In honor of the New York Giants’ 100th season as an NFL franchise, an independent committee of award-winning journalists, NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame executives, and superfans have ranked the top 100 players in franchise history. This is unquestionably a proud franchise that has seen this team win four Super Bowls and have had countless players make it to the Hall of Fame.
So, it is interesting to see who these people have picked to be the top 100 New York Giants of all. As for the top three players of all time who have worn that jersey for New York, these Giants legends undoubtedly deserve to be listed as the top five players who played for this franchise.
1. Lawrence Taylor
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Is this a surprise? Lawrence Taylor who is regarded as one of the best defensive players of all time in the NFL was named as the best New York Giants player. Taylor or “LT” as he was nicknamed spent 13 seasons playing for the Giants and his resume certainly backs up why he’s the best to ever do it for the Giants.
Taylor was drafted second overall by the New York Giants in 1981 and played his entire 13-year career for them. During his time in New York, the pass rusher established an NFL record by appearing in 10 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1981 to 1990 and was named the NFL Rookie of the Year in 1981 and a unanimous choice to the NFL’s All-1980s team. At the time when Taylor retired, he was No. 2 in all-time sacks with 132.5. He also helped the New York Giants win two Super Bowls in 1987 and 1991.
Taylor was quite simply a force to be reckoned with and is also considered the GOAT on defense. There was no stopping Lawrence Taylor during that time for opposing offensive lines. Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999. So Taylor being listed as the greatest Giant of all time can certainly not be disputed.
2. Roosevelt Brown
Not many people have probably not heard of Roosevelt Brown, but here’s your chance. Brown played for the New York Giants from 1953 and 1965 and was drafted by New York with their 27th-round draft pick out of Morgan State. At the time, he was considered a steal in that draft.
Brown played tackle for the Giants during his 13-year stretch in the NFL and was named in nine Pro Bowls and was selected All-NFL eight consecutive seasons. Also in 1956, when the Giants won their league titles before the Super Bowl Era, Brown was named Lineman of the Year by the Associated Press. He also was a strong blocker for New York on their offensive line and helped his team advance to the NFL Championship Game in 1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, and 1963.
Brown who was nicknamed “Rosey” was later inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1975 and after he was done playing in the NFL, continued his Giants affiliation as an assistant coach. He was certainly a player on the New York Giants who did a lot for the franchise.
3. Mel Hein
Again, probably somebody that many of have heard of. Mel Hein, who was a two-way player as he played both linebacker and center during his 15-year career is ranked third on the New York Giants all-time list. After playing college football at Washington State, Hein wrote several NFL teams about wanting to play for them in 1931.
The Giants went on to sign Hein in 1931 and during his 15 seasons playing in New York which was at the time a team record for most seasons playing with the Giants. Fellow Giants legends Eli Manning and Phil Simms broke that streak. He was named first-team All-NFL center eight straight years from 1933 to 1940 and also earned second-team All-NFL recognition five other times. Plus, during the 1938 season, Hein was named MVP that year for helping guide the Giants to the NFL Championship with a 23–17 victory over the Green Bay Packers in the Polo Grounds.
Hein was also team captain for the Giants for 10 seasons and playing almost all 60 minutes in 170 games made him one of the most durable players in both New York Giants and NFL history.
