he is nonetheless one of the most recognizable quarterbacks in NFL history. Namath was chosen no. 1 overall by the New York Jets in the 1965 AFL Draft. Three years later, he had his signature moment when he led the Jets to a shocking upset of the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.

Namath, who not only predicted but guaranteed the outcome beforehand, was named MVP of the game and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

10. Derrick Henry

The second Heisman winner in the history of Alabama Football, Henry was chosen in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. Henry’s story is still being written, but he has been the best running back in the league for most of his career, and is one of the most physically imposing backs of all time.

He is a three-time Pro Bowler, with his peak season coming in 2020. That year, Henry racked up 2,027 rushing yards (fifth-best single-season output in NFL history) en route to being named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year.

9. Lee Roy Jordan

The sixth overall pick in the 1963 NFL Draft, the relatively-undersized Jordan became one of the best linebackers in Dallas Cowboys’ history. He retired in 1976 as the franchise’s all-time leading tackler. Lee Roy Jordan was a five-time Pro Bowler and helped Dallas reach three Super Bowls, winning one.