Top 25 Hall of Famers Who Never Played in a Super Bowl

One of the ways that some people determine the success in an NFL player's career is by checking to see how many Super Bowls his team won...or at least played in.

While winning the Lombardi Trophy is the pinnacle of team success, there have been loads of players whose team never made it to the Super Bowl.

Here are the Top 25 Hall of Fame players who, excelled greatly, and yet never played in a single Super Bowl game in their entire career: 

25. Jimmy Johnson: Cornerback

Jimmy Johnson

Cornerback 6'2" 187 lbs.
UCLA
1961-1976 San Francisco 49ers

Pro Bowls: (5) 1969-72, 1974

All NFL: (4)

Career stats: 47 interceptions,

Interception return yards: 615

24. Charlie Joiner: Wide Receiver

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

1985: Charlie Joiner #18 of the San Diego Chargers carries the ball during a 1985 NFL game. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Charlie Joiner

Wide Receiver 5'11" 188 lbs
Grambling
1969-1972 Houston Oilers, 1972-1975 Cincinnati Bengals, 1976-1986 San Diego Chargers

Pro Bowls: (3) - 1976, 1979, 1980 

Played 18 seasons, 239 games, most ever for wide receiver at time of retirement

Career Stats: 750 catches, 12,146 yards, 65 TDs

Surpassed 50 catches seven years

100-yard receiver in 29 games

23. Dan Dierdorf: Offensive Tackle

Dan Dierdorf

Tackle 6'3" 275 lbs.
Michigan
1971-1983 St. Louis Cardinals

Pro Bowls (6) - 1974-78, 1980

All-Pro (6) - 1974-78, 1980

NFLPA NFC OL of the Year (3) - 1976-78

Anchored line that led NFL three years and the NFC five years in fewest sacks allowed

22. Roger Wehrli: Safety

Roger Wehrli

Cornerback 6'0" 190 lbs
Missouri
1969-1982 St. Louis Cardinals

Pro Bowls (7) - 1970-71, 1974-77, 1979

All-Pro (6) - 1970-71, 1974-77

Career Stats: Interceptions: 40

Interception Return Yards: 309

Fumbles Recovered: 19

21. John Randle: Defensive Tackle

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

14 Nov 1999: John Randle #93of the Minnesota Vikings runs down field during a game against the Chicago Bears at the Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Vikings defeated the Bears 27-24 in overtime.

John Randle

Defensive Tackle 6'1" 278 lbs.
Trinity Valley Community College, Texas A&I
1990-2000 Minnesota Vikings, 2001-03 Seattle Seahawks

Pro Bowls (7) - 1993-98, 2001

All Pro (6) - 1993-98

Career Stats: Tackles: 556

Sacks: 137.5 (left NFL tied for 5th; most in league history for a Defensive Tackle)

Interceptions: 1

At the time of his retirement following the 2003 season, Randle was second in league history for most consecutive seasons with 10 or More Sacks – 8 (1992-1999)

20. Steve Largent: Wide Receiver

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 18: Wide receiver Steve Largent #80 of the Seattle Seahawks catches a pass during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the L.A. Coliseum on December 18, 1988 in Los Angeles, California. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 43-37

Steve Largent

Wide Receiver 5'11" 187 lbs.
Tulsa
1976-1989 Seattle Seahawks

Pro Bowls (7) - 1978-79, 1981-87

All-Pro (5) - 1978-79, 1981, 1984-87

Career Stats:  Receptions: 819

Receiving Yards: 13,089

Receiving TDs: 100

Caught passes in 177 straight games

Had 70 or more receptions six seasons, 50 or more 10 years

Led NFL in receiving yards (2) 1979, 1985

19. Leroy Kelly: Running Back

Leroy Kelly

Running Back 6'0" 202 lbs.
Morgan State
1964-1973 Cleveland Browns

Pro Bowls: (6) – 1967-72

All-NFL: (5) 1966-69, 1971

Career stats: Rushing yards: 7,274

Reception Yards: 2,281

Return Yards: 2,774

Combined Yards: 12,330

TDs: 90

18. Kellen Winslow: Tight End

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO, CA - 1984: Wide receiver Kellen Winslow #80 of the San Diego Chargers runs the ball during a game at Jack Murphy Stadium during the 1984 NFL season in San Diego, California. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Kellen Winslow

Tight End 6'5" 251
Missouri
1979-1987 San Diego Chargers

Pro Bowls: (5) - 1980-83, 1987

All-Pro: (4) - 1980-82, 1987

Career Stats:  Receptions: 541

Receptions Yards: 6,741

TDs: 45

At the time of his retirement, Winslow held the following NFL record:

