Who is the fastest player ever in the NFL? Top 10

NFL history is full of elite speed. Who is the fastest NFL player of all time? This video runs through some of the best candidates, as well as some speedsters that don't make the cut.

[@johncox2589]

Bob Hayes ran a 10.0 sec. 100 meters on a cinder track. That surface is probably about 3 tenths of a second slower than today's surfaces. Not only that, he was a part time track athlete.

[@kennethanderson6540]

He could be the fastest can’t argue with that

[@RaymondLewis-hw4jo]

He ran a 9.1/100m

[@calichekid8527]

@@RaymondLewis-hw4jo 9.1 hundred yards!

[@RaymondLewis-hw4jo]

@@calichekid8527 Wkipedia: In some of the first meets to be timed with experimental fully automatic timing, Hayes was the first man to break ten seconds for the 100 meters, albeit with a 5.3 m/s wind assistance in the semi-finals of the 1964 Olympics. His time was recorded at 9.91 seconds. --The ‘64 Olympic Sprints were measured in meters, not yards.

[@nicolas4you]

Sorry 1964

[@jeffboyce2426]

IM 65 YEARS OLD WATCHING FOOTBALL SINCE I WAS 7 YEARS OLD BOB HAYES WILL ALWAYS BE NUMBER ONE

[@sydboski]

Even if 4 players actually ran faster?

[@sarahlisawall5666]

bullet Bob…..but naaaa…

[@jacobjones5269]

The guy was an Olympic gold medalist in the 100 meters, dude.. lol..

[@sydboski]

@@jacobjones5269 And?

[@jacobjones5269]

@@sydboski And what?!.. lol.. That’s it, he wins.. Anyone else set world records in the 100 meters, repeatedly?.. Or win close to 50 races in a row at the distance against world class competitors?.. No.. lol..

[@derreckpressley1165]

Remember, Zone coverage was created because of Bob Hayes, it did not exist before him. That plus the Olympic Gold medal for being the fastest man in the world will always keep Bullet Bob as the fastest man to ever play in the NFL.

[@DreTom777]

Bob Hayes won the Olympics 100; ran fastest anchor in history; led the NFL in touchdowns; averaged 25 yards per catch. (Also remember his track times were accomplished on a cinder tracks).

[@sydboski]

Jim Hines won the the Olympics 4 years later and broke Hayes record. He broke Hayes 10.06 world record at the 1968 AAU champs in Sacramento on cinders by running 10.03. the meet was better known as, "The Night of Speed". He then went to win gold in the Olympics by running 9.95 becoming the first human to break the 10 second barrier. He played for Miami and KC. He was a bum though.

[@dalegriffin6768]

Bob Hayes had terrible hands, dropped a lot of balls 😞

[@DreTom777]

@@dalegriffin6768 In his first four years in the NFL - three of them Pro Bowl efforts - Hayes caught 212 passes for 4,142 yards, with a startling 21 percent of his catches (45) going for touchdowns.

[@dalegriffin6768]

@@DreTom777 I'm not saying he was a bad player because he was really good,but he also dropped a lot of balls

[@davidneal7060]

finally someone with some sense , track speed is the ultimate speed, football speed is quick burst an acceleration jerry rice was not that fast but you never saw anyone catch him

[@Wildkat-1]

Don Merideth to Bullet Bob Hayes was the show every Sunday ....great memories....Thanx..!

[@RBOB4040]

Bob Hayes set 3 records at the 64 Olympics; 1st Hayes was the first human to run 9.9 seconds in the preliminaries to qualify for the final 100meter, but Bob’s 9.9 in the Preliminaries didn’t count as a world record; At the final 100meter, Lane 1, he still clocked a 10 flat, another world record broken; For the 4X100 relay Bob was 6 or 5 yards behind, and finished first by 3 yards, Running on Dirt, Running on Dirt!!! Hayes broke records on Dirt!!!! Nuff Said!

[@brianstark2219]

Just remember, all of Hayes opponents in the relay were also running on cinder track when he did that. But still .. what was the time for that leg? And how fast was he going at the end? I'm sure he was going faster than he was in the 100m final

[@rudochase]

Dam.. on dirt?!?!.. that’s krazy!

[@sydboski]

Hayes ran 10.06 fully automatic timing in 1964. Jim Hines ran 10.03 during the 1968 AAU Championships at Hughes stadium in Sacramento on dirt and cinders.

[@hackermusic3355]

My dad used to tell me how fast Don Hutson was and I sort of brushed it off as some old guy that played back when nobody could run. Then I finally got around to researching his speed and found out he would have been fast in any era.

[@sydboski]

But not even close to top 10 fast today.

[@bobbyjonkey13]

I agree!!!¡

[@user-kz9zp3ht6v]

@@sydboski training, nutrition, equipment.

[@sydboski]

@@user-kz9zp3ht6v Hutson was regular guy fast in his time. He was not refined sprinter fast. The 9.7 he supposedly ran was on a field and timed by a coach counting in his head. Not even a stop watch time. So even with training, nutrition, and equipment evolution, he'd be a regular fast guy, not refined sprinter fast.

[@lll9416]

Hall of Famer, Darrell Green celebrated his birthday by running the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds. When he turned 50 ! 👀👀

[@tyannaist]

Insane.......he maintained that speed for over 20 years.

[@user-vg4vq4bf3x]

Yall check out Terrell Owen's speed at his age too and hey note Owen's wasn't known for his speed.

[@didierlabossiere4726]

That footage on Bullet Bob Hayes made my jaw drop!!!! Reminds me of Usain Bolt, with his length and strides. Clearly Bullet Bob had no equal

[@benjaminhicks3138]

I TOTALLY WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT BOB HAYES

[@sydboski]

Yet 4 players ran faster.

[@chazzn121]

one summer in the 70s Bob Hayes and Golden Richards along with a few other NFL speedsters were making a tour at youth track meets. they would run a 50 yd dash, Golden Richards would beat Bob Hayes. at that time Dallas had the 2 fastest receivers in the league.

