Greatest Defensive Linemen

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 first line of defense, rushing the quarterback and clogging up offensive running lanes. Although the gridiron has seen outstanding defensive linemen 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 defensive tackles and ends, ranked by induction year, from Deacon Jones and Alan Page to Reggie White and Michael Strahan. Includes sidebars about the position's role and how it's changed over time.