re: NFL Best Player at Each Jersey # of All Time

There are arguments to be made for nearly every number, and #74 doesn’t jump out at first, but three of the best players in NFL history have worn 74.

Bob Lily:
7x All Pro
2x All Pro second team
11x Pro Bowler
1960’s All Decade Team
1970’s All Decade Team
75th Anniversary All NFL
100th Anniversary All NFL

Played in 196 consecutive regular season games. Only missed one game in his career. Known as Mr. Cowboy, and the anchor of the Doomsday Defense. He was the first draft pick in franchise history. No other Cowboy has ever worn #74, and it’s the only number officially retired by the Cowboys. He’s still widely considered the best player in franchise history


Merlin Olsen:
5x All Pro
5x All Pro second team
14x Pro Bowler
NFL Rookie of the Year
1960’s All Decade Team
1970’s All Decade Team
75th Anniversary All NFL
100th Anniversary All NFL

Played in over 200 games for the Rams, only missing two due to injury. A member of the famed Fearsome Foursome defensive line. He made the Pro Bowl for 14 consecutive seasons.


#74 Bruce Matthews:
7x All Pro
2x All Pro second team
14x Pro Bowler
1990’s All Decade Team
100th Anniversary All NFL

Played nearly 300 games with the Oilers/Titans franchise, never missed a game, and started 229 consecutive games. Matthews is the best player in franchise history. He started at every position on the offensive line over his 19 year career.


The three played a combined 48 seasons, 700 games, while only missing a total of three games.