[@sydboski]

@@chazzn121 Golden Richards 1973 was not blazing fast. The only way that Richards would have beaten Bob is if Bob gave him a head start or Bob fell. And it still would be close. It think you may mean Riçhmond Flowers 1969 the hurdler. But they were not the 2 fastest players. Mel Gray 1971, Cliff Branch 1972, Isaac Curtis, Jim Hines 1968-1970, Homer Jones 1964-1970 and others....

[@user-vg4vq4bf3x]

Bob Hayes would blow the doors off of even tyreek hill man. Only person who would be any challenge would of been randy moss but I still think Hayes would of won that race.

[@donwilber1628]

Darryl Green was at a couple of the 5k's I did in Fairfax, VA. He put on a demonstration sprint for the crowd, and this was just a few years ago. Still one of the fastest humans in his older years.

[@wthomas5697]

He's the first person I thought of. Then I saw Bob Hayes in the comments which reminded me.

[@dmvbay2535]

Definitely the fastest ever defensive back to play in the NFL

[@kennycarlson9996]

clocked a 4.5 at 60

[@tyannaist]

No player maintained their speed for as long as Green did career wise. Green was one of the fastest in NFL for at least 20 years.

[@ralphmelvin1046]

The guy had amazing speed and kept it for so long in to his late 30s almost 40

[@user-fy9bl2pk7s]

I don’t know what his sprinting times were, but Gale Sayers, the Kansas Comet, was an incredible player and plenty fast.

[@sydboski]

He ran 9.7 hand timed 100 yard dash. Not top 10 fast.

[@kixigvak]

I believe he ran 9.5. I saw him at the 1961 NCAAs and he was third. I may be misremembering but 9.5 is what I recall. @@sydboski

[@finnfinn7703]

@@kixigvak I think that was his brother Roger Gale never made it to the NCAA’s in thehundred yard dash

[@kixigvak]

You are correct! It was Roger! I just looked it up.

[@jeffandsherriefranzwa8970]

There’s track fast and football fast. When I was young no one ran on the Packers like Sayers.

[@user-go7nf4pf6y]

You left out Ron Brown with the Rams. Olympic Gold Medal sprinter in the 4x4 relay and two time winner of the NFL's Fastest Man competition. He also had a pretty good NFL career. Highlights include beating Darrell Green down the sideline for a kick-off return touchdown on Monday Night Football in 1987.

[@sydboski]

This is true!

[@Progmeister-tb3sn]

You beat me to it. Ron. Brown could BURN?

[@richardmorris6365]

Daryl Green beat him In the NFL fastest man.

[@sydboski]

@@richardmorris6365 But Brown ran the fastest time ever out of all of the competitions over the years. Brown also has a faster PB in the 100m and 55m.

[@donwilber1628]

Not quite. I just watched the video...twice. Green caught up to him from across the field, he just ran out of field to try keep him from the endzone.

[@tallpaul1563]

I'd have to say Darrell Green was the fastest guy I've ever watched on a football field.

[@kurtheiderich6251]

Homer Jones. NY Giants WR.

[@omarjohnson9010]

Bo Jackson wasnt far behind...no pun intended

[@sydboski]

@@omarjohnson9010 Actually Bo was way behind Green in the speed dept.

[@LaserRanger15]

That's who I went to also. Bob Hayes too. Willie Gault could fly.

[@PlanetEarth3141]

TallPaul doesn't have the internet to look stuff up.

[@seeker-br8lf]

I remember Bob Hayes catching a 97 yard pass from Don Meredith in stride. I mean he ran past the defenders, caught the ball and never slowed down, He was amazing and was billed as the fastest man alive. He actually broke the world record in the 100 but they said he had a 6 m/hr tail wind so it was thrown out.

[@larryward569]

I’m 71 years old and well remember watching the Bob Hayes play that you’re talking about on our RCA black and white TV...that sat on a light-weight cart...with plastic casters.

[@tyannaist]

That sounds like Randy Moss...... if he would catch a pass in full stride it was like trying run down a cheetah for the defenders.😂

[@MrJwalker0317]

Awesome Bob Hayes attended Florida A & M University and Dion Sanders Florida State, both in Tallahassee Fl, even though years apart, my have been a great matchup

[@tyannaist]

Wow, must be in the water down in Florida to produce so much speed.

[@robtaylor1156]

It is a CRIME that Ron Brown is not on this list.

[@hassanabdur-rahman1559]

This guy doesn't know anything about what true speed is. Although I respect Bob Hayes, Usain Bolt is the greatest sprinter of all times in both the 100m and 200m. He won the Olympics 100m 3 times, the Olympics 200m 3 times and the Olympics 4x100m relay 3 times. No athlete has ever done that.

[@richardbas7574]

@@hassanabdur-rahman1559 Ben Johnson was actually faster than Bolt if running on same conditions and track. When they ousted Johnson he had yet to reach his peak. Bolt also ran on a superior drug program unquestionably.

[@hassanabdur-rahman1559]

@@richardbas7574 you don't know what you are talking about.

[@richardbas7574]

@@hassanabdur-rahman1559 i surely do bro. Ben ran 9.79 won handily and raised his arm. It is calculated that he would have gone 9.68 or 9.69 if he hadn’t done that to slow him down. Bolt ran 9.58 but certainly would have not come close to that on 1980’s tracks. Johnson was also at least 2 years from sprinters peak when he was banned for life. Ben was simply the fastest man that ever lived. Period.

[@Fuzcapp]

So glad Willie Gault was on this list. Also - maybe not noted as a straight out speedster, Barry Sanders had some ridiculous running gifts that indicate he had acceleration and balance like no other player in history. I wonder if over 10 metres, he was the fastest ever, due to his acceleration. His ability to change direction also indicates he had some special speed from a standing start, that probably no player could rival.

