While the center’s contributions to an NFL team’s offense sometimes go undetected, they are crucial to the success of the team’s overall offense. Only a select few people have ever held this position with such high regard throughout the League’s existence.
Although we are all considering abilities and even mentioning offensive tackles by name if we want to seem particularly sage, centers are vital to any offensive plan.
Even though they play an important role, centers don’t always have the easiest time of it. Centers are underappreciated despite performing one of the few sports roles that require both cerebral and physical prowess. Check out the best centers in NFL history.
3. Jim Ringo
Jim Ringo was a key contributor in the Green Bay Packers’ two NFL championship runs in his last three seasons with the team. In 1961, the trio of Jim Taylor, Jim Ringo, and Paul Hornung accounted for an additional 1,800 yards on the ground.
Twenty-three touchdowns were the salt and pepper to the whole dish. After leaving the Packers after the 1963 season, Ringo played for the Philadelphia Eagles for four years, during which time he was named to the Pro Bowl three times.
2. Mike Webster
Webster may not have gotten the most recognition for the Pittsburgh Steelers four Super Bowl wins, but he was instrumental in keeping the team’s great offensive line together. To this day, he is still considered one of the finest defensive centers and creates space for Franco Harris. Webster had an integral role in the Pro Bowl every year from 1978 through 1985.
Webster left the Steelers after 16 years with the team. Webster was a major reason why Christian Okoye gained over 2,200 yards in a span of two seasons (1989 and 1990). The game Mike loved so much was finally purchased by him. The 50-year-old Hall of Fame center succumbed to injuries sustained while playing football.
1. Jim Otto
No matter the year, the Raiders standout was the top player in his position in the NFL. In order to protect quarterbacks like Tom Flores, Daryle Lamonica, and Ken Stabler, he was the best there was at what he did.
While Otto was a mauler, he also exemplified the league’s shift toward more athletic centers. He played in 308 consecutive games from 1960 to 1974, which is an impressive feat of endurance.
