The NFL 1980s All-Decade Team was chosen by voters of the

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. The team was composed of outstanding performers in the

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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. The safety position was very close as

Joey Browner Joey Matthew Browner (born May 15, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings from 1983 to 1991 and for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992. Browne ...

made all decade second team as he came in with 22 votes, Kenny Easley got 22½ votes as both former USC Trojans teammates made the all decade team. Easley from UCLA rounded out the California trio. The Hall of Fame voters were torn between all 3 players as equals. The difference was the 49ers winning the super bowl, but the Vikings had the top Defense led by Browner. Easley of Seattle slipped between both in the voting as all three could have easily replaced the other in a very tight vote. Hall of Fame coach John Maddon at the time scoffed at the idea that Browner was third, Stating “I don’t know how anyone in that room says Joey Browner isn’t the best safety in football!” The final debate ended in votes. But was highly argued.

Walter Payton Walter Jerry Payton (July 25, 1953Although most sources at the time of his death gave Payton's birth year as 1954, reliable sources subsequently state he was born in 1953. – November 1, 1999) was an American football running back who played ...

, John Hannah,

Mike Webster Michael Lewis Webster (March 18, 1952September 24, 2002) was an American professional football player who was a center in the National Football League (NFL) from 1974 to 1990 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. He is a mem ...

, Ted Hendricks, Jack Lambert, Billy Johnson, Rick Upchurch and

Chuck Noll Chuck is a masculine given name or a nickname for Charles or Charlie. It may refer to: People Arts and entertainment * Chuck Alaimo, American saxophonist, leader of the Chuck Alaimo Quartet * Chuck Barris (1929–2017), American TV producer * C ...

had been previously named to the 1970s All-Decade Team.

Jerry Rice Jerry Lee Rice (born October 13, 1962) is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 20 seasons. Known primarily as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, winning three champion ...

Gary Zimmerman Gary Wayne Zimmerman (born December 13, 1961) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Zimmerman played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1986 to 1992 and for the Denver ...

Bruce Smith Bruce Bernard Smith (born June 18, 1963) is an American former football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 19 seasons, primarily with the Buffalo Bills. He played college football at Virginia Tech, where he was ...

Reggie White Reginald Howard White (December 19, 1961 – December 26, 2004) was an American professional football player who played defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons during the 1980s and 1990s. He played college football for ...

, Ronnie Lott,

Morten Andersen Morten Andersen (born 19 August 1960), nicknamed the "Great Dane", is a Danish former American football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 25 seasons, most notably with the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. ...

, Gary Anderson and Sean Landeta were also later named to the 1990s All-Decade Team.

Offense

Defense

Special teams

Coach

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1980s All-Decade Team National Football League All-Decade Teams National Football League records and achievements 1980s in sports

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National Football League lists