Players of the Decade—1945-55

OPINION
By John Turney

This is the seventh 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, and now we tackle the 1945-55 period.

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

Here they are—

1945-55  Player of the Decade
Otto Graham

Seven titles in ten seasons, plus the Player of the Years, the All-Pros, the stats. He had it all.

1945-55  Defensive Player of the Decade
Bill Willis

A great, quick middle guard who was a dominate rusher and run defender.

1945-55 Player of the Decade Runner-Up
Bob Waterfield

None other than Otto Graham said Waterfield was the best football player of his era. He said Waterfield, "passed, ran, kicked, punted, and did that all as well as anyone". He won titles in 1945 and 1951.

1945-55 Defensive Player of the Decade Runners-Up
George Connor and Bill Dudley

Connor and Dudley were both two-way players and great ones. Connor was a linebacker and defensive lineman and Dudley was a fantastic defensive back.

Next up: The 1950s