Since their debut in 1925, the Giants have had a slew of legendary players. The New York Giants have been home to hundreds of the greatest football players of all time, many of them are now legends in their own right. At least 29 former “Big Blue” football players have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. These players are unquestionably the greatest of the best.
Some of the Giants’ best players have been recognized by the team itself. The New York Giants presented a Ring of Honor honoring players, coaches, executives & owners who the team felt had made significant contributions to the franchise. They have retired 14 jersey numbers.
Here is a list of New York Giants Best Players of All Time:
1. Lawrence Taylor
Been Dubbed as the Giants’ greatest football player of all time. It was Lawrence Taylor who was the driving force behind the New York Giants’ defense in the 1980s and early 1990s, leading them to two Super Bowl victories. With ten Pro Bowl appearances under his belt, Taylor had a distinguished professional football career.
Taylor was only the second defensive player to be selected MVP in NFL history in 1986 when he led the Giants to the Super Bowl title game. Alan Page was the only other person to achieve it in 1971. Since then, it’s never occurred.
In 1999, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2. Michael Strahan
Super Bowl XLII winner Michael Strahan was an integral part of the team’s defense for the last 15 years. Strahan led the league in sacks twice and was voted the Defensive Player of the Year in 2001 in addition to being the single-season sack leader. After winning the Super Bowl in 2004, Michael Strahan announced his retirement.
Strahan played in seven Pro Bowls and was finally elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014 for his contributions to the sport.
3. Frank Gifford
Gifford’s career stats include 3,609 running yards and 34 touchdowns, as well as 367 receptions for 5,434 yards. Before Amani Toomer overtook him in 2003, Gifford had held the Giants record for receptions for 39 years.
Gifford was selected to the Pro Bowl eight times, seven of which were consecutive. In 1956, he was selected to the NFL’s All-Decade Team and the MVP.
In 1977, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
4. Eli Manning
He will be most known for his two Super Bowl triumphs over the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick dynasty with the New England Patriots.
Before facing the unbeaten Patriots in the Super Bowl, Manning led a Wild Card squad in 2008 through a slew of road tests against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, and Green Bay Packers.
5. Phil Simms
His 15-year stint with the Giants culminated in an MVP award during Super Bowl XXI. Due to an injury suffered in Week 15, Simms was not able to participate in the playoffs but was still an integral member of the 1990 squad that went on to win Super Bowl XXV. Simms has a career passing total of 33,462 yards and 199 touchdowns.