[@wingoreviewsboxingandmma3667]

Yeah Barry is my all time favorite player. He was the quickest of all time. While he was one of the fastest I wouldn't think he is the fastest in a strait line race

[@Fuzcapp]

@@wingoreviewsboxingandmma3667 Agreed - in a straight line over 50 to 100m there are probably quicker. But for balance, change of direction and acceleration, Barry is the all time best.

[@bobbypadia2933]

Barry from 10 to 30 yards i think was the quickest, he out ran Darrel green in 91 for a 40 yard td. He did get caught from behind alot in runs over 40 yards in a straight line.

[@brianstark2219]

More acurately, Barry had world class speed in the start and drive phase. But he would lose a lot of speed after 50 yards due to his weight and relatively short legs. And thats where some DBs could catch up to him

[@nikolatesla5553]

Barry Sanders doesn't belong on this list. He could, however, change directions faster than anyone I ever saw. He broke more ankles than anyone.

[@jjbirden88]

Great list! Some of the guys I watched and some I played against. Deion was crazy fast. I ran a 4.3 during my NFL days, and every time he covered me, I could tell he was faster. I agree with the Bob Hayes pick!

[@sydboski]

Is this thee JJ Birden from KC and ATL?

[@jakerojas4756]

I ran a 4.35. Cb for the NFL too

[@jjbirden88]

Great, how did your NFL career go?@@jakerojas4756

[@slgpph]

Deion had the most exceptional game speed I’ve ever witnessed. He could absolutely outrun anyone with the ball in his hands.

[@sydboski]

@@slgpph Absolutely anyone? LMAO! kzbin.infoUgkxdxeb5DrXg8hdgEOYgs0bQf6x-8CGH3kX?si=PiAj276aFJVPuCpR

[@dezzdinn]

Galloway fast even after blowing out his knee in college. Then again in the pro’s

[@gary30229]

Lam Jones was an Olympic Gold Medalist also.

[@joshuaburba1048]

I don't even need to watch this video to know the fastest was Darrell Green. The man was running faster at 40 YEARS OLD than most guys in their 20's can run. Green was just amazing!

[@OmahaSand]

Herchel Walker briefly held the 60m dash Indoor World Record .. til Carl Lewis took it back a few heats later. On par with Carl Lewis = Supernatural Speed.

[@kingfish4242]

He wouldn't have beat Bob Hayes in a race. Green 10.08 on a modern rubber track. Hayes 10.0 or a cinder track in a pair of borrowed shoes

[@tyannaist]

Darrell definitely maintained his speed longer than everyone else.

[@joshuaburba1048]

@@tyannaist Exactly. 👊

[@reginaldmiller3163]

Darrell Green was not as fast as Cliff Branch or Ron Brown.

[@louisrondone1332]

Just wanted to mention Earl McCullouch who was a world record holder as a hurdler, and ran on world class relay teams. He played with Detroit in the NFL, and was Offensive Rookie of the Year, in 1968.

[@theswampfox9584]

I believe OJ Simpson ran with him on that relay record team

[@davidreid8835]

Fun video, I enjoyed it and I think your list was well thought out. Just wondering, did you consider adding Homer Jones to your list? He was a standout receiver for the Giants in the 1960s and possessed legendary speed. Nice job.

[@frankieC1023]

Homer Jones was friggin` GREAT!

[@russbeard3665]

Great insight in this video. Bob Hayes was a tad before my time, but it's great to see old-school players get their due on this list. Mainstream media has such a blind spot for history, it looks like you did your homework with this compilation! And judging by the comments, it looks like Bob Hayes deserves all the shine!!

[@terrybunton2586]

Your coverage was excellent and I having been a High School Sprinter myself I very much enjoyed It. I looked up to a Collegiate Champian Sprinter by the name of Richmond Flowers who set several NCAA records back in my day for the High Hurtles seemed like his times were in the 13s and he was drafted and or played for the Cowboys. On another note you made mention of Tony Dorset being caught from behind by a player since I'm a life long Cowboy fan who sold programs at the Cotton Bowl games for Dallas for several seasons I have to say that the pursuit or run down of Dorset was if I remember correctly was on the angle all the while escaping and dodging defenders. Dorset was also a Collegiate Track Star as well as was Don Perkins another Fast Cowboy, At any rate Thank You for mentioning The Great Jim Thorpe and I must Say Green was probably the second fastest to ever play undeniable Thnx Again

[@alfonsecoppola5938]

i was going to bring him up,played for ny giants,so underated,super fast,great you mentioned him

[@frankjoseph4273]

I remember Richmond Flowers in Alabama HS. Do you remember a Paul Gibson frm Carlsbad HS & UTEP

[@terrybunton2586]

I thought of two more who deserve mention perhaps But only one was in the NFL I remember back in the day when the Washington Redskins were really Good they had an awesome running 🏃‍♂️back whom everyone knows named John Riggins he was a ..... Holy Terror I should know since I was the Young guy who sold programs at the Cotton Bowl for my Dallas 🤠 anyway what I remember Is the power that Riggins had it looked like linebackers fell down or slip more often than usual when Riggins got the ball so as to avoid getting hit by this guy I'm just saying....there's a reason and it might have to do with this Big guys residual speed since he was The State High School Track Champion in his Home State and his 100 record time lasted something like 20 + yrs so he brought the load of wood with the hurt If U could catch him...... He was something to behold even for Cowboy Fans

[@robertspies4695]

Hayes, yes. I was a just a few feet away from the track when Renaldo flew by and set a world record in the 110 m hurdles--could not believe a human could do that-never to be forgotten. I was expecting to see a mention of OJ, part of world and olympic record 4x100m relay teams

[@sydboski]

Skeets ran 10.24 100m best. That would rank 35th in NFL history among NFL players with verified fully automatic times 100m dashes. OJ ran a PB of 9.5 hand timed 100yd dash. That is not in the top 10 had timed 100yd dashes I have found in NFL history.

