Alabama football: 15 greatest Crimson Tide NFL careers ever

Greatest Alabama football career No. 8: Dwight Stephenson

Dwight Stephenson was a talented offensive lineman who had quite the run at Alabama in the late ’70s. He won a pair of national championships in Bear Bryant’s program and was twice a Second Team All-American for his efforts, becoming one of the nation’s top linemen.

Stephenson was later drafted in the middle of the second round by the Miami Dolphins, joining another Hall of Fame head coach in Don Shula. He was primarily used on special teams during his rookie year, but he got his chance as a starting lineman halfway through his second year in the league.

As the 1980s progressed, Stephenson established himself as the best center in the NFL once he got his chance. He became the starter late in the 1981 season and wouldn’t relinquish his hold on that job until his retirement after the 1987 season.

Stephenson started 11 playoff games for the Dolphins, including a pair of Super Bowls, and was an important piece of that offensive game plan in blocking. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, getting the nod in his final five NFL seasons. Those final four seasons all saw him named First Team All-Pro.

An inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Stephenson had a truly dominant run, with his career ending after just eight seasons due to a knee injury. Regardless, he made major contributions to the Dolphins and is still regarded as one of the best centers in the history of the game.