Deacon Jones
Deacon Jones played as defensive end from 1961 until 1974. He played for the Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, and Washington Redskins. After his retirement, he told the Los Angeles Time: “When I first came up, defensive linemen were dull as hell. Some were great performers, but nobody knew who they were. I set out to change that.”
Johnny Unitas
Johnny Unitas played as quarterback from 1956 until 1973 for the Baltimore Colts and the San Diego Chargers. Hall of Fame Art Donovan was asked who was the toughest Colt of all, and he replied: “Unitas, because he took the most punishment — and never said a word about it.” He even played an entire season with fractured vertebra.