10 Greatest Offensive Tackles of the 1970s

The 1970s were all about physical, smashmouth football, and no position embodied that spirit more than offensive tackle. These linemen went toe-to-toe with the decade’s fiercest pass rushers and opened lanes for some of the greatest running backs in history. Their mix of size, skill, and grit helped define the style of football that made the ’70s such a hard-hitting era. Here are the 10 greatest offensive tackles of the 1970s. 

1. Bob Brown

Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (1964–1968), Los Angeles Rams (1969–1970), Oakland Raiders (1971–1973)

Career Highlights: 5x First-team All-Pro (1965, 1966, 1968–1970), 4x Second-team All-Pro (1964, 1967, 1971, 1972), 6x Pro Bowl (1965, 1966, 1968–1971), Hall of Fame (2004)

2. Dan Dierdorf

Teams: St. Louis Cardinals (1971–1983)

Career Highlights: 5x First-team All-Pro (1975–1978, 1980), Second-team All-Pro (1974), 6x Pro Bowl (1974–1978, 1980), Hall of Fame (1996)

3. Norm Evans

Teams: Houston Oilers (1965), Miami Dolphins (1966–1975), Seattle Seahawks (1976–1978)

Career Highlights: 2x Super Bowl champion (VII, VIII), 2x Pro Bowl (1972, 1974)

4. Leon Gray

Teams: New England Patriots (1973–1978), Houston Oilers (1979–1981), New Orleans Saints (1982–1983)

Career Highlights: 3x First-team All-Pro (1978–1980), 2x Second-team All-Pro (1978, 1980), 4x Pro Bowl (1976, 1978, 1979, 1981)

5. George Kunz 

Teams: Atlanta Falcons (1969–1974), Baltimore Colts (1975–1980)

Career Highlights: 3x First-team All-Pro (1972, 1973, 1975), 2x Second-team All-Pro (1976, 1977), 7x Pro Bowl (1969, 1971–1973, 1975–1977)

6. Winston Hill

Teams: New York Jets (1963–1976), Los Angeles Rams (1977)

Career Highlights: Super Bowl champion (III), AFL champion (1968), First-team All-AFL (1969), 3x Second-team All-Pro (1970–1972), Second-team All-AFL (1968), 4x Pro Bowl (1970–1973), 4x AFL All-Star (1964, 1967–1969), Hall of Fame (2020)

7. Art Shell

Teams: Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders (1968–1982)

Career Highlights: 3x Super Bowl champion (XI, XV, XVIII), 2x First-team All-Pro (1974, 1977), 2x Second-team All-Pro (1975, 1978), 8x Pro Bowl (1972–1978, 1980), Hall of Fame (1989)

8. Stan Walters

Teams: Cincinnati Bengals (1972–1974), Philadelphia Eagles (1975–1983)

Career Highlights: Second-team All-Pro (1979), 2x Pro Bowl (1978, 1979)

9. Rayfield Wright

Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1967–1979), Philadelphia Eagles (1980, offseason)

Career Highlights: 2x Super Bowl champion (VI, XII), 3x First-team All-Pro (1971–1973), 3x Second-team All-Pro (1974–1976), 6x Pro Bowl (1971–1976), Hall of Fame (2006)

10. Ron Yary

Teams: New York Giants (1981–1993)

Career Highlights: NFL champion (1969), 6x First-team All-Pro (1971–1976), Second-team All-Pro (1977), 7x Pro Bowl (1971–1977), Hall of Fame (2001)

Conclusion

The tackles of the 1970s weren’t just protectors, but were enforcers who controlled the line of scrimmage and gave their teams the edge in an era built on toughness. Their dominance against Hall of Fame pass rushers and their ability to anchor passing and running games made them cornerstones of championship teams.