NFL's Meanest: Top 10 Best—Or Worst Bone Shattering Tackles (Video)

To make it as a player in the NFL world you need to be extremely tough not only physically but mentally as well.

It is a world where on any given Sunday a player could lay the wood and put a player out for a couple games, his season, or his career.

This slide consists of the top 10 hardest hits in NFL history. It is an opinionated slide due to the violent nature of the league.

There are countless plays and this was not an easy task to take on but I've done my research and this is one I've come up with. Please feel free to remind me of a play that slipped my mind.

I will start with No. 10 and work my way down.

Thanks for taking a look and enjoy!

Jack Tatum Removes Sammy Whites Helmet—1977

Any Raiders fan knows of this hit, it was back in 1977 when the Raiders were a feared team throughout the league.

It was Super Bowl Vll and the Raiders were squaring off with the Minnesota Vikings. White was lined up out wide and came across the middle of the field where Tatum met White at the 45 yard line and smashed Sammy so hard his helmet spun.

George Teague vs Terrell Owens—2000

In 2000 Terrell Owens, who was then with the San Francisco 49ers, was just young receiver trying to make a name for himself in the NFL.

During a week four matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, Terrell Owens outright disrespected everyone associated with the Cowboys by sprinting 50 yards to the sacred star at midfield and spike the ball after scoring a touchdown.

Not once but twice!

Unfortunately for Owens the second time Cowboys safety George Teaque was hot on his tail and was more than happy to put Owens in his respective place in the NFL.

Ray Lewis Manhandles Keith Burns—2002

Not only is this a very hard hit Ray Lewis unleashed on Keith Burns but it will also go down as the block the led to the longest return in NFL history.

It was a matchup on September 30, 2002 against the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos.

Broncos kicker Jason Elam was attempting a 57 yard field goal that went south from the start. Elam botched the kick but it was what happened afterwords that dropped then head coach Mike Shanahan's jaw.

Chris McCallister caught the ball in the end zone and decided at the last minute to run the ball out. Lewis noticed Keith Burns coming in to make the hit and drilled him so McCallister could return the attempted field goal 108 yards for six points.

(Hit at 1:14)

Brandon Jacobs Flattens Laron Landry—2006

In a matchup on September 9, 2006 against division rival Washington Redskins, RB Brandon Jacobs made a statement by leveling Laron Landry flat on his back after both players lowered their pads.

Jacobs ran right up the gut of the Redskins defense and Landry decided to stay put—that was until Jacobs had his way with him!

Landry was fine but still a mean hit!

Tenard Jackson Puts Clark On His Back—2008

On October 7, 2008 QB Peyton Manning threw a pass to TE Dallas Clark at the Bucs 48 yard line and before Clark could put both feet back on solid ground Buccaneers safety Tenard Jackson outright destroyed Clark.

Jackson put everything he had into this one hit that sent Clark to the sidelines—after a few moments to again gather his marbles.

Dallas resorted to crawling for a little bit!

Tanard Jackson Lays Dallas Clark On His Ass!!!

KC | MySpace Video

Sheldon Brown Wipes Out Reggie Bush—2007

Reggie Bush has become a feared running back in the league with his running and receiving abilities but it was during the NFC playoff game that Sheldon Brown truly introduced Reggie Bush to the NFL.

On a swing pass from QB Drew Brees, Bush had his head turned and never saw what happened next—POP!

Reggie Bush came back to the game in the win over the Eagles but that hit will go down as one of the NFL's greatest!

Bush tried showing his toughness by attempting to stand up, but was forced to crawl off the field.

After the game Sheldon said "it felt like going through cardboard" when asked about that tackle.

Tim Krumries' Broken Leg—1989

In the mid to late 1980's Tim Krumrie was a rising star who was elected to the Pro Bowl twice, in 1987 and 1988 but it was in 1989 that proved to be disastrous to his career.

During Super Bowl XXIII, while trying to tackle RB Roger Craig, Krumrie suffered a broken leg when his cleats became caught in the turf, and his leg flopped around.

It is believed that Krumrie stayed in the locker room until the game was over, refusing to leave both the game and his teammates.

Krumrie needed a 15-inch rod to be inserted in his leg to repair two breaks: his tibia and his fibula. That didn't stop him from returning to training camp the following summer.

Krumrie played for another six years after his injury, although his level of production did decrease.

Eric Smith Lays The Wood On Anquan Boldin

During the September 28, 2008 matchup between the New York Jets and the Arizona Cardinals, Kurt Warner lined up at the Jets 26 yard line in shotgun formation.

Warner hiked the ball and went deep to Boldin in the endzone where he met up with Jets Chris Martin.

It was obvious immediately after the play that something seriously bad happened as Boldin was knocked unconscious.

Both players were shaken up but Boldin received the worst of between the two.

Domenik Hixon and Kevin Everett Head On Collision—2007

September 9, 2007 was the last time Buffalo Bills Kevin Everett would ever play football as he suffered a spinal injury in a matchup against the Denver Broncos.

In a helmet to helmet tackle Everett dove towards Antonio Dixon and jolted his spine so severely some doctors questioned whether he would be able to ever walk again.

Fortunately with hard work, dedication, and support from family and fans Everett has learned how to walk again but won't ever see another minute in the huddle.

Joe Theismans' Broken Leg—1985

Anyone and everyone who is a football fan knows about this cringing play. It was a night back in 1985 when the 5-5 Washington Redskins where facing the 7-3 New York Giants.

The Redskins were coming off of a loss to the Dallas Cowboys but it seemed QB Joe Theismann had a hot hand as he completed seven of his first 10 passes.

It was the second quarter however that unfortunately sealed Theismanns' NFL fate. On a play that was called by Joe Gibbs, Theismann handed to ball of to then RB John Riggins who was plowing towards the line.

Riggins flea-flickered the ball back to Theismann and the rest is history—LB Lawrence Taylor latched on from the back and relentlessly dragged Joe to the ground, breaking his leg in the process!

Theismann takes the cake!