Ray Lewis and Top 20 Players with the Most Tackles in NFL History
Ray Lewis, One of the Three Greatest Linebackers to Play the Game
Ray Lewis has announced his retirement following the postseason. The Ravens’ linebacker missed much of 2012 after receiving surgery on his triceps.
Lewis is a first-ballot Hall of Famer and easily one of the three greatest linebackers of all time, along with Dick Butkus and Lawrence Taylor.
Ray Lewis did not put up gaudy numbers – he made 31 interceptions, forced 19 fumbles, scored just three touchdowns, had one safety…and oh yeah…one Super Bowl ring (update: make that two – 2000, 2012).
But Lewis was a dominant player that forced the offense to play around him, which was difficult to do since he was everywhere on the field. He was a fearsome and outspoken (and loudly spoken) leader: a guy you want in the trenches with you.
One career stat does stand out for Lewis that does show how omnipresent the LB was.
He’s got the second-most tackles since the stat has been recorded (late 1970′s).
Follow @VinGetz| PLAYER | POS. | TACKLES | TEAMS | FIRST YR | LAST YR | |
| 1. | Jessie Tuggle | LB | 1,640 | Falcons | 1987 | 2000 |
| 2. | Ray Lewis | LB | 1,573 | Ravens | 1996 | 2012 |
| 3. | Clay Matthews | LB | 1,561 | Browns, Falcons | 1978 | 1996 |
| 4. | Junior Seau | LB | 1,524 | Chargers, Dolphins, Patriots | 1990 | 2009 |
| 5. | Kyle Clifton | LB | 1,468 | Jets | 1984 | 1996 |
| 6. | London Fletcher | LB | 1,320 | St. Louis Rams, Bills, Redskins | 1998 | 2012 |
| 7. | Derrick Brooks | LB | 1,301 | Buccaneers | 1995 | 2008 |
| 8. | Hardy Nickerson | LB | 1,271 | Steelers, Buccaneers, Jaguars, Packers | 1987 | 2002 |
| 9. | Eugene Robinson | DB | 1,250 | Seahawks, Packers, Falcons, Panthers | 1985 | 2000 |
| 10. | Darryl Talley | LB | 1,190 | Bills, Falcons, Vikings | 1983 | 1996 |
| 11. | Chris Spielman | LB | 1,181 | Lions, Bills | 1988 | 1997 |
| 12. | Rickey Jackson | LB-DE | 1,173 | Saints, 49ers | 1981 | 1995 |
| 13. | Darrell Green | DB | 1,159 | Redskins | 1983 | 2002 |
| 14. | Dennis Smith | DB | 1,152 | Broncos | 1981 | 1994 |
| 15. | Mike Johnson | LB | 1,146 | Browns, Lions | 1986 | 1995 |
| 16. | Sam Mills | LB | 1,142 | Saints, Panthers | 1986 | 1997 |
| 17. | Donnie Edwards | LB | 1,133 | Chiefs, Chargers | 1996 | 2008 |
| 18. | Ken Norton | LB | 1,130 | Cowboys, 49ers | 1988 | 2000 |
| 19. | Ronnie Lott | DB | 1,113 | 49ers, L.A. Raiders, Jets | 1981 | 1994 |
| 20. | Zach Thomas | LB | 1,106 | Dolphins, Cowboys | 1996 | 2008 |
Thanks to pro-football-reference.com, where I posted this query to the play index.
Photo: russellstreetreport.com
Posted on January 2, 2013, in NFL and tagged football, greatest, linebacker, List, most, nfl, ray lewis, sports list of the day, tackles, top. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
Ray Lewis did not put up goddy numbers? He is the only linebacker in NFL history with 40 sacks and 30 ints. He is the only linebacker to every do that…. AHAHAHAHAHAH
The list is not correct,,,,Zach Thomas has over 1700 for starters…….
You are partially correct – literally, This list reflects solo tackles (no partial or assisted tackles). Zach Thomas had 1,737 total tackles, but only 1,106 of them were solo. Thanks for the comment!
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/3569/career
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