[@danfoss1535]

Tell that to the guys who tried to tackle him

[@sydboski]

@@danfoss1535 Who are you replying to?

[@tedfio1tedfio1]

Great job!

[@cornerstonepc6276]

Great video.

[@hollywoodsteviet4195]

Bo Jackson was the fastest who toated his weight at 235 lbs he ranned a 4" 1 in the 40 yard dash he's a true a true phenomen a beast

[@sydboski]

Bo's 40 time is a bunch of hogwash. Bo was not that quick . His times at other distances do not agree with 4.1 anything.

[@mrwendell2343]

Bo was probably 4.2 flat.

[@sydboski]

@@mrwendell2343 I would say more like 4.3.

[@mrwendell2343]

4.1 was never confirmed. Bo was probably 4.2 flat.

[@timmayes2863]

Bo was the fastest player greatest athlete ever watch the way he ran away from smaller defensive backs he was huge 230 or bigger

[@charlesjohnson4492]

He was a great football player and well liked by the team, coaches, and all his fans! I loved him playing and his speed who will always be remembered for years and years!❤❤❤

[@Rivethead242]

Great research !

[@lawrencev.athill7502]

Very thankful that you put this together. Well defined parameters and came up with the true number one!

[@sydboski]

Ok so Jeff Demps 10.01 and Jim Hines 9.95 are out because they had very little production. But what about Jacoby Ford 10.01 and Trindon Holiday 10.00 Both ran faster than Hayes at 10.06 100m.

[@BBBYpsi]

You can only base it on era's they played in. They changed the way defenses played because of Bob Hayes speed. He to me was far faster than anyone in his era. I like he mentioned Don Hutson but lets not forget Jim Thorpe because in his era no one came close.

[@enigma9971]

Speed is speed and stats are stats. 20 mph is 20 mph. Period.

[@wingoreviewsboxingandmma3667]

23 mph in 1970 is still 23 mph in 2023 bruh

[@BBBYpsi]

@@wingoreviewsboxingandmma3667 There is a big difference running Anda turf. They had now compared to the grass they had backed them

[@JohnDyer-jc9xc]

As a sophomore in High School I attended a football camp at WVU, where James Jett would end up attending, at the start of the camp we all ran forties , all times were kept and the top ten would run in what was called the Master Blaster, this race was ran by the top 10 fastest times, the race itself was ran on the practice field which was grass, I stood and watched in awe as James Jett glided or it seemed across 5 inch tall grass clocking s 4.4 time ifor his efforts.

[@andrewilson2292]

As a raider fan. I recall Jert. Good hands for a track star.

[@pault6281]

Gerald Tinker was a track star in the 70's; ran third leg on the winning 4x100 relay team at the 72 olympics. Unfortunately, he couldn't catch and in three years totaled just a handful or so receptions. Speed kills, but you need the hands, man. Nice video.

[@jimhamilton3544]

You got it as close as possible Excellent analysis 👍🏻🤔😃

[@mikeobrien1559]

As a child in the 60s, I was not big or strong, but I was fast. Bob Hayes and Lou Brock were my heroes, so thanks for this.🙏🏻

[@418cjpaul]

that was a great video! I fully agree that Bob Hayes was the fastest ever!

[@danfoss1535]

Concur

[@BigBarkBiggerBite]

Great List

[@robertfarias3526]

Awesome Bullet Bob Hayes!❤️👍

[@MrDCMiami]

That face film of Bob Hayes at 9:05 was absolutely MIND BLOWING!!

[@jamesmonteverde5538]

Cliff Branch ran a 4.23 40. So much for speed these daze. You also need quickness and good hands. A lot of guys are fast, but few have the assets of Tyreek Hill.

[@sydboski]

When and where did Branch run this supposed 4.23?

[@jamesmonteverde5538]

Colorado 1971. Said in an interview. Do your due diligence. Branch had amazing speed.

[@sydboski]

@@jamesmonteverde5538 BS. You are lying.

[@jamesmonteverde5538]

Remember Due your due diligence, and judging from your arrogant answer, drop the hate.

[@jamesmonteverde5538]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZfai395Zaqde6ssi=JN-37Uo9KwOnY6Dk

[@jeffalanvasconcellos3039]

Excellent!

[@kelvinthompson9189]

The only ones you missed was Sam Graddy and Ron Brown. Both Olympic sprinters with Raiders and Rams. Good list

[@mizzutigerfan1]

Haven’t seen Alexander Wright mentioned and at one time he had the fastest 40 time recorded

[@sydboski]

Not the only ones. Trindon Holliday, Jacoby Ford, Anthony Schwartz, Cliff Branch, Mel Gray and others who were faster than most on the list.

[@sydboski]

​@@mizzutigerfan1Do not believe those BS hand timed 4.1 40's before 1999.

[@greggsloate4677]

I agree with the high quality of the athletes on this list as to being the fastest players. I would have mentioned a lot of the guys who ran in the Olympics and Worlds, like Graddy, Ron Brown, Gault . . . people like that. But others have already added them. The one name I haven't seen, going up and down this Comments section, is Isaac Curtis. He played (quite well) for the Bengals in the 1970s, and he competed in a lot of track events with top, Olympic-caliber sprinters, prior to joining the NFL. His name tended to be mentioned as being about the fastest player in the league at the time he played, even ahead of OJ Simpson, Mel Gray, and the other fastest players of that era. I seem to recall him competing in the 1972 U.S. Olympic Trials, making it (I think) to the finals or maybe the semi-finals.

[@raywalsh9152]

Bullet Bob Hayes were the first three words out of my mouth when you posed the question at the top of the video. But I am surprised that Eric Dickerson didn't even get a mention as a player that didn't make the list. I don't claim to know all of his stats but, as a 60 year old lifelong football fan, I can tell you that I haven't seen very many running backs, or wide receivers, with the pull away speed Dickerson had, while making it look effortless. Man did he run pretty. Like a gazelle.

