Retired NFL Player & Hall of Famer
Considered by many to be the greatest defensive back to put on a uniform, Ronnie Lott’s influence reinvented how the position was played, and whose influence can still be seen on the field today.
In 14 professional seasons and 192 career games, Lott would have 63 interceptions, 1,146 tackles, and 5 touchdowns. He is a 10-time Pro Bowler (at three different positions), made the All-Pro team six times, made the All-NFC six times, All-AFC once, and was named to the NFL’s 75th-anniversary team in 1994. In 2000, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio in his first year of eligibility. He was also included on the Hall of Fame’s All-1980s and All-1990s teams.
Born on May 8, 1959, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lott first started playing football in junior high school in Rialto, California. In high school, he shifted positions, beginning as a wide receiver before transitioning to quarterback before ending up at safety. Lott won the prestigious Ken Hubbs Award given to Southern California’s best male high school athlete.
Following high school and after receiving numerous scholarship offers, Lott decided to stay nearby to attend the University of Southern California. At a program for churning out All-American, First round picks and future Hall of Famers, Lott’s game went to another level. From 1977-1980, Lott led USC’s defense. During his time, Lott was on a team that won a share of the
1978 national championship and led the Trojans to victory in the 1979 and 1980 Rose Bowls.
He was a unanimous All-American in 1980 His accolades were recognized by the Pac-12. In 2004, Lott was the top defensive player in the first 100 years of the conference’s storied history. After graduating from USC in 1981, Lott was drafted in the first round (eighth overall) by the San Francisco 49ers. Donning the number 42, Lott was an instant game-changer. He was runner-up the Rookie of the Year voting, however, that season. he’d help the 49ers win the first of four Super Bowl titles in the 1980s. He was one of only five players to play on all four championship teams. His hard-hitting style and lockdown coverage skills enabled him to be used at all four starting defensive backfield positions. His finest statistical season came in 1986 when he played 14 games at free safety and accumulated a career-best 10 interceptions, 77 tackles, three forced fumbles and two sacks.
Leaving the 49ers following the 1990 season, Lott would play two more seasons for the Raiders and New York Jets before retiring at the age of 35.
He was also a 1995 inductee to the USC Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2002, he was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Friday, March 17, 2023
8:15 AM – 8:40 AM EST