Eight unanimous selections highlight the 2010-19 All-Decade Team, announced today by the National Football League and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Two University of Tennessee greats were included on that list. Release is courtesy of NFL Communications.
OFFENSE | DEFENSE | |||
Wide Receiver | Antonio Brown | End | Calais Campbell | |
Wide Receiver | Larry Fitzgerald | End | Cameron Jordan | |
Wide Receiver | Calvin Johnson | End | Julius Peppers | |
Wide Receiver | Julio Jones | End | *J.J. Watt | |
Tight End | Rob Gronkowski | Tackle | Geno Atkins | |
Tight End | Travis Kelce | Tackle | Fletcher Cox | |
Tackle | Jason Peters | Tackle | *Aaron Donald | |
Tackle | Tyron Smith | Tackle | Ndamukong Suh | |
Tackle | Joe Staley | Linebacker | Chandler Jones | |
Tackle | *Joe Thomas | Linebacker | Luke Kuechly | |
Guard | Jahri Evans | Linebacker | Khalil Mack | |
Guard | Logan Mankins | Linebacker | *Von Miller | |
Guard | Zack Martin | Linebacker | Bobby Wagner | |
Guard | *Marshal Yanda | Linebacker | Patrick Willis | |
Center | Alex Mack | Cornerback | Patrick Peterson | |
Center | Maurkice Pouncey | Cornerback | Darrelle Revis | |
Quarterback | *Tom Brady | Cornerback | Richard Sherman | |
Quarterback | Aaron Rodgers | Safety | Eric Berry | |
Running Back | Frank Gore | Safety | Earl Thomas | |
Running Back | Marshawn Lynch | Safety | Eric Weddle | |
Running Back | LeSean McCoy | Defensive Back | Chris Harris | |
Running Back | *Adrian Peterson | Defensive Back | Tyrann Mathieu | |
Flex | Darren Sproles |
SPECIALISTS | |
Punter | Johnny Hekker |
Punter | Shane Lechler |
Kicker | Stephen Gostkowski |
Kicker | *Justin Tucker |
Punt Returner | Tyreek Hill |
Punt Returner | Darren Sproles |
Kick Returner | Devin Hester |
Kick Returner | Cordarrelle Patterson |
Coach | Bill Belichick |
Coach | Pete Carroll |
*Unanimous selection
The 55-member team is the result of votes cast over the last several weeks by the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 48-member selection committee. Only players who received at least one selection to a Pro Bowl, Associated Press All-Pro team or Pro Football Writers of America all-conference team during the 2010-19 seasons were eligible.
Eight unanimous selections – quarterback TOM BRADY, defensive tackle AARON DONALD, linebacker VON MILLER, running back ADRIAN PETERSON, offensive tackle JOE THOMAS, kicker JUSTIN TUCKER, defensive end J.J. WATT and guard MARSHAL YANDA – appear among the 53 players.
Brady and Green Bay’s AARON RODGERS, the two quarterbacks on the team, guided their respective clubs to the NFL’s top two win-loss records during the decade, including postseason. The Patriots were 141-42-0 (.770) while the Packers were 112-63-2 (.638).
Linebacker BOBBY WAGNER leads a parade of five Seahawks who spent all or most of the decade in Seattle. In addition to Wagner, Seattle is represented by former cornerback RICHARD SHERMAN, former safety EARL THOMAS and running back MARSHAWN LYNCH. Head coach PETE CARROLL, who led the team to eight playoff berths, two Super Bowls and one championship during the decade, is one of two coaches on the all-decade team.
The NFC West, which has sent a club to five of the last eight Super Bowls, is the most heavily represented division. Players who played primarily in the division on the all-decade team also include Donald (Los Angeles Rams), defensive end CALAIS CAMPBELL (Arizona), wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD (Arizona), running back FRANK GORE (San Francisco), punter JOHNNY HEKKER (Los Angeles Rams), linebacker CHANDLER JONES (Arizona), cornerback PATRICK PETERSON (Arizona), tackle JOE STALEY (San Francisco) and linebacker PATRICK WILLIS (San Francisco).
