All-Time Middle Linebackers

1. Dick Butkus (Chicago Bears 1965-1973)

When Dick
Butkus played, he knew how to give offensive players a new perspective
on life. Butkus would punish running backs that came in his direction.
Butkus finished his career with 1,020 tackles. When Butkus retired, his
27 fumble recoveries were a National Football League record. Since 1985,
the top linebacker in college football receives The Butkus Award named
after The Hall of Fame linebacker.

2. Ray Lewis (Baltimore Ravens 1996-Present)

Some of
Ray Lewis’ teammates may call him “Sugar”, but Lewis knows how to give
opponents a sour disposition. Lewis was the second draft pick in the
history of The Baltimore Ravens and he is still going strong. From the
opening kickoff until the finale of each contest, Lewis’ motor is going
100 miles per hour. Lewis knows how to motivate and lead his teammates
as he is constantly on the sidelines giving morale support. When Lewis’
career is finished, he will be a lock for Canton, Ohio and The Pro
Football Hall of Fame. Lewis has passed the 1,500 mark in solo tackles
to go along with 40.5 sacks and 31 interceptions.

3. Ray Nitschke (Green Bay Packers 1958-1972)

Ray
Nitschke was an extension of Green Bay Packer head coach Vince Lombardi
on the football field. Nitschke embodied everything that The Packers of
the 1960s were all about. Nitschke was tough, gritty, and was one of the
smartest football players that the game of football has ever seen.
Nitschke’s leadership was further illustrated once his playing days were
done. Nitschke was inducted into The Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978.
After his enshrinement, Nitschke would make a passionate speech every
year to the incoming class of inductees on the importance of The Hall of
Fame which included showing up every year out of respect for the game
of football.

4. Sam Huff (New York Giants, Washington Redskins 1956-1969)

Sam
Huff entered The NFL as a man without a position to play. New York
Giant defensive coordinator Tom Landry invented the 4-3 defense and
placed Huff at middle linebacker. This was a position that was unheard
of and Huff took the league by storm. Huff discovered the ability to
read the quarterback and see where the play was going before it was
called. Huff led a defensive unit for The Giants known as “The Madison
Avenue Giants” that won The NFL Championship in ’56 with Huff as one of
the leaders. Huff finished his career with 30 interceptions. The Giants
traded Huff to The Washington Redskins where he finished his career.
Huff’s play in Washington allowed him to be selected as one of The 70
Greatest Washington Redskins.

5. Chuck Bednarik (Philadelphia Eagles 1949-1962)

Although Chuck Bednarik’s nickname as “Concrete Charlie” wasn’t
related to his play on the gridirion, he was still as tough as granite.
Bednarik played in an era of football when players played on both sides
of the football. Aside from being a great linebacker, Bednarik lined up
at center for The Philadelphia Eagles. When most fans think of Bednarik,
they tend to think about his tackle that knocked New York Giant running
back Frank Gifford out for a season. To me Bednarik’s highlight was in
1960 when he tackled Green Bay Packer running back Jim Taylor short of
the goal line to preserve a victory for The Eagles in The 1960 NFL
Championship Game.

6. Mike Singletary (Chicago Bears 1981-1992)

When you
think of Mike Singletary you have to think of how wide his eyes got
before a play. Singletary was the leader of one of the greatest defenses
of all-time with The 1985 Chicago Bears. The torch was passed from Dick
Butkus to Mike Singletary for great middle linebackers in the history
of The Chicago Bears and Singletary didn’t drop it. Singletary is
currently the assistant head coach of The Minnesota Vikings and at 53
years of age I believe that “Samurai Mike” could go out and give The
Vikings a solid effort at middle linebacker.

7. Jack Lambert (Pittsburgh Steelers 1974-1984)

Jack
Lambert epitomized The Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s. Lambert was a
blue collar player in a blue collar town. Lambert only weighed 220 lbs.,
but he could pack a punch. Lambert was an all-out tough guy. In Super
Bowl 10 against The Dallas Cowboys, Steeler kicker Roy Gerela missed a
field goal and Cowboy safety Cliff Harris taunted him. Lambert who was
on the field saw the incident and immediately gave Harris “the rock
bottom”. Lambert never backed down from a fight in his Hall of Fame
career as he was one of the lead bullies on the toughest team in
football.

8. Brian Urlacher (Chicago Bears 2000-Present)

As Dick
Butkus passed the torch to Mike Singletary, it has now been passed to
Brian Urlacher for great middle linebackers in the history of The
Chicago Bears. Urlacher was drafted by The Bears as the team had visions
of converting him to middle linebacker. At The University of New
Mexico, Urlacher played free safety and he also returned kicks. Urlacher
has great range for a middle linebacker. Urlacher has the ability to
drop back into coverage and cover the entire field which brings
versatility to The Bears defense. Urlacher is a seven-time Pro Bowl
selection and is well on his way to enshrinement in Canton,Ohio.

9. Willie Lanier (Kansas City Chiefs 1967-1977)

Willie
Lanier stepped onto the football scene at a time when African-Americans
were looked over for the position of middle linebacker. Lanier quickly
put the myth to bed of African-Americans not being able to play the
position as he asserted himself as a force in Kansas City. Outside
linebacker Jim Lynch was in the same draft class as Lanier. Lynch was
expected to become the middle linebacker for The Chiefs, but Lanier held
the spot down for the next decade as he was able to help The Chiefs win
the last American Football League Championship in 1969 along with Super
Bowl 4 over The Minnesota Vikings.

10. Junior Seau (San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots 1990-2009)