Ron McDole’s professional football career got off to a slow start, as the former Nebraska Cornhusker did little as a rookie with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1961.  1962 was worse, as he migrated to the Houston Oilers of the American Football League and played even less.

McDole made the Buffalo Bills in 1963, and he went from journeyman to AFL star.  Playing mostly at Defensive End, McDole became a two-time AFL All-Star and helped take the Bills to two AFL Championships (1964 & 1965).  McDole remained with Buffalo until the end of the 1970 season, and he would be named a Second Team All-AFL player.

McDole’s career wasn’t over, as he played another 114 Games with his new team, the Washington Redskins, starting all but seven. He never made the Pro Bowl in Washington, but he was in contention for more than a few, and in the end, McDole had a long, productive 18-year career.

Known as “The Hatchet” (which is reason enough to rank him on any football list), the small-framed cornerback was one of the most punishing tacklers of his day and a major cog in the wheel of those three NFL Championship Teams in the 1950’s.  It is definitely worth noting that Jim David recorded an Interception in all three of those Lions NFL Championships.  Seriously, how impressive is that!

David was a six-time Pro Bowl Selection and two-time Second Team All-Pro.

Debuting for the San Francisco 49ers as a second-round pick from UCLA in 1976, Randy Cross played his entire 13-year career with the Niners, where he helped them win three Super Bowls.

Cross was an All-Rookie at Center, where he played the first three years of his career.  He moved to Right Guard in 1979, where he played until 1986 and earned three Pro Bowls.  Cross went back to Center for his last two seasons, retiring in 1988.

The Offensive Lineman started 180 of 185 Games in his career, with an Approximate career Value of 132.

From Idaho, Wayne Walker spent all 15 seasons in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and was a rare dual threat as a Linebacker and placekicker.  Walker was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and was named the team’s Defensive MVP in 1968.  Walker had 14 career Interceptions, and might be the most underrated player in Lions history.