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NFL: Creating the all-time roster with football’s legends

By Hans Themistode

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and Hall of Fame enshrinee Ray Lewis is introduced before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 23: Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker and Hall of Fame enshrinee Ray Lewis is introduced before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Orlando Pace
Orlando Pace (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

NFL: Creating the all-time roster with football’s legends: OT, Orlando Pace

Career stats:

  • N/A

Accolades:

  • 7 time Pro Bowler
  • 3 time First Team All-Pro
  • 1 time Super Bowl Champ

The NFL has never been high on taking offensive tackles with the number one overall pick. There is simply nothing sexy about it but when it came to Orlando Pace, an exception needed to be made.

Through no fault of their own, offensive tackles have the most unglamorous job in all of football. Not only are they expected to block all incoming pass rushers, but they are also required to open up major gaps in the defense for the running game. While doing all of the above, tackles aren’t given traditional counting numbers.

Still, despite everything being placed on their shoulders with merely a thank you in return, Pace did his job as well as just about anyone else at their position. Taken with the number one overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, Pace was selected to his first Pro Bowl team in only his third year and would make seven total. He was also a three-time First-Team All-Pro and Second Team member once.

On a 1999 St. Louis Rams team that was dubbed “the greatest show on turf,” it was only Pace, quarterback Kurt Warner, wide receiver Isaac Bruce and running back Marshall Faulk who were selected to the Hall of Fame. It was easy to see why the others were chosen, but with Pace providing Warner plenty of time to throw and giving Faulk a ton of lanes to run through, Pace earned his spot in both the Hall and on this team.

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