NFL All-Decade Offensive First-Team: 1980s

As a rabid NFL fan in the 1980s, I was privileged to witness first-hand some of the greatest players to ever don shoulder pads and a helmet playing football in the prime of their respective careers. With such a wealth of talent in professional football at the time, attempting to select an NFL 1980s all-decade offensive team is quite a daunting task.

This group of NFL greats is anchored by four players widely considered the all-time best at their positions; Jerry Rice, Kellen Winslow, John Hannah, and Anthony Munoz. Also included is the late, great Walter Payton, who by my account was the most dynamic running back of his generation. Ten out of eleven players selected on this list are currently enshrined in the pro football Hall of Fame.

Here is my list:

NFL 1980's All-Decade Offensive First-Team

Quarterback- Joe Montana, San Francisco 49ers- Nicknamed Joe Cool. Montana was named AP NFL Most Valuable Player in 1989. In 1986 Montana was named the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Montana was elected to eight Pro Bowls, as well as being voted 1st team All-Pro in 1987 and 1989. On five different occasions in the 1980's Montana had the highest passer rating in the NFC, leading the entire NFL in 1987 and 1989.

Running Back- Walter Payton, Chicago Bears- The best all-around running back that I was fortunate to have watched. Nicknamed "Sweetness", Payton broke the legendary Jim Brown's career rushing record of 12,312 yards on October 7, 1984. In 1985, Payton rushed for more than 1,500 yards, while helping lead the Bears to a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots. Over the course of his entire career, Payton rushed for an incredible 16,726 yards and scored 110 touchdowns. On November 1, 1999, Payton tragically died of a rare liver disease.

Running Back- Erik Dickerson, Los Angeles Rams/Indianapolis Colts- Dickerson established rookie records for most attempts (390), rushing yards (1,808) and rushing touchdowns (18) in 1983. In his second year, Dickerson broke the record of most 100-yard games and total yards rushing in a season held by O.J. Simpson, by rushing for 2,105 in the 1984 NFL season. After a blockbuster trade to the Colts at the end of the decade, Dickerson became the first Colt to lead the league in rushing since Alan Ameche by rushing for 1,659 yards in 1988.

Wide Receiver- Jerry Rice, San Francisco 49ers- Considered by some experts to be the greatest overall NFL football player of all time, he holds just about every major statistical record for wide receivers and is the NFL's all-time leader in touchdowns scored with 208, Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl an amazing 13 times and was named All-Pro 11 times over the course of his 20 year NFL career. As a key member of the 49ers, Rice won three Super Bowl rings. His career receiving yards record (22,895) is considered unreachable by many.

Wide Receiver- Steve Largent, Seattle Seahawks- By the end of his career in 1989, Largent held several NFL receiving records, including those for most receptions in a career (819), receiving yards (13,089), and touchdown receptions (100). He also held a record streak of 177 consecutive regular-season games where he had a least one reception. Unquestionably the best player to play the majority of his games with the Seahawks, Largent will go down in history as one of the greatest receivers of all time.

Tight End- Kellen Winslow, San Diego Chargers- Arguably the greatest tight end in NFL history, Winslow played in the NFL for nine seasons, earning five Pro Bowls selections. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. During his NFL career, Winslow caught 541 passes for 6,741 yards and 45 touchdowns. From 1980 to 1982, Winslow was selected to the NFL All-Pro team. He is also a proud member of the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Tackle- Anthony Munoz, Cincinnati Bengals- Munoz was selected to 11 consecutive) Pro Bowls, and awarded the Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1981, 1987, and 1988. Winner of multiple awards, Munoz held the most pro bowl selections Pro Bowl selections by an offensive lineman in league history (along with Tom Mack). In 1994, he was named to the National Football League 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. In 1999, The Sporting News' ranked him number 17 on their list of the 100 greatest football players. Munoz was the highest-ranked offensive lineman.

Tackle- Jimbo Covert, Chicago Bears- During his NFL career, Covert was named to an All-Pro team four straight years (1984-1987). He was selected to the first- or second-team All-NFC team four times, and to the first- or second-team All-NFL team on three different occasions. Covert was selected to two Pro Bowls in 1985 and 1986. Anchoring an offensive line that helped to open holes for legendary running back Walter Payton, Covert was a consummate professional.

Guard- John Hanna, New England Patriots- A 10-time All-Pro and All-AFC selection. Hannah was also selected to the NFL's 75th Anniversary All-Time Team as the #1 guard in the team. Having spent his entire career with the Patriots, Hannah was elected into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1991. He played college football for the legendary Paul (Bear) Bryant at the University of Alabama, where he earned All-American honors.

Guard- Russ Grimm, Washington Redskins- A member of the legendary "hogs," Grimm played 11 seasons as the Redskins' starting guard, helping lead Washington to 4 Super Bowl appearances and 3 Super Bowl victories. During that time, Grimm was selected to 4 consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and named All Pro each year.

Center- Dwight Stephenson, Miami Dolphins- Stephenson was selected to the All-Pro team and Pro Bowl in five consecutive years from 1983 to 1987. He was the starting center in three AFC Championship Game and two Super Bowl appearances: Super Bowl XIX and Super Bowl XVII. His career was ended in 1987 when he suffered a severe knee injury during a game with the New York Jets. Stephenson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

Sources
NFL Hall of Fame
BearsHistory
Pro Football Reference
Jerry Rice Football
NFL.COM