Most tackles in NFL history?

  Improve

DIFFICULT TO FIND A CORRECT ANSWER. The NFL did not start keeping the tackle as an official stat until 2001. Prior to that most teams kept their own tackle stats and has their own methods of identifying tackles. So you probably won't find stats for guys like Ray Nitschke, Nick Buoniconti, Harry Carson or Chuck Bednarik who played many years and probably built up a lot of tackles (over 1000). ESPN has been compiling team tackle stats for about 15 years so they probably have the closest numbers for current players. It is also why you might not find all of Seau's tackles from his first 4 years.
Numbers as of 03/09



*Randy Gradishar - 2,049
*Scott Studwell- 1882
Junior Seau - 1826

Jessie Tuggle - 1809
Zach Thomas - 1737
Derrick Brooks - 1698

Ray Lewis - 1637
*Mike Singletary - 1,488
Donnie Edwards - 1487

*Jack Lambert - 1479
London Fletcher - 1362
Lawyer Milloy - 1309

• -no longer active

NOTE: Derrick Brooks has 2,198 "STOPS" according to certain websites. STOPS include "half-tackles" and "gang-tackles" while Brooks has been involved in 2,198 tackles these are not his tackle statistics according to what the NFL officially considers a tackle. His NFL stats are closer to 1700 if ESPN's numbers (closest to official NFL) are used between '95-'01. In order for Derrick Brooks to have 2,198 tackles he would be averaging 157 tackles a year. If you take in to consideration that his stats from 2001 forward are official (NFL) then according to these tackle stats Brooks was averaging 185 tackles between '95 and '01. This is highly unlikely and an incredible physical feat. Important to note tha Brooks has never lead the league in any season for tackles and has only been in the top 10 once in his career. It is also important to note Zach Tomas and Ray Lewis entered the NFL at relatively the same time and have consistently been in the top 10 in tackles every season since with a few exceptions.

First answer by ID3627569646. Last edit by Redheadedtexan. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributorrecommended]. Question popularity: 15 [recommend question].