Wednesday, 06 May 2026

Ronnie Lott

Contest: The US Athletics Hall of Fame - Athletes 2026
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Football
Statistics & Accolades: 4 Super Bowls (XVI, XIX, XXIII & XXIV)
6 First Team All-Pros (1981, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990 & 1991)
10 Pro Bowls (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990 & 1991)
2 Interceptions Titles (1986 & 1991)
1-Time All-American (1980)
63 NFL Interceptions
1,143 NFL Tackles
Member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Member of the College Football Hall of Fame
Member of the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame
Number retired by the San Francisco 49ers
Named to the 1980s All-Decade Team
Named to the 1990s All-Decade Team
Named to the NFL 75th Anniversary Team
Named to the NFL 100th Anniversary Team
In the 1980s, the San Francisco 49ers were a high-octane team known primarily for their stars at Quarterback (Joe Montana) and wide receiver (Jerry Rice).  However, if you are going to be blowing teams out, that means your defense was holding down opponents, which San Francisco did in the 80s through the leadership of Ronnie Lott.

Lott was a National Champion at USC, and he stayed in California when the San Francisco 49ers selected him with the eighth overall pick in the 1981 Draft.  It was a perfect fit, and had it not been for the offensive bias that exists in the NFL (and really all sports), he would have been the recipient of even more attention than he got.

Lott became the second first-year player to net three Interception Return Touchdowns as a rookie, and he was a First Team All-Pro while helping the Niners win their first Super Bowl.  Lott remained the star Defensive Back for San Francisco throughout the decade and was considered one of the best in the game.  Had it not been for a player named Lawrence Taylor, Lott would have been the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Lott played at Left Cornerback in the first five seasons of his career, going to the Pro Bowl in the first four.  The former Trojan would also notably lead the NFL in Tackles (68) in 1982, and he helped San Francisco win their second Super Bowl in 1984.

After the 1984 season, Lott moved to Free Safety, and he was just as effective.  Lott led the league in Interceptions in 1986 (10), and in both '86 and 1987, he had 20 in Approximate Value, the latter year leading the league.

Before the 1991 Season, Lott joined the Los Angeles Raiders, where he won his fourth Super Bowl.

We are proud to nominate Ronnie Lott for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.

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