The 25 Nastiest Bone-Crunching Hits in NFL History

When you see a jaw-dropping hit, you know it.

Your immediate reaction is, "Holy sh*t!," but that amazement quickly transforms to, "Dude, is he alive?"

Though some of the hits make you more nervous than excited, one thing is for sure: football fans love violence.

Any hit that looks gruesome, agonizing or just plain excruciating gets an immediate reaction from the crowd.

Here's a look at the top 25 ways to end someone's career.

25. Ryan Clark Destroys Willis McGahee

Anybody who watches football knows that the Ravens and the Steelers hate each other.

In the 2009 AFC Championship game, Ryan Clark showed Willis McGahee just how much.

24. Kellen Winslow, Meet Ray Lewis

Speaking of the Ravens, they don’t really like the Cleveland Browns either, especially guys like Kellen Winslow who run their mouths.

Ray Lewis decided he wanted to shut Winslow up once and for all.

23. Hines Ward Turns The Tables

The Steelers were demolishing the Ravens, and Hines Ward wanted to put the cherry on top of a sweet victory.

Ward turned the tables on Ed Reed, giving the safety a chance to see what it's like to be on the other end of those big hits.

22. Anquan Boldin Gets Sandwiched

Will somebody please tell if Kurt Warner confused Anquan Boldin for some wet laundry?

Because Warner hung him out to dry. 

21. T.J. Houshmandzadeh Gets Hammered

I bet Carson Palmer didn’t get any Christmas cards from T.J. Houshmandzadeh after this hit.

I’m sure T.J. wasn’t feeling too well after that, but at least he held onto the ball.

20. Steven Jackson is Annihilated

The Eagles already has this game in hand, but Steven Jackson wasn't going to stop playing hard.

Maybe after this hit by Sheldon Brown, he reconsidered.

19. Brandon Jacobs Takes Flight

I'm not sure it's a good idea for a 270-pound running back to take to the air in any situation, especially when he's trying to jump over a cornerback.

But that's what Brandon Jacobs did. And he gets rocked because of it.

18. Adrian Wilson With a Helmet-To-Helmet

Adrian Wilson is a beast on the football field, and Trent Edwards knows that better than most.

The hit itself doesn't look all that nasty, but Edwards was on the ground for a while, so I'm going to assume he got hit pretty good.

17. Earl Campbell Uses The Headbutt

Early Campbell gives new meaning to the term "Ram" by leveling Isaiah Robertson with his noggin. 

I wonder who that hurt more. 

16. Don't Play in the Streets

Roy Williams can't really cover anybody, but the guy knows how to lay a licking. Just ask Tai Streets.

Kids, take this as a warning. Don't play in the streets. It isn't safe.

15. Mike Bell Is a Monster

Mike Bell didn't get to play all that much with the Saints, but when he did, he certainly made the most of it.

Luckily for No. 27, I can't for the life of me figure out who he is. Help me out, Lions fans.

14. The Dirtiest Player in the Game

Hines Ward has developed a reputation as the dirtiest player in the NFL. 

Keith Rivers would have told you just how dirty Ward is. But he couldn't because his jaw was broken.

13. P-Willy Mutilates Brad Smith

Brad Smith played quarterback at Missouri, so he's not quite accustomed to taking bit hits.

Patrick Willis has no problem teaching Smith the ropes.

12. Ray Lewis With an Outrageous Block

When Jason Elam missed a field goal in 2002 against the Ravens, cornerback Chris McAlister returned it for an NFL record 108-yard touchdown.

But he wouldn't have been able to do it without Lewis. Fast forward to 1:14. You'll see what I mean.

11. Tanard Jackson Makes an Impact

In 2008, Buccaneers safety Tanard Jackson was a rookie just looking to make a name for himself. Dallas Clark was a tight end who is in the wrong place at the wrong time

Jackson lights up Clark, who looks like he got hit by a bus after the play.

10. Damion McIntosh Pancakes Two Dolphins

It's always nice to see the big guys hustle down the field, like Damion McIntosh did in 2008 against the Dolphins.

He bulldozes two defenders on the way to setting up a nice screen play for the Chiefs.

9. Mo Lewis Opens the Door for Tom Brady

Patriots fans can thank the Jets for the team's last three Super Bowl rings.

This nasty hit by Jets linebacker Mo Lewis knocked Drew Bledsoe out of the game and started Tom Brady's Hall of Fame career.

8. Another Raven Makes the List

I'm fairly certain I could make a list with all Ravens/Steelers hits.

I think Ben Roethlisberger's reaction to this hit makes it better than it actually is, which is why it's this high on the list.

7. George Wilson Kills Two Birds With One Stone

When you think about football, chances are the year 1940 doesn't pop into your head.

Maybe it should. Check out the Chicago Bears' George Wilson kill two birds with one stone against the Washington Redskins.

6. Chad Ochocinco Visits La-La Land

Hey, remember when Carson Palmer left T.J. Houshmandzadeh out to dry?

I'd take that hit over this one suffered by Chad Ochocinco any day.

5. Jack Tatum Maims Sammy White

In Super Bowl VII, Vikings receiver Sammy White somehow held onto the ball despite getting crushed by Jack Tatum.

White's helmet flew off, but he still managed to make the spectacular catch.

4. Cedric Griffin Smashes Billy Miller, Hurts Self in the Process

Check out Saints wide receiver Devery Henderson completely neglecting the need to block for Billy Miller.

Cedric Griffin took advantage and cracked Billy Miller so hard that he was laid out on the ground for a few seconds himself.

3. Chris Henry Regrets Returning Kick

In a late December divisional matchup in 2007, Chris Henry caught the kickoff at the two yard line and took off just like he would any other time.

Henry immediately regretted his decision. The Titans kick return team didn’t block Darrell Reid, and that was a mistake.

2. The Pro Bowl Isn't Just an Exhibition Game

In the 2007 Pro Bowl, the late Sean Taylor wasn't taking it easy on anyone, even the punter.

Bills punter Brian Moorman thought he had an easy run out of bounds, but Taylor obliterated Moorman with one of the hardest hits in NFL history.

1. Reggie Bush Gets Jacked Up

In the 2007 playoffs, Reggie Bush and the Saints were in unfamiliar territory.

After this hit by Sheldon Brown, I’m not so sure Bush wouldn’t have preferred missing the playoffs.