gold star for USAHOF

234. Lyle Alzado

This page generously sponsored by: Nobody yet! Sponsor it on Patreon to be the first name on this list!
  • Published in Football
  • Read 8498 times
  • Rate this item
    (3 votes)
234. Lyle Alzado

In terms of notoriety, there are few on the defensive side of the ball that can match Lyle Alzado.  Known for his anger and ferocious play on the gridiron, Alzado debuted in 1971 with the Denver Broncos and in the season after he would lead all players in Fumble Recoveries.  Alzado played predominantly at Defensive End, and after missing most of the 1976 season due to blowing out his knee, he would come back and help the Broncos and the mighty Broncos' defense reach their first Super Bowl.  A contract dispute saw him traded to the Cleveland Browns, and he would later be traded to the Los Angeles Raiders where his popularity rose, and he would help them win Super Bowl XVIII.

Alzado retired with 112.5 "unofficial" Sacks and was a two-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro Selection.  After his career ended, his life came to a tragic ending as he was an admitted steroid abuser and believed that his PED use would cause the brain tumor that would take his life.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Tuesday, 01 January 1991
  • Position: Defensive End, Defensive Tackle
  • Games Played: 196
  • Notable Statistics: 20 Fumble Recoveries
    28 Fumble Recovery Yards
    1 Fumble Recovery Touchdown
    112.0 Quarterback Sacks*
    116 Approximate Value

    11 Playoff Games
    7.5 Quarterback Sacks*

    *Quarterback Sacks were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1960 to 1981.
  • Played For: Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Raiders
  • College: West Virginia
  • Drafted: 4th Round, 79th Overall in 1971
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    Super Bowl Champion (1) (Los Angeles Raiders, XVIII)
    UPI Defensive Player of the Year (1) (1977)
    First Team All-Pro (2) (1977 & 1980)
    Second Team All-Pro (1) (1978)
    Pro Bowl (2) (1977 & 1978)
    PFWA Comeback of the Year (1982)
    NFLPA Alan Page Community Award (1982)
    Most Fumble Recoveries (1) (1972)

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten Finishes: Approximate Value (1) (1977)
    Top Ten Finishes: Fumble Recoveries (1) (1972)
    Top Ten Finishes: Quarterback Sacks (1) (1972*, 1974* & 1982)

    *Sacks were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1960 to 1981.

  • Notable All Time Rankings: 37. Quarterback Sacks: 112

    *Rank included Pro Football Reference unofficial calculation from 1960 to 1981.

Should Lyle Alzado be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 75.6%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 12.2%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 4.9%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 7.3%
Last modified on Wednesday, 29 March 2023 14:48

Comments powered by CComment