The relationship between a quarterback and a center is one of the most critical in all of football. This bond is forged through hard work, practice, and lots of sweat.
Centers are critical to the modern football offense. From their involvement in the run game to handling pass protection responsibilities, you can’t create a top NFL team without a high-quality dominant center in the middle.
If you’re planning to make bets on NFL odds or want to learn more about the centers in all of football history, here are some names that have made their mark on the league.
1. Mike Webster
With a nickname like “Iron Mike,” Mike Webster encapsulated everything an NFL center should be. He was tough, determined, talented, and fully embodied the Steelers’ name in every move he made.
Webster played center and led the offensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers between 1974 and 1988. He then went on to play his final two years in football for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Webster wasn’t the most physically imposing center on the field, but he was renowned for his tremendous determination and strength that got him through. Notably, Webster had a laser-like focus on the task at hand, making him one of the most dominant players when he stepped on the field.
Some of his most notable achievements include being a nine-time Pro Bowl player, a Four-time Super Bowl champion, a seven-time first-team All-Pro, selected as part of the 1970s and 1980s All-Decade teams, and even chosen as part of the NFL’S 75th Anniversary All-Time team. He was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
2. Jim Otto
Nobody entirely dominated the honors at one position as Jim Otto did. He played the entirety of his 15-year-long football career with the Oakland Raiders in the American Football League before the 1970 merger into the NFL.
Otto was one of only three football players who saw action in each of his team’s 140 regular-season games. He played with such dominance and skill that in its decade-long run, the then-AFL never saw another all-league center quite like him.
During his last two years, he was either an All-Pro or made the Pro Bowl. He was a first All-Pro in the AFL for 11 consecutive years yet as this streak started while the AFL was an independent party, it didn’t count toward the NFL history book.
Otto was a 12-time Pro Bowler, a 1967 AFL Champion, a ten-time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980 – the first year he was eligible for such an honor.
3. Dwight Stephenson
Dwight Stephenson is universally regarded as one of the most dominant and talented centers to grace the football field.
Dwight Stephenson was selected for the Miami Dolphins during the second round of the 1980 NFL draft. He quickly went on to become the greatest center in the whole league by creating an impressive offensive line for the Dolphins that gave up the fewest sacks for six consecutive seasons (1982-1988).
Despite his impeccable athleticism, his career would be cut short after suffering a career-changing knee injury in 1987.
During his time with the Dolphins, Stephenson saw five Pro Bowl appearances, four First-Team All-Pro nods, achieved the NFL Man of the Year Award in 1985, and had his achievements immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He also gained a well-deserved place on the NFL 100 All-Time team.
4. Jim Ringo
The Green Bay Packers center had a dynasty that wasn’t just limited to his time with the team. He played 11 years for the Packers, followed by four years with the Philadelphia Eagles.
During his time with the Packers, Jim Ringo was renowned for his consistent Lombardi-coached rushing offense. At the end of his Packers career, he began to struggle against bigger defensive tackles and also fell out of favor with Lombardi. Yet this was nothing to worry about as, by this point, Ringo’s legacy was already forged.
Ringo was a Pro Bowler in consecutive years from 1957 to 1965 and played center in each of the Packers’ NFL Championship appearances in 1960 and 1962. He was also a six-time All-Pro and a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee in 1981.
5. Mel Hein
Mel Hein, or “Old Indestructible,” played 15 years for the New York Giants at the start of the NFL. Between 1931 and 1945, Hein played linebacker and center for the Giants. At this time, it was pretty common for players to cover both defense and offense lines.
In 1934 and 1938, Hein started at center and began to pave the way for a rushing attack courtesy of the Giants that would go on to win NFL championships in both of these years. His stamina and durability as a player truly stood out.
In addition to these wins, Hein was a four-time All-Star, an eight-time NFL All-Pro, and also achieved one MVP season in 1938.
Summary
Many amazing NFL centers deserve recognition. However, these five Hall-of-Fame inductees truly stand out from the rest in terms of their career achievements, dominance on the field, and overall abilities.
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