Who wore number 44 in NFL

The number 44 is eligible to catch the ball and advance it to gain yardage or score a touchdown if the conditions allow it. The wide receivers, kickers and punters use it for these purposes. But the defensive players often use it, too. Let’s discover the famous players who wore two fours on their backs.

Retired numbers 44 in NFL

The number 44 is out of circuit in two teams. For Example, the Hall of Famer Floyd Little wore it in the Denver Broncos from 1967 to 1975. The team retired this number in 1984. Another team, the Philadelphia Eagles, retired two-fourths in 1965 in honor of Pete Retzlaff, who played there from 1956 to 1966 (!!!).

The first number 44 in NFL

Wally Gilbert was the first player who wore number 44 in the NFL. There are confirmations that he wore it in Duluth Eskimos in 1926 before his retirement. But he wore it during his entire tenure there since 1923.

The last player who wore number 44 before AV implementation

The defensive back Bobby Dilon started his career in 1952 after the third round of the Draft. He never left the Green Bay Packers. The player acted as free safety till 1959. He scored 5 interception touchdowns and participated in four Pro Bowls, the same number as the first All-Pro team appearances. Despite a lack of championships, the league included him in the Hall of Fame in 2020.

Top 5 players with the highest AV

Jimmy Riggins – 160 AV

This player started his career in 1971 after the Draft, where the New York Jets picked him. Jimmy Riggins showed himself as the fullback. He pretended for the offensive rookie title from AP in his debut season but took only the third place. The 1974 season was his last season with the Jets. He started his presence in Washington Redskins from a decline in performance. He scored 0 rushing and two receiving touchdowns in the 1976 season. He played there till retirement in 1985. His peak was in 1983 when he scored 24 rushing touchdowns in the regular season. He became the owner and MVP in Super Bowl XVII with the Redskins. Riggins case is interesting because he joined the Hall of Fame with one AP1 and Pro Bowl qualification. That happened in 1992.

Leroy Kelly – 102 AV

This player started his career in 1964 when The Cleveland Browns picked him in the eighth round of the Draft. The league considered Leroy Kelly the weakest player, but he proved the opposite. The player scored no touchdowns in the first two seasons but compensated for this failure with 15 rushing yards in 1966. The peak continued till 1968. However, he demonstrated perfect performance further. The player collected three consecutive MVP nominations but lost them all. Kelly also participated in 6 Pro Bowls and 3 AP1. The running back was the witness of the new era launch – Super Bowl but didn’t win it. His only trophy is the 1964 NFL season. The final step was the Hall of Fame enrichment in 1994.

Dick LeBeau – 99 AV

The player passed the Draft in 1959. His vital story is tightly connected with the Detroit Lions. Dick LeBeau started his rookie season with number 24, but three years later, he wore number 44. The player scored 3 interception touchdowns and a single fumble during their career. He didn’t participate in the Super Bowls but received the Hall of Famer title in 2010.

Chuck Foreman – 86 AV

Welcome AP ORoY winner of the 1973 season – Chuck Foreman. He played little number of seasons compared to his opponents or copositioners – from 1973 to 1980. But our interest ended in the 1979 season when he ended The Viking’s tenure. The player claimed the Offensive Player of the Year several times and had several MVP nominations, but he lost them all. However, he played in five Pro Bowls. Foreman contributed 83 RRTDs in the Vikings’ favor but didn’t win the Super Bowl.

Floyd Little – 83 AV

The running back Floyd Little opened a new qualitative page in the history of the Denver Broncos. He never tasted the champagne of the Super Bowl or at least the wild card berth between 1967 and 1975, but he never ended the season without at least one touchdown. The player scored 13 touchdowns at the peak of 1973, and his top yardage per game reached 81 in 1971. Little retired in 1975 with 5 Pro Bowls and 1 AP1 appearance. The league inducted him into the Hall of Fame in 2010.