[@robertmarino7011]

That's because darrell green caught him after he had a 15 yd jump...83 playoffs

[@jbrewster6175]

@@robertmarino7011 Yes, it's a classic play. Eric later said that when he broke out past the line he knew Darrell was back there somewhere ,and he knew he would run him down. Eric said he was not going to run scared, he would just run until Darrell caught him, which didn't take long.

[@raywalsh9152]

​Thanks for the replies. I forgot about that play. I was way too busy chasing girls the year after I graduated in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. There were a few years there where football came second, or third. 😂@@jbrewster6175

[@markwatson8051]

Although I agree with you about the Bullet, how about the New York Giants Homer Jones who once beat Bob Hayes - whom you haven't mentioned?

[@sydboski]

That is because he is using his opinion not measured speed. Had he been using actual measured speed, Hayes would not be 1st. And several other players would not be on the list.

[@davidwoods8982]

There was a guy named Trent Jackson from Rochester NY who. Played for a short time. I remember seeing him run 9.35 on a cinder track for the 100 yard dash in 1962. He was NYS champion and played for a few years in the NFL. Trent was a great human being and a superb athlete. He never got credit for how great he was.

[@KevinMDowney]

Good video! To clarify, You’re referring to speed combined with QUICKNESS (or Vice versa) - in pads.

[@nicolas4you]

I am glad we have film, tape and records because Bullet Bob Hayes set the world record at 100 yards. And scored 71 TD's in a Hall of Fame career. He is why zone coverage was invented. I didn't get to see him play in his peak because I was born in 1960. Darrell Green is the fastest that I seen play. His catching of Eric Dickerson and Tony Dorsett I actually witnessed on TV and they had a big lead.

[@bryanblanks1714]

Bob Hayes at one time was the fastest man on earth.😂🎉. Look it up! Dallas Cowboys split end 22!

[@CDeGreeWR15]

Yeah cause coverage in the red zone or all over the field was something necessary or needed they just invented because of him, really?

[@nicolas4you]

@@CDeGreeWR15 The point I was trying to make was zone coverage in it's inception came before Bob Hayes but was used at the end of games just to stop long hail mary passes. Bob when first coming into the league was just much faster than any cornerback so they started what's now called cover 2 a defender underneath and one over the top. That was also in an era where passing was limited. The run game was King. Bob was not only fast but strong built like a small version of Bo. Think Randy Moss but not as long but stronger. They always used him exclusively as a wide receiver rarely in the slot.

[@sydboski]

@@bryanblanks1714 Yes he was the world's fastest human for 4 years. In 1968 Jim Hines broke Hayes' record and he played with Miami and KC. He was a flop, but no one ran faster.

[@StephenKhalfani]

Yes really! And fortunately at the time, anybody & everybody, in or around the NFL, said as much. So it really doesn't matter what you think, nor how you feel about that particular truth, hero. Osu!

[@the_Sage71]

Just an honorable mention. Thr Rams had a WR in the 80s named Ron Brown. He didnt play that long. He was average if i remember correctly but he was a serious track star. Daryl Green had a shot to reel him in one time and he couldn't come close.

[@sydboski]

Brown was faster than Green. Brown played 8 years and was all pro once.

[@darrentaylor5455]

Ron Brown , Arizona St. Legend and Gold Medalist in 4 x 100 at 84 Olympics.He beat D Green one year at the NFL Fastest Man Competition.

[@sydboski]

​​@@darrentaylor5455 Sorry but he never beat Green. Green was undefeated in those NFLs fastest man competitions. Brown did have the overall fastest time though.

[@darrentaylor5455]

@@sydboski He was not undefeated,he lost to Ron Brown one year in the finals, Watched it,Saw it , Recorded it, I believe it was he's only loss on those competitions. If I find that tape I'm gonna to upload on the Tube. Also on that Tape I got some old Super Stars Competitions With O.J. Simpson, Lynn Swann, Tony Dorsett, and many other, and also on that Tape, Most of the Battle of the Network Stars.

[@sydboski]

@@darrentaylor5455 Well You need to look at it again because Green won in: 1986 vs Gault (beat Brown in the semi) 1988 vs Woodson 1989 vs Miller 1991 vs Brown (photo finish) Brown won in: (Green did not compete) 1987 vs Epps (ran the overall fastest time ever) 1990 vs Gault

[@sgrant39]

Well done list. No complaints.

[@chowpuppy4537]

I can't disagree with any of your choices, and I was pleased to see that Darrell Green made the list. I was a fan of the Bears and the 49ers in the 80's, and he always seemed to make a few big plays on defense or as a punt returner when my teams faced the Redskins. You're correct that Skeets Nehemiah didn't rack up a lot of yards. Montana would connect with him on a long pass play every now and then, but his real function under Bill Walsh was to stretch the defense and draw coverage away from other wide receivers like Dwight Clark and Freddie Solomon. Anyway, nice work.

[@gregorylunsford3991]

Maybe Gale Sayers ( Kansas Comet ) ......... I loved watching him run , it was like He had a 10 speed gear box in his legs. He was just so exciting to watch him run. Love watching him score 6 touchdowns in one game - Wow!

[@pheadrus77]

I always loved watching his replays Before he was injured, there has been no player to compare to him

[@derreckpressley1165]

Oh yeah, one more thing...Darrell Green has run down a lot of players during his time in the NFL, but he never ran down Bo Jackson.

[@sydboski]

That is true. Because he never played against Bo.

[@facethefacts3411]

Deion did tho

[@raymondpierotti8414]

Very Good List

[@jimvanderwood3094]

Damn well thought out list!

[@rovingwarrior3710]

The names that first came to mind for me were Bullet Bob Hayes, Deion Sanders and Darrell Green and Bullet Bob would also be my pick as the fastest. But another name I thought of that waswn't mentioned is Terrell Owens, he was timed at age 48 as still runnin a 4.38 in the 40.