Most Touchdown Receptions, Game – 5 (vs. Oakland, Nov. 22, 1981)

17. Ozzie Newsome: Tight End

Rick Stewart/Getty Images

SEPTEMBER 14: Ozzie Newsome #82 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball upfield during the game against the San Diego Chargers on September 14,1990. (Photo by: Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Ozzie Newsome

Tight End 6'2" 232 lbs.
Alabama
1978-1990 Cleveland Browns

Pro Bowls (3) - 1981, 1984-85

All-Pro (7) - 1979-85

Career Stats: Receptions: 662 receptions

Receiving Yards: 7,980

Receiving TDs: 47

Caught pass in 150 consecutive games

Retired as all-time leading tight end receiver, fourth among all receivers

16. Ken Houston: Strong Safety

Ken Houston

Strong Safety 6'3" 197 lbs.
Prairie View A&M
1967-1972 Houston Oilers, 1973-1980 Washington Redskins

Pro Bowls (12) -  1968-79

All-Pro: (8)

Career Stats: Interceptions 49

Interception Return Yards 898

Interception TDs: 9

Also scored on a blocked FG, fumble, and punt return

15. Ron Mix: Offensive Tackle

Ron Mix

Offensive Tackle 6'4" 250 lbs.
Southern California
1960-1969 Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers, 1971 Oakland Raiders

Pro Bowls (8) - 1962-69

All-AFL (9) 1960-68

Had only two holding penalties in 10 years...Wow!

14. Larry Wilson: Safety

Larry Wilson

Free Safety 6'0" 190 lbs.
Utah
1960-1972 St. Louis Cardinals

Pro Bowls (8) - 1962-63, 1965-70

All-Pro (8) - 1963, 1965-71

Career Stats: Interceptions: 52

Interception Return Yards: 800

Interception Returns for TDs: 5

Fumbles Recovered: 14

Fumble Return Yards: 173

Fumbles Returns for TDs: 2 

13. Tom Mack: Offensive Guard

Tom Mack 

Guard 6'3" 250 lbs.
Michigan
1966-1978 Los Angeles Rams

Pro Bowls (11) - 1967-75, 1977-78

All-Pro (8) - 1968-75

At the time of his retirement following the 1978 season, Mack, who never missed a game during his 184-game career, was second in Rams' team history for Consecutive Games Played.

12. Earl Campbell: Running Back

Earl Campbell

Running Back 5'11" 232 lbs.
Texas
1978-1984 Houston Oilers, 1984-85 New Orleans Saints

Pro Bowls (5) - 1979-82, 1984

All Pro (3) - 1978-80

1978 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

NFL Offensive Player of the Year (3) - 1978-80

NEA NFL MVP (3) - 1978-80

Career Stats: Rushing Yards: 9,407

Rushing TDs: 74 TDs

Receptions: 121

Receiving Yards: 806

At time of his retirement following 1985 season, Campbell was tied for first in NFL history in Most 200-Yard Rushing Games, Season – 4 (1980) and Most Consecutive 200-Yard Rushing Games – 2 (1980)

11. Lem Barney: Cornerback

Lem Barney

Cornerback 6'0" 188 lbs.
Jackson State
1967-1977 Detroit Lions

Pro Bowls (7) - 1967-69, 1972-1973, 1975-1976

All-NFL (4)

Career stats: Interceptions: 56

Interception Return Yards: 1,077

Interception TDs: 7

Punt Return Yards: 1,312

Kickoff Return Yards: 1,274

Kick Return TDs: 4

10. Dan Fouts: Quarterback

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO -1987: Dan Fouts #14 of the San Diego Chargers looks to pass during a 1987 NFL season game at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. ( Photo by: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Dan Fouts

Quarterback 6'3" 204 lbs.
Oregon
1973-1987 San Diego Chargers

Pro Bowls (6) - 1979-1983, 1985

All Pro (4) - 1979-80, 1982, 1985

NFL MVP: 1979, 1982

NFL Offensive Player of the Year: 1982

UPI AFC Player of the Year (2) - 1979, 1982 

Career Stats: Passing Yards: 43,040

Passing TDs: 254

Rushing Yards: 476

Rushing TDs: 13 TDs

At time of his retirement following the 1987 season, Fouts held the NFL records for:

Most Consecutive Seasons Leading League in Passing Yards – 4 (1979-1982)
Most Seasons 3,000 or More Yards Passing – 6 (1979-1981, 1984-86)
Most Games 300 or More Yards Passing, Career – 51

