Top 10 Hardest Hitters Ever – #7 Dick Night Train Lane
#7 – Dick “Night Train” Lane
Dick Lane played in an NFL that allowed EVERYTHING on both sides of the ball and he took full advantage. No pass interference. No unnecessary roughness. It was a battle. Form tackling was non existent for this freak defender as he insisted on delivering hits that would make the opponent think about him.
His signature move was the clothesline when he would literally smash ball carriers in the head with his flailing arm. It was so lethal the NFL outlawed it. He then decided to start grabbing the facemask of the slamming them on the floor. Once again, it was so lethal, the NFL outlawed it. Dick Lane is the reason many hits are banned today as he had zero regard for human life. His description of the move was, “Gotta hit ’em with your elbow like BAM! but make sure you hit em right or you’ll dislocate it”.
This wasn’t a one trick pony either as Dick Lane racked up 68 interceptions over his career cementing his spot as one of the best NFL safeties ever.
Top 10 Hardest Hitters in NFL History – #6 Jack Tatum
#6 – Jack Tatum
We already talked about the Silent Assassin in Steve Atwater, but Jack Tatum was The Assassin. A nickname that was 100% earned.
“I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault.” Jack Tatum was simply out there to hurt people. Sure, the majority of his big hits would be flagged and fined in modern day football, but during his time he would absolutely annihilate players with his head first collisions.
The biggest hit of his career created such a blow that he turned the opposing teams wide receiver Darryl Stingley into a permanent quadriplegic. That is no joking matter, as Jack Tatum actually hit the guy so hard that he was paralyzed for the rest of his life. This is nothing to celebrate, but it truly embodies the hitting ability of Tatum and is proof on why head to head collisions should be taken very seriously.
Top 10 Hardest Hitters Ever – #5 Dick Butkus
#5 – Dick Butkus
Dick Butkus is one of the best Linebackers ever that should never be forgotten. The Chicago Bears have produced many elite linebackers, but it is Dick Butkus who is by far the best. He lived for football.
Players openly said that after they played Butkus and the Chicago Bears, there would always be more people for rehab in the training room than ever before. Nobody looked forward to facing Dick Butkus.
A great quote describing this beast, “He was Moby Dick in a goldfish bowl”. In the box, when runners were going downhill, they would become a deer in headlights once seeing Butkus. His fearless nature made him special.
Unfortunately, Butkus’ career was shortened due to a knee injury, but his relentless intensity, and pure desire to destroy ball carriers and blockers earns him the nod kicking off the top 5.