[@sydboski]

Owens should not even be mentioned.

[@normcmiller]

Your top 3 are the same as mine. Owen’s…not so much. Maybe Michael Haynes or Tyreek would round out my top 5. Ron Brown and Gault are in there too.

[@sydboski]

@@normcmiller Not the same as mine. I include all NFL players. I don't truncate the bad players. My top 5 are : 1. Jim Hines 9.95 100m 2. Trindon Holliday 10.00 3. Jeff Demps 10.01 4. Jacoby Ford 10.01 5. Bob Hayes 10.06 Ron Brown 10.06

[@alwaysright7063]

Hayes did that (the last time in the Olympics) on cinder, Hines was at altitude in Mexico City@@sydboski

[@sydboski]

@@alwaysright7063 Incorrect. Hines ran 10.03 to break Hayes' 10.06 world record during the 1968 AAU championships in Sacramento on cinders. the meet was called the Night of Speed. Hines THEN went to the Olympics and broke it AGAIN at 9.95.

[@carlmartin9656]

I would add Mel Gray of the St. Louis Football Cardinals in the 1970s. I think he ran a 9.4 100 yard dash

[@sydboski]

Gray ran 9.2 PB

[@tyannaist]

Mel Gray was probably the second best punt returner in NFL history.

[@sydboski]

@@tyannaist Not the same Mel Gray. This Mel Gray played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1971-1982. The Mel Gray you speak of played with the Detroit Loins from 1986-1997. the older Gray as faster.

[@tyannaist]

@@sydboski oh my bad, all I know is he was the reason most Lion fans use to tune in for.😂

[@subzero6396]

Excellent vid, covered it all... Maybe Ron Brown from the Rams, but put on pads not so much

[@sydboski]

He out ran Darrell Green in pads.

[@abysmalasabysmal]

0-10 is more important than 0-40. Nobody had better acceleration than Chris Johnson in his prime. He has to be on this list

[@sydboski]

The fastest players don't reach top speed in either distance. But we are talking about who is the fastest. If you never reach top speed during the distance you are at the wrong distance. The 100m is the big boys race.

[@wcvalentine5996]

Bob Hayes!!!!!!

[@sydboski]

I can Name 4 players who ran faster.

[@bartsullivan4866]

I grew up in the 1980's and 90s and never had the opportunity to see Bullet Bob actually play but I bet that dude was something else. Jerry Rice had that kind of breakaway speed as well but not an incredible 40 time.

[@thehardtruth3027]

Rice in his book said he was never taught to sprint. Just show up to the combine and run 40 years. But in the 1987 NFL's fastest man competition, he lost to an Olympic runner named Phillip Epps but not by much. Epps ran like a 6.31 and Rice a 6.39

[@timkiely3240]

Great mention of Renaldo Nehemiah !

[@normhall1622]

Bob Hayes for sure. In the early 1950s, the Rams had Bob Boyd and Dean Smith who were like 9.3 hundred yard dash guys.

[@jamesjarrettjr.5974]

Mel Gray was super fast also

[@carseye1219]

Nobody ever caught Joey Galloway from behind. If my memory is correct, he won a couple of the fastest NFL player contests. Darrell Green lost no speed into his late 30s.

[@sydboski]

Cliff Branch, Mel Gray, Isaac Curtis, Mark Duper, Michael Bates, Michael Haines, Bob Hayes, Warren Wells, Stanley Morgan, Jonny Lam Jones, Jacoby Ford, Trindon Holliday, Tim Brown, Rocket Ismail, Tyreek Hill, Isaac Bruce, and plenty of others were never caught from behind either.

[@christophertracy2807]

Cliff Branch was old school speed that no one could touch. Vick should be on the list.

[@sydboski]

Branch indeed! Vick should not even be mentioned.

[@julia-6195]

Great list. Do some research on Don Maynard.

[@Lue_Ghosted]

#22 Bob Hayes of the Cowboys was the fastest in my 61 years of memory As a kid growing up in the 60s , we played a lot of neighborhood football as kids. I always picked being Bob Hayes as who I was in our pretend NFL games in our neighborhood . 22 was also my birth date and favorite number 😆 LOL Good times playing sadlot football with neighbor friends.

[@robprice5489]

play Bob Hayes for football and #7 Mickey Mantle when we played baseball

[@danfoss1535]

Lynn Swann 88

[@jericho3774]

Lance "Bambi" Alworth - Probably no track records but the way he ran on the old highlight tapes made him look fast. Also great comment on 'Super Bo" - It's good he didn't play during steroid era because no one would believe he didn't take them! His spider man wall catch is awesome

[@frederickpando9444]

The Modern receiver era began with Lance Alworth and the teachings of Sid Gillman. Alworth not only stretched the field as a "burner" but he also ran intermediate routes.

[@nolanbowen8800]

This is very interesting. I would suggest Herschel Walker who I believe ran something like a 10.1 100 meters. I'm pleased you included Don Hudson who was probably the fasted player of his day. There were a lot different conditions in his day as well.

[@sydboski]

Walker's best was 10.23. His 10.1 was wind aided.

[@stonebody]

Note Bob H also played in full pads which since the 90’s which is just remarkable

[@jaffejoe1938]

Vick accelerations alone should've got him voted

[@sydboski]

Voted off. Speed is not an opinion to be voted on. It is measurable and provable.

[@facethefacts3411]

Vick ran a 4.3 40

[@dcalloway55]

Isaac Curtis Cincinnati Bengals WR world class sprinter. 416 receptions, 7,101 yards, 53 TD’s and a 17.1 yards per catch. His speed forced the league to put in the Isaac Curtis rule, which allows the defender to only block a receiver within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage.

[@sydboski]

Faster than some of the guys in the video.

[@lawrencev.athill7502]

If Curtis, could have stayed healthy, his numbers would have been sensational. But he's still number two, to Hayes.

