In NFL, the center positionis generally unnoticed, but for the continuity and value of the attack, it is highly necessary. Throughout the history of the League, the utmost reverence has been paid only to a few of the individuals playing this role.
Although we are all thinking of skills and maybe tossing offensive tackles in names if we sound especially wise, the centersare important for any offensive scheme.
And centers are as critical as anyone else and it is not always a fun job. Few jobs in sports test the mental acumen and physical stamina butin spite of that, centers rarely get their credit. Here are theTop 11 Centers of All-Time.
9. Dermontti Dawson
Dermontti Dawson of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action in 1995. (Getty)
Dermontti Dawson, who entered into the Fame Hall for Pro Football in 2012, dominated the AFC defenses against Barry Foster and Jerome Bettis for the majority of a decade, which opened holes for him throughout his career.
Moreover, Dawson was the glue that for so many seasons kept the Steelers‘ offensive line together. Seven Pro Bowls and one bust in the canton were his prizes. Maybe one of the greatest contemporary linemenin the league’s history.
8. Clyde (Bulldog) Turner
Clyde Bulldog Turner of Chicago Bears. (Windy City Gridiron)
Clyde Turner was a center from the premodern times and from 1940-1952, he excelled with the Chicago Bears. Within eight years, he made seven All-Pro teams and distinguished himself distinctly as one of the greatest centers ever.
With Turner as the chief defender for the inaugural Sid Luckman quarterback hall of Fame, the Chicago Bears won four NFL Championships.
7. Jim Langer
Jim Langer playing for the Miami Dolphins. (Miami Dolphins)
Two offensive linemen of the Dolphins’ 1972 unbeaten team were elected in the Pro Bowl. Surprisingly, Langer wasn’t there. That was the last season of the eventual Hall of Fame center, that he hadn’t made it to the Pro Bowl for seven years.
For the next ten years, Jim Langer was one of the greatest players on this team. He opened running lanes on his back regularly and covered Bob Griese in the centre.
6. Dwight Stephenson
Dwight Stephenson poses during a press conference in 1998. (Getty)
After being chosen for the NFL in the second round of the 1980 draft, Dwight Stephenson replaced Jim Langer as starting point of the Miami Dolphins. Stephenson became the best center in the whole league from that point on.
In the span of six straight seasons of 1982 to 1988, he anchored the Dolphins offensive line that gave up the least sacks. In the 1987 game against the New York Jets, Stephenson suffered a knee injury that eventually proved to be career-ending.
5. George Trafton
George Trafton playing for the Chicago Bears. (Chicago Bears)
George Trafton was generally remembered for being the first center to take the ball with a single hand. In reality, the former Chicago Bears Center was a member of the Decatur Staleys. He played in the NFL for 13 seasons and started 100 games.
4. Mel Hein
Mel Heim playing for the New York Giants. (Giants)
The first offensive lineman to receive the NFL MVP Award was none other but Mel Hein. He succeeded in 1938 and it has not since been replicated.
He entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963 and has six finals. Hein was part of the New York Giants for a stellar 14 years, having won five Pro Bowl championships and two NFL Championships.
3. Jim Ringo
Jim Ringo for the Green Bay Packers. (Packers)
In Jim Ringo’s final three seasons, the Green Bay Packers won two NFL Championships and he was one of the players with the most credits. In 1961, Jim Taylor, Jim Ringo, and Paul Hornung added over 1,800 rushing yards.
They seasoned it all with 23 touchdowns. Following the 1963 season, Ringo left the Packers and made three Pro Bowls with Philadelphia Eagles in four seasons.
2. Mike Webster
Mike Webster while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Steelers)
Webster was the glue that kept the Pittsburgh Steelers’ grand offensive line despite earning the most credit for their four Super Bowl championships. He still opened holes for Franco Harris and remained one of the best defensive centers in the game. During the eight-year stretch from 1978-1985, Webster was an important component in the Pro Bowl every season.
After 16 years with the club, Webster quit Steelers. In 1989 and 1990, Christian Okoye combined more than 2,200 yards in two seasons, with Webster being one of the key reasons. Mike eventually paid for the game he cherished. The center Hall of Fame died as a result of football-related injuries at the age of 50.
1. Jim Otto
Jim Otto in the Las Vegas Raiders jersey. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
In any season he played, the Raiders‘ star was by far the best player in his position in the NFL. He was the very finest in all things he served to defend quarterbacks such as Tom Flores, Daryle Lamonica, and Ken Stabler.
Otto was not only a mauler but he demonstrated the current trend towards more sportive centers in the league. He dealt with a great deal of longevity in 308 straight games from 1960 to 1974.
