Players of the Decade—1930s

OPINION
By John Turney

This is the fourth in a series of picking players of the decades. We began with 1915-25, the 1920s, the 1925-35 period and now the decade of the 1930s. We consulted Chris Willis of NFL Films to make the selections.

Here are the picks:

1930s  Player of the Decade
Dutch Clark

Clark was a seven-time All-Pro, is a Hall of Famer, and All-1930s Team member and led the Lions to a title. He was also the Guren Award Winner (MVP) in 1936 and would have likely been a winner or close in 1935 and 1936.

1930s  Defensive Player of the Decade
Mel Hein

A center on offense and a great linebacker. George Allen suggested he could have been a Hall of Famer based on his defense alone. He was an eight-time All-Pro (seven in the 1930s) and won the Joe Carr Trophy (MVP) in 1938. He was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame team All-1930s Team and owns two championships.

1930s Player of the Decade Runner-Up
Bronko Nagurski

A great fullback who could throw it and block but a great tackler and fierce linebacker. He was a 3-time NFL champ and a five-time All-Pro, All-1930s, and a Hall of Famer.

1930s Defensive Player of the Decade Runner-Up
Clark Hinkle

A linebacker and defensive back in addition to being a Hall of Fame running back. He was a fullback on running downs but when they wanted to throw it Hinkle would play tailback in the "wing".

Next up: The 1935-45 period.