Ronnie Lott titled his 1991 autobiography Total Impact. It was a suitable
choice because that is exactly what Lott had when he took the field. The NFL
may never have seen a harder hitting defensive back. "He's like a middle
line-backer playing safety," Cowboys coach Tom Landry once said. "He's
devastating. He may dominate the secondary better than anyone I've seen."
After an All-America career at Southern California, Lott was San Francisco's
first round draft pick and the eighth player chosen overall in the 1981 draft.
He made an immediate impression on the 49ers and was the starting left
cornerback from the first day of training camp. Lott led the secondary that
helped the 49ers to victory in Super Bowl XVI. The 1981 NFL rookie of the year,
he also was a Pro Bowl choice that season and 9 times over the next 10 years.
He was an all-pro pick four times.
During his career, Lott lined up at both corners and both safeties, but he was
probably at his most intimidating as a free safety, where he had the freedom to
cover the entire field.
Lott signed with the Raiders as a Plan E free agent in 1991 and led the NFL
with eight interceptions that season. His 63 career interceptions place him
among the NFL's elite.
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