In addition to Carroll, the other head coach on the team is BILL BELICHICK, now one of two coaches ever to appear on multiple all-decade teams, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer CHUCK NOLL (1970s and 1980s). Belichick and Pro Football Hall of Famer TONY DUNGY were the coaches on the 2000s team.
Joining Belichick are four other Patriots who combined to guide New England during the decade to five Super Bowls, more than any team. Brady, former kicker STEPHEN GOSTKOWSKI, former tight end ROB GRONKOWSKI and former guard LOGAN MANKINS also spent all or the majority of the decade with the club.
Belichick and Brady join kick returner DEVIN HESTER, punter SHANE LECHLER and defensive end JULIUS PEPPERS as the five individuals to make the team in each of the last two decades.
DARREN SPROLES, selected as both an offensive flex player and a punt returner, is the fourth individual ever to appear on an all-decade team at multiple positions, joining MEL GRAY (kick returner and punt returner in 1990s), DANTE HALL (kick returner and punt returner in 2000s) and Pro Football Hall of Famer DEION SANDERS (cornerback and punt returner in 1990s). The NFL replaced fullback on the 2010s team with the flex position, reflecting the evolution of the game. The flex is defined as a player who fits several offensive roles for his club. Sproles tied for second among NFL players during the decade with five punt-return touchdowns.
The KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, who captured Super Bowl LIV in February, placed five individuals on the team, former safety ERIC BERRY, punt returner TYREEK HILL, tight end TRAVIS KELCE, defensive back TYRANN MATHIEU and running back LESEAN MCCOY, who also played for Philadelphia and Buffalo during the decade.
Two clubs placed multiple offensive linemen on the all-decade team. The DALLAS COWBOYS were represented by both guard ZACK MARTIN and offensive tackle TYRON SMITH while the CLEVELAND BROWNS were led by unanimous selection JOE THOMAS at offensive tackle and ALEX MACK, who played center from 2009-15 before signing with the Falcons.
Also, three players who earned the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year during the decade made the team: Campbell (2019), Fitzgerald (2016) and Watt (2017).
1920s All-Decade Team | |
End | Guy Chamberlin |
End | Lavern Dilweg |
End | George Halas |
Tackle | Ed Healey |
Tackle | Wilbur (Pete) Henry |
Tackle | Cal Hubbard |
Tackle | Steve Owen |
Guard | Hunk Anderson |
Guard | Walt Kiesling |
Guard | Mike Michalske |
Center | George Trafton |
Quarterback | Jimmy Conzelman |
Quarterback | John (Paddy) Driscoll |
Halfback | Harold (Red) Grange |
Halfback | Joe Guyon |
Halfback | Earl (Curly) Lambeau |
Halfback | Jim Thorpe |
Fullback | Ernie Nevers |
1930s All-Decade Team | |
End | Bill Hewitt |
End | Don Hutson |
End | Wayne Millner |
End | Gaynell Tinsley |
Tackle | George Christensen |
Tackle | Frank Cope |
Tackle | Glen (Turk) Edwards |
Tackle | Bill Lee |
Tackle | Joe Stydahar |
Guard | Grover (Ox) Emerson |
Guard | Dan Fortmann |
