Who wore number 24 in NFL

The number 24 belongs to the eligible range for receiving the ball. It’s popular among running backs and wide receivers, but defensive backs also can take this range, which makes them ineligible receivers except for recovering fumbles or interceptions. Since 2023, this range began to become accessible to linebackers. Let’s see what players have worn number 24. Our format allows you to acquaint yourself with only 8 famous performers from various talents throughout 100+ years of the league’s history.

Retired numbers 24

The only team that retired number 24 is the Indianapolis (Baltimore) Colts. They removed number 24 in fame Lenny Moore. This player joined the Colts the same year with legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas – 1956. They played together till 1967 after Moore left the team. He is part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The first player with the number 24 in NFL history

Roger O’Connor was the first player in the NFL who wore number 24. He played an end position in the Chicago Cardinals from 1920 to 1924. According to the Pro Football Reference, he missed the 1923 season, but the reason is unknown. However, the NFL and other sources lack data about that.

The last player wearing number 24 before AV implementation

The defensive back Warren Lahr wore it in the Cleveland Browns till retirement in 1959. After three years, the player received it in 1952 when he exploited number 80. Lahr had a modest career because he competed in a single Pro Bowl. The defensive back won three NFL championship titles, but his contribution in the playoffs needed more.

Top-5 players with highest AV

Champ Bailey – 157 AV

This defensive back started his career in 1999 when the Washington Redskins picked him in the first round of the NFL Draft. Champ Bailey showed his ambitions immediately when the league balloted him for defensive rookie nomination, where he took second place. Almost every year of Redskins’ tenure ended with a Pro Bowl for him. However, he didn’t reach the Super Bowl with Redskins despite qualifications to playoffs. In 2004, Redskins traded him to Denver Broncos. The successive wave continued there, too, especially the Pro Bowl streak. In Redskins, Bailey qualified only for the second All-Pro team, while in Denver, he had three qualifications. However, his dream about SB remained only a dream – San Francisco beat his team in 2013 43-8 and won the title. His achievements include 12 Pro Bowls at retirement in the 2013 season. He became part of the All-2000s team. He is also a member of the Hall of Fame since 2019. His number 24 is still in the circuit in both teams.

Willie Brown – 147 AV

Bailey took the number 24 after the defensive back Willie Brown, who played for the Denver Broncos as an undrafted player in 1963. He qualified for the first All-Pro team in 1964, the next season in his career. He received two qualifications for the Pro Bowl until the Broncos decided to trade him to the Oakland Raiders. Browns continued to play as cornerback there but changed the half of the field from right to left. The player participated in two Super Bowls: as AFL Champion in 1967, he lost the title to Green Bay Packers under the coaching of the famous Vince Lombardi. The next attempt happened in 1976 when the Raiders won Super Bowl XI. 9 appearances in the Pro Bowl, 5 first All-Pros, and stable playoff qualifications led him to the Hall of Fame.

Willie Wood – 122 AV

The defensive back Willie Wood played in the Green Bay Packers as the free safety. He signed the team as an undrafted agent in 190. The player won 2 Super Bowls (I and II) and became the NFL champion five times, including two that ended in the title. His four first All-Pros were the streak from 1964 to 1967. He also participated in 9 Pro Bowls, most of them a streak from 1964 to 1970. He retired in 1971 as the player who made history as the owner of the forever first Super Bowl and a witness of the merging between the AFL and NFL leagues. The thankful audience inducted him into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Ty Law – 111 AV

Ty Law came into football after the 1995 draft when the New England Patriots picked him in the first round. He won his first Super Bowl in 1996, the next season after his arrival. Then, the left cornerback, Law, had to wait until 2001 to win the title. 2003 brought him the final Super Bowl in his career. His career wasn’t excellent, as he played in 5 Pro Bowls and was included in All-Pro 1 two times; his efficiency was enough to consider induction to the Hall of Fame. Law retired in 2009 after the finishing of the season with the Denver Broncos.\

Darrelle Revis – 110 AV

The defensive back Darrelle Revis is another Hall of Famer on our list. He was drafted by the New York Jets in 2007 and spent most of his career with breaks in 2013-2014, when he played in the Buccaneers and Patriots, respectively. He retired in 2017 after one season with the Kansas City Chiefs. The player won his single title in 2014 after two unsuccessful attempts with the Jets. His skills allowed him to claim seven Pro Bowls and three AP1 appearances. Finally, the league and fans inducted him into the Hall of Fame in 2023.