The 5 Hardest Hitting Safeties in NFL History

They roam the defensive backfield with a search and destroy mentality. Not as big as a linebacker, but larger than a corner. Big enough to take on a blocking Tight-End, and fast enough to cover them and running backs out of the backfield, they are tasked with supporting against the run and defending against the deep pass. Perhaps no other position on defense requires so much territory to be covered. Over the NFL's illustrious history, there have been many who've played the position, but only a few who remain with us in our memories for their jarring hits and fantastic defensive plays. Here are the top 5 all-time hardest hitting safeties in the history of the NFL.

#5 Leroy Butler Strong Safety: Green Bay Packers 1990-2001

Coming in at #5 is Leroy Butler who played his entire career with the Green Bay Packers. A fantastic cover safety, and strong on run support, Butler is a Superbowl champion who was drafted by Green Bay out of Florida State University in the second round of the 1990 draft. He made the Pro-Bowl 4 times, was a 5 time All-Pro and is member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 1990's. He was a master of coverage and run support and is a member of the obscure 20/20 club with over 20 interceptions and over 20 quarterback sacks.

#4 Brian Dawkins Strong Safety: Philadelphia Eagles 1996-2008 & Denver Broncos 2009

Nicknamed Wolverine by his Philadelphia teammates, Brian Dawkins is an 8 time Pro-Bowler and 4 time first Team All-Pro, and this decade's greatest safety. A rare combination of speed and size allows Dawkins to excel in all facets of the game. Run support, coverage and pressuring the quarterback was a mainstay of Dawkins's game during his stay in Philadelphia. During the late Jim Johnson's 11 year reign as Philadelphia's defensive coordinator, the defensive pressure schemes began and ended with Dawkins ability to pressure the quarterback with fake blitzes, and drop back into coverage in a heartbeat.

#3 Steve Atwater & Ronnie Lott:

Steve Atwater Free Safety: Denver Broncos 1989-1998 & New York Jets 1999

Steve Atwater and Ronnie Lott both share #3 in our list, much to the dismay of many who view both safeties as the best all time players of their position. To say that Steve Atwater was a hard hitting free safety would be an understatement. He played at a time when helmet to helmet hits were legal and he dished them out like candy at Halloween. A punishing free safety, who played more like a linebacker, he provided hits that could actually be heard by television viewers. Appropriately nicknamed the assassin, he was a party to one of the all time greatest microphone jobs in the history of Monday night football. In a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Bronco's in the 1990's, ABC put a microphone in Atwater's helmet. Viewers were treated to one thunderous hit after another as Atwater met Chief's running back Christian Okoye time and again, helmet to helmet. He was a an 8 time Pro-Bowler, 2 time First Team All-Pro, and 2 time Superbowl champion and a member of the 1990's All-Decade Team.

Ronnie Lott Cornerback, Strong Safety, Free Safety:

San Francisco 49ers 1981-1990, Oakland Raiders 1991-1992, New York Jets 1993-1994 & Kansas City Chiefs 1995

Ronnie Lott started out as a cornerback, and as hard as he hit, he was more of a converted cover corner. Nonetheless, he was a pillar of San Francisco's defensive backfield of the 80's and the greatest player ever to play all 3 defensive backfield positions. Starting out as a cover corner, moving to strong safety and eventual free safety, Ronnie Lott is a 10 time Pro-Bowler, 8 time All-Pro, 4 time Superbowl winner, a member of the 1980's All-Decade Team and a member of NFL's illustrious 75^th Anniversary All-Time Team. Perhaps the greatest all around safety, due to his ability to play all three defensive backfield positions, he wasn't necessarily the hardest hitting safety on this list. His strength was his flexibility to play any 3 of the positions on the field at any given time, and his cover abilities were far greater than his hitting abilities.

#2 Ken Houston Strong/Fee Safety:

Houston Oilers (1967-1972) Washington Redskins (1973-1980)

Ken Houston was a late ninth round draft pick of the AFL's Houston Oilers. Houston was the perfect example of a diamond in the rough. At the time, the AFL played second fiddle to the NFL. To be drafted that late in a second tier league, and then go on to have the career that Houston enjoyed, is a testament to his drive and perseverance. Those abilities allowed him to become a 12 time Pro-Bowler, 2 time First Team All-Pro, a member of the 1970's All-Decade Team, and member of the 75^th anniversary All-Time Team. Houston had a rare combination of speed and power and hit like a battering ram. Perhaps the greatest play that personified his abilities was in a game against the hated rival Dallas Cowboys in 1973. Dallas was faced with a 4^th and 4, and a chance to tie the game. Dallas quarterback Craig Morton hit Walt Garrison immediately out of the backfield, and Houston met him at the goal line. Giving up more than 20 lbs and with momentum on Garrison's side, Houston picked Garrison up with one arm and threw him to the turf. The win secured Washington's first place finish.

Houston's longevity, toughness, hitting ability and his perseverance to succeed despite mounting odds, puts him at #2 on the all-time list.

#1 Jack Tatum Strong Safety:

Oakland Raiders (1971-1979)

Houston Oilers (1980)

While not the best or most gifted safety on this list, Tatum was without a doubt the hardest hitting safety who ever played in the NFL. The original owner of the nickname the "assassin", he was toughness personified. He played at a time when everything was tolerated, whether it was forearms to the face, helmet to helmet hits, horse collar tackles, pile driving, or late hits, the football field was Tatum's playground and he bullied everyone on the opposing team. If there was a tackle to be made, and one of his own players was in the way, he would blow them out as well. Known as a fierce competitor, he never stopped. He was a 3 time Pro-Bowler, 2 time All-Pro, 5 time All-AFC player and a Superbowl winner. However, the one reason why he makes this list as #1 is for his hit in a preseason game against the New England Patriots that paralyzed wide receiver Darryl Stingley. Even in a preseason game, he wouldn't let up. Tatum's forearm hit to Stingley's helmet sent the wide receiver to the ground, never to get up. That forearm hit was legal, but would never be allowed again. To this day, Tatum refuses to acknowledge the hit as dirty. For never apologizing and playing in a lawless time, when anything was legal, Tatum owns the #1 position on this list. Tatum took advantage of the opportunities presented to him and made it his mission in life to use any means necessary to knock opposing players out of the game.

Perhaps not all of these players are on your list, or maybe they are, but not in the same order. However, when you look at the hardest hitting safeties to ever play the game, these 5 likely appear on most lists. All 5 of these players put fear in the hearts of receivers crossing the middle of the field. They made it a point to dish out punishment. Nobody put more fear into receivers than Jack Tatum. A lot of what Tatum did, and how he did it, would be viewed as illegal by today's NFL, but it was legal at the time. If ever a player stretched the rules, it was surely Jack Tatum. For that reason alone, and for playing every game like it was his last, Tatum deserves the #1 spot. Tatum used everything he could to bring a player down, and he did it often enough to own the name "assassin".