Players of the Decade—1955-65

OPINION
By John Turney

This is the ninth in a series of picking players of the decades. We began with 1915-25, the 1920s, the 1925-35 period, the 1930s, 1935-45, the 1940s, 1945-55, the 1950s, and now we go after 1955-65.

Here are the picks:

1955-65 Player of the Decade
Jim Brown

Brown was a multiple MVP/POY (1957, 58, 63 and 65) winner, a Rookie of the Year, an eight-time All-Pro, won a championship and many other accomplishments including statistical achievements from 1955-65. There was no other choice for the best player for this period as he beats out Unitas who had an amazing 1955-65 period.

1955-65 co-Defensive Players of the Decade
Gino Marchetti and Joe Schmidt

Marchetti and Schmidt were too close to separate. They both won titles, were Linemen of the Year winners and many time All-Pros in this mid-Decade period.

Both are on the "Mr. Rushmore" for their positions. Marchetti with Deacon Jones, Reggie White, and Bruce Smith. Schmidt with Dick Butkus, Ray Lewis, and Jack Lambert.

So, maybe it is a cop-out, but when players for an award come down to a coin flip, we tie them and honor both.

1955-65 Player of the Decade Runner-Up
Johnny Unitas

Unitas was a clear second to Brown for this mid-decade. He was a three MVP awards (1957, 59, and 64) and won a pair of championships and was in his prime by the end of this mid-decade.

Unitas' teammate Jim Parker is an honorable mention behind Unitas.

1955-65 Defensive Player of the Decade Runner-Up
Night Train Lane

Lane was the Defensive Player of the 1950s and he kept his skills up through the early 1960s and other than Marchetti and Schmidt he was the top defensive player from 1955-65. He follows up his 1950s Defensive Player of the Decade with a runner-up for this time frame.

Bill George is a very close honorable mention behind Lane. He had Defensive Player of the Year-quality seasons in 1961 and 1963 and maybe even others.

Next up: the 1960s