The number 20 has been a lucky charm for many sports stars in different games. It’s like a magic number that brings success. Let’s take a look at some legendary players who wore the number 20 jersey.
In football, guys like Barry Sanders, Ed Reed, and Brian Dawkins made the number 20 jersey shine bright. These players were so good that they made it to the Hall of Fame, which is like the VIP club for football legends. When you watch their highlights, it’s like watching the greatest moments in football history.
That being said, it’s not just in football (NFL) where the number 20 has seen its fair share of success. It has also left its mark in baseball and hockey, turning players into true superstars. In Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Hockey League (NHL), there have been exceptional athletes who proudly sported the number 20 on their jerseys, creating a rich history of greatness.
In this article, we will shine a spotlight on some of the most legendary athletes in sports history who proudly wore the number 20, leaving an indelible mark in their respective leagues, including the best NFL number 20 all time players as well as notable figures from the NBA and MLB.
Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders was incredibly hard to catch on the football field. He was so good that he earned the title of NFL Offensive Player of the Year twice.
And here’s something amazing: he got picked for the Pro Bowl, which is like the All-Star game for football, in every single one of his 10 seasons in the NFL. That’s a long time to stay at the top of your game, and it shows just how special he was as a running back.
Barry Sanders spent his entire career playing for the Detroit Lions, and he achieved some incredible things during his time there. He’s a Pro Football Hall of Famer, which means he’s considered one of the best NFL number 20 players in the history of the sport.
League: NFL
Career Highlights: 10x Pro Bowl, 6x First-Team All-Pro, 1x NFL Most Valuable Player, Pro Football Hall of FamePosition: Running back
Wallter Ray Alen JR
Walter Ray Allen Jr., born on July 20, 1975, is an American ex-pro basketball player. He had an impressive career in the NBA, playing for a whopping 18 seasons. In 2018, he earned a spot in the prestigious Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his remarkable skills on the court.
Now, here’s something really cool about Allen: he’s known as one of the absolute best when it comes to shooting three-pointers. People say he’s like a sniper from beyond the arc.
And here’s the icing on the cake: he held the record for making the most three-pointers in NBA history from 2011 to 2021 until the amazing Stephen Curry took over.
When Ray Allen joined the Celtics, he couldn’t wear his usual number because Paul Pierce already had it. So, to avoid any confusion, he chose to wear number 20 instead.
League: NBA
Career Highlights: 10x NBA All-Star, 2x NBA ChampionPosition: Shooting guard
Ed Reed
Edward Earl Reed Jr., born on September 11, 1978, is a former American professional football player. He played as a safety in the National Football League (NFL) and spent most of his career with the Baltimore Ravens.
In 2002, the Baltimore Ravens drafted Ed Reed from the University of Miami, and he quickly became a star in the NFL. Over the course of 12 seasons, he was a standout safety, helping the Ravens win division titles and reach the Super Bowl. In 2012, he played a vital role in the Ravens’ Super Bowl victory, making five tackles and an interception in a thrilling 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
League: NFL
Career Highlights: 9x Pro Bowl, 5x First-Team All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl Champion, Pro Football Hall of FamePosition: Free Safety
Bryan Dawnkins
Edward Earl Reed Jr., born on September 11, 1978, is a former American professional football player. He played as a safety in the National Football League (NFL) and spent most of his career with the Baltimore Ravens.
In 2002, the Baltimore Ravens drafted Ed Reed from the University of Miami, and he quickly became a star in the NFL. Over the course of 12 seasons, he was a standout safety, helping the Ravens win division titles and reach the Super Bowl. In 2012, he played a vital role in the Ravens’ Super Bowl victory, making five tackles and an interception in a thrilling 34-31 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
League: NFL
Career Highlights: 9x Pro Bowl, 5x First-Team All-Pro, 1x Super Bowl Champion, Pro Football Hall of Fame Position: Free Safety
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson was a baseball legend who played for five teams over 21 seasons, including the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles. In 1975, he made history by becoming the first black manager in the MLB while still a player.
Robinson is the only player ever to be named MVP in both the National League and American League, winning the Triple Crown in 1966 with the Orioles. His career was extraordinary. Additionally, he was among the best players to wear jersey #20!
League: MLB
Career Highlights: 14x All-Star, 2x World Series Champion, 1x NL MVP, 1x AL MVP, 1x World Series MVP, Triple Crown Winner, NL Rookie of the Year, Baseball Hall of FamePosition: Right fielder, outfielder, left fielder
Mike Schmidt
Michael Jack Schmidt, born on September 27, 1949, is a former American baseball player who spent his entire 18-season career in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Philadelphia Phillies. Schmidt was a 12-time All-Star and three-time National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner. He was famous for being a powerhouse hitter and an outstanding defender at third base.
In 1995, Schmidt earned a well-deserved spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Many people believe he’s the greatest third baseman in the history of baseball. That’s quite a legacy!
League: MLB
Career Highlights: 12x All-Star, 1x World Series Champion, 3x NL MVP, 1x World Series MVP, 10x Gold Glove Award Winner, 6x Silver Slugger Award Winner, Baseball Hall of FamePosition: Third baseman
Manu Ginóbili
Emanuel David Ginóbili Maccari, born on July 28, 1977, is a retired basketball superstar from Argentina. He’s well-known for making a significant impact on the game of basketball, especially in the NBA, by introducing the Euro Step move, which became quite popular.
Ginóbili is widely regarded as one of the best shooting guards and sixth man in NBA history. He’s also hailed as the greatest Latin American basketball player of all time. One of his standout achievements was leading Argentina to a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. That’s a big deal in the world of sports!
League: NBA
Career Highlights: 2x NBA All-Star, 4x NBA Champion, 1x Sixth Man of the YearPosition: Shooting guard
Lou Brock
Louis Clark Brock, born June 18, 1939, and passing away on September 6, 2020, was an American baseball legend. He had a remarkable 19-year MLB career, primarily with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Brock, a six-time All-Star, was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985 and the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.
His claim to fame was stealing bases. He held records for the most stolen bases in a single season and a career in MLB history and led the National League in stolen bases for eight seasons. Louis Brock left an indelible mark as a base-stealing icon.
League: MLB
Career Highlights: 6x All-Star, 2x World Series Champion, Baseball Hall of FamePosition: outfielder, left fielder
Gary Payton
Gary Dwayne Payton, born July 23, 1968, is a former American point guard widely regarded as one of the greatest in history. He played 13 years with the Seattle SuperSonics, setting franchise records in assists and steals.
He won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2006 and earned the nickname “the Glove” for his defensive prowess. In 2013, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2021, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. He is among the top NBA players
League: NBA
Career Highlights: 9x NBA All-Star, 1x NBA Champion, 1x NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Basketball Hall of Fame Position: Point guard
Lem Barney
Lemuel Joseph Barney, born September 8, 1945, is a former NFL cornerback known for his time with the Detroit Lions. He began at Jackson State and played for the Lions from 1967 to 1977. In 1967, he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, made seven Pro Bowls, and earned first-team All-NFL honors in 1968 and 1969.
He’s a Pro Football Hall of Famer and has also been inducted into several other halls of fame, including the Detroit Lions, Jackson State, Michigan Sports, and Mississippi Sports.
League: NFL
Career Highlights: 7x Pro Bowl, 2x First-Team All-Pro, Pro Football Hall of Fame
Position: cornerback, return specialist
Conclusion
The history of the NFL is marked by some of the greatest players who proudly wore the number 20 jersey for their respective teams. From iconic figures like Barry Sanders and Ed Reed to the versatile Brian Dawkins, these athletes have made a lasting mark on their NFL number 20 teams and the entire sport.
Their extraordinary skill, unwavering dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence have solidified their status as true NFL legends. These NFL players who wore the number 20 haven’t just left their mark on their teams; they’ve also played a big part in shaping the NFL’s history.
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Ken is an experienced online gambling writer whose passion for online gambling began at an early age. His love for poker led him to be fascinated with the strategies used by successful players and dedicated his writing career to understanding the inner workings of the online gambling industry. His years of experience in creating informative content made him into a sought-after expert on all things casino.
