CNNSI가 선정한 등번호 별 Top Players #7. 61~70

No. 61  | Curly Culp

No, we're not going with Chan Ho Park.
Culp (shown here wearing No. 78 with the Oilers) was
a forerunner of the ''nose guard'' position,
and starred on the Chiefs and Oilers lines in the '70s.

Runner-up : Bill George.

No. 62  | Jim Langer

One of the finest centers in NFL history,
he anchored the Dolphins line during the 1970s.
Langer was named All-Pro six straight years, from 1973 to 1977.

Runner-up : Guy McIntyre.


No. 63  | Willie Lanier

Lanier, an All-Pro every year from 1968 through 1977,
was the first African-American star at middle linebacker.
He played his entire 11-year career for the Chiefs.

Runner-up : Lee Roy Selmon.

Worthy of consideration : Dermontti Dawson, Gene Upshaw.

No. 64 | Jerry Kramer

The Packer guard might have thrown the most famous block in NFL history,
 opening a hole for Bart Starr's game-winning sneak in the famed Ice Bowl
(the 1967 NFL championship).

Runner-up : Randall McDaniel.

Worthy of consideration : Jack (Hacksaw) Reynolds.


No. 65  | Elvin Bethea

Bethea heads a number that's light on stars.
An eight-time Pro Bowl selection at defensive end for the Oilers,
he recorded (unofficially) 105 career sacks.

Runner-up : Gary Zimmerman.


No. 66  | Mario Lemieux

He picked his number as a tribute to Wayne Gretzky (flip the numbers upside down),
then put up numbers (1,723 points) the Great One would admire.
His number was retired by the Penguins.

Runner-up : Ray Nitschke.


No. 67 | Reggie McKenzie

Part of Buffalo's famed "Electric Company" line that blocked for O.J. Simpson,
McKenzie was a standout offensive lineman for 13 seasons for the Bills and Seahawks.

Runner-up : Bob Kuechenberg.

Worthy of consideration : Russell Maryland.


No. 68  | Jaromir Jagr

Chose No. 68 in honor of 1968,
the year of the Prague Spring and the Czechoslovakian freedom movement.
He's worn it well for 17 years in the NHL
: 621 goals, 907 assists, and two Stanley Cup rings.

Runner-up : L.C. Greenwood.

Worthy of consideration : Joe Delamielleure, Russ Grimm.


No. 69  | Tim Krumrie

Probably the weakest number in terms of candidates,
though Krumrie was an underrated force on the defensive line for the Bengals
during the `80s. He played in two Pro Bowls (1987, 1988).

Runner-up : Mark Schlereth.


No. 70  | Sam Huff

Time Magazine once described Huff,
who starred at linebacker for the Giants in the `50s,
as a "smiling fighter fired with a devout desire to sink a thick shoulder
 into every ball carrier in the National Football League.
" He played in six title games and five Pro Bowls.

Runner-up : Art Donovan.

Worthy of consideration : Jim Marshall, Ernie Stautner.


My Comment : 60번대 역시도 풋볼스타들 투성이군요.
그나마 두 명의 유명한 NHL 스타가 NFL의 독주를 막았네요.
그리고 또 하나!
제일 처음 61번. 생각나는 인물이 한 명 있으시죠? 바로 박찬호 선수의 등번호죠.
그런데 CNNSI는 아예 생각조차 하지 않았다고
쓰지 않아도 될 코멘트까지 달아서 불쾌하게 만드는군요--;;;