Who Is The NFL All-Time Interception Leader?

The answer to the question “Who Is The NFL All-Time Interception Leader?” may surprise you.

The NFL’s All-Time Interception Leaders

The National Football League’s all-time interception leaders are a who’s who of the game’s greatest defensive players. From Green Bay Packers legend Bart Starr to current Seattle Seahawks star Richard Sherman, the all-time interception leaders list is filled with Hall of Famers and some of the greatest to ever play the game.

The Top Ten

1. Paul Krause – He is a former American football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons, all with the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the University of Iowa, and is considered one of the greatest safeties in NFL history. He currently holds the NFL record for most career interceptions, with 81.

2. Emlen Tunnell – He was an American football player and coach. He was the first African American player to play for the New York Giants, and also was the first NFL player to intercept 50 passes in his career. He played college football at the University of Iowa, and is considered one of the greatest defensive backs in NFL history.

3. Rod Woodson – He is a former American football player who was a cornerback and safety in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. He played college football for Purdue University, and was honored as a consensus All-American. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1987 NFL Draft, and went on to play 11 seasons with them before signing with the Baltimore Ravens in 1998.

4. Ken Riley – He is a former American football cornerback who played 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Furman University, where he was a two-time All-American, and was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 1969 NFL Draft. He is Furman’s career leader in interceptions with 24, and ranks fourth on their all-time list with 36 passes defended.

5. Dick Lane – He nicknamed “Night Train”, was an American professional football player who spent most of his career as a defensive back for various teams in the National Football League (NFL). During his 14-year career, he intercepted an NFL record 14 passes during one season while playing for Rams in 1952, which stood until it was broken by interception machine Dave Brown of Houston Oilers 25 years later in 1977; Night Train’s record has since been tied by four other players: Everson Walls , Deion Sanders , Asante Samuel , and Marcus Peters . A native of Austin County, Texas , Lane played college football at Scottsbluff Junior College and current NCAA Division II member Utah State UniversityEastern before being drafted into pro ranks by then- Anaheim Rams general manager Pete Rozelle fourth overall during 1952 NFL Draft . Night Train earned seven Pro Bowl berthseligibility during his pro gridiron tenureand holds various league records: His 66 interceptions returned for touchdowns remains second all time behind Deion Sanders’ 19; In 1961 while member of Detroit Lions , led league with 10 INTs including franchiserecord four picks one game versus Minnesota Vikings November 26 en route to All Pro First Team honors ; In 1962 again paced circuit 10 INTs moreover intercepting least one pass 13 different games bingleason franchise record currently shared teammate Lem Barney …

The Top Five

1. Paul Krause – 81 INT
Drafted in the 2nd round of the 1964 NFL Draft out of Iowa, Krause played 16 seasons for the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings. He was selected to 8 Pro Bowls and is a member of both the Redskins Ring of Fame and the Vikings Ring of Honor. Krause is the only player in NFL history with 80+ INT and is 11th all-time in career INT yards.

2. Ronnie Lott – 63 INT
A first-round pick out of USC in 1981, Lott played 14 seasons for the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Raiders, New York Jets, and Kansas City Chiefs. He was selected to 10 Pro Bowls, was a first-team All-Pro 8 times, and won 4 Super Bowls with the 49ers. In addition to his 63 INT, Lott also had 5 interception return TDs.

3. Ken Riley – 65 INT
Riley played his entire 15-year career for the Cincinnati Bengals from 1969-1983. He made the Pro Bowl 6 times and was a 2-time first-team All-Pro. Riley interceptions came primarily at CB but he also had 7 INTs as a safety. His 65 INT are still a Bengals franchise record.

4. Willie Brown – 54 INT
A Pro Football Hall of Famer, Brown played 16 seasons for the Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders from 1963-1978. He was selected to 9 Pro Bowls, was a first-team All-Pro 5 times, and won 1 Super Bowl with the Raiders. Brown’s 54 interceptions are tied for 10th all-time with fellow Hall of Famer Mel Blount.

5. Aeneas Williams – 55 INT
Williams played 14 seasons for the Arizona Cardinals and St Louis Rams from 1991-2004. He made 8 Pro Bowls, was a first-team All=Pro 4 times, and is a member of both the Cardinals Ring of Honor and the Rams Hall of Fame. Williams had 11 seasons with 3 or more interceptions, including a career high 7 in 1994.

The NFL’s All-Time Interception Leaders by Position

Quarterbacks

Picking off a pass is one of the most gratifying things that can happen to a football defense. It’s a momentum-swinging play that can often be the difference between winning and losing.

In the history of the NFL, there have been some great quarterbacks who have excelled at throwing interceptions. Here are the all-time leaders in interceptions thrown by quarterbacks:

Brett Favre –336
George Blanda – 287
John Hadl –276
Fran Tarkenton –275
Dan Marino –252
Joe Namath –220
Archie Manning –209
Jim Kelly –200
Vinnie Testaverde –200

Running Backs

While many running backs are known for their ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, there have been some that have excelled at intercepting passes throughout NFL history. Here are the all-time leaders in interceptions by running backs:

1. Emlen Tunnell – 79
2. Rod Woodson – 71
3. Paul Krause – 64
4. Night Train Lane – 52
5. Chuck Bednarik – 50
6. Ken Riley – 46
7. Dick “Night Train” Lane – 46
8. Mel Blount – 45
9. Ronnie Lott – 44

Wide Receivers

Jerry Rice leads all wide receivers in career interceptions with 41. He is followed by Gary Clark with 39, Cris Carter with 38, and Terrence Mathis with 36.

Tight Ends

The National Football League’s (NFL) all-time interception leaders by position includes:

-Tight Ends: Tony Gonzalez, Jason Witten, Antonio Gates
-Wide Receivers: Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens
-Running Backs: Emmitt Smith, Thurman Thomas, Marshall Faulk

Tony Gonzalez is the NFL’s all-time leader in interceptions by a tight end with 111. Jason Witten is second with 68, and Antonio Gates is third with 54. Jerry Rice is the NFL’s all-time leader in interceptions by a wide receiver with 50. Randy Moss is second with 28, and Terrell Owens is third with 21. Emmitt Smith is the NFL’s all-time leader in interceptions by a running back with 20. Thurman Thomas is second with 16, and Marshall Faulk is third with 12.

The NFL’s All-Time Interception Leaders by Team

There have been many great NFL defenses throughout the years, but which team has produced the most interception leaders? The answer may surprise you. The Pittsburgh Steelers have had the most players lead the league in interceptions, with six different players doing so.

The Top Ten

1. Cleveland Browns – Paul Warfield
2. Green Bay Packers – Bart Starr
3. Kansas City Chiefs – Len Dawson
4. Miami Dolphins – Bob Griese
5. New England Patriots – Tom Brady
6. New York Giants – Y.A. Tittle
7. Pittsburgh Steelers – Terry Bradshaw
8. San Francisco 49ers – Joe Montana
9. Washington Redskins – Sammy Baugh

The Top Five

The National Football League’s all-time interception leaders are a group of Defensive backs who have made the most interceptions in NFL history.

In first place is Paul Krause, a former player for the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins, with 81 career interceptions.

Krause is followed by Rod Woodson, an 11-time Pro Bowler who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders, with 71 interceptions.

Darren Sharper, who played for the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, is in third place with 63 career interceptions.

Fourth place belongs to Ken Riley, a former Cincinnati Bengal with 62 interceptions.

Rounding out the top five is Dick LeBeau, a defensive back who played 14 seasons for the Detroit Lions and interception leader for that franchise with 62 picks.