Greatest Defensive Backs

On the gridiron, they were simply the best. From Jim Thorpe and Jerry Rice to Joe Montana and Rondé Barber, NFL Hall of Famers brought unmatched passion and skill to their positions. Revisit football history’s greatest professional athletes in this stat-filled, photo-driven sports series for middle-grade readers that showcases star linebackers, defensive linemen and backs, quarterbacks, pass catchers, and running backs. They're the last line of defense, protecting the end zone with speed, vision, and the ability to anticipate offensive moves. Although the gridiron has seen outstanding defensive backs throughout pro football history, only a handful of the greatest players have been enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Photo-driven and stat-filled, this middle-grade sports title for fans of the NFL showcases 11 cornerbacks and safeties, ranked by induction year, from Emlen Tunnell and Dick Lane to Deion Sanders and Charles Woodson. Includes sidebars about the position's role and how it's changed over time.