Greatest Athletes of the 1980s
The greatest sports people who defined the 1980s — across football, boxing, athletics, tennis, basketball and more.
1980s by Sport
The leading athletes across every discipline in the 1980s.
Athletes of the 1980s
Browse all 804 athletes who defined sport in the 1980s.
American
Alan Page
Defensive Tackle
American football defensive tackle who became the first defensive player to win NFL MVP in 1971 and …
American
Anthony Muñoz
Offensive Tackle
American offensive tackle who played 13 seasons in the NFL, widely considered one of the greatest of…
American
Art Monk
Wide Receiver
American wide receiver who played 16 NFL seasons, primarily with Washington Redskins, winning three …
American
Barry Sanders
Running Back
American football running back widely regarded as one of the greatest NFL players of all time, known…
American
Bo Jackson
Running Back
American two-sport athlete who played both NFL football and Major League Baseball, known for excepti…
American
Brett Favre
Quarterback
American NFL quarterback who played 20 seasons, famous for his consecutive starts record and gunslin…
American
Bruce Matthews
Offensive Lineman
American football offensive lineman who played 19 NFL seasons, inducted into Hall of Fame in 2007 wi…
American
Bruce Smith
Defensive End
The all-time sack leader — Bruce Smith's 200 career sacks is the NFL record, achieved across 19 seas…
American
Dan Fouts
Quarterback
American NFL quarterback who played for the San Diego Chargers (1973-1987), known for his prolific p…
American
Dan Marino
Quarterback
American quarterback who played 17 seasons for Miami Dolphins, set numerous NFL passing records and …
American
Deion Sanders
Cornerback
American cornerback and return specialist who played in NFL (1989-2005). Two-time Super Bowl champio…
American
Earl Campbell
Running Back
American football running back who dominated the NFL in the late 1970s and early 1980s, winning thre…
American
Emmitt Smith
Running Back
American football running back who became the NFL's all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards and wo…
American
Eric Dickerson
Running Back
American football running back who holds the NFL single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards set i…
American
Franco Harris
Running Back
The Immaculate Reception — the most famous play in NFL history, and four Super Bowl rings as the wor…
American
Gene Upshaw
Guard / Tackle
American football guard who played 15 seasons with Oakland Raiders, Hall of Fame inductee and longti…
American
Herschel Walker
Running Back
American football running back who won the 1982 Heisman Trophy and became one of the most dominant c…
American
Jack Ham
Linebacker
American football linebacker who anchored the Pittsburgh Steelers' legendary Steel Curtain defense d…
American
Jack Lambert
Linebacker
American football linebacker who played his entire NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning …
American
Jerry Rice
Wide Receiver
American football wide receiver widely regarded as the greatest of all time, holding numerous NFL re…
American
Jim Kelly
Quarterback
American quarterback who led Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowl appearances and was induct…
American
Joe Montana
Quarterback
American football quarterback who led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl victories and is wi…
American
John Elway
Quarterback
American football quarterback who led the Denver Broncos to two Super Bowl victories and was inducte…
American
John Hannah
Guard
American football guard who played his entire NFL career with the New England Patriots, widely consi…
American
Junior Seau
Linebacker
American linebacker who played 20 NFL seasons, known for his intensity and leadership. 12-time Pro B…
American
Larry Allen
Guard
American NFL offensive lineman considered one of the greatest guards in football history, known for …
American
Lawrence Taylor
Linebacker
American football linebacker widely regarded as the greatest defensive player in NFL history, revolu…
American
Lynn Swann
Wide Receiver
American former NFL wide receiver who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1974-1982, winning fou…
American
Mean Joe Greene
Defensive Tackle
American football defensive tackle who anchored Pittsburgh Steelers' dominant defense during 1970s, …
American
Mel Blount
Cornerback
American football Hall of Fame cornerback who dominated the 1970s with the Pittsburgh Steelers, winn…
American
Michael Irvin
Wide Receiver
American football wide receiver who starred for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s, winning three Super…
American
Michael Strahan
Defensive End
American former NFL defensive end who played his entire 15-year career with the New York Giants, set…
American
Mike Haynes
Cornerback
American NFL cornerback who played 14 seasons, earning 9 Pro Bowl selections and induction into the …
American
Mike Singletary
Linebacker
American football linebacker who played 12 seasons with Chicago Bears, earning 10 Pro Bowl selection…
American
Mike Webster
Center
American football center who played 17 NFL seasons, primarily with Pittsburgh Steelers, winning four…
American
O.J. Simpson
Running Back
American former NFL running back who won the 1968 Heisman Trophy and became the first player to rush…
American
Ozzie Newsome
Tight End
Hall of Fame Cleveland Browns tight end who defined graceful receiving at the position and later bec…
American
Randy White
Defensive Tackle
American football defensive tackle who played 14 seasons with Dallas Cowboys, Pro Football Hall of F…
American
Reggie White
Defensive End
American defensive end who dominated the NFL for 15 seasons, recording 198 career sacks and earning …
American
Rod Woodson
Cornerback/Safety
The finest cornerback-turned-safety in NFL history — Rod Woodson recorded 71 career interceptions an…
American
Ronnie Lott
Safety
American football safety and cornerback who won four Super Bowls with San Francisco 49ers and is con…
American
Sam Mills
Linebacker
American linebacker who overcame size limitations to become a dominant NFL defender, earning Pro Bow…
American
Shannon Sharpe
Tight End
American former NFL tight end who played 14 seasons, winning 3 Super Bowls and setting multiple rece…
American
Steve McMichael
Defensive Tackle
American defensive tackle who played 15 NFL seasons, primarily with Chicago Bears, winning Super Bow…
American
Steve Young
Quarterback
The most accurate passer in NFL history — Steve Young's perfect 112.8 passer rating in 1994 led the …
American
Ted Hendricks
Linebacker
American NFL linebacker known as 'The Mad Stork' who won four Super Bowls and was inducted into the …
American
Terry Bradshaw
Quarterback
American NFL quarterback who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl victories in the 1970s, …
American
Walter Payton
Running Back
American football running back who played 13 seasons with the Chicago Bears, holding the NFL rushing…
Showing top 48 of 804 athletes from this era.