9. Warren Moon: Quarterback

Tim DeFrisco/Getty Images

18 Oct 1992: Quarterback Warren Moon of the Houston Oilers passes the ball during a game against the Denver Broncos at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos won the game, 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Tim DeFrisco /Allsport

Warren Moon

Quarterback 6'3" 212 lbs.
West Los Angeles Junior College, Washington
1984-1993 Houston Oilers, 1994-96 Minnesota Vikings, 1997-98 Seattle Seahawks, 1999-2000 Kansas City Chiefs

Pro Bowls (9) 1988-95, 1997

NFL Offensive Player of the Year: 1990

UPI AFL-AFC Player of the Year: 1990

Pro Bowl MVP: 1998

Career Stats: Passing Yards: 49,325

Passing TDs: 291

Rushing Yards: 1,736

Rushing TDs: 22

At time of his retirement following the 2000 season, Moon held the following NFL records:

Most Passes Completed, Season - 404 (1991)
Most Fumbles, Career - 161
Most Fumbles Recovered, Own and Opponents, Career - 56
Most Fumbles Recovered, Own, Career - 56
Most 300-Yard Passing Games, Season - 9 (1990)
Most Times Sacked, Game - 12 (vs. Dallas, Sept. 29, 1985)

8. Eric Dickerson: Running Back

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

4 Oct 1992: Running back Eric Dickerson of the Los Angeles Raiders (left) moves the ball during a game against the New York Giants at the Los Angeles Memorial Stadium in os Angeles, California. The Cowboys won the game, 13-10Mandatory Credit: Stephen Du

Eric Dickerson

Running Back 6'3" 220 lbs.
Southern Methodist
1983-87 Los Angeles Rams, 1987-1991 Indianapolis Colts, 1992 Los Angeles Raiders, 1993 Atlanta Falcons

Pro Bowls (6) -1983-84, 1986-89

All Pro (5) - 1983-84, 1986-88

1983 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

1986 NFL Offensive Player of the Year

UPI NFC Offensive Player of the Year (3) - 1983-84, 1986

NFL Record 2,105 Rushing Yards in a Single Season

Gained 1,800 or more rushing yards three of first four seasons

Retired as the NFL's second all-time leading rusher

Career Stats: Rushing Yards: 13,259 yards on 2,996 carries

Rushing TDs: 90

Receiving Yards: 2137 on 281 receptions

Receiving TDs: 6

At time of his retirement following 1993 season, Dickerson set the following NFL records:  

Most Yards Rushing, Season – 2,105 (1984)
Most Yards Rushing, Rookie Season – 1,808 (1983)
Most Rushing Attempts, Rookie Season – 390 (1983)

Most Consecutive Seasons 1,000 or More Yards, Rushing – 7 (1983-1989)
Most Touchdowns Rookie Season, Rushing – 18 (1983)
Most Attempts Rookie Season, Combined Net Yards – 442 (1983)
[Tied for 1st] Most Games 100 or More Yards Rushing, Season – 12 (1984)

7. Derrick Thomas: Linebacker

Derrick Thomas

Linebacker 6'3" 243
Alabama
1989-1999 Kansas City Chiefs

Pro Bowls (9) - 1989-97

All-Pro (6) - 1990-1994, 1996

1989 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

1989 UPI AFL-AFC Rookie of the Year

Career Stats: Tackles: 649

Interceptions: 1

Fumbles Recovered: 19

Fumble Return Yards: 161

Fumbles Returned for a TD: 4 (Second most in NFL History)

Sacks: 126.5

NFL Single Game Sacks Record: 7 (also tied for second with 6 sacks in a single game)

6. Dick Butkus: Linebacker

Dick Butkus

Middle Linebacker 6'3" 245 lbs.
Illinois
1965-1973 Chicago Bears

Pro Bowls (8) - 1965-72

All-Pro (8) - 1965-72

NEA NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2) - 1969-70

Career Stats: Tackles: 1020

Interceptions: 22

Fumble Recoveries: 27 (NFL record, at the time of his retirement)

Fumbles Returned for a TD: 1

5. O.J. Simpson: Running Back

Getty Images/Getty Images

JAN 1 1980: O.J. Simpson of the Buffalo Bills in action during a game against the Denver Broncos at Rich Stadium in Buffalo, New York. Mandatory Credit: Getty Images

O.J. Simpson

Running Back 6'1" 212 lbs.
City College-San Francisco, Southern California
1969-1977 Buffalo Bills, 1978-1979 San Francisco 49ers

