The NFL 1980s All-Decade Team was chosen by voters of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The team was composed of outstanding performers in the National Football League in the 1980s. The squad consists of first- and second-team offensive, defensive and special teams units, as well as a first- and second-team head coaches.
Jerry Rice, Anthony Muñoz, and Lawrence Taylor were the only unanimous choices, being named on all 26 ballots. John Hannah was next with 25 votes, followed by Joe Montana at 24½ votes, Walter Payton at 23½ votes, and Ronnie Lott with 23 votes.
Walter Payton, John Hannah, Mike Webster, Ted Hendricks, Jack Lambert, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, Rick Upchurch, and Chuck Noll had been previously named to the 1970s All-Decade Team. Jerry Rice, Gary Zimmerman, Bruce Smith, Reggie White, Ronnie Lott, Morten Andersen, Gary Anderson, and Sean Landeta were also later named to the 1990s All-Decade Team.
Offense *Elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame ¤ ~ Hall of Fame Finalist PositionFirst TeamVotesHall of Fame?Second TeamVotesHall of Fame?Quarterback Joe Montana* (San Francisco 49ers)24½Yes Dan Fouts* (San Diego Chargers)1YesRunning back Walter Payton* (Chicago Bears)23½Yes Roger Craig* (San Francisco 49ers)5Yes Eric Dickerson* (Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts)18Yes John Riggins* (Washington Redskins) 3YesWide receiver Jerry Rice* (San Francisco 49ers)26Yes James Lofton* (Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Raiders, Buffalo Bills)2Yes Steve Largent* (Seattle Seahawks)22Yes Art Monk* (Washington Redskins)2YesTight end Kellen Winslow* (San Diego Chargers)18½Yes Ozzie Newsome* (Cleveland Browns)2 YesTackle Anthony Muñoz* (Cincinnati Bengals)26 Yes Gary Zimmerman* (Minnesota Vikings)7Yes Jimbo Covert* (Chicago Bears)8 YesJoe Jacoby (Washington Redskins)5 3 time finalistGuard John Hannah* (New England Patriots)25Yes Bill Fralic (Atlanta Falcons)4No Russ Grimm* (Washington Redskins)16Yes Mike Munchak* (Houston Oilers)3YesCenter Dwight Stephenson* (Miami Dolphins)13Yes Mike Webster* (Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs)10Yes
Defense PositionFirst TeamVotesHall of Fame?Second TeamVotesHall of Fame?Defensive end Reggie White* (Philadelphia Eagles)22Yes Lee Roy Selmon (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)3Yes Howie Long* (Los Angeles Raiders)21Yes Bruce Smith* (Buffalo Bills)3YesDefensive tackle Randy White* (Dallas Cowboys)22Yes Keith Millard (Minnesota Vikings)7No Dan Hampton* (Chicago Bears)12YesDave Butz (Washington Redskins)3NoMiddle linebacker Mike Singletary* (Chicago Bears)21½Yes Jack Lambert* (Pittsburgh Steelers)4YesOutside linebacker Lawrence Taylor* (New York Giants)26Yes Andre Tippett* (New England Patriots)6YesTed Hendricks* (Los Angeles Raiders)18YesCarl Banks (New York Giants) 1NoJohn Anderson (Green Bay Packers)1NoCornerback Mike Haynes* (New England Patriots, Los Angeles Raiders)13YesFrank Minnifield (Cleveland Browns)7No Mel Blount* (Pittsburgh Steelers)9YesLester Hayes (Los Angeles Raiders)4 4 time finalistSafety Ronnie Lott* (San Francisco 49ers)23Yes Deron Cherry (Kansas City Chiefs)5NoKenny Easley* (Seattle Seahawks)22½YesNolan Cromwell (Los Angeles Rams) 4NoJoey Browner (Minnesota Vikings)4No
Special teams PositionFirst TeamVotesHall of Fame?Second TeamVotesHall of Fame?Kicker Morten Andersen* (New Orleans Saints)12 YesGary Anderson (Pittsburgh Steelers) 4NoEddie Murray (Detroit Lions)4NoPunterSean Landeta (New York Giants)8NoReggie Roby (Miami Dolphins)6NoKick ReturnerMike Nelms (Washington Redskins)7½NoRick Upchurch (Denver Broncos)5NoPunt ReturnerBilly "White Shoes" Johnson (Atlanta Falcons, Washington Redskins)13No John Taylor (San Francisco 49ers)3No
Coach PositionFirst TeamVotesHall of Fame?Second TeamVotesHall of Fame?Coach Bill Walsh* (San Francisco 49ers)19Yes Chuck Noll* (Pittsburgh Steelers)3Yes
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