NFL Power Rankings: 30 Greatest Defensive Players Of All-Time
By Robby Sabo
26. Willie Brown, CB
- Denver Broncos (1963-66), Oakland Raiders (1967-78)
- 1976 Super Bowl Champion / 5-Time 1st Team All-Pro
Is there a better highlight in NFL than the one that shows Willie Brown dashing down the sidelines in Super Bowl XI?
That highlight – brought so famously to you by NFL Films – was the most famous shot of that unbelievable Oakland Raiders team led by John Madden.
Brown was ahead of his time.
He was a five-time AFL All-Star and four-time NFL Pro Bowler. His cover abilities could arguably give him the mantle of first pure cover corner in NFL history.
Nobody during his era could lock down a receiver with the athletic ability Brown did and he has often been called the father of the bump and run coverage.
Brown collected 54 career picks during his 16-year NFL career.
Next: Number 25