We are ranking the top 10 All-Time Best NFL Defensive Players from Texas HS Football. The list is based only on the players’ NFL careers, not their high school careers.
Darrell Green is our #5 ranked player and stands as one of the greatest cornerbacks in NFL history. He has fewer first-team all pro teams than a few players below him, and fewer pro bowls. However, Green was known as one of the best two or three defensive backs in the NFL for over a 15-year stretch, and defenses rarely through to his side.
Known for his unmatched speed, incredible longevity, and lockdown coverage, Green spent his entire 20-year career with Washington, where he won two Super Bowls and made seven Pro Bowls. His consistency and athleticism allowed him to set an NFL record with 19 consecutive seasons recording an interception. His legacy as one of the best defensive backs ever was solidified with his 2008 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Early Life and High School Career
Darrell Green was born on February 15, 1960, in Houston, Texas, and attended Jesse H. Jones High School. While he played football, his standout athletic ability was evident in track and field, where he became an All-State sprinter. He only made the varsity football team as a senior, but his raw speed and instincts were enough to put him on the radar of college programs.
College Career at Texas A&I
Green took his talents to Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M-Kingsville), where he became a two-sport star in football and track. His speed was legendary—he clocked a 10.08 in the 100 meters, a time that still stands as the fastest in Lone Star Conference history. On the football field, Green quickly developed into a shutdown cornerback. As a senior in 1982, he earned First-Team All-American honors and was named the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year.
NFL Career with Washington
Washington selected Green with the 28th overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft, and he made an immediate impact. In his first NFL game, he famously chased down Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett from behind, showcasing the elite speed that would define his career. Green became the heart of Washington’s secondary for two decades, recording 54 career interceptions and scoring six defensive touchdowns.
He was at his best in the biggest moments, delivering game-changing plays in multiple playoff runs. In the 1987 postseason, he returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown against the Bears while playing through torn rib cartilage. He later made the game-sealing pass breakup in the NFC Championship to send Washington to Super Bowl XXII. Green was instrumental in Washington’s Super Bowl wins in 1987 and 1991, cementing his legacy as a championship player.
His ability to remain a top-tier defensive back into his 40s was remarkable. He played in 295 career games, the most ever for a defensive player at the time, and maintained elite speed deep into his career. He retired after the 2002 season at age 42, holding numerous franchise and NFL records.
Legacy and Post-Football Career
Green was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2008, a well-deserved honor for one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play the game. His No. 28 jersey was retired by Washington, and he remains one of the most beloved figures in franchise history.
Off the field, Green has dedicated his life to philanthropy, founding the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation to support at-risk children. He has also worked in higher education and business, continuing to make an impact long after his playing days ended.
Awards and Accomplishments
- 2× Super Bowl champion (XXII, XXVI)
- 7× Pro Bowl selection (1984, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997)
- 3× First-Team All-Pro (1986, 1987, 1991)
- NFL Man of the Year (1996)
- NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
- Most consecutive seasons with an interception in NFL history (19)
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2008)
Darrell Green’s career is defined by speed, longevity, and excellence. Whether it was tracking down ball carriers, shutting down receivers, or delivering clutch postseason performances, he was a difference-maker for two decades. Few players in NFL history have combined elite athleticism with such consistency, and that’s why he ranks as the #5 greatest defensive player from Texas high school football.
