Two players from Alabama high schools and colleges earned first-team recognition on The Associated Press’ NFL All-Pro team for the 2023 season.
For New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (Wenonah), the selection was the first of his career. For Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (West Alabama), the first-team All-Pro selection was his fifth.
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And that put Hill in rare company. Only three other players with Alabama football roots have been first-team All-Pro picks at least five times – Don Hutson, John Hannah and Terrell Owens. All are enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So are the four players from Alabama high schools and colleges who were first-team All-Pro picks four times – Buck Buchanan, Walter Jones, Dwight Stephenson and DeMarcus Ware.
Green Bay Packers end Don Hutson poses for a photographer during the 1944 NFL season.(AP Photo/John Lindsay)
The players with Alabama roots who have been first-team All-Pros (NFL or AFL) the most times in their careers include:
1. Don Hutson, Alabama: Eight All-Pro selections
The end was an All-Pro for the Green Bay Packers in 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945. Hutson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
2. John Hannah, Albertville High School, Alabama: Seven All-Pro selections
The guard was an All-Pro for the New England Patriots in 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983 and 1985. Hannah was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
3. Tyreek Hill, West Alabama: Five All-Pro selections
The wide receiver was an All-Pro for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016, 2018 and 2020 and the Miami Dolphins in 2022 and 2023. In 2016, he was selected as a punt returner. In 2018, he filled the flex position. In 2020, 2022 and 2023, he made it as a wide receiver.
3. Terrell Owens, Benjamin Russell High School: Five All-Pro selections
The wide receiver was an All-Pro for the San Francisco 49ers in 2000, 2001 and 2002, Philadelphia Eagles in 2004 and Dallas Cowboys in 2007. Owens was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
5. Buck Buchanan, A.H. Parker High School: Four All-Pro selections
The defensive tackle was an All-Pro for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969. Buchanan was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990.
5. Walter Jones, Aliceville High School: Four All-Pro selections
The offensive tackle was an All-Pro for the Seattle Seahawks in 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2007. Jones was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.
5. Dwight Stephenson, Alabama: Four All-Pro selections
The center was an All-Pro for the Miami Dolphins in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987. Stephenson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.
5. DeMarcus Ware, Auburn High School, Troy: Four All-Pro selections
The outside linebacker was an All-Pro for the Dallas Cowboys in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.
9. Willie Anderson, Vigor High School, Auburn: Three All-Pro selections
The offensive tackle was an All-Pro for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2004, 2005 and 2006.
9. Forrest Blue, Auburn: Three All-Pro selections
The center was an All-Pro for the San Francisco 49ers in 1971, 1972 and 1973.
9. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama: Three All-Pro selections
The safety was an All-Pro for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
9. Frank Gatski, Auburn: Three All-Pro selections
The center was an All-Pro for the Cleveland Browns in 1952, 1953 and 1955. Gatski was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at@AMarkG1.