[@sydboski]

@@lawrencev.athill7502 How is he #2? Cliff Branch and Mel Gray were both faster.

[@sydboski]

The Isaac Curtis rule, later amended to the Mel Blount rule does not allow chucking after 5 yards. It was not Curtis's speed that brought in the rule it was the constant whining of his coach saying it was unfair that the Steelers were bumping his guy all over the field so he couldn't get open. They tried it with Cliff Branch and Mel Gray but they seemed to still get open. So it was not his speed that brought the rule, it was his inability to get open that brought on the rule.

[@mrmrjaviejav]

If not for his speed would they need pull and wrench him holding his hand like it was date night

[@dezzdinn]

Fun vid, Sam

[@Comeoffitman]

Undiscovered talent: Mr. Konaski of BelleFonte Pennsylvania was the Janitor at Radore Park Elementary school in 1964. In the gym had Flubberish speed and hops. Once a basketball got stuck between the hoop and the backboard and Mr Kobanski was in the principals office serving the miss some Gogol juice and less than two minutes later loosened the ball with his ear.

[@matthiasmartin4355]

The Juice was as explosive on as off the field...

[@StephenKhalfani]

Exactly! And for some odd reason, people ignore that fact. Track star in high school & college(USC). Nobody in the NFL ever came close to running him down. And he spent most of his career, playing in low top, converse tennis shoes, not football cleats. He also ran a solid 10 flat 100 yard dash, in college. Osu! Definitely over the top, sprinter, speed, as a footballer.

[@sydboski]

@@StephenKhalfani Juice ran 9.5 for 100yds not 10flat which would be slow.

[@StephenKhalfani]

@@sydboski What the HELL are you telling me that for? I never commented on his 100 yard dash time, 100 meter time, or any other. Direct your future comments to someone who was talking to your ass. Osu!🥋👊🥊

[@MrHuPow]

Juice ran on a world record setting sprint relay team when at USC. His speed was far from normal.

[@sydboski]

@@MrHuPow Yes OJs speed was not normal, but it is not top 10 fast today.

[@kensolar69]

I was a huge fan of Bob Hayes when he was a track star. When he became a football player it was a case of .. would he break records there too or .. just be the fastest man in the league.

[@johnguertin3884]

Very well researched video sir. Everyone throws out stuff but this has research behind it. Hayes's time for that relay leg have been estimated as low as 8.6 seconds unofficially of course. And more importantly as you had pointed out he had a bad track and borrowed shoes now today with the fancy tracks and equipment who knows what he could have done... ..Smoking Joe Frazier the great boxer was his roommate by the way ...... He was also a very good receiver with moves . Many people who don't know their a -- from their elbow claim Hayes shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame..they are the ones who look up stats and records on a computer and never saw the guy play a single game or understand the impact he had on the game... Your video was very good and well put together . Thank you

[@sydboski]

This video does not have the fastest players in NFL history. He is missing a lot of players and several of the players in the video do not belong. But it's his video and he can put in anyone he wants, even though they are not the actual fastest players.

[@trex9368]

Oakland Raders - Cliff Branch #21. Branch set an NCAA championship meet record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.0 seconds at the 1972 NCAA championships. 10.0 was Bob Hayes winning time at the Olympics!

[@sydboski]

Difference is Hayes' time was fully automatic 10.06 rounded down to 10.00. Branch's was hand timed. Big difference.

[@user-yy4lo3ql3w]

Dude, I can't see how you've excluded Joey Galloway who ran 4.18 at Ohio State pro day in 1995! He was no flash in the pan he played 16 yrs in the NFL, and demonstrated his speed endlessly and was NEVER overthrown by any QB!

[@kennywhite2190]

Thanks for recognizing Bob Hayes as the fastest , but people are always forgetting players like Homer Jones and Curtis Dickey . These two players had amazing speed and were very productive , not to mention Jones actually beat Bob Hayes in the 100 meters a few times . Curtis Dickey won the NCAA 60 meter dash numerous times at Texas A&M .

[@GreyBeard_Fit]

Yep, Dickey won the 60 yard dash I think 3 years in a row and he was a 215 pound RB.

[@christophertracy2807]

Ron Brown - LA Rams

[@Joaephw336]

I remember watching James Jet playing football at West Virginia I’m glad he’s in your list

[@everettearlnorris1476]

What about Speedy Willie Gault 🤔🤔

[@Fuzcapp]

Willie was on the list. He's my all time fave speedster.

[@francisdeleo9781]

On June 24, 1961, at the AAU Championships at Downing Stadium in New York City, Frank Budd (second from right in the photo) became the first man to run the 100-yard dash in 9.2 seconds, setting a new world record (he is pictured above setting the world record). He broke the mark set by Mel Patton in 1948 that had stood for 13 years, equaled over that time by 12 other athletes. eaglea and redskins

[@sydboski]

What photo?

[@user-yl3wk1xk4w]

Where's the photo of this guy!

[@customkey]

Glad you mentioned Frank Budd. Pennsville HS in New Jersey, and Villanova possibly. I got to see him play for the Eagles.

[@daneworthington3225]

I got really excited when you said jamaal charles just for that rug pull lol

[@samuelmonson70]

Had to do it lol

[@dylanharrell503]

This is the first list of fastest nfl players that I have seen that includes James Jett. It’s about time he was included. Also both Jett and Moss are from WV, just an interesting fact.

[@christophermorgan3261]

lets not forget jim thorpe for his versatile athleticism

[@sydboski]

Greatest athlete ever, but this is about speed only. Thorpe is not in the conversation.

[@jgrantsf]

@@sydboski Actually he is in the conversation - he was mentioned in the video.

[@sydboski]

@@jgrantsf He is no where near the top 50 fastest players in NFL history. So he is not in the conversation of the top 10 fastest players. The author mentioned his athleticism not his speed.

[@sulfacrat]

Don't forget Henry Carr.

[@lawrencev.athill7502]

He doesn't have enough football accolades.

