Twelve months of 1979 births gave the league a record-setting passer, a bruising 2,000-yard rusher and linemen who rarely saw the spotlight.
1Drew BreesQuarterback born January 15, 1979, who won Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints and made 13 Pro Bowls.1000pts
2Larry JohnsonChiefs running back born in 1979 who ran for at least 1,750 yards in both 2005 and 2006 and made two Pro Bowls.698pts
3LaDainian TomlinsonChargers running back born in 1979 who was the 2006 NFL MVP after scoring an NFL-record 31 touchdowns in a season.525pts
4Dallas ClarkColts tight end born in 1979 who won Super Bowl XLI and was a first-team All-Pro in 2009.525pts
5Ryan ClarkSteelers safety born in 1979 who won Super Bowl XLIII and made the 2011 Pro Bowl.525pts
6Adrian WilsonCardinals safety born in 1979 who made five Pro Bowls and started in Super Bowl XLIII.444pts
7Steve Smith Sr.Wide receiver born in 1979 who won the 2005 receiving triple crown with the Panthers and made five Pro Bowls.444pts
8Nate ClementsCornerback born in 1979 who made the 2004 Pro Bowl with the Bills and later played for the 49ers and Bengals.444pts
9Richard SeymourDefensive lineman born in 1979 who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.444pts
10Brian WestbrookEagles running back born in 1979 who was a first-team All-Pro in 2007 and a two-time Pro Bowler.345pts
11Jamal LewisRavens running back born in 1979 who rushed for 2,066 yards in 2003 and won Super Bowl XXXV.345pts
12Dan KoppenPatriots center born in 1979 who won two Super Bowls and made the 2007 Pro Bowl.345pts
13Antwaan Randle ElSteelers receiver born in 1979 who threw a touchdown pass to Hines Ward in Super Bowl XL.345pts
14Justin SmithDefensive end born in 1979 who played 14 seasons for the Bengals and 49ers and made five Pro Bowls.345pts
15Aaron KampmanPackers defensive end born in 1979 who made two Pro Bowls and had 15.5 sacks in 2006.345pts
16John HendersonJaguars defensive tackle born in 1979, a 2002 first-round pick who made two Pro Bowls.345pts
17Andre CarterDefensive end born in 1979 who played for the 49ers, Washington and Patriots and made the 2011 Pro Bowl.0pts
18Carson PalmerQuarterback born in December 1979, the 2003 first overall pick, who made three Pro Bowls with the Bengals and Cardinals.0pts
19Santana MossWide receiver born in 1979 who played for the Jets and Washington and had 1,483 receiving yards in 2005.0pts
20Deion BranchWide receiver born in 1979 who won two Super Bowls with the Patriots and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX.0pts
21Cato JuneColts linebacker born in 1979 who made the 2005 Pro Bowl and won Super Bowl XLI.0pts
Photo credits
- Drew Brees — Senate Democrats, CC BY 2.0
- Larry Johnson — gamerscoreblog, edited by anetode, CC BY-SA 2.0
- LaDainian Tomlinson — original: U.S, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Dallas Clark — User:Manningmbd, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Adrian Wilson — original: Michael Wifallderivative: Diddykong1130, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Steve Smith Sr. — Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Nate Clements — Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Richard Seymour — Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Brian Westbrook — Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Jamal Lewis — Mr.schultz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Antwaan Randle El — flickr user dbking, CC BY 2.0
- Justin Smith — Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0
- John Henderson — Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Andre Carter — Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 3.0
- Carson Palmer — Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 3.0
- Santana Moss — Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Deion Branch — Rucks1989, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Cato June — Michael D Collins (flickr user fanphin), CC BY 2.0
