#83 - Yinzers Influenced Top 30 NFL Players of All Time — The BallHawgs Fix Sports Illustrated's List

Sports Illustrated dropped their “Top 30 NFL Players of All Time” list… and Richard and Conner took one look at it and said, “Nope. We’re fixing this.”This episode is pure Yinzer energy: Steelers reverence, Cowboy slander, Ratbird disgust, and a whole lot of football truth-telling. It’s loud, it’s funny, and it’s exactly why sports debates are the greatest thing on earth.The List Starts Off Wrong, So the BallHawgs Fix It30 — Larry Allen (SI)Great player, freak athlete… but this is a Yinzer edition.Larry Allen OUT. Mike Webster IN.Iron Mike: four rings, greatest center ever, redefined the position. 29 — Bob LillyGreat Cowboy, great DT. No demotion, no jokes (well… maybe a few Cowgirls jokes).28 — Emmitt SmithEmmitt stays, but the boys remind everyone:– He ran behind the Great Wall of Dallas.– Emmitt outside Dallas? Arizona proved that story.27 — Jonathan OgdenA Ratbird, yes. But a legend. He stays.26 — Bruce Smith200 sacks. Monster. 25 — Sammy BaughLed the league in passing, punting, and interceptions in the same season.24 — Rod Woodson and the DB debateFinally, a Steeler. But SI disrespected the entire DB hierarchy.Richard and Conner fix it with the legendary 24A–24E format:24A — Rod Woodson24B — Deion Sanders (elite, but couldn’t tackle)24C — Ronnie Lott 24D — Troy Polamalu (best hair + best commercials ever)24E — Mel Blount (had a rule named after him; original shutdown island)Mel Blount being left off SI’s list? A crime against football.23 — John HannahA hog. A legend. Stays.22 — Randy MossStraight cash, homie. Perfect at 22.But the Yinzers remind everyone:– Lynn Swann’s acrobatics were generational.– Antonio Brown (pre‑Burfict multiverse brain shift) was on a Hall of Fame trajectory.21 — Ronnie LottDude was a dog. Warrior. Cut off the tip — just the tip — to stay in the game.20 — Patrick MahomesMagician. If he keeps winning, he’ll break this list like he breaks defenses.19 — Aaron DonaldYinzer approved. Freak of nature.18 — Deion SandersShould be grouped with the other DBs at 24A–24E.17 — Ray LewisStone‑cold killer… on and off the field.16 — John ElwayHorse teeth. Rocket arm. Two rings.15 — Anthony MuñozOne of the greatest linemen ever. Stays.14 — Mean Joe GreeneLeader of the Steel Curtain. Face of the dynasty.If Mean Joe is here, Mel Blount MUST be on the list. Period.13 — Barry SandersDisrespectful placement.Worst franchise in football, still put up 1,000 yards every season.12 — Deacon JonesSecretary of Defense. Invented trash talk.11 — Johnny UnitasPrototype QB. Invented the two‑minute drill.Also: got cut by the Steelers (oops).10 — Don HutsonPlayed in the 1930s–40s.30 interceptions on defense.Basically Gronk + Polamalu in one body.9 — Dick ButkusName alone is worth five spots.8 — Peyton ManningFive MVPs. Two rings.Ran a Fortune 500 company at the line of scrimmage.Richard and Conner debate whether he should be No. 2.7 — Joe MontanaJoe Cool. Four rings. Three Super Bowl MVPs.King of the moment.6 — Reggie WhiteMinister of Defense.LT himself said Reggie was the best defensive player ever.5 — Walter PaytonSweetness.Did everything: run, catch, block, throw.Should be tied with Barry Sanders.4 — Lawrence TaylorChanged football.Teams redesigned offenses because of him.Defensive MVP — almost impossible.3 — Jim BrownEight rushing titles in nine seasons.Averaged 104 rushing yards per game for his career.2 — Jerry RiceGreatest WR ever. Not close.11 straight 1,000‑yard seasons.Caught bricks as a kid — turned into a football demigod.1 — Tom BradySeven rings. Ten appearances.Drafted 199th overall.The GOAT. No debate.Final Yinzer RulingMean Joe deserves a bump.Mel Blount MUST be on the list.Any all‑time list without enough Steelers is spiritually bankrupt, even if technically accurate.Sites we dig:Frugalocity Instagram sites <a href="https://www.inst