[@soitsanightmare]

OJ was fast, he was hauling ass in that Bronco.

[@joemagarac405]

Bob Hayes was the only sprinter I’ve ever seen that I think could have seriously challenged Usain Bolt if coached and trained using contemporary knowledge and technology. That final leg on the men’s 4x100 relay in Tokyo was otherworldly, up there with Secretariat at the 73 Belmont and Jason Lezak’s anchor leg in the 2008 Olympics men’s 4x100 swim relay. And as with Wilt, they had to change the game to deal with him.

[@sydboski]

Bob's anchor leg was amazing, but the other anchors were not the fastest on their teams.

[@user-ye5fj1eg9b]

Epps on Packers in the 80's was fast he raced Darell Green Epps lost by a hair

[@darrylsimmons3546]

Bob , Bob hayes for dallas cowboys and the seventies one hundred yard olympic gold medals

[@sydboski]

Hayes ran the 10.06 in the 100 meter dash in the 1964 Olympics and has 1 medal from that the other was from the 4x100m relay. Jim Hines has the same in 1968, but Hines ran faster than Hayes by running 9.95 100m, becoming the first human to break the 10 second barrier.

[@greggsloate4677]

​@sydboski Your couple of posts casting Bob Hayes in a lesser light vs. some others are way off. Jim Hines, while a truly great sprinter, not only competed on a far better Olympic track (though just four years later), but at MAJOR altitude in Mexico City. Hence the reason for all those great times (and Bob Beamon's long jump smashing of the WR) in Mexico City in 1968, albeit there were also some all-time great athletes there, too. And then there is the fact that Hayes was running on a rain-soaked track and he was in a very chewed-up number 1 lane, and these are clearly factors Hines didn't have to deal with. Hayes also wasn't even using his own shoes, but borrowed shoes that didn't fit him, which probably slowed him a hair as well, if not more. There is no way to make a case that Hines was faster than Bob Hayes, based just on comparing the '64 Olympics with the '68 Olympics, because Hines had huge advantages in terms of the track composition & the rain, and mostly the altitude. This is not an-apples to-apples comparison. In fact, on various track-and-field discussion boards, I've never heard anyone make the case that Jim Hines was faster than Bob Hayes, or even as fast, though everybody has a world of respect for Jim Hines. In the discussion on this board, a lot of people like Darrell Green, as do I, with one reason being that he seems to always beat everybody. But by that measure, Bob Hayes would be at the top of the list, as he won 40-some-odd consecutive races at 100 yds and 100 meters. Against world-class sprinters. Then there is the very famous leg that Hayes ran on the U.S. Olympic 4 x 100 meters relay team, often said to be 8.8 seconds, if not 8.6 seconds. This is other-worldly. Hines did no such thing.

[@sydboski]

@@greggsloate4677 You are correct about the altitude and the surface in the Olympics. But there is on little snag in your hypothesis. At the 1968 AAU Championships held at 40 year old Hughes stadium in Sacramento (only 15' feet above sea level), Hines ran 10.03 in it's dirt and cinder track. The meet was more famously known as the Night of Speed. Where Hayes' 10.06 world record was broken or tied multiple times. The track Hayes ran on was only 6 years old, and from the pictures and film I have seen it did not look rain soaked or torn up as much as legend may have had it. Also the shoes he wore allowed him to run faster than he ever ran before so they could not have been as much of as hindrance as you would think. Just because you never heard anyone mention Hines doesn't mean he doesn't exist. He broke Hayes' record on the same type of surface. Apples to apples. Maybe the people in your discussion boards did not know about the Night of Speed. But the actual times prove Hines was faster. The relay split: 1. Is a relay split and not official. 2. It was hand timed. 3. Amazing as it was the other anchors he ran against where not the cream of the crop. None of them made it past the semi final and none of them ran faster than 10.3 that season. One was a Long jumper another was 400m man. 4. Frame by frame analysis has the run at 8.9-9.0. which is more believable. Hines has a legendary split too. Some say it was 8.2. Which is not believable either. Look up Jim Hines relay split. The reason why Hines is never mentioned is knowledge. People just don't know about him. A little research goes a long way.

[@user-ti5yy9ey7k]

I liked your list and agreed with your choice of Bob Hayes as the fastest ever in the NFL but there is one guy who everyone misses who deserves to be on this list. It’s Buddy Young who was Americas top sprinter just before the 1948 Olympics, but decided to play Pro Football instead in 1947. He held world records for the 45 and 60 yard dashes and was the AAU national champion in the 100 meter dash.

[@Shopmyst]

Bob Hayes, Cliff Branch.

[@VegasUte]

Honorable Mention candidate Herschel Walker... especially interesting to compare him to Bo Jackson as they were similar is size 6'1" 225-ish... Walker actually had a faster 100M time 10.23s to Jackson's 10.39s PR, at 55M Walkers best 6.11s is also slightly better than Bo's best 6.18s. Not Darrel Green or Bob Hayes fast, but for guys of that size both complete freaks of nature.

[@sydboski]

Bo's 10.39 was wind aided and does not count. His actual best is 10.44.

[@christophertracy2807]

Walker did beat Darrell Green on the track once

[@jimbuelna3198]

Didn’t Joe Delaney beat Walker in 100 meters in college

[@sydboski]

@@jimbuelna3198 Not that I am aware of. I'm not saying it did not happen, but Delaney's best 100m was 10.45 vs Walker's best at 10.23.

[@thehardtruth3027]

Walker was honestly one of those guys who couldn't find the blazing speed with the pads on. He just never looked overly impressive during games like he did on the track.

[@jayduke6148]

You forgot to mention Homer Jones of the New York Giants.

[@sydboski]

He forgot a lot of guys.

[@markfrank5937]

I haven't even watched the video yet, and I'm getting ready to see some fighting. 😂

[@ShyGuyLoveSongs]

Agree , Bob Hayes. He changed the game, caused the creation of the zone defense.