Players of the Decade—1925-35

OPINION
By John Turney

This is the third in a series of picking players of the decades. We began with 1915-25 and the 1920s  and now move to the 1925-35 period.

We consulted Chris Willis of NFL Films to make the selections.

Here they are

1925-35  co-Players of the Decade
Red Grange and Benny Friedman

Grange was someone who put the NFL on the map and was a big enough star that he essentially started his own league.

Friedman was the first great passer and the first, according to researchers, to throw at least 20 touchdown passes in a season.

1925-35  Defensive Player of the Decade
Cal Hubbard

Hubbard was a tackle and end on defense (and was a great blocker on offense). He was a six-time All-Pro and member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame team All-1920s Team. He was on four NFL championships teams and is a Hall of Famer.

1925-35 Player of the Decade Runner-Up
Verne Lewellen

Lewellen was a four-time All-Pro and a three-time NFL champion. If we had a chance, we'd put him in the Hall of Fame.

1925-35 Defensive Player of the Decade Runner-Up
Mike Michalske

Michalske was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame team All-1920s Team (though we think that's a bit dubious since he only played three seasons in that decade. but he firsts perfectly into the 1925-35 period. He was a five-time All-Pro and a member of three championship teams in his 11-year career. He's also a Hall of Famer

Next up: The 1930s.