Pro Bowls (6) 1970, 1973-77

All-NFL (5) 1972-76

Pro Bowl Player of the Game: 1973

Won four NFL rushing titles

Career Stats: Rushing Yards: 11,236

Rushing TDs: 61

Receiving Yards: 2,142

Receiving TDs: 14

Kickoff Return Yards: 990

Kickoff Returns for TDs: 1

At time of his retirement following the 1979 season, Simpson held the following NFL records:

Most Touchdowns, Season – 23 (1975)
Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 2,404
Most Yards Rushing, Season – 2,003 (1973)
Most Games, 200 or More Yards Rushing, Season – 3 (1973)
Most Consecutive Games, 200 or More Yards Rushing – 2 (1973, 1976)
Most Games, 100 or More Yards Rushing, Season – 11 (1973)
Most Consecutive Games, 100 or More Yards Rushing – 7 (1972-73)

4. Merlin Olsen: Defensive Tackle

Merlin Olsen

Defensive Tackle 6'5" 270
Utah State
1962-1976 Los Angeles Rams

Pro Bowls: (14) – 1963-76

All-NFL: (6) 1964, 1966-70

At the time of his retirement following the 1976 season, Olsen held the following NFL records: 

Most Pro Bowl Selections – 14
Most Consecutive Pro Bowl Selections – 14 (1963-1976)

3. Deacon Jones: Defensive End

David "Deacon" Jones

Defensive End 6'5" 272 lbs.
South Carolina State, Mississippi Vocational
1961-1971 Los Angeles Rams, 1972-1973 San Diego Chargers, 1974 Washington Redskins

Pro Bowls (8) 1964-70, 1972

All-Pro (8) 1964-70, 1972

NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2) 1967-68

Career Stats: Sacks: 194.5 (Third in NFL history)

2. Gale Sayers: Running Back

Gale Sayers

Halfback 6'0" 198 lbs.
Kansas
1965-1971 Chicago Bears

Pro Bowls (4) 1965-67, 1969

All-Pro (5) 1965-69

Pro Bowl MVP (2) 1966-67, 1969

Rookie of the Year: 1965 (unanimous selection)

Career Stats: Rushing Yards: 4,956

Rushing TDs: 39

Receiving Yards: 1,307

Receiving TDs: 9

Kickoff Return Yards: 2,781

Kickoff Returns for TDs: 6

At time of his retirement following the 1971 season, Sayers held the following NFL records: 

Most Combined Net Yards, Season – 2,440 (1966)
Highest Combined Net Yard Average, Game – 19.76 (vs. San Francisco, Dec. 12, 1965)
Most Combined Net Yards, Season – 2,440 (1966)
Most Touchdowns, Season – 22 (1965)
Most Touchdowns By a Rookie, Season – 22 (1965)
Most Points By a Rookie, Season – 132 (1965)
Highest Kickoff Return Yard Average, Career – 30.60
Highest Combined Net Yard Average, Game – 19.76 (vs. San Francisco, Dec. 12, 1965)
Most Combined Punt and Kickoff Returns for Touchdowns, Game – 2 (vs. San Francisco, Dec. 12, 1965)
Most Touchdowns, Game – 6 (vs. San Francisco, Dec. 12, 1965)
Most Kickoffs Returned for Touchdowns, Career – 6
Most Combined Punt and Kickoff Returns for Touchdowns, Season – 4 (1967)

1. Barry Sanders: Running Back

Tom Hauck/Getty Images

6 Sep 1998: Running back Barry Sanders #20 of the Detroit Lions in action during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Lions 38-19. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport

Barry Sanders

Running Back >>> 5-9, 203
(Oklahoma State)
1989-1998 Detroit Lions

Pro Bowls (10) - 1990-99

All-Pro (10) - 1990-99

NFL MVP: 1997

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: 1989

NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2) 1994, 1997

Career Stats: Rushing Yards: 15,269

Rushing TDs: 99

Receiving Yards: 2,921

Receiving TDs: 10

Passing TD: 1

First player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards his first 10 seasons

NFL Rushing Leader (4)  1990, 1994, 1996-97

NFL TD Leader (2) 1990-91

At time of his retirement following the 1998 season, Sanders held the following NFL records 

Most Consecutive Seasons 1,000 or More Yards Rushing - 10
Most Games 100 or More Rushing Yards, Season - 14 (1997)
Most Consecutive Games 100 or More Rushing Yards, Season - 14 (1997)
Most Seasons 1,000 or More Yards Rushing - 10