Hardest Tackles Ever in NFL

NFL is the ultimate league for professional football players. This sport is all about gaining the advantage over the opposition, and that means steamrolling them at every opportunity. Don't let all the protective gear fool you for a second – when a 300-pound athlete stops you dead in your tracks, it's like getting T-boned by a semi on an icy road. Ask any of the NFL players who have been involved in the hardest tackles ever, and they’ll certainly attest to the brute force of these bone-crunching sacks. Naturally, we prefer legal tackles over illegal tackles which can have devastating repercussions on the footballers in question.

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American football is played with super-sized athletes. Much like its global counterpart rugby, football is all about physical confrontation. Players come to blows, take huge hits, and have to get up and do it all over again. It's not a game for sissies, and it's not a game for anyone who can't take the pain. Gridiron is 100% adrenaline-fueled entertainment. It is the ultimate full contact North American sport, followed close in tow by NHL, MMA/UFC, and boxing. Without further ado, let's head off to the pitch and reflect on some of the hardest NFL tackles ever.

Disclaimer: If you're squeamish, check out our other sports blog posts. For the football fans among us, it's time to suit up for some brutal NFL tackles!

Arguably the five most ferocious players ever on the football field include the likes of Reggie White, Ray Lewis, Lawrence Taylor, Bruce Smith, and Jerry Rice. These guy could dish out punishment on the pitch, but some of the most brutal tackles were performed by other players as you're about to find out…

Reggie Bush gets destroyed by Sheldon Brown

Reggie Bush was a rookie sensation. But Sheldon Brown was well positioned near the 40 yard line to take him out as soon as play commenced. In the words of the commentators, ‘…he fired like a missile into Bush.’ The result was a monstrous take down that had Bush doubled-over in absolute agony. #24 smacked into #25 with the force of a 10-ton truck and it had him knocked clean off his feet. While the Philadelphia Eagles have been involved in some legendary hits over the years, the Sheldon Brown take down of Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints will live on as one of the hardest ever in the history of the game.

Rahim Moore of the Denver Broncos smashes Donald Jones of the Buffalo Bills

When Rahim Moore of the Denver Broncos charged at Donald Jones of the Buffalo Bills, it was a brutal KO. The collision knocked Jones right off his feet, and his teammates wanted revenge against Moore after the sacking. It all takes place in a split second, but the effects were felt for a long time afterwards.

Pierre Thomas of the New Orleans Saints Gets a Taste of San Francisco 49ers Power from Donte Whitners

This tackle took place at the 2-yard line by San Francisco 49ers player Donte Whitners on New Orleans Saints player Pierre Thomas, back in January 2012. Number 31 (Whitners) was like a battering ram as the smashed into Thomas, barely 9 minutes into the game. It was a monstrous hit.

Emmanuel Sanders Gets Pummeled by Rodney McLeod

#10 Emmanuel Sanders of the Denver Broncos got crushed by Rodney McLeod of the Rams during the 2014 NFL season. The crunching hit was enough to knock him out of the game, and send him home on a stretcher. It was a bruising encounter that took place in the blink of an eye. Viewers agree this is one of the best hits in recent times – and the Eagles did well to sign McLeod as a safety.

Ray Lewis Puts on a Show!

Few players in the history of the NFL have been quite as intimidating as the incredible Ray Lewis. This Baltimore Ravens superstar has been involved in many of the biggest hits ever, and a tribute to his athletic prowess is certainly an order. Lewis – a Hall of Famer – is one of the best linebackers ever, hands down. He was front and center in so many huge hits for the Ravens, that the best we can do is provide you with a montage of some of the biggest hits in Ray Lewis' Hall of Fame career. Enjoy the show!

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*Photo courtesy of David Richard and AP