Guard | Charles (Buckets) Goldenberg |
Guard | Russ Letlow |
Center | Mel Hein |
Center | George Svendsen |
Quarterback | Earl (Dutch) Clark |
Quarterback | Arnie Herber |
Quarterback | Cecil Isbell |
Halfback | Cliff Battles |
Halfback | Johnny (Blood) McNally |
Halfback | Beattie Feathers |
Halfback | Alphonse (Tuffy) Leemans |
Halfback | Ken Strong |
Fullback | Clarke Hinkle |
Fullback | Bronko Nagurski |
1940s All-Decade Team | |
End | Jim Benton |
End | Jack Ferrante |
End | Ken Kavanaugh |
End | Dante Lavelli |
End | Pete Pihos |
End | Mac Speedie |
End | Ed Sprinkle |
Tackle | Al Blozis |
Tackle | George Connor |
Tackle | Frank (Bucko) Kilroy |
Tackle | Buford (Baby) Ray |
Tackle | Vic Sears |
Tackle | Al Wistert |
Guard | Bruno Banducci |
Guard | Bill Edwards |
Guard | Garrard (Buster) Ramsey |
Guard | Bill Willis |
Guard | Len Younce |
Center | Charley Brock |
Center | Clyde (Bulldog) Turner |
Center | Alex Wojciechowicz |
Quarterback | Sammy Baugh |
Quarterback | Sid Luckman |
Quarterback | Bob Waterfield |
Halfback | Tony Canadeo |
Halfback | Bill Dudley |
Halfback | George McAfee |
Halfback | Charley Trippi |
Halfback | Steve Van Buren |
Halfback | Byron (Whizzer) White |
Fullback | Pat Harder |
Fullback | Marion Motley |
Fullback | Bill Osmanski |
1950s All-Decade Team | |
Offense | |
End | Raymond Berry |
End | Tom Fears |
End | Bobby Walston |
Halfback-End | Elroy (Crazylegs) Hirsch |
Tackle | Roosevelt Brown |
Tackle | Bob St. Clair |
Guard | Dick Barwegan |
Guard | Jim Parker |
Guard | Dick Stanfel |
Center | Chuck Bednarik |
Quarterback | Otto Graham |
Quarterback | Bobby Layne |
Quarterback | Norm Van Brocklin |
Halfback | Frank Gifford |
Halfback | Ollie Matson |
Halfback | Hugh McElhenny |
Halfback | Lenny Moore |
Fullback | Alan Ameche |
Fullback | Joe Perry |
Kicker | Lou Groza |
Defense | |
End | Len Ford |
End | Gino Marchetti |
Tackle | Art Donovan |
Tackle | Leo Nomellini |
Tackle | Ernie Stautner |
Linebacker | Joe Fortunato |
Linebacker | Bill George |
Linebacker | Sam Huff |
Linebacker | Joe Schmidt |
Halfback | Jack Butler |
Halfback | Dick (Night Train) Lane |
Safety | Jack Christiansen |
Safety | Yale Lary |
Safety | Emlen Tunnell |
1960s All-Decade Team | |
Offense | |
Split End | Del Shofner |
Split End | Charley Taylor |
Flanker | Gary Collins |
Flanker | Boyd Dowler |
Tight End | John Mackey |
Tackle | Bob Brown |
Tackle | Forrest Gregg |
Tackle | Ralph Neely |
Guard | Gene Hickerson |
Guard | Jerry Kramer |
Guard | Howard Mudd |
Center | Jim Ringo |
Quarterback | Sonny Jurgensen |
Quarterback | Bart Starr |
Quarterback | Johnny Unitas |
Halfback | John David Crow |
Halfback | Paul Hornung |
Halfback | Leroy Kelly |
Halfback | Gale Sayers |
Fullback | Jim Brown |
Fullback | Jim Taylor |
Kicker | Jim Bakken |
Defense | |
End | Doug Atkins |
End | Willie Davis |
End | David (Deacon) Jones |
Tackle | Alex Karras |
Tackle | Bob Lilly |
Tackle | Merlin Olsen |
Linebacker | Dick Butkus |
Linebacker | Larry Morris |
Linebacker | Ray Nitschke |
Linebacker | Tommy Nobis |
Linebacker | Dave Robinson |
