NFL Power Rankings: 30 Greatest Defensive Players Of All-Time
By Robby Sabo
29. Willie Lanier, MLB
- Kansas City Chiefs (1967-77)
- 1969 Super Bowl Champion / 3-Time 1st Team All-Pro
After the American Football League (AFL) finally broke through in 1968 with Joe Namath’s New York Jets stunning the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III, defensive star Willie Lanier decided to help his Kansas City Chiefs do the same a year later.
While Hank Stram was telling Lenny (Len Dawson) to keep “matriculating the ball down the field,” Lanier led a nasty defense to a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV.
Lanier was as sure a tackler as there was during that era. Of course tackle statistics didn’t become official until a couple decades ago, so many of these old-school guys need to pass the eye and Hall of Fame test to get on the list.
Lanier’s nickname was “Contact” due to his bruising hits on opponents. Additionally his leadership qualities could be described as spectacular.
It’s a travesty that Lanier is the only member of that terrific Chiefs defense in the late 60s/early 70s to find his way on this list.
Next: Number 28