Top 10 Hardest Hitters Ever – #10 Sean Taylor
#10 – Sean Taylor
A player who passed away far too early! There is no doubt in my mind that if he played a full career that he would be regarded as one of the best Safeties ever let alone hardest hitters ever.
They called him “Meast”. Half man, half beast. Sean Taylor was drafted out of Miami University and in his draft promo he called himself the hardest hitting player in his draft class. He lived up to that reputation as a bone crushing hitter and more as he soon become the most feared player in the league.
Just ask Brian Moorman. Many players decided to take the pro bowl off while cashing their cheque, but Sean Taylor only knew 100%. When Moorman bounced out for the face punt, Sean Taylor sprinted for about 20 yards to deliver arguably the hardest hit in NFL history.
Sean Taylor could have easily be mentioned in the top 3 if longevity hadn’t have held him back. Even considering the fact he only played 4 seasons, he has a highlight tape full of some of the hardest hits ever.
Top 10 Hardest Hitters in NFL History – #9 Kam Chancellor
#9 – Kam Chancellor
Kam Chancellor was the BOOM in the Legion of Boom. Early in his career, Kam was given full reign to deliver all the bone crushing hits he wanted. Then as his career progressed, the NFL got softer and softer and the rules changed accordingly.
Even still, Kam Chancellor adjusted his game and was still delivering hard hitting legal blows to opponents. You would see him adding into the box and playing like a linebacker, but the most dangerous were those running free in the middle of the field. Receivers knew Kam was always lurking.
He was a missile who gave everything he had in every hit. For that reason, he suffered a severe neck injury which resulted in his career ending prematurely at only 29 years old.
Top 10 Hardest Hitters Ever – #8 Steve Atwater
#8 – Steve Atwater
Steve Atwater was a linebacker playing safety who was coined the name the Smiling Assasin. After he destroyed the ball carrier, he would stand over them with a radiant smile.
At 6 ft 3 in, 220 pounds he was never shy to bring his talents to the box. Christian Okoye knows that first hand as Atwater delivered arguably the hardest hit in NFL history. Okoye was a massive 260 pound running back who had a 4.4 40 yard dash time and was called the “Nigerian Nightmare”. Many at the time regarded him as the best power running ever, but Atwater single handedly shattered that reputation with one hit.
Not only was he one of the hardest NFL hitters ever, but also one of the most sure tacklers as he has racked up over 1000 tackles in his career and was vital for the Denver Broncos 2 Superbowls while starting at Safety. For that reason he is one of the top 10 safeties in NFL history.