Cornerback | Herb Adderley |
Cornerback | Lem Barney |
Cornerback | Bobby Boyd |
Safety | Eddie Meador |
Safety | Larry Wilson |
Safety | Willie Wood |
Punter | Don Chandler |
1970s All-Decade Team | |
Offense | |
Wide Receiver | Harold Carmichael |
Wide Receiver | Drew Pearson |
Wide Receiver | Lynn Swann |
Wide Receiver | Paul Warfield |
Tight End | Dave Casper |
Tight End | Charlie Sanders |
Tackle | Dan Dierdorf |
Tackle | Art Shell |
Tackle | Rayfield Wright |
Tackle | Ron Yary |
Guard | Joe DeLamielleure |
Guard | John Hannah |
Guard | Larry Little |
Guard | Gene Upshaw |
Center | Jim Langer |
Center | Mike Webster |
Quarterback | Terry Bradshaw |
Quarterback | Ken Stabler |
Quarterback | Roger Staubach |
Running Back | Earl Campbell |
Running Back | Franco Harris |
Running Back | Walter Payton |
Running Back | O.J. Simpson |
Kicker | Garo Yepremian |
Defense | |
End | Carl Eller |
End | L.C. Greenwood |
End | Harvey Martin |
End | Jack Youngblood |
Tackle | Joe Greene |
Tackle | Bob Lilly |
Tackle | Merlin Olsen |
Tackle | Alan Page |
Linebacker | Bobby Bell |
Linebacker | Robert Brazile |
Linebacker | Dick Butkus |
Linebacker | Jack Ham |
Linebacker | Ted Hendricks |
Linebacker | Jack Lambert |
Cornerback | Willie Brown |
Cornerback | Jimmy Johnson |
Cornerback | Roger Wehrli |
Cornerback | Louis Wright |
Safety | Dick Anderson |
Safety | Cliff Harris |
Safety | Ken Houston |
Safety | Larry Wilson |
Punter | Ray Guy |
Specialists | |
Kick Returner | Rick Upchurch |
Kick Returner | Billy (White Shoes) Johnson |
Coach | Don Shula |
Coach | Chuck Noll |
1980s All-Decade Team | |
Offense | |
Wide Receiver | Jerry Rice |
Wide Receiver | Steve Largent |
Wide Receiver | James Lofton |
Wide Receiver | Art Monk |
Tight End | Kellen Winslow |
Tight End | Ozzie Newsome |
Tackle | Anthony Munoz |
Tackle | Jim Covert |
Tackle | Gary Zimmerman |
Tackle | Joe Jacoby |
Guard | John Hannah |
Guard | Russ Grimm |
Guard | Bill Fralic |
Guard | Mike Munchak |
Center | Dwight Stephenson |
Center | Mike Webster |
Quarterback | Joe Montana |
Quarterback | Dan Fouts |
Running Back | Walter Payton |
Running Back | Eric Dickerson |
Running Back | Roger Craig |
Running Back | John Riggins |
Defense | |
End | Reggie White |
End | Howie Long |
End | Lee Roy Selmon |
End | Bruce Smith |
Tackle | Randy White |
Tackle | Dan Hampton |
Tackle | Keith Millard |
Tackle | Dave Butz |
Linebacker | Mike Singletary |
Linebacker | Lawrence Taylor |
Linebacker | Ted Hendricks |
Linebacker | Jack Lambert |
Linebacker | Andre Tippett |
Linebacker | John Anderson |
Linebacker | Carl Banks |
Cornerback | Mike Haynes |
Cornerback | Mel Blount |
Cornerback | Frank Minnifield |
Cornerback | Lester Hayes |
Safety | Ronnie Lott |
Safety | Kenny Easley |
Safety | Deron Cherry |
Safety | Joey Browner |
Safety | Nolan Cromwell |
Specialists | |
Punter | Sean Landeta |
Punter | Reggie Roby |
Kicker | Morten Andersen |
Kicker | Gary Anderson |
Kicker | Eddie Murray |
Punt Returner | Billy (White Shoes) Johnson |
Punt Returner | John Taylor |
Kick Returner | Mike Nelms |
Kick Returner | Rick Upchurch |
