Famous Football Heroes Five of the greatest football heroes of all time are a matter of opinion and perspective. An opinion is valid and perspective depends on when you lived and watched the game. The five greatest football heroes of all time for this author are as follows: Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Johnny Unitas, Jim Brown and Ronnie Lott. There are other obvious choices that could be mentioned with this group of players, but in the final selection, the key element is doing the job when it is all on the line. Performing at a top level with grace under pressure is the difference. Joe Montana Joe Montana started creating his legend while playing at the University of Notre Dame. His nickname of Comeback Kid and Joe Cool has its genesis at Notre Dame after coming off the bench and leading a comeback win over Purdue. A year later he led Notre Dame to a lopsided victory over the heavily favored University of Texas in the Cotton Bowl. And the crowning achievement was the comeback victory over the Houston Cougars in the Cotton Bow. He and his team overcame a 22-point deficit in the 4th quarter to win 35-34. Joe’s NFL career is marked by 4 Super Bowl wins and 3 MVPs. His Joe Cool image in the NFL is provided by the wins he produced in the 4th quarter of playoff games and the Super Bowl games. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. Joe Montana, a legend in his own time. For more information, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Montana Jerry Rice Jerry Rice was a terrific pass receiver who also was lucky enough to play his career with two great quarterbacks (Joe Montana Steve Young). Who made who is a valid question, but Jerry’s stats are beyond question. His receptions and touchdown record for a wide receiver could last his lifetime and maybe more. Rice was chosen the MVP for Super Bowl XXlll. The SF 49ers thought enough of his college talent to trade up in the draft to insure being able to select him. Rice’s work ethic to keep him in top physical shape is what is considered why he was able to play at top speed throughout a game. Other players who worked out with him stated that there was no way they could keep up with his regimen. This included running five miles daily and wind sprints up some of the toughest hills in his running area. One unique record he holds is a touchdown catch in 4 Super Bowls. The testament to his physical ability is he played for 20 years in the NFL. For more information, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Rice Johnny Unitas Johnny U as he was affectionately called came into Pro Football from the semi- pro ranks. He was not a college star. He was just a tough kid who could throw a football and had the guts of a riverboat gambler. He is considered one of the top five quarterbacks of all time. His greatest game was the championship game against the NY Giants in which he drove his team down the field and tied the game with just seconds to go. In the overtime he drove his team 80 yards to win the game. Johnny Unitas played for the Baltimore Colts at the same time that the Green Bay Packers were making their historical run as the best team in Pro Football. Their games were always close and usually tough losses for the Colts. But Unitas was feared by the Packers and also respected. He was known as a football-throwing gambler with no fear. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. Like Joe Montana he was a legend in his own time. For more information, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Unitas Jim Brown Jim Brown was a running back who only played nine years and set all kinds of records that have since been beat, by players who played more years. He retired at the top of his game. When he was playing he was the top rushing back eight of the nine years he played with the Cleveland Browns. He never missed a game during his nine years. His remarkable record in such a short time has always made experts of the game wonder what he could have done if he had played longer. For more information, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Brown Ronnie Lott Ronnie Lott was a defensive back noted for the fierce tackles he put on opposing players. He seemed to have no fear about hurting himself when going after a player on the other team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. His NFL career lasted 14 years. Lott’s terrific defensive play was very instrumental in the 4 Super Bowls the 49ers won. He was to the defense what Joe Montana was to the offense. For more information, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Lott