The Top 15 Biggest Hits in NFL History (With Video)

Greatest Hits

With rules being changed for the safety of the players, we don’t see as many massive hits as we used to. That is great in the long run for player safety and health, but I do miss the days of massive hits. I figured today would be as good as time as any to look back at the good ole days!

15) Mo Lewis knocks out Drew Bledsoe

Mo Lewis may have changed NFL history with this hit on Drew Bledsoe. The hit led to a backup named Tom Brady entering the game. The rest as they say, is history.

2001 – Mo Lewis Hit on Drew Bledsoe

14) Jack Lambert with the body slam

Nobody was meaner than Jack Lambert, and in the below video, you will see him body-slam a former teammate.

Jack Lambert Body Slams Former Teammate

13) Damion McIntosh two for the price of one 2008

Who doesn’t like watching big offensive linemen hustle down the field? Damion McIntosh blocked two guys back to back, which has become known as the double pancake block!

2008 – Damion McIntosh Double Pancake Block

12) Hines Ward lays out Ed Reed

Usually, this would go the other way, but Hines Ward on this play shows why he was one of the greatest blocking wide receivers ever.

Hines Ward kills Ed Reed!

11) Patrick Willis destroys Brad Smith

Nothing like going over the middle and getting trucked by the all-time great linebacker Patrick Willis!

Patrick Willis Destroys 😳 Brad Smith Brutal Hit

10) Willis McGahee Brutal Knockout Hit by Ryan Clark

Ravens and Steelers games are known for violence, and the Steelers’ Ryan Clark gave some to the Ravens’ running back on this play.

2008 AFCCG – Willis McGahee Brutal Knockout Hit by Ryan Clark

9) Jack Tatum hits Sammy White Super Bowl XI

Jack Tatum was an intimidating football player, and Sammy White found out why in Super Bowl XI!

Raiders Vikings Jack Tatum Smash Super Bowl 11

8) Joe Ferguson gets knocked out by Wilbur Marshall

Joe wished he had stayed in Buffalo after taking this hit by Wilbur Marshall.

Wilber Marshall hit on Joe Ferguson

7) Ray Lewis threw a block in 2002

The Denver Broncos attempted an almost 60-yard field goal that came up short. The Ravens Chris McCallister returned the attempt 107 tards for a touchdown behind a massive blind side block by Ray Lewis that would today be illegal, but not in 2002!

Ravens Chris McAlister 107 yard field goal return

6) Hines Ward destroys Keith Rivers

Today this block would be a certain penalty, but not back in the day. Hines Ward’s dirty hit on Bengals Linebacker Keith Rivers broke Rivers jaw.

2008 – Hines Ward Huge Block on Rivers

5) Sean Taylor Pro Bowl hit on Brian Moorman 2007

Sean Taylor did not get the memo that this was supposed to be an exhibition! Sean Taylor played every play in every game as it mattered. Give credit to Moorman as he got up like it was a normal hit.

2006 PB – Sean Taylor hit on Brian Moorman HD

4) Brian Russell Lights up Chad Johnson in 2006

The biggest issue here is why are the Bengals throwing a pass up 34-10 with less than two minutes left in the game? Well they did and Chad Johnson paid the price.

Brian Russell LIGHTS UP Chad Johnson (2006)

3) Darrell Reid Monster Hit on Chris Henry 2007

Chris Henry took off like any other time during an intense divisional matchup in late December 2007, collecting the kickoff at the two-yard line.

Henry was swift to realize his mistake: Titans kick return team failed to block Darrell Reid – something Henry quickly came to regret.

Darrell Reid Monster Hit on Chris Henry 12/30/07

2) Eric Hipple gets destroyed

Hipple took as many big hits as any NFL quarterback ever did and this hit by Tampa Bays Scot Brantley was maybe the hardest hit he ever took!

Eric Hipple Gets Destroyed – Lions at Bucs 11-24-1985

1) Reggie Bush Gets lit up by Sheldon Brown

Reggie Bush and the Saints found themselves in unfamiliar territory when entering the playoffs of 2007.

After being hit by Sheldon Brown, I am no longer sure Bush would not have preferred missing the playoffs altogether.

Reggie Bush gets JACKED UP!! *good quality* NFL hits