Coach | Bill Walsh |
Coach | Chuck Noll |
1990s All-Decade Team | |
Offense | |
Wide Receiver | Cris Carter |
Wide Receiver | Jerry Rice |
Wide Receiver | Tim Brown |
Wide Receiver | Michael Irvin |
Tight End | Shannon Sharpe |
Tight End | Ben Coates |
Tackle | William Roaf |
Tackle | Gary Zimmerman |
Tackle | Tony Boselli |
Tackle | Richmond Webb |
Guard | Bruce Matthews |
Guard | Randall McDaniel |
Guard | Larry Allen |
Guard | Steve Wisniewski |
Center | Dermontti Dawson |
Center | Mark Stepnoski |
Quarterback | John Elway |
Quarterback | Brett Favre |
Running Back | Barry Sanders |
Running Back | Emmitt Smith |
Running Back | Terrell Davis |
Running Back | Thurman Thomas |
Defense | |
End | Bruce Smith |
End | Reggie White |
End | Chris Doleman |
End | Neil Smith |
Tackle | Cortez Kennedy |
Tackle | John Randle |
Tackle | Warren Sapp |
Tackle | Bryant Young |
Linebacker | Kevin Greene |
Linebacker | Junior Seau |
Linebacker | Derrick Thomas |
Linebacker | Cornelius Bennett |
Linebacker | Hardy Nickerson |
Linebacker | Levon Kirkland |
Cornerback | Deion Sanders |
Cornerback | Rod Woodson |
Cornerback | Darrell Green |
Cornerback | Aeneas Williams |
Safety | Steve Atwater |
Safety | LeRoy Butler |
Safety | Carnell Lake |
Safety | Ronnie Lott |
Specialists | |
Punter | Darren Bennett |
Punter | Sean Landeta |
Kicker | Morten Andersen |
Kicker | Gary Anderson |
Punt Returner | Deion Sanders |
Punt Returner | Mel Gray |
Kick Returner | Michael Bates |
Kick Returner | Mel Gray |
Coach | Bill Parcells |
Coach | Marv Levy |
2000s All-Decade Team | |
Offense | |
Wide Receiver | Randy Moss |
Wide Receiver | Marvin Harrison |
Wide Receiver | Terrell Owens |
Wide Receiver | Torry Holt |
Tight End | Tony Gonzalez |
Tight End | Antonio Gates |
Tackle | Walter Jones |
Tackle | Jonathan Ogden |
Tackle | Orlando Pace |
Tackle | William Roaf |
Guard | Alan Faneca |
Guard | Steve Hutchinson |
Guard | Will Shields |
Guard | Larry Allen |
Center | Kevin Mawae |
Center | Olin Kreutz |
Quarterback | Tom Brady |
Quarterback | Peyton Manning |
Running Back | LaDainian Tomlinson |
Running Back | Edgerrin James |
Running Back | Jamal Lewis |
Running Back | Shaun Alexander |
Fullback | Lorenzo Neal |
Defense | |
End | Dwight Freeney |
End | Michael Strahan |
End | Jason Taylor |
End | Julius Peppers |
Tackle | Richard Seymour |
Tackle | Warren Sapp |
Tackle | Kevin Williams |
Tackle | La’Roi Glover |
Linebacker | Ray Lewis |
Linebacker | Derrick Brooks |
Linebacker | Brian Urlacher |
Linebacker | Joey Porter |
Linebacker | Zach Thomas |
Linebacker | DeMarcus Ware |
Cornerback | Champ Bailey |
Cornerback | Charles Woodson |
Cornerback | Ronde Barber |
Cornerback | Ty Law |
Safety | Ed Reed |
Safety | Brian Dawkins |
Safety | Troy Polamalu |
Safety | Darren Sharper |
Specialists | |
Punter | Shane Lechler |
Punter | Brian Moorman |
Kicker | Adam Vinatieri |
Kicker | David Akers |
Punt Returner | Dante Hall |
Punt Returner | Devin Hester |
Kick Returner | Joshua Cribbs |
Kick Returner | Dante Hall |
Coach | Bill Belichick |
Coach | Tony Dungy |