Barry Sanders (left) is the best player in Detroit Lions history, and one of the best running backs of all time (Photo Credit: AP Photo/Doug Mills, File).
Faces of the Franchise
Despite the ratings decline, the National Football League (NFL) is an American institution.
Many fans refuse to leave their homes on Sundays during the fall.
Furthermore, the Monday after the Super Bowl should be a national holiday because most will be running on fumes from the night before.
Like it or not, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers are NFL royalty.
And the lowly Houston Texans, Detroit Lions and the latest reincarnation of the Cleveland Browns fight every year for respectability, let alone a Super Bowl title.
Despite the struggles of some NFL teams, all teams have had standout athletes to wear their colors.
Therefore, RegalMag.com would like to honor the best player in history from each of the 32 NFL teams.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens—Ray Lewis, Linebacker
Cincinnati Bengals—Anthony Munoz, Offensive Tackle
Cleveland Browns—Jim Brown, Running Back
Pittsburgh Steelers—Terry Bradshaw, Quarterback
AFC South
Houston Texans—Andre Johnson, Wide Receiver
Indianapolis/Baltimore Colts—Johnny Unitas, Quarterback
Jacksonville Jaguars—Tony Boselli, Offensive Tackle
Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers—Earl Campbell, Running Back
AFC East
Buffalo Bills—O.J. Simpson, Running Back
Miami Dolphins, Dan Marino, Quarterback
New England/Boston Patriots—Tom Brady, Quarterback
New York Jets—Curtis Martin, Running Back
AFC West
Denver Broncos—John Elway, Quarterback
Kansas City Chiefs/Dallas Texans—Derrick Thomas, Linebacker
Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders—Marcus Allen, Running Back
San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers—Junior Seau, Linebacker
NFC North
Chicago Bears—Walter Payton, Running Back
Detroit Lions—Barry Sanders, Running Back
Green Bay Packers—Bart Starr, Quarterback
Minnesota Vikings—Fran Tarkenton, Quarterback
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons—Deion Sanders, Cornerback
Carolina Panthers—Steve Smith, Sr., Wide Receiver
New Orleans Saints—Drew Brees, Quarterback
Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Warren Sapp, Defensive Tackle
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys—Roger Staubach, Quarterback
New York Giants—Lawrence Taylor, Defensive End
Philadelphia Eagles—Reggie White, Defensive End
Washington Redskins—Darrell Green, Cornerback
NFC West
Arizona/Phoenix/ St. Louis Cardinals—Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver
Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams—Jackie Slater, Offensive Tackle
San Francisco 49ers—Jerry Rice, Wide Receiver
Seattle Seahawks—Steve Largent, Wide Receiver
