NFL
Troy Aikman’s Four Most Feared NFL Players, From Lawrence Taylor to Deion Sanders
Troy Aikman selects Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, Ronnie Lott and Deion Sanders, recalling the defenders he faced and the leadership he valued.
“There’s only one shutdown corner that I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. And that’s Deion.” Troy Aikman said of Deion Sanders during Rushmore Podcast’s discussion of the most feared NFL players.
Aikman chose Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, Ronnie Lott and Sanders on the April 3, 2026 episode with Matthew Stafford and hosts Ari Emanuel and Ben Persky. Parts of the interview appeared again in the program’s September 30 compilation.
Aikman explained that he limited his choices to defensive players he had faced. The numbers follow the order in which he named them.
Aikman’s four selections
Lawrence Taylor
Troy Aikman’s selection
Aikman led with Taylor. He said coaches Bill Belichick and Bill Parcells would identify Taylor or Jim Brown when asked for the greatest football player.
“If they don’t say Jim Brown they will say Lawrence Taylor.”
Troy Aikman · 21:14–21:40
Reggie White
Troy Aikman’s selection
Aikman recalled facing White with Philadelphia and Green Bay. He described White lifting Larry Allen during a Thanksgiving meeting with the Packers:
“in the air with one arm, just throwing him out of the way.”
Troy Aikman · 21:40–23:20
Aikman also remembered White chasing him down during his rookie season, saying that he realized “the NFL was a whole different deal.”
Ronnie Lott
Troy Aikman’s selection
Aikman’s explanation moved from Lott’s hitting to his leadership. He said the highest compliment he could give a player was wishing they had been teammates.
“for me, it’s high praise because they embody all that I think is good about the game and and their toughness, willingness to give it up for the team, that they’re not selfish.”
“I would have loved to have been a teammate of Ronnie’s.”
Troy Aikman · 23:25–25:13
Deion Sanders
Troy Aikman’s selection
Aikman had faced Sanders before they became teammates in Dallas. When Sanders covered Michael Irvin, Aikman said the receiver was too good to stop targeting him.
“Michael was too good, so we were never not going to throw him the ball.”
Troy Aikman · 25:17–29:20
Aikman recalled telling Irvin, “he’s going to win his share. We’re going to win our share,” while stressing that the throw could not end up in Sanders’s hands.
Read Matthew Stafford’s four most feared NFL players from the same Rushmore Podcast episode.
Sources and notes
- Rushmore Podcast original episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oktq2mD9No
- September 30 compilation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oO